In ancient times, there were individuals known as witch hunters who were responsible for locating and apprehending witches. These witch hunters were often feared and revered by society, as they possessed unique skills and knowledge to combat the supernatural. One of the most famous witch hunters in history was Matthew Hopkins, who lived during the 17th century in England. Known as the "Witchfinder General," Hopkins was responsible for the execution of numerous women accused of witchcraft. He employed various methods to identify witches, such as the "swimming test" and the "pricking test". The swimming test involved tying the accused witch's hands and feet together and dropping her into a body of water.
As for Bartimaeus….I love him. I suppose the whole “sassy other-worldly creature” trope is old at this point, but dammit if I didn’t find him endlessly entertaining. His interactions with others of his kind are some of my favorite moments as you get a clear understanding of how “demon” culture works. I thought the bullet-points were a bit excessive in places, but on the other hand it gives the curious reader more insight all without bogging down the plot with unnecessary details.
It makes sense for this to be the case as Nathaniel, a 12 year-old boy, isn t going to care about adult things that don t directly effect him, and yet we, the readers, can ascertain what is really going on in the world these characters live in. But when a devious hotshot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who s boss.
The swimming test involved tying the accused witch's hands and feet together and dropping her into a body of water. If she floated, it was believed that she was in league with the devil and therefore a witch. On the other hand, if she sank and drowned, it was considered proof of her innocence.
The Amulet of Samarkand, Book 1 (Bartimaeus) - Hardcover
Presenting a thrilling new voice in children's literature-a witty, gripping adventure story featuring a boy and his not-so-tame djinni. Nathaniel is a young magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hotshot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he masters one of the toughest spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, blackmail, and revolt. Set in a modern-day London spiced with magicians and mayhem, this extraordinary, funny, pitch-perfect thriller will dazzle the myriad fans of Artemis Fowl and the His Dark Materials trilogy. And with the rights sold in more than a dozen countries, and a major motion picture in the works, the Bartimaeus trilogy is on the fast track to becoming a classic.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:Nathaniel is a boy magician-in-training, sold to the government by his birth parents at the age of five and sent to live as an apprentice to a master. Powerful magicians rule Britain, and its empire, and Nathaniel is told his is the "ultimate sacrifice" for a "noble destiny." If leaving his parents and erasing his past life isn't tough enough, Nathaniel's master, Arthur Underwood, is a cold, condescending, and cruel middle-ranking magician in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The boy's only saving grace is the master's wife, Martha Underwood, who shows him genuine affection that he rewards with fierce devotion. Nathaniel gets along tolerably well over the years in the Underwood household until the summer before his eleventh birthday. Everything changes when he is publicly humiliated by the ruthless magician Simon Lovelace and betrayed by his cowardly master who does not defend him.
Nathaniel vows revenge. In a Faustian fever, he devours magical texts and hones his magic skills, all the while trying to appear subservient to his master. When he musters the strength to summon the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus to avenge Lovelace by stealing the powerful Amulet of Samarkand, the boy magician plunges into a situation more dangerous and deadly than anything he could ever imagine. In British author Jonathan Stroud's excellent novel, the first of The Bartimaeus Trilogy, the story switches back and forth from Bartimaeus's first-person point of view to third-person narrative about Nathaniel. Here's the best part: Bartimaeus is absolutely hilarious, with a wit that snaps, crackles, and pops. His dryly sarcastic, irreverent asides spill out into copious footnotes that no one in his or her right mind would skip over. A sophisticated, suspenseful, brilliantly crafted, dead-funny book that will leave readers anxious for more. (Ages 11 to adult) --Karin Snelson
From the Inside Flap:The first audiobook in a thrilling new trilogy about an apprentice magician and the powerful djinni he summons.
Nathaniel is a young magician with only one thing on his mind: revenge.
As an apprentice to the great magician Underwood, Nathaniel is gradually being schooled in the traditional art of magic. All is well until he has a life-changing encounter with Simon Lovelace, a rising, star magician. When Simon brutally humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to speed up his magical education, teaching himself spells way beyond his years. Eventually, he masters one of the most difficult spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimeus.
But summoning Bartimeus and controlling him are two very different things--and Nathaniel may be in way over his head.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Presenting a thrilling new voice in children's literature-a witty, gripping adventure story featuring a boy and his not-so-tame djinni. Nathaniel is a young magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hotshot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he masters one of the toughest spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, blackmail, and revolt. Set in a modern-day London spiced with magicians and mayhem, this extraordinary, funny, pitch-perfect thriller will dazzle the myriad fans of Artemis Fowl and the His Dark Materials trilogy. And with the rights sold in more than a dozen countries, and a major motion picture in the works, the Bartimaeus trilogy is on the fast track to becoming a classic.
The pricking test involved searching the accused witch's body for the "devil's mark", which was believed to be an area of insensitivity. A needle was used to prick the mark, and if it didn't bleed, it was seen as a sign of witchcraft. However, these methods were highly controversial and often resulted in the wrongful execution of innocent individuals. Many women accused of witchcraft were merely victims of superstition and hysteria. The witch hunts during this time were fueled by religious fervor and societal fear, leading to the persecution of countless people. The role of the witch hunter varied across cultures and time periods. In some cases, they were seen as heroic figures who protected society from evil forces. In other instances, they were viewed with suspicion and even considered as part of the problem. The methods and beliefs of witch hunters differed greatly, depending on the cultural and historical context. In conclusion, the topic of witch hunters and the methods they used to cast out witches is a fascinating and dark part of history. It highlights the power of fear and superstition in shaping societal attitudes and actions. While witch hunting may seem like a thing of the past, it serves as a reminder of the dangers of blindly following dogma and scapegoating individuals based on unfounded beliefs..
Reviews for "Supercharging Your Spells with Witch Gunter Casting"
1. Alice - 2/5
I was really excited to watch "Witch Gunter Cast" as it was marketed as a thrilling fantasy adventure. However, I was left deeply disappointed. The plot was confusing, with unnecessary subplots that didn't seem to contribute to the main story. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect or care about them. Additionally, the special effects were underwhelming and failed to create a believable fantasy world. Overall, "Witch Gunter Cast" felt like a missed opportunity to create a captivating and engaging film.
2. John - 1/5
I couldn't even finish watching "Witch Gunter Cast" it was so poorly done. The dialogue was cheesy and the acting was just plain bad. The story made no sense and had so many plot holes that I couldn't keep up. The action scenes were poorly choreographed, and the visual effects were laughably bad. Save your time and money and watch something else. "Witch Gunter Cast" is definitely one to skip.
3. Emily - 2/5
As a fan of fantasy movies, I was disappointed by "Witch Gunter Cast." The premise had potential, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom punctuated by brief moments of action. The cinematography felt dull and uninspired, making the film visually uninteresting. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. In the end, "Witch Gunter Cast" was a forgettable and underwhelming addition to the genre.
4. Michael - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Witch Gunter Cast," but it fell short in many aspects. The story was convoluted and difficult to follow, leaving me confused throughout the entire film. The dialogue was cheesy and the acting was subpar, making it hard to take anything seriously. The special effects were lackluster and failed to create a sense of wonder or immersion. Overall, "Witch Gunter Cast" failed to live up to the expectations of a captivating fantasy film, leaving me disappointed.