the amulet of samarkand by jonathan stroud

A year or so before the events of the novel Underwood hosts a gathering of magicians in his villa. Throughout his childhood, noteworthy events embitter Nathaniel towards Underwood. Over the following years, he progresses through his training as a magician which includes an intense academic education as well as lessons in matters relating to magic. Underwood is unwilling to having an apprentice while his wife, Martha, warmly welcomes Nathaniel. His master, Arthur Underwood, is a mediocre magician and the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Nathaniel becomes an apprentice Magician after his unknown family forfeit him (at the age of five) as part of a government program which pays parents to give up their children to become part of the ruling class of magicians. Nathaniel learns quickly that he may have gotten into a plot much more in-depth than he and his djinni can cope with. Before long, Bartimaeus and Nathaniel are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, rebellion, and murder. Bartimaeus refers constantly to his relation with his former master Ptolemy, comparing him much more favorably to Nathaniel. that and perhaps get even with the annoying little brat who summoned him if he gets the chance. The only problem is Bartimaeus couldn't care less for what his current master really wants, only that he has a job to complete (and survive) before he can return to 'The Other Place' again. Nathaniel has an interesting assignment for Bartimaeus: he must steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivaled ruthlessness and ambition. A magician's young apprentice, Nathaniel, summons the irascible djinni, Bartimaeus, to do his bidding.

The amulet of samarkand by jonathan stroud