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David McK (3623 KP) rated The Golem's Eye (Bartimaeus, #2) in Books

Jun 1, 2025

Second entry in Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy, set roughly two years after the previous 'The Amulet of Samarkand', and following roughly the same outline as before in that it frequently switches point of view between that of the young magician (who, here, are the ruling - and tyrannical - class) Nathaniel, the Djinni he summons (Bartimaeus) who also happens to know his summoners real name (and thus has blackmail material over said summoner) and now also the ringleader of the Resistance Kathleen 'Kitty' Jones.

Here, Nathaniel - who goes by the name of John Mandrake - is charged with uncovering the origin of disturbances in his modern-day-ish London, which he initially blames on the Resistance before it comes to light otherwise.

Not that his fellow members of government initially believe him, or that it is being caused by a Golem being controlled by a mysterious animator ...

Almost worth reading for the footnotes/comments by Bartimaeus alone!

Kudos

ClareR (5996 KP) rated And He Shall Appear in Books

Oct 1, 2025

And He Shall Appear

Kate van der Borgh | 2025 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Mystery

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

And He Shall Appear is a dark, fascinating read. This is a story of obsession and an overwhelming need to belong at all costs.

The unnamed main character is a northern, state-educated boy, who gets a place to study Music at Cambridge University - and he’s determined to reinvent himself. He falls in with the cool crowd, and becomes obsessed with the wealthy Bryn Cavendish.

This is a really haunting novel. I was never quite sure if a ghost or someone from his university past was going to pop up when the narrator returns years later for a function.

The narrator comes across as lost, completely out of his depth, living and acting on the periphery of his new group of ‘friends’. He’s so determined to fit in, that he pushes nicer people away. His new friends really are NOT nice - there’s even the suspicion that Bryns skills as a magician are something more sinister.

This book really gave me the chills. Recommended.