Changes

I'm sure you know who I'm talking about. But just in case you don't, Bartimaeus is a sarcastic, wisecracking djinni and the star of a wonderful and best-selling series by Jonathan Stroud. Whilst tied to various enslaving magicians, Bartimaeus has had a finger in many pies of world history, particularly that of London. In fact, he's saved the day almost as many times as Doctor Who has. But Bartimaeus is no Doctor Who. He's a rude, sarcastic egomaniac and unselfish behaviour isn't his byword. But he cracks an irresisitible irresistible one liner. And he usually comes through in the end.

In ''The Ring of Solomon'', we meet Barty almost two thousand years before the trilogy. He's very unhappily tied to a bullying, ambitious and psychopathic magician at the court of King Solomon. In this alternate history, Solomon isn't renowned for his wisdom at all. He's renowned for his ownership of a magical ring, which can bring forth a demon to vanquish all others. It gives him power throughout the region. And, as power corrupts, Solomon wants tributes from all neighbouring leaders, including the Queen of Sheba. Said Queen isn't at all happy about that - can you blame her? - and so she sends a female assassin to kill Solomon and retrieve the ring.

The plot has more twists and turns than you can shake a stick at, and a great many surprises. It's easy to read and exciting with a huge cast of colourful characters. And it's light of heart, even in the midst of murder and mayhem - Stroud's tongue is never far from his cheek, and I love this about his books. Underneath, there are some more serious themes to think about, such as the corruption of power and the evils of slavery, but what ''The Ring of Solomon'' really give gives you is pure pleasure of reading. In spades.