Amulet

This young adult novel plunges readers into an alternate London where the British Empire's power stems from its ruling class of magicians. Five-year-old Nathaniel begins an apprenticeship, but after a public humiliation at age ten, he secretly plots revenge. At twelve, he summons the ancient, sarcastic djinn Bartimaeus to steal a powerful artifact, the Amulet of Samarkand, from a formidable magician. This act ignites a thrilling power struggle, forcing Nathaniel and Bartimaeus into a reluctant alliance to prevent a coup and save the government. The book explores themes of ambition, power, morality, and the complex nature of heroism, offering a rich, fast-paced narrative for mature middle-grade and young adult readers.