Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in a dense forest, there lived a young girl named Amara. She was known for her kindness, intelligence, and adventurous spirit. Amara's parents were renowned explorers who had traversed the far reaches of the world, bringing back tales of their thrilling expeditions. They would often regale Amara with stories of hidden treasures and magical artifacts. One day, as Amara was exploring the attic of her family's ancestral home, she stumbled upon an old chest. Inside the chest, she found a beautifully crafted silver amulet.
Beautifully illustrated by Ella Okstad, this edition contains extra material for young readers including a section on ‘Other Famous Stories Involving Wishes’, a test yourself quiz and a glossary
When Cyril, Anthea, Robert and Jane find the Psammead, a magical sand fairy, in a pet shop in London, they have no idea that they are about to embark on their greatest adventure yet. Emily tries to use the artifacts of Silas genius around the room as proof that attending a new school and learning things that are not useful in the real world , like algebra, are not worth her time.
Inside the chest, she found a beautifully crafted silver amulet. It was adorned with intricate designs and shimmered in the sunlight. The amulet seemed to beckon Amara, whispering secrets and promises of grand adventures.
The Story of the Amulet
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THE THIRD BOOK IN THE PSAMMEAD TRILOGY, FOLLOWING FIVE CHILDREN AND IT AND THE PHOENIX AND THE CARPET
‘My all-time favourite classic children’s author’ JACQUELINE WILSON
‘I love her books, particularly the Five Children and It sequence’ NEIL GAIMAN
‘The cheerful, child-centred anarchy of Five Children and It is still my inspiration and delight’ KATE SAUNDERS
At a pet shop near the British Museum, the children discover their old friend the Psammead, caged and miserable. The children pool their pocket money together to rescue it, and in gratitude, the Psammead tells them to buy an amulet-or rather, half an amulet. Incomplete, the magic charm can take them to any place and time to search for its other half; but when the amulet is whole, it will have the power to give the children their hearts’ desire.
In their quest, the children visit ancient Egypt, Atlantis and Babylon-they even meet Julius Caesar. But their adventures are not without danger: if they lose the amulet on their travels they will be lost in time, unable to ever return home.
With all the original illustrations by H. R. Millar, beautifully reproduced.
This collection of the best children’s literature, curated by Virago, will be coveted by children and adults alike. These are timeless tales with beautiful covers, that will be treasured and shared across the generations. Some titles you will already know; some will be new to you, but there are stories for everyone to love, whatever your age. Our list includes Nina Bawden (Carrie’s War, The Peppermint Pig), Rumer Godden (The Dark Horse, An Episode of Sparrows), Joan Aiken (The Serial Garden, The Gift Giving), E. Nesbit (The Psammead Trilogy, The Bastable Trilogy, The Railway Children), Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Little Princess,The Secret Garden) and Susan Coolidge (The What Katy Did Trilogy). Discover Virago Children’s Classics.
Amara couldn't resist the allure of the amulet and decided to wear it around her neck. Little did she know, the amulet possessed remarkable powers. It had the ability to guide its wearer to hidden treasures and protect them from harm. Amara's life was soon transformed as she embarked on numerous quests, venturing into undiscovered lands and encountering mythical creatures. With the amulet leading the way, Amara uncovered ancient artifacts, solved riddles, and outsmarted cunning adversaries. She became a legendary figure in the village, and people from far and wide sought her guidance and assistance. Amara's courage and determination inspired others to follow their dreams and explore the world around them. However, the amulet's powers did not come without consequences. As Amara's reputation grew, envy and greed plagued the hearts of some. A great sorcerer named Malachi became obsessed with obtaining the amulet for himself. He believed that by harnessing its power, he could conquer all realms and rule with absolute authority. Malachi devised a wicked plan to steal the amulet from Amara. He enlisted a band of nefarious thieves who tried to ambush her during one of her expeditions. Amara, with her quick thinking, managed to escape their clutches and sought refuge in a secret cave. In the cave, Amara discovered an ancient scroll that revealed the amulet's true potential. It could only be wielded by someone with a pure heart and noble intentions. This knowledge strengthened Amara's resolve to protect the amulet from falling into the wrong hands. With the newfound wisdom, Amara devised a plan to confront Malachi and his thieves. Using her knowledge of the land and the amulet's power, she outsmarted them at every turn. In a climactic showdown, Amara harnessed the full potential of the amulet and banished Malachi forever. Amara understood the responsibility that came with possessing such an extraordinary artifact. She decided to use the amulet's power to benefit her village and spread goodwill throughout the world. With the amulet as her guide, Amara continued her adventures, bringing joy and prosperity wherever she went. From then on, the amulet story became legend, passed down through generations. Amara's tales inspired countless adventurers who sought to unlock their potential and make a positive impact on the world. The amulet's true power lay not in its physical form but in the courage, wisdom, and compassion it ignited within those who possessed it..
Reviews for "The Allure of Amulets: How These Ancient Charms Still Hold Power Today"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - The Amulet Story is a total bore. The plot was incredibly predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable. I couldn't connect with any of them or invest in their journeys. The writing style was also lackluster, lacking the descriptive language and depth that is necessary for a captivating story. Overall, I found the book to be a major disappointment and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.
2. Michael - 1 star - I found The Amulet Story to be completely unoriginal and cliché. The storyline felt like a rehash of countless other fantasy novels I've read before, with nothing new or unique to offer. The characters were lackluster, and their motivations were poorly developed. I couldn't get invested in their struggles or root for their successes. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, making the already uninteresting plot downright boring. I was really hoping for an epic adventure, but all I got was a mundane and forgettable read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I must admit, I had high expectations for The Amulet Story, but it failed to deliver. The writing felt amateurish, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy at times. The story lacked depth, and I was left wanting more substance and complexity. The world-building was also lacking, with no clear sense of the setting or the rules that governed the realm. I couldn't immerse myself in the story, and as a result, I struggled to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed by The Amulet Story and would not recommend it to avid readers who appreciate well-crafted and captivating tales.
4. David - 2.5 stars - The Amulet Story had potential, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was off, with long stretches of mundane and irrelevant details, followed by rushed and underdeveloped action sequences. The character development was also lacking, making it difficult to connect with or care about their fates. The plot twists were predictable and failed to elicit any surprise or excitement. While the concept and world-building were interesting, the overall execution left much to be desired. I wouldn't call it a complete waste of time, but there are certainly better fantasy novels out there.
5. Jessica - 1 star - I couldn't even finish The Amulet Story. The writing was so dry and uninspiring that I found myself bored and disinterested after just a few chapters. The characters lacked personality and felt like mere cardboard cutouts. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it a struggle to read. The plot failed to capture my attention, and I quickly lost all motivation to continue reading. I cannot recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-crafted stories with engaging characters and captivating writing.