And in the end this book is just as cheeky, well-written and readable as the other titles in the Bartimaeus Triology (Now it’s a quartet, I guess). You could call this a book about Bartimaeus’ ‘formative years’. We are introduced a little more formally to Farqual, B’s most powerful nemesis and to the world of the magicians of King Solomon’s court. Yes, King Solomon DOES have a ring, a most powerful ring, capable of summoning the most exquisite, deadly and powerful creatures to do his bidding – or whomever is wearing the afore-mentioned ring. A young guard of Balkis, Queen of Sheba, named Asmira, is assigned to assasinate Solomon thus sparing the kingdom from annihilation by Solomon’s magical forces. As a true, loyal soldier she embarks on a certain suicide mission and comes to be entangled in Bartimaeus’ world as a captive spirit of one of King Solomon’s magicians. Bartimaeus shines as usual with wit and ingenuity and the ‘relationships’ between humans and the djinns become ever more interesting because of brilliantly written conversations between humans and spirits and spirits to spirits. One wonders if Jonathan Stroud himself has some sort of scrying glass to see into the world of imps, djinn, marids, etc.. What really secures the book’s worth to me, though, is the moral thoughts that shine through the script….there are no easy answers to anything. But at least now, we know about King Solomon’s ring…believe me, wearing it is no easy task. Actually quite wearing, but, heh, power is power and one must make sacrifices to be powerful. Another exceptional book with my favorite djinn, Bartimaeus of Uruk.
