In Bartimaeus Trilogy Stroud stated many times that Bart, though bloodthirsty, was actually pretty gentle, able to love (Ptolemy). The question is - are all the beings in the Other Place like that? I mean there's Jabor - he's just a brutal creature, and Horlas too. But Queezle, Zeno, Shubit, etc. seem generally open-minded, not killing everything on there way. Bart actually likes animals - mouses, bats... - with the exception of humans, of course . And why is that? Because humans (magicians) imprison those helpless beings on Earth (where their essence grows weak) and bind them to their will. We heard many evidence of magicians using harmful magic on demons - stimulating compass, systematic vice - how then can we be astonished when they attack us back?

I'm fairly certain Jonathan Stroud answered a question regarding this subject a while back; aaaand I found it! Here is the source for this too, by the way:

wrote:The whole term 'demon' is used by humans (magicians and non-magicians) to disparage the entities whom they fear: it's not the proper term for djinn or any of the other spirits. But it shows exactly what they all assume the spirits will be like - evil, vindictive. And some are. But some aren't, and others are positively benevolent. Most of them are a mix of impulses. In other words, they're as varied, morally, as we are.

I'm wondering, have you read the Ring of Solomon? It sheds a lot of interesting light on Bartimaeus before he met Ptolemy. He has definitely changed over the years!

I read it, but I should definately read it again. Nice work finding this quote :D

No problem! Also I'm glad you have, The ring of solomon is great.