Ptolemy's Gate - Jonathan Stroud Book Review

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Review Summary

There are three characters in this book. A commoner (no magical powers), Kitty Jones, a magician: John Mandrake, and a slave spirit, Bartimaeus.

Nathaniel and Bartimaeus, enemies to the end, must work together to defeat group of people who have cropped up to bring down the British government and to keep Nathanie'ls posistion among the great magicians free from opposing ministers.

Evil spirits spread across London. Nathaniel is the only one who may defeat them. For this, he needs Williams Gladstones magical staff of Power, which no magician save Gladstone himself can wield, or has dared to try, due to its amazing capabilites. With this, Nathaniel can save the world. Hopefully.
Steven Scott, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of Ptolemy's Gate

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%

Tone of book - humorous or laughable
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - a powerful magician
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - magical being
Profession/status: - slave
Age: - long lived adults
Has magical/special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - can cast many different spells
Eccentric: Yes - wild
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Terrain - Mountains
Earth setting: - current (early 21st century)
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - empty, or nearly empty world
Takes place on Earth? Yes
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Most similar books to Ptolemy's Gate
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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