Talk about beatin' a dead topic...

Darkfire wrote: It was one of the best endings I've ever read in a book. Usually, authors don't take huge risks like killing of main characters, even when the series has ended, because it's very difficult to make it right. I think Nathaniel's death showed how significant his character development was throughout the third book. *sigh* He was such an awesome character.

And like what the other's have said, it's a closure to Bartimaeus's life. So if he hadn't died, I would still like the 3rd book, just not as much.

I would have to agree with you on the part about the death of Nathaniel and the colsure of the trilogy. But I do not think that the book would have left such a impact on the reader. Many peoples lives were affected by Nathaniels death. But I think 2 people were affected the most. Kitty and Bartimaeus. Throughout the third book Kitty started to warm to Nathaniel and I think eventually liked him before he died. And there was a bond between Bartimaeus and Nathaniel, a bond of friendship. As it proves in the last paragraph of the book. The book would have been just as good to me even if Nathaniel hadn't died. I personally think he andKitty would have hooked up if Nathaniel had lived.

Honestly, I didn't like Nat (or John) at all in the first and second books. He was really weird and annoying. (It's more obvious in the second book, so I shouldn't even mention it.) It wasn't until the third book that I finally started to like Nat (maybe as many people here would...obviously). I might have never noticed how much of an impact his personality change made, hadn't it been for the ending, despite how much I didn't want Nat to die.

*goes a bit off-topic* 10 years later, a reincarnation of Nat appears...is that possible?

DemonOverLord wrote:I personally think he and Kitty would have hooked up if Nathaniel had lived.

oh i was thinking that too as i read the book :D

XxHogwartsHokagexX wrote: *goes a bit off-topic* 10 years later, a reincarnation of Nat appears...is that possible?

Unlikely. Though mightbe after a 100 yrs, when no one's got a patent on the books. ;)

nathanielandbartimaeus wrote:

XxHogwartsHokagexX wrote: *goes a bit off-topic* 10 years later, a reincarnation of Nat appears...is that possible?

Unlikely. Though mightbe after a 100 yrs, when no one's got a patent on the books. ;)

Unless Barty takes Nat's form like he took Ptolemy's...

Pfft.

Dansariki wrote: Pfft.

What? I mean its possible.

Dansariki wrote:Pfft.

SPAM!!!!

:P
But I follow Dansariki's blunt answer. I don't think that they were that close.

But maybe since Nat's gesture of kindness in his final minutes, which is so similar to Ptolemy's he may have changed his mind about him.

Ahh, No.
They weren't close.

im not gona bother reading all the other posts
so im just goan answer the question in the topic
i know that i wouldnt like the trilogy as much if nathaniel lived
him dying makes this my favourite trilogy of all time
if he lived
then it would be just another good book on my shelf

I take it you have many on that shelf?
Nat's whole regression and death was one of the best parts of the series.

what do u mean "many"
i have lots of books
i love books
and this trilogy is on my top shelf (top shelf is where i keep my best books)

I've got a closet full of books, I wasn't insulting you.

i didnt say u were insulting me
i was just confused on waht u asked
it was to vague of a question

Too*
Apologies...
Crap, forgot what I actually meant.
PG begins with John Mandrake in the beginning, the archetype of magicians and magic, and ends as a truly new person, having the wisdom and morals he did in the beginning of the trilogy, with all the prowess, experience, and guilt he'd gained from his adventures previous.

If Nat didn't die, I guess I'll be all crazy about the book for some time, then go all,'Good book, unique, but a normal ending."
And I guess now that Nat's dead, I'll be crazed about it for a long time and the ending shall be burned into my brain.
And Jonathan actually said that if he couldn't write Nathaniel's death, he would have made it into a normal happy ending where every one lives.

Which would have brought the entire trilogy down.
Far.

An ending can make or break a book.

Literally, in my case. I can show you my copy of Great Expectations with its spine snapped off.

Honorius wrote:An ending can make or break a book.

Literally, in my case. I can show you my copy of Great Expectations with its spine snapped off.

xD