Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 11/15/2010 *Starred Review* Called a Bartimaeus Novel, Stroud’s latest opens in a time and place (950 BCE Jerusalem) so far removed from the nineteenth-century British setting of the self-contained Bartimaeus trilogy that even the word prequel overstates the connection. Still, one unforgettable character from the trilogy energizes the current book as well. After outwitting and slaying his master in the opening chapters here, the mouthy, sardonic djinni named Bartimaeus is summoned to the service of yet another magician from King Solomon’s court. Meanwhile, across the desert in Sheba, a young royal guard called Asmira embarks on a dangerous quest, hoping to save the queen and their land by stealing King Solomon’s ring. Although Stroud’s writing is never less than inventive and entertaining, the first 100-page section feels like a prelude to the rest of the novel, which takes off when idealistic Asmira encounters jaded Bartimaeus and they begin to make their way toward Solomon and his ring of power. The climactic scenes hold surprises for the reader as well as the characters. As in the trilogy, some chapters are related in third person, while others are narrated by Bartimaeus, and the latter chapters often include informative and amusing footnotes in his distinctive voice. A riveting adventure for Bartimaeus fans, old and new. - Copyright 2010 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 12/01/2010 This prequel to the Bartimaeus trilogy (finishing with Ptolemy’s Gate, BCCB 2/06) sets the irascible, brilliant djinni Bartimaeus quite far back in the past. Specifically, he’s in Jerusalem in 950 B.C.E., where he is enduring a series of cruel masters who underutilize his talents and occasionally (though not nearly often enough, as far as he is concerned) screw up just enough to allow him to eat them. He is as interested as all other supernatural beings (and lowly humans) in the incredibly powerful ring that King Solomon wears, a ring that keeps evil forces cowed by fears of retribution and good people constantly in pursuit of assistance he can provide just by twisting it. In what are apparently Bartimaeus’ first moments of dabbling with the idea of humans as sentient beings rather than forgettable snacks, he becomes inextricably tied to a young girl who embarks on an almost certainly suicidal task and has just enough magical ability to make Bartimaeus help her. The brilliant footnotes, asides, and constant snark that mark Bartimaeus’ storytelling style will be eagerly welcomed by fans, and his slow, reluctant transformation into a character who can be swayed by the nobility and drive of others-even while his infinite perspective makes it abundantly clear their goals are all too narrow and, quite frankly, a bit dumb-intriguing and plausible. The quick pace and impressive development even of minor characters (Bartimaeus’ fellow work crew of rogue djinn is particularly memorable) echo the earlier volumes, and although this novel works quite well as a stand-alone, newcomers to this character will be pleased to learn an additional trilogy awaits them. A map and cast of characters will be included in the bound volume. AS - Copyright 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 12/01/2010 Gr 6 Up—Fans of Stroud's "Bartimaeus Trilogy" (Hyperion) will cheer the return of the sarcastic, chatty, and mischievous djinni in this prequel. Or perhaps this should be termed a pre-pre-prequel as the setting is an alternate version of biblical times during the reign of King Solomon, where magicians command djinni and Solomon rides herd over the known world due to his possession of an all-powerful ring that causes everyone to cower before him. The Queen of Sheba, aware that Solomon is preparing to disrupt her country's frankincense trade due to her refusal of his multiple marriage proposals, sends her most trusted guard, Asmira, to kill Solomon and steal the ring. Meanwhile, Bartimaeus has been humiliated because of his misbehavior and forced to work for Solomon's henchman, Khaba, on his new temple. After an amusing incident in which Bartimaeus is caught in the form of a hippo while illegally using magic to lay stones for Solomon's temple, he is sent to hunt other creatures who are disrupting trade routes. He encounters Asmira, traveling to Jerusalem under an assumed identity to accomplish her mission. How Bartimaeus ends up as her servant, and what they discover about the truth of Solomon's power, makes this a delightful and fascinating book, and it's likely to bring new fans to the original series. Bartimaeus is a wonderful creation, with his constant storytelling digressions delivered in the form of footnotes. But the new character, Asmira, is equally well rendered, with her keen ability with daggers providing her with much-needed self-defense. Definitely a must-purchase for most libraries.—Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO - Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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