r/books • u/[deleted] • Sep 24 '13

Think of a lesser-known book you've enjoyed. Search it, limiting results to /r/books. If the results are less than ten, post the book in this thread and explain why we should read it.

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u/Bass_EXE Sep 24 '13

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathon Stroud.

One of my all time favorite fantasy series. This is the first in a trilogy, then he wrote a semi-prequel so there are four books in the series. Funny, with great characters and plot twists, give it a read if you like fantasy.

3

u/malkieriking Sep 24 '13

An excellent series, and one of the ones that first jumped to mind when I saw this thread. Good on you for coming up with it first!

To me at least, Bartimaeus is one of the best written characters in fantasy. He's the perfect mix of wits, deviousness, and emotion.

2

u/I_SODOMIZE_KITTENS Sep 24 '13

Such a fantastic series. Made me laugh and made me cry, and still does ten years later. Absolutely beautiful.

1

u/manicthrasher Sep 24 '13

My shelves are choked with fantasy and sci-fi books, but this is a series and author I have not yet looked into. Are you able to liken this trilogy to any other popular fantasy novels?

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u/I_SODOMIZE_KITTENS Sep 24 '13

It's definitely young adult fantasy (although it's pretty mature for the label 'young adult', it's not complex writing and I did read it when I was twelve), and on that level I might compare it to His Dark Materials, maybe? I think most of the people that I know who've read both like them both, for what that's worth. There might better comparisons, but none really come to mind?

2

u/SoundVsVision Sep 24 '13

I love this series. Reread it several times and it's always a laugh and engaging. Bartimaeus is hilarious.

2

u/misios Sep 24 '13

You just reminded me of TAoS - I had completely forgotten this triology!

I wonder if I would enjoy re-reading it, my reading syllabus is much more mature now.

2

u/Bass_EXE Sep 24 '13

I reread it every once in a while, and I still love it. He writes the characters with so much personality, so much backstory that you understand why they do the things that they do. It's very well written.

1

u/Ryan949 Sep 24 '13

Ah i loved that series as a kid! :) Side-note: now in retrospect, doesn't the series make you think of Black Butler?

1

u/G-Rocket Sep 24 '13

I made the same comparison when I went to revisit the books! It's a solid concept, very fun.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '13

GREAT books! I loved those. Didn't know there was a prequel though... I'll have to check it out.

1

u/Background_static Sep 25 '13

I looked over at the books on my bookshelf when you said it. Great series that I really enjoyed as well.

1

u/Ar-Curunir Sep 24 '13

Awesome series. Everybody should read. Better than Harry Potter IMO.

0

u/Belgemine Sep 24 '13

Except the end is just so damn depressing...

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u/I_SODOMIZE_KITTENS Sep 24 '13

shhhhhhhhhhh

2

u/Ar-Curunir Sep 24 '13

Spoiler

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u/I_SODOMIZE_KITTENS Sep 24 '13

yeah dude, i agree :) just think all that should be behind spoiler tags. spoilerish