Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

The Blurb On The Back:

Fat Charlie Nancy is not having a good week. His estranged father recently dropped dead on a karaoke stage and has left Fat Charlie with much more than embarrassment. Because, you see, Charlie has discovered that his dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi the trickster spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and even baffle the devil. No wonder Fat Charlie's life is about to be turned upside down.

Written by one of fiction's most audaciously original talents, ANANSI BOYS is a kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth that is at once startling, terrifying, exhilarating, and fiercely funny.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Even though Gaiman writes with his usual fluidity and wit, I wasn't grabbed by this book as there was something just a little too by-the-numbers about it. In essence, I don't think that his characters are quite as well-rounded as we would come to expect and I found the ending too well telegraphed, too early on. Even so, Gaiman's 'by-the-numbers' is head and shoulders above over writers' in the genre and I would recommend it to fantasy fans.

The Amulet of Samarkand

The Blurb On The Back:

A young magician's apprentice, Nathaniel, secretly summons the irascible 5,000 year-old djinni, Bartimaeus, to do his bidding. The task for Bartimaeus is not an easy one - he must steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, Bartimaeus and Nathaniel are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, rebellion and murder.

Set in modern-day London controlled by magicians, this hilarious, bestselling thriller will enthrall readers of all ages.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

A very original addition to the YA fantasy genre, I very much enjoyed this book as it's well paced, well thought out and has two interesting and dynamic central characters. I'm interested in finding out more about both Nathaniel and Bartimaeus and looking forward to reading the second in this trilogy. I definitely give this book a strong recommendation, both to fantasy fans and to people who read YA fiction.