Ptolemy's Gate

Ptolemy’s Gate is the final title in the New York Times bestselling Bartimaeus series by Jonathan Stroud, author of Lockwood & Co. - a global No.1 show on Netflix. 
 
**Note: There is a chance the book cover you receive may differ from the cover displayed here.** 
 
Two thousand years have passed since the djinni Bartimaeus was at the height of his powers – invincible in battle and befriended by the great magician Ptolemy. Now, trapped on earth and treated with disdain by his master, Nathaniel, Bartimaeus finds his energies fading fast. 
 
Elsewhere, undercover in London, the fugitive Kitty Jones has been stealthily completing her research on magic and demons. She has a plan that she hopes will break the endless conflict between djinn and humans – but first she must uncover the secrets of Bartimaeus’s past. 
 
And time is running out. As a horrific conspiracy threatens everything, can Nathaniel, Kitty and Bartimaeus team up to save the world? 
 
Set in an alternate London controlled by magicians, this hilarious and electrifying bestseller will enthral readers of all ages. 
 
The triumphant conclusion to a fantastic trilogy – Daily Mail 
 
Showstopping – Sunday Times

Bartimaeus' razor-sharp wit is as irresistible as ever and this is a fantastic conclusion to the series

There are many delights to savour in this series. First and foremost, the wonderful, sardonic voice of the all-knowing and all-weary Bartimaeus

As witty and orginal as the first two books in the series, Ptolemy's Gate is fast, funny, inspired writing for children at its best

Stroud demonstrates here that what and how he writes should never be taken for granted

The return of one of my favourite ever characters . . . Completes the brilliant Bartimaeus trilogy

Jonathan Stroud goes from strength to strength . . . Dramatic tension and coruscating wit never falter

Jonathan Stroud was born in Bedford in 1970. After studying English Literature at York University, he moved to London, where he worked as an editor at a publishing firm. He is the author of the best-selling Bartimaeus series; the much-beloved Lockwood & Co. series (now a major Netflix series) as well as The Notorious Scarlett & Browne; Heroes of the Valley; The Last Seige; The Leap and Buried Fire. He lives in Hertfordshire with his family. He has yet to see a ghost, but is keeping his eyes open.

Two thousand years have passed since the djinni Bartimaeus was at the height of his powers – invincible in battle and befriended by the great magician Ptolemy. Now, trapped on earth and treated with disdain by his master, Nathaniel, Bartimaeus finds his energies fading fast. 
 
Elsewhere, undercover in London, the fugitive Kitty Jones has been stealthily completing her research on magic and demons. She has a plan that she hopes will break the endless conflict between djinn and humans – but first she must uncover the secrets of Bartimaeus’s past. 
 
And time is running out. As a horrific conspiracy threatens everything, can Nathaniel, Kitty and Bartimaeus team up to save the world? 
 
Set in an alternate London controlled by magicians, this hilarious and electrifying bestseller will enthral readers of all ages.

The Golem's Eye

The Golem’s Eye is the second title in the New York Times bestselling Bartimaeus series by Jonathan Stroud. 
 
**Note: There is a chance the book cover you receive may differ from the cover displayed here.** 
 
Two years have passed since the events surrounding the Amulet of Samarkand, and the young magician Nathaniel is rising fast through the ranks of London’s elite magical government. 
 
But his career is suddenly threatened by a dangerous golem making random attacks on London, and Nathaniel is forced on a perilous quest to save his reputation and the city. When he finds his life in danger he has no choice but to call upon the troublesome 5,000 year old djinni, Bartimaeus, to do his magical bidding once more . . . 
 
Set in an alternate London controlled by magicians, this hilarious and electrifying series will enthral readers of all ages. 
 
Fresh, witty and wise, this novel is a worthy sequel to The Amulet of Samarkand – Times Educational Supplement 
 
Readers can rest easy: this sequel is no pale imitation of its predecessor. Fast paced, frightening and funny, and you don't want it to end – The Bookseller

The alternating perspective between the three central characters adds depth, detail and humour to the action-packed thrills

A vast plum pudding of a novel that improves with each mouthful

Fresh, downbeat, witty and wise, this novel is a worthy sequel to The Amulet of Samarkand

Readers can rest easy: this sequel is no pale imitation of its predecessor. The Golem's Eye is another sophisticated, sardonic satire . . . Fast paced, frightening and funny, and you don't want it to end

Two years have passed since the events surrounding the Amulet of Samarkand, and the young magician Nathaniel is rising fast through the ranks of London’s elite magical government. 
 
But his career is suddenly threatened by a dangerous golem making random attacks on London, and Nathaniel is forced on a perilous quest to save his reputation and the city. When he finds his life in danger he has no choice but to call upon the troublesome 5,000 year old djinni, Bartimaeus, to do his magical bidding once more . . . 
Set in an alternate London controlled by magicians, this hilarious and electrifying New York Times bestselling series will enthral readers of all ages. 
 
Fresh, witty and wise, this novel is a worthy sequel to The Amulet of Samarkand – Times Educational Supplement 
 
Readers can rest easy: this sequel is no pale imitation of its predecessor. Fast paced, frightening and funny, and you don't want it to end – The Bookseller

The Ring of Solomon

The Ring of Solomon is a prequel to the New York Times bestselling Bartimaeus series by Jonathan Stroud, author of Lockwood & Co. - a global No.1 show on Netflix. 
 
**Note: There is a chance the book cover you receive may differ from the cover displayed here.** 
 
It is 950 BC, and King Solomon rules Jerusalem with a steely hand on which gleams a mystic ring of immense and unforgiving power. 
 
One of Solomon’s magical slaves, the irrepressible djinni Bartimaeus, is stuck doing dead-end jobs for the king. But when Asmira, a young Sheban assassin, arrives to kill Solomon, steal the ring and save her country from his attack, she makes Bartimaeus an offer he can’t refuse. If he helps her succeed, she will give him his freedom. 
 
What could possibly go wrong? 
 
Set in an alternate world controlled by magicians, this hilarious and electrifying bestseller will enthral readers of all ages. 
 
As funny as ever. Stroud has lost none of his dazzle – Financial Times 
 
Deservedly shortlisted for the Costa Prize – Sunday Times

It is 950 BC, and King Solomon rules Jerusalem with a steely hand on which gleams a mystic ring of immense and unforgiving power. 
 
One of Solomon’s magical slaves, the irrepressible djinni Bartimaeus, is stuck doing dead-end jobs for the king. But when Asmira, a young Sheban assassin, arrives to kill Solomon, steal the ring and save her country from his attack, she makes Bartimaeus an offer he can’t refuse. If he helps her succeed, she will give him his freedom. 
 
What could possibly go wrong? 
 
Set in an alternate world controlled by magicians, this hilarious and electrifying bestseller will enthral readers of all ages. 
 
As funny as ever. Stroud has lost none of his dazzle – Financial Times 
 
Deservedly shortlisted for the Costa Prize – Sunday Time

Lockwood & Co.– Now a major Netflix series

Now a major Netflix series from the production company of Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) and Joe Cornish (Attack the Block) 
 
'The Screaming Staircase?' Lockwood edged forward in his chair. 'Please, Mr Fairfax, tell us more.' 
 
For more than fifty years, Britain has been terrorised by an epidemic of murderous ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy them - with mixed results . . . 
 
Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping to begin a shining new chapter in her career. Instead she finds herself joining Lockwood & Co., the most ramshackle agency in the city, whose ineptitude is matched only by the charisma of its owner. 
 
But Lockwood & Co. have one last chance for redemption. All they have to do is spend the night in one of the most haunted houses in England . . . and come out alive. 
 
The first book in an amazingly addictive, binge-worthy series, this is an electrifying, witty and brilliantly spooky thriller, perfect for fans of Rivers of London and Good Omens.

Genuinely spooky and suspenseful . . . all shot through with Stroud's dry wit

One of those books you take with you to the bath . . . Packed with bloodcurdling spectral incident

'The Screaming Staircase?' Lockwood edged forward in his chair. 'Please, Mr Fairfax, tell us more.' 
 
For more than fifty years, Britain has been terrorised by an epidemic of murderous ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy them - with mixed results . . . 
 
Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping to begin a shining new chapter in her career. Instead she finds herself joining Lockwood & Co., the most ramshackle agency in the city, whose ineptitude is matched only by the charisma of its owner. 
 
But Lockwood & Co. have one last chance for redemption. All they have to do is spend the night in one of the most haunted houses in England . . . and come out alive.

Book 5

Lockwood & Co: The Empty Grave

Join Lucy, Lockwood, George and Holly as they battle ghosts and humans for truth and justice in this breathtaking finale to the bestselling Lockwood series - now a major new Netflix show!

Now a major Netflix series! 
 
Want to hear a ghost story? That's good. I know a few . . . 
 
After their recent adventures, the Lockwood & Co team deserve a well-earned break . . . so naturally they decide to risk their lives breaking into a heavily-guarded crypt. A building full of unsettled souls, it's also the final resting place of Marissa Fittes, the legendary and (supposedly) long-dead ghost hunter - though the team have their suspicions about just how dead she might be. 
 
What they discover changes everything. 
 
Pitched into a desperate race to get to the truth behind the country's ghost epidemic, the team ignite a final, epic battle against the Fittes agency. A battle that will force them to journey to the Other Side, and face the most terrifying enemy they have ever known. 
 
Can everyone make it out alive? 
 
Join Lucy, Lockwood, George and Holly for one last time as they battle ghosts and humans for truth and justice in this breathtaking finale to the bestselling series. 
 
'Stroud is a genius' - Rick Riordan

A brilliant culmination to a splendidly scary series

Stroud’s prose is evocative . . . and his horrors, pattering in the footsteps of M. R. James, depend more on the reader’s imagination than the writer’s gruesome welter. His humour is also perfectly judged, never undermining the terror, but allowing the reader to bask in the camaraderie of London’s smallest, most slapdash and unlikely ghost-hunting agency, the eponymous Lockwood and Co. Throughout the series, he has achieved great feats of ­characterisation.

A devilishly good combination of engaging cast, memorable locations, comforting food and delicious pace all sewn together with seriously good, unaffected writing, The Empty Grave is the full monty; entertainment, excitement and intelligence sprinkled with wit and verve and sparkling throughout with an endorphin-laced exploration of a liminal frontier – in this case the very boundary between the living and the dead. The Empty Grave is a fitting and extraordinary end to a remarkable series; I am very envious of those who are yet to discover Lockwood &amp; Co. for themselves.

[T]he thrilling finale to the multi award-winning series, and the excitement and tension are held right to the very end. Sad to see a great series reach its conclusion, but better to go out on a high note, as this does.

Stroud brings his intricate, series long storyline to a close with a complex, dramatic climax followed by a simple, satisfying conclusion. A first-rate adventure, full of memorable, original characters

Jonathan Stroud was born in Bedford in 1970. After studying English Literature at York University, he moved to London, where he worked as an editor at a publishing firm. He is the author of the best-selling Bartimaeus series; the much-beloved Lockwood &amp; Co. series (now a major Netflix series) as well as The Notorious Scarlett &amp; Browne; Heroes of the Valley; The Last Seige; The Leap and Buried Fire. He lives in Hertfordshire with his family. He has yet to see a ghost, but is keeping his eyes open.

Book 4

Lockwood & Co: The Creeping Shadow

Ghouls and spectres beware! London's smallest (but best) psychic detection agency Lockwood & Co. is back with a fourth deliciously terrifying tale - now a major new Netflix series!

Now a major Netflix series! 
 
Lucy has left Lockwood & Co. A freelance operative, she is hiring herself out to other agencies - agencies that might value her ever-improving skills. 
 
But now Lockwood needs her help. 
 
Penelope Fittes, leader of the well-renowned Fittes Agency wants Lockwood & Co. - and only them - to locate and remove the 'Source' for the legendary Brixton Cannibal. 
 
It's a tough assignment. Made worse by the tensions between Lucy and the other agents - even the skull is treating her like a jilted lover! 
 
What will it take to reunite the team? Black marketeers, an informant ghost, a Spirit Cape that transports the wearer, and mysteries involving their closest rivals may just do the trick. 
 
But not all is at it seems. And it's not long before a shocking revelation rocks Lockwood & Co. to its very core . . . 
 
'Stroud is a genius' - Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series.

like the Famous Five fused with HP Lovecraft [...] cosy and terrifying

Stroud's nerve-shredding ghouls, laconic hilarity and intelligent character development make him a must for fiction aficionados with an iron nerve

this spine-chilling adventure is the perfect ghostly read

All the books in the series have been excellent, but in The Creeping Shadow, Stroud manages to pile mystery on top of suspense, leaving me with the feeling that a year is far, far, too long to wait for the concluding part of a series that instantly shot to the very top of my reading pile. This is young adult writing of the very highest quality.

If you’re in the market to have your pants scared off this Halloween, this atmospheric tale, finely balanced between horror and humour, will definitely do the trick . . . There are few writers whose work I look forward to more.

Publication of a new Lockwood and Co. adventure must qualify as one of the literary events of the year. Jonathan Stroud not only writes like a dream, he creates some of the most inventive, most exciting storylines around.

I enjoyed it so much, I hope there will be yet another book soon to follow in this fabulously told series.

Amazed Earthling, with Guardian Children's Books

I love this series so much, the characters are funny . . .  the ghosts are awesome.

Book 3

Lockwood & Co: The Hollow Boy

The third book in the chilling, bestselling series from author, Jonathan Stroud. Now a major Netflix series.

Now a major Netflix series! 
 
Lockwood & Co. might be the smallest (some might say shambolic) Psychic Detection Agency in London. But its three agents - Lockwood, Lucy and George - are exceptional Talents. And they get results. When an outbreak of ghostly phenomena grows to terrifying levels in Chelsea, Scotland Yard is left baffled. 
 
Even more baffling is that Lockwood & Co appear to have been excluded from the huge team of Agents investigating the Chelsea Outbreak. Surely this is the perfect chance for them to show once and for all that they're actually the best in town? Well, that's if they can put aside their personal differences for long enough to march into action with their rapiers, salt and iron . . . 
 
Ghouls and spectres, thrills and tension in this third instalment in Jonathan Stroud's bestselling series. 
 
'Stroud is a genius' - Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series.

Book 2

Lockwood & Co: The Whispering Skull

The second book in the chilling, bestselling series from global bestselling author, Jonathan Stroud. Now a major Netflix series!

Now a major Netflix series! 
 
Ghosts and ghouls beware! London's smallest, shabbiest and most talented psychic detection agency is back. 
 
Life is never exactly peaceful for Lockwood & Co. Lucy and George are trying to solve the mystery of the talking skull trapped in their ghost jar, while Lockwood is desperate for an exciting new case. 
 
Things seem to be looking up when the team is called to Kensal Green Cemetery to investigate the grave of a sinister Victorian doctor. Strange apparitions have been seen there, and the site must be made safe. As usual, Lockwood is confident; as usual, everything goes wrong - a terrible phantom is freed and a dangerous object is stolen from the coffin. 
 
Lockwood & Co. must recover the relic before its power is unleashed, but it's a race against time. Their obnoxious rivals from the Fittes agency are also on the hunt. And if that's not bad enough, the skull in the ghost-jar is stirring again... 
 
The author of the blockbuster BARTIMAEUS sequence delivers another humorous and chilling instalment in the critically acclaimed LOCKWOOD & CO. series. 
 
'Stroud is a genius' Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series.

The second volume in Jonathan Stroud's exceptional series . . . Stroud's writing is inventive and funny, but be warned: this is packed with grisly ghouls and is not perhaps for the faint-hearted.

Seriously scary, brilliant prose.

I’ve waited with baited breath for the second instalment of Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood &amp; Co novels. At last, The Whispering Skull is here and it is definitely worth the wait.

Stroud delivers another riveting narrative

Rousing adventures for young tomb robbers and delvers into realms better left to the dead

There was a fight between me and my 11-year-old about who got first to Jonathan Stroud's Whispering Skull . . . A blissful read.

As in the first volume there are plenty of heart-stopping moments and a generous dollop of gore, but nothing most teens and confident readers can't handle: in fact, the problem will be to persuade them to put the book down. In short, it's both gross and engrossing!

The Whispering Skull frees Stroud to let his flair for spectacle run riot, resulting in several deftly constructed set-pieces far more akin to true horror than the ghost house antics of the first book.

As in the first instalment, Stroud manages to perfectly balance grisly encounters with gleefully sarcastic humour.

This is quality reading for young and old. Bring on those ghosts, but first hand me my rapier!

There's a dark, macabre air to these books that Stroud handles with an expert touch, perfectly balancing the supernatural with witty repartee and serpentine plots (no one could ever accuse Stroud of dumbing down). After The Screaming Staircase, our trio is back with a second instalment to sort out a seriously creepy talking skull trapped inside a glass jar. Ghost-busting has never been more engrossing.

Now a major Netflix series! 
 
 
Ghosts and ghouls beware! London's smallest, shabbiest and most talented psychic detection agency is back. 
 
Life is never exactly peaceful for Lockwood & Co. Lucy and George are trying to solve the mystery of the talking skull trapped in their ghost jar, while Lockwood is desperate for an exciting new case. 
 
Things seem to be looking up when the team is called to Kensal Green Cemetery to investigate the grave of a sinister Victorian doctor. Strange apparitions have been seen there, and the site must be made safe. As usual, Lockwood is confident; as usual, everything goes wrong - a terrible phantom is freed and a dangerous object is stolen from the coffin. 
 
Lockwood & Co. must recover the relic before its power is unleashed, but it's a race against time. Their obnoxious rivals from the Fittes agency are also on the hunt. And if that's not bad enough, the skull in the ghost-jar is stirring again... 
 
The author of the blockbuster BARTIMAEUS sequence delivers another humorous and chilling instalment in the critically acclaimed LOCKWOOD & CO. series. 
 
'Stroud is a genius' Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series.

Lockwood & Co: The Dagger in the Desk

A spooky short story introducing readers to the world of Lockwood.

A thrilling new case for London’s most talented psychic detection agency – from the global bestselling author of the Bartimaeus Sequence. 
 
In London, a mysterious and potentially deadly ghost is stalking the halls of St Simeon’s Academy for Talented Youngsters. It lurks in the shadows, spreading fear and icy cold – and it carries a sharp and very solid dagger . . . 
 
The headmaster wastes no time in enlisting the help of ghost-hunters Anthony Lockwood, Lucy Carlyle and George Cubbins. 
 
Can Lockwood &amp; Co. survive the night and save the day?

Buried Fire

A powerful novel which combines elements of fantasy and mythology with a contemporary setting.

Jonathan Stroud writes like a seasoned veteran with a voice all his own, and tells a cracking story that races to a strong climax

A well-written, intensely imagined first novel

Two brothers, Michael and Stephen MacIntyre, together with their sister Sarah and the local vicar Tom Aubrey, uncover a deadly secret buried near their village. But time is short: can they prevent the awakening of an ancient evil before its powers corrupt them for ever?

Book 1

Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase

The book sensation from global bestselling author, Jonathan Stroud, now a major Netflix series!

Now a major Netflix series! 
 
When the dead come back to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in . . . 
 
For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions. 
 
Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. Unfortunately this involves spending the night in one of the most haunted houses in England, and trying to escape alive. 
 
Set in a city stalked by spectres, The Screaming Staircase is the first in a chilling new series full of suspense, humour and truly terrifying ghosts. Your nights will never be the same again . . . 
 
Suspenseful, supernatural adventure - Metro 
 
Put The Screaming Staircase on your 'need to read' list - Rick Riordan

This story will keep you reading late into the night, but you'll want to leave the lights on. Stroud is a genius at inventing an utterly believable world which is very much like ours, but so creepily different. Put The Screaming Staircase on your 'need to read' list.

The book is genuinely spooky and suspenseful, with appealing characters and great dialogue, and all shot through with Stroud's dry wit.

A heartily satisfying string of entertaining near-catastrophes, replete with narrow squeaks and spectral howls

Stroud (the Bartimaeus series) shows his customary flair for blending deadpan humor with thrilling action, and the fiery interplay among the three agents of Lockwood &amp; Co. invigorates the story (along with no shortage of creepy moments).

In a world overrun by evil spooks, can Paranormal Detection Agency Lockwood &amp; Co do anything about the ghostly problems besetting London? Suspenseful, supernatural adventure.

One of those books you take with you to the bath . . . Packed with bloodcurdling spectral incident.

I have a particular terror of anything involving unfriendly ghosts and usually steer clear, but this one was just too tempting. Scare me it did, but the thrills were perfectly balanced by the intriguing plot twists and the humorous banter of the three main protagonists. It’s a little bit Sherlock Holmes, a little bit Skulduggery Pleasant, with a terrifying haunted house thrown in for good measure. You definitely won’t be disappointed

This was absolutely excellent. I loved the story, the amount of suspense and creepiness was exactly right to keep me reading page after page very quickly.

Stroud is one of the smartest and most talented writers around . . . Be prepared for lots of humour and some very creepy moments. You're going to be hooked.

It's a ripper! . . . With plentiful wit and good humour, more than a few chilling moments and, above all, refreshing creativity, Jonathan Stroud has constructed an energetic, fast paced narrative that trips nimbly back and forth from the present to the past as he first sketches and then deftly paints this fascinating landscape.

It's brilliant - that's all you need to know really so go and buy it now

It’s almost impossible to put down and all I have left to say is that I want more.

Now a major Netflix series! 
 
When the dead come back to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in . . . 
 
For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions. 
 
Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. Unfortunately this involves spending the night in one of the most haunted houses in England, and trying to escape alive. 
 
Set in a city stalked by spectres, The Screaming Staircase is the first in a chilling new series full of suspense, humour and truly terrifying ghosts. Your nights will never be the same again . . .

The Amulet of Samarkand Graphic Novel

The first volume in the brilliant, bestselling Bartimaeus sequence, now adapted into a stunning graphic novel format - this is Bartimaeus as you've never seen him before!

...illustrated superbly in this graphic novel. The colours are delicious - rich yet real, bright yet not busy, with realistic shading and other changes of tone. 
The whole artwork is superlative, with characters - human, magical or otherwise - simply and well defined. 
That and a whole lot more suggest this book is a faithful adaptation, cherishing the original and only making it more vivid. 
With the look of this tome the standout, this is the best preteen-read-to-graphic-novel book I've yet seen, making it better than the Alex Rider, Charlie Higson young Bond, and even our co-adaptor's Artemis Fowl tie-ins. It's a lengthy book, for it doesn't appear wordy yet contains a satisfying amount of bulk. It reads fine, and looks splendid, and I have no problem recommending it.

The art work that is done by Lee Sullivan and Colour by Nicholas Chapuis is just wonderful. Its bright and colourful and really is easy on the eyes... Overall, a great fun read that will make you want to go out and buy the orginal books. And a huge thumbs up for a very happy four year boy who is totally in love with this graphic novel. 4/5

...Bartimaeus' most famous adventure has been brought to stunning graphic life in this beautiful adaptation... This book is 144 pages of pure fantasy gold... It is great to see the story come to life through the wonderful illustrations and colourful layout.

...a faithful and well-considered take on the near 10-year-old tale... 
...atmospheric visuals... 
...artwork is beautiful throughout... 
9/10 - A charming fantasy romp

[Illustrations are] stunning, detailed and spookily close to my own imaginings of the characters and locations... 
...a graphic novel that is beautiful to look upon... 
...excellency marks all aspects of this graphic novel, from the story to the art, colour and lettering ... 
Highly recommended.

Wonderfully written and packed with full-color art... 
...graphic novel fans of all ages will greatly enjoy.

the art, provided by Lee Sullivan is extremely vivid and detailed. It bring the story to life, and compels you to keep reading

The first volume in the brilliant, bestselling Bartimaeus sequence, now adapted into a stunning graphic novel format - this is Bartimaeus as you've never seen him before! 
Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, has revenge on his mind. Desperate to defy his master and take on more challenging spells, he secretly summons the 5000-year-old djinni, Bartimaeus. But Bartimaeus's task is not an easy one - he must steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, Bartimaeus and Nathaniel are caught up in a terrifying flood of intrigue, rebellion and murder. 
Set in modern-day London controlled by magicians, this brilliant adaptation of Jonathan Stroud's bestselling novel will enthral readers of all ages.

Heroes of the Valley

Blood feuds, epic battles and a undersized hero come together in this brilliant fantasy adventure from the author of the bestselling Bartimaeus trilogy.

Written out of a deeply felt world and with a taut, disciplined voice that knows its Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as well as its Harry Potter, Jonathan Stroud's new book is, quite simply, stunning

This is a real treat that will have children of 10 and over seeking out Stroud's other novels

As always, Stroud writes like a dream, passing from instant amusement to a sense of real suspense with apparent ease. Those who eagerly awaited this next novel after his super Bartimaeus trilogy will not be disappointed

It is certainly an action adventure but the great fight scenes are tempered by humour and humanity and for that reason, although an excellent read for boys, it will be read by adventurous girls too

The language is equisite in places and landscape is brilliantly evoked throughout the story

Stroud peppers his story with tales reminiscent of ancient Norse myths, giving this book the feel of an epic saga. Halli is a great lead character . . .

A high adventure with any twists and turns

An entertaining book full of boyhood adventures, heroes and excitement

Jonathan is already building up a strong fan base among young lovers of fantasy fiction and his latest novel will certainly not disappoint his young readers

While it is a totally new direction and a different type of tale to what pulls you right in, proving that the cream will always rise to the top

This latest novel will certainly not disappoint his young readers

This is an entertaining book full of boyhood adventures, heroes and excitement

An author who can rightly be dubbed a master storyteller . . . Heroes Of The Valley is . . . epic, vibrant and colourful

Listen then, and I'll tell you again of the Battle of the Rock. But none of your usual wriggling, or I'll stop before I've begun . . . 
 
Halli loves the old stories from when the valley was a wild and dangerous place - when the twelve legendary heroes stood together to defeat the ancient enemy, the bloodthirsty Trows. 
 
Halli longs for adventure but these days the most dangerous thing in the valley is boredom. He tries to liven things up by playing practical jokes. But when one of his jokes goes too far, he reawakens an old blood feud and finds himself on a hero's quest after all. Along the way he meets a ruthless thief, a murderous rival, and a girl who may just be as fearless as he is . . . 
 
Jonathan Stroud has created an epic saga with a funny, unique spin, and an unforgettable anti-hero.

The Last Siege

A powerful book with a dramatic twist, from the bestselling author of the Bartimaeus sequence.

A gripping novel of real originality . . . The careful setting-up, subtle delineation of character, meticulous observation of the castle itself - in some ways the story's main character - and the gradual increase in the pace and tension of this riveting narrative mark this as a novel of real skill and technique

Packed with suspense and palpable tension . . . This compelling thriller is impossible to put down

A brilliant book, evocatively written and full of sinister suspense

When Emily, Simon and Marcus discover the deserted castle, it seems like an escape from the midwinter snows and their individual loneliness. But their occupation of the ruin quickly takes on a momentum of its own, and soon threatens their friendship, their freedom and their lives.

The Leap

A compelling and atmospheric tale from Jonathan Stroud, author of the bestselling Bartimaeus Sequence.

Compelling reading . . . Sensitively depicted

Atmospheric and intriguing . . . The quality of the writing never flags

This novel braids the fantastic and the everyday together into a very skilful and readable story, full of real emotions and fairytale echoes

A finely choreographed novel of displacement, death and friendship

Everyone says that Max is drowned, but Charlie thinks differently: she was in the mill-pool with him, and knows exactly what she saw. When she begins to see him in her dreams, her hopes are raised. It seems the reunion she craves is possible. But where exactly is Max leading her? And will she be able to return?

Jonathan Stroud

Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling

The truly original touch is the way Stroud alternates Nathaniel's story with the djinni's own knowing and irascible first-person narrative

The narrative slips skilfully from first person to third and back and Bartimaeus's voice is laugh-out-loud sassy, while Nathaniel's story has an engaging poignancy as he tries to prove himself in a world in which he has always been despised

Not since Gulliver's Travels has a children's writer managed to combine a thrilling tale of magic and adventure with such deliciously pointed comedy

When a young magician’s apprentice secretly summons an irascible 5,000 year old djinni to do his bidding, neither are prepared for the peril that ensues. 
 
Nathaniel is plotting the downfall of his nemesis – a ruthless magician by the name of Simon Lovelace – and tasks Bartimaeus to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from him, in order to exact his revenge. 
 
But before long, Nathaniel and Bartimaeus are caught up in a terrifying adventure much bigger than either of them anticipated, involving intrigue, rebellion and murder… 
 
Set in an alternate London controlled by magicians, this hilarious and electrifying series will enthral readers of all ages.

Jonathan Stroud

Praise for The Amulet of Samarkand

Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling

The truly original touch is the way Stroud alternates Nathaniel's story with the djinni's own knowing and irascible first-person narrative

The narrative slips skilfully from first person to third and back and Bartimaeus's voice is laugh-out-loud sassy, while Nathaniel's story has an engaging poignancy as he tries to prove himself in a world in which he ...

Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling

The truly original touch is the way Stroud alternates Nathaniel's story with the djinni's own knowing and irascible first-person narrative

The narrative slips skilfully from first person to third and back and Bartimaeus's voice is laugh-out-loud sassy, while Nathaniel's story has an engaging poignancy as he tries to prove himself in a world in which he ...

Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling

The truly original touch is the way Stroud alternates Nathaniel's story with the djinni's own knowing and irascible first-person narrative

The narrative slips skilfully from first person to third and back and Bartimaeus's voice is laugh-out-loud sassy, while Nathaniel's story has an engaging poignancy as he tries to prove himself in a world in which he ...

Books by Jonathan Stroud

Series by Jonathan Stroud

Lockwood & Co.6 Books

The Bartimaeus Sequence5 Books

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