The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud-ADVISABLE

Stroud, Jonathan. The Ring of Solomon, 398 pgs. Disney-Hyperion Books, 2010. $17.99. Sexual Content-PG; Language-G; Violence-PG-13 (some people get eaten by demons and sword fights). For readers who loved the irreverent and off-the-wall Bartimaeus from The Bartimaeus Trilogy this new adventure (although technically a prequel) will be a delight. Bartimaeus’ narration is tongue-in-cheek and at times laugh-out-loud funny. The story begins when the demon Bartimaeus eats his first master. He thinks he’s free until King Solomon commands Khaba (a royal magician) to re-summon Bartimaeus and punish him. Meanwhile a guard named Asmira has been sent by her queen to assassinate King Solomon. Bartimaeus and Asmira’s paths meet and together they face the immeasurable power of the ring of Solomon. The twists and turns of the plot will keep the reader guessing. Readers do not need to have read The Bartimaeus Trilogy to eat up this fantastic historical fantasy book. MS/HS – ADVISABLE. Samantha, Public Librarian.