We Haven't Seen the Last of Bartimaeus (Yay!)

The Golem's Eye, Jonathan Stroud's thrilling sequel to The Amulet of Samarkand, can only mean one thing: we haven't seen the last of Bartimaeus.

I enjoyed this book from the start. Not only did it add new twists and interesting characters, but it did a fantastic job of supporting two separate plot lines. One plot starred Bartimaeus and Nathanial while the other starred Kitty Jones, a character briefly introduced in the first novel. The plot lines ran close together, periodically crossing with the characters from both interacting with each other. If Kitty (being part of the resistance) did something, often would it effect Nathaniel, and vice versa.

But of course we all know the best part of the book is Bartimaeus.

 

The biggest thing I noticed about The Golem's Eye was the brilliant characterization. Especially Nathaniel's. He's a dynamic character, as you might have guessed. But unlike most protagonists,  his dynamic character growth goes down hill. In the first book, Nathaniel had morals, knew right from wrong, wanted justice. Which is weird, as Bartimaeus pointed out, because that isn't how most other magicians are. However, in the second book, Nathaniel is crueler, power hungry, and has no morals, like the other magicians. After taking a job with Internal Affairs, he quickly changes for the worst. You start to see Nathaniel and John Mandrake(Nathaniel's magician name) as separate people. But before you know it, Nathaniel is gone. He makes bad choices that other magicians would make, taking any opportunity to seize power. He kidnapped Kitty's friend, and back stabbed Kitty when he promised he would let her go free. Throughout the book you witness his internal struggle between being Nathaniel and John Mandrake. At the end of the book (spoiler alert!) Bartimaeus is fed up with the new Nathaniel, and a bit disappointed in the young magician for acting like the others. Before being released, he says to Nathaniel:
" 'Yep.' I performed a formal salute. 'I bid the magician John Mandrake farewell. May he live long and never summon me again... By the way, notice something there?'
The magician paused with his arms raised and his incantation at the ready. 'What?'
'I didn't say 'Nathaniel'. That's because I see you more as a Mandrake now. The boy who was Nathaniel's fading, almost gone.'
'Good.' He said crisply. 'I'm glad you see sense at last.' He cleared his throat. 'So. Farewell, Bartimaeus.'
'Farewell.' He spoke. I went. I didn't have time to tell him he'd kind of missed the point."
 This quote is shows Bartimaeus explaining to Nathaniel that he had changed for the worse, that the old Nathaniel is gone, replaced by John Mandrake, a magician no crueler than any of the others. Its amazing indirect characterization sums up exactly who Nathaniel has become.

Now, I can't leave out Bartimaeus, who has always had some of the best characterization I've ever seen. You learn a lot about him in this book, how he actually can have a good side. And compaired to Nathaniel, he sometimes seems like the good guy lacking free will. After all, he's just taking orders. Here are some examples of his characterization:
" 'What can you know about it, demon?!' Kitty was white with rage. 'You're a monster! How dare you even imagine what I'm feeling!' She was so furious, she almost lashed out.
The boy tutted. 'Let me give you a friendly tip, He said. 'Now, you wouldn't want to be called 'female mudspawn', would you? Well, in a similar way, when addressing a spirit such as me, the word
demon is in all honesty a little demeaning to us both. The correct term is djinni, though you may add adjectives such as noble  and resplendent if you choose. Just a question of manners. It keeps things friendly between us.' "
I love this quote because it shows the careful characterization of Bartimaeus, explaining one of his pet-peeves (being called a demon) and how he can be a bit vain at times.

Overall, this book has some of the best characterization you'll find. I loved reading it, and hope some more people will pick the series up sometime.

Some of my favorite Bartimaeus quotes: