The Amulet of Samarkand – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Amulet of Samarkand

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2003

91%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

A snarky, ancient djinni is forced to work for a vengeful 12-year-old in a version of London where the politicians are wizards and also total jerks.

The Amulet of Samarkand

book

2003

91%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

A snarky, ancient djinni is forced to work for a vengeful 12-year-old in a version of London where the politicians are wizards and also total jerks.

4.5

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Screenwise Verdict

The Amulet of Samarkand is a breath of fresh air for the 'magic school' genre because it isn't about a school at all—it's about a messy, power-hungry kid and a demon who is way too smart for his own good.

It’s witty, dark, and doesn't treat kids like they need a moral lesson wrapped in bubble wrap. Jonathan Stroud’s writing is sharp enough to cut, and even though it’s over twenty years old, the humor and the world-building feel more modern than most stuff coming out today.

If your kid can handle a protagonist who isn't always a 'good boy' and a story that values cleverness over brute force, this is an absolute must-read.

Age Fit

Perfect for 10 to 14-year-olds who have finished Harry Potter and want something with more edge and better jokes. Adults will honestly enjoy the political snark just as much.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The protagonist, Nathaniel, is driven by revenge and ego rather than pure heart. It's a cynical world where the 'good guys' are often just the least-worst option, but the emotional growth is real.

Imaginative

The use of snarky footnotes to provide a demon's-eye view of history is brilliant. The magic system—based on precarious contracts and summoning rather than 'wands and wishes'—is incredibly fresh.

Safe

It's a book, so no surprise visual gore, but it does feature fantasy violence, some scary spirit descriptions, and the death of parental figures. Safe for the intended middle-school-and-up crowd.

Enriching

The book is a sharp critique of class systems and imperialism. It uses a high-level vocabulary and complex narrative structure that respects the reader's intelligence.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The footnotes are legendary; they’re basically the djinni’s internal monologue and they’re consistently the funniest part of the book.
It subverts the 'chosen one' trope by making the main kid, Nathaniel, kind of a petty overachiever who makes questionable choices.
The world-building is top-tier satire, looking at how power corrupts and how ruling classes maintain control.
Bartimaeus is one of the best-written characters in YA fiction—he’s thousands of years old, seen it all, and has zero patience for humans.

⚠

What to Watch For

Nathaniel’s guardians are killed in a pretty cold-blooded way, which might be heavy for more sensitive readers.
The book doesn't sugarcoat the cruelty of the magicians; there’s a lot of systemic bullying and 'might makes right' logic.
It’s a dense read. If your kid isn't into dry humor or political maneuvering, they might find the middle sections a bit slow.

Conversation Starters

"Nathaniel is the 'hero,' but do you actually like him? Why or why not?"
"If you were a spirit like Bartimaeus, what’s the first thing you’d do if your master forgot to close a magic circle?"
"The magicians treat spirits like slaves and commoners like second-class citizens. Does that remind you of anything in the real world?"
"Who is actually more powerful in this book: the person with the magic or the person with the most information?"

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