Gated community

Read: January 2009
Title: Ptolemy's Gate
Author: Jonathan Stroud
ISBN: 0786818611
Binding: Hardcover

Another three years have passed and Mandrake, now seventeen, is in charge of the Information Ministry. This means he's responsible for, amongst other things, coming up with the propaganda leaflets used to tempt commoners into joining up to fight in the war against the rebel colonies in America. He has also kept Bartimaeus constantly summoned for nearly the entire time, partly to keep another magician from summoning the djinn and finding out Mandrake's true name and partly as a reminder of simpler times when he was only under constant threat of immediate horrible death. Unfortunately for Bartimaeus, extended presence in the material world is inimical to a demon's very essence and the poor fellow has been worn down to a nubbin and is barely able to maintain his shape, much less fight or do anything more energetic.

Our third major character, Kitty, has gone underground after the events of the second book and is living under a couple of assumed names. Under one of those names, she's become the commoner assistant to an old and eccentric magician who has undertaken to show her the rudiments of magic - in much the same way that one might decide to teach a pig to sing (ie, she's not really human and the attempt is likely doomed to failure, but it passes the time and the results might be amusing).

Not much can be said without giving away large plot points, but this is the book in which Mandrake/Nathaniel completes his hero's journey, catalyzed by meetings (chance and otherwise) with those he has admired or detested in previous books. We also get even more of Bartimaeus' personal history, Kitty makes a huge choice, and the diabolical mastermind who has stayed in the shadows throughout the trilogy unmasks just before all hell (or, at least, the demon world) breaks loose.

Highly inventive, very bittersweet, and lusciously detailed. I was sorry it had to end and I'd love to someday see a collection of short stories set throughout Bartimaeus' long long life. Recommended.