Book reviews

Ptolemy's Gate
Jonathan Stroud Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography History
Jonathan Stroud Books
New book search
Jonathan Stroud Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of Ptolemy's Gate
"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

Review Analysis of Ptolemy's Gate
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Od Magic by Patricia A. McKillip
Hidden Truth by Dawn Cook
Left Horse Black by S.J. Reisner
The Aware by Glenda Larke


Click here for more information about this book


Jonathan Stroud Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Anastasya  

SCHOLARS:
Phoenix Rye  


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Science Fiction books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Animal Story

Clones

Coming of age

Cultural problems, alien culture

Explore/1st contact/ enviro story

Family relations

GIANT monster(s)

Horror story?

Inner Struggle

Lifeform altered?

Mental/magical powers focus

Parody

Political power play

Religious overtones?

Repressive society story

Robots, Computers, VR

Romance

Spying & Investigations

Tech./$$$/Info hunt

Time Travel story?

Training/Apprent.

War or Invasion



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
Feedback
About us
Bribe your congressman!
Rudy Giuliani



Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
.
Deric Longden 7:55:01 AM
George W. Bush 3:30:03 AM
Anonymous 10:42:03 PM
Patricia Harwin 9:34:12 PM
Lisi Harrison 6:56:33 PM
Ruth Minsky Sender 5:56:32 PM
Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer 12:17:36 PM
Michael Gerber 9:39:20 AM
Terry Goodkind 7:22:26 AM
Isobelle Carmody 5:19:11 AM
Norah Lofts 12:26:00 AM
Diana Gabaldon 10:32:23 PM
Ivan Cat 9:23:05 PM
Scott Westerfield 9:20:54 PM
General Discussion (All Topics) 7:10:00 PM
Jude Deveraux 5:56:12 PM
Ray Bradbury 4:27:50 PM
Karen Armstrong 2:13:10 PM
Karen Armstrong 12:58:19 PM
Lana Wood 6:06:13 AM

More message boards