In The Amulet of Samarkand, the young magician Nathaniel won wide acclaim for his daring exploits in saving the powerful jewel for the government. Now, he seems set to continue his meteoric rise through the ministerial ranks. But the mysterious Resistance inflicts terrifying destruction on London, and soon Nathaniel's job and his very life are under threat, not only from the elusive Kitty and her companions, but from an unknown and bewildering source. Nathaniel is forced to embark on a perilous mission to the enemy city of Prague and to summon once again the troublesome, enigmatic, and quick-witted djinni, Bartimaeus.

This is a roller-coaster ride of magic, adventure, and political skullduggery, in which the fates of Nathaniel, Bartimaeus and Kitty explosively collide.