The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud



My theory on why I never wanted to read these is the covers - I hate them. But, as my last post also mentions, I am ever so glad I started them.

About a 2 1/2 years later after the end of Book 1, The Golem's Eye picks up with Nathaniel (or John Mandrake as his magician's name) is working for the government and is apprentice to a new and highly respected magician. He quickly realizes, however, that no one can be trusted once things start going wrong and all his fellow magicians are quick to put the blame at his feet. His only ally? His old "friend" Bartimaeus of whom he summons and gets an earful (seeing as they ended the first book with a promise of parting for good). An evil magician has created a Golem and Nathaniel needs Bartimaeus's help in finding the culprit.
Once again, Nathaniel isn't very like able (even though you see some potential shine through occasionally) but Bartimaeus is hilariously snarky. I am anxiously awaiting book 3!

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud



When the Prequel to the Bartimaeus Trilogy, The Ring of Solomon, won the School Library Journal Battle of the Books this past year I knew I had put it off for long enough - I needed to read this series. I decided to try audio since it's set in london and that means the narrator would be British and would, automatically, be a better narrator than most audiobooks (sorry Americans, but we all know a British accent is the best) and Book 1, The Amulet of Samarkand, did not disappoint!
Nathaniel is a young wizard apprentice who is smarter than he is given credit for and much more driven than his underwhelming master. Nathaniel's bad experience with a powerful wizard brings out his spiteful side as he calls up djinni Bartimaeus to help him steal the Amulet of Samarkand. All does not go as planned...
Bartimaeus is a wonderful character and overshadows any flaws that appear in the story (like how unlikeable Nathaniel is).
Recommend to fans of Angie Sage, Eoin Colfer, Rowling, etc.

Chime by Franny Billingsley



I read this because of the National Book Award issues between this and the accidental (and poorly handled) nomination of Lauren Myracle's "Shine." (I'll be reading Shine quite soon...) Briony is living with a secret - she is a witch. A witch living in a time where witches are hated and hanged. She believes she is evil - that she caused her sister's personality quirks through creating an injury as a child and causing her stepmother's illness before she passed away. Briony does not allow herself to live a normal teenage life until Eldric comes to town and seems to automatically lighten the mood, opens up a world of true living to Briony, and introduces her to some hard truths.
It took me a minute to get into it, but once it started rolling, I really enjoyed the book. I've never really read anything quite like this so I'm not sure of true read-a-likes, but I would try to pass it on to fans of Kristin Cashore and Megan Whalen Turner perhaps?