Begin with the original trilogy
Start with The Amulet of Samarkand to meet Bartimaeus and Nathaniel at the moment their dangerous partnership begins. Read The Ring of Solomon after book 3.
Book Series · 4 Books
Bartimaeus Books
In order from The Amulet of Samarkand to The Ring of Solomon.
A sharp, footnote-filled fantasy trilogy follows a sarcastic djinni, an ambitious young magician, and a rebel in alternate London, with one ancient-set prequel.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Bartimaeus Books
Read the original trilogy first: The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate. Their political conflict and the changing relationships among Bartimaeus, Nathaniel, and Kitty form one continuous story.
The Ring of Solomon was published fourth but is set about three thousand years earlier. Save it until after the trilogy on a first read: its ancient adventure stands alone, and Bartimaeus's voice and history are more rewarding once readers already know him. Readers who specifically want chronological story order may read it first.
Sources: Jonathan Stroud's official Bartimaeus overview, Author's description of the original trilogy.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The series combines witty narration with a dark system built on slavery, class oppression, and political violence. Spirits and people are imprisoned, tortured, injured, and killed; wars, bombings, betrayal, and character deaths become especially prominent in the trilogy's conclusion. The moral complexity and layered footnotes suit confident older middle-grade readers.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$958
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2003
The Amulet of Samarkand
A young magician's apprentice seeks revenge, unleashing a powerful djinni and chaos.
462 pages
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In a modern-day London teeming with magic, young apprentice Nathaniel seeks revenge against the arrogant wizard Simon Lovelace. Summoning the formidable djinni Bartimaeus, Nathaniel's quest spirals into a dangerous game of magical espionage and rebellion. As he attempts to control the djinni and steal the coveted Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel faces a whirlwind of intrigue, murder, and betrayal. Can he navigate this perilous world and outsmart his enemies, or will his thirst for vengeance consume him? Dive into a thrilling adventure where magic and mayhem collide, and nothing is as it seems.
In reading order
Bartimaeus Series
4 books · Published 2003–2010
#1
Sale price
$958
The Amulet of Samarkand
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2003
A young magician's apprentice seeks revenge, unleashing a powerful djinni and chaos.
#2
Sale price
$858
The Golem's Eye
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2004
A golem terrorizes London. Can Nathaniel uncover its source?
#3
Sale price
$958
Ptolemy's Gate
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2005
A conspiracy unfolds, threatening everything. Can they stop it?
#4
Sale price
$958
The Ring of Solomon
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2010
A djinni faces his toughest challenge yet in King Solomon's court.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Bartimaeus series?
There are 4 books in the Bartimaeus series. It began with The Amulet of Samarkand in 2003, and the newest book, The Ring of Solomon, was published in 2010.
What order should you read the Bartimaeus books in?
Start with The Amulet of Samarkand and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #4.
What ages are the Bartimaeus books best for?
The series is best for ages 10–14, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring Bartimaeus to life.
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