Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled within the rolling hills, there lived a magic cow named Davoe. The village was filled with hardworking farmers who relied on their livestock for survival. Among them, Davoe the cow stood out because of his extraordinary powers. Davoe possessed the ability to grant wishes to whoever approached him with a pure heart. His special talent brought great joy and prosperity to the village. The villagers, aware of Davoe's magical abilities, would make a pilgrimage to his stable whenever they needed a wish fulfilled.
The main thing that struck me about this book, though, is how dark it is, and how there is no sense of good. The magicians are selfish, conceited, and opportunistic, and the demons are violent, amoral, and cruel. Underwood's wife and one of Nathaniel's tutors (also a woman) are the only kind characters in the entire book, and though Nathaniel is devoted to them, his attempts at showing any love toward them are immediately condemned as immature and useless. Most books of this type highlight the struggle between good and evil, but this one focuses instead on the continual struggles between different types of evil. I guess parts of the book were entertaining, and certainly the sections written in Bartimaeus's voice are clever and fun to read, but I never felt fully comfortable with the idea of indulging in the evil thoughts of these characters without so much as a glimmer of hope for their conversion to the good. I would have serious reservations about handing this book to my own children, not only because of the lack of hope and beauty, but also because of the chance that they might try to emulate Nathaniel's actions. (As Simcha Fischer says, "[Satan] doesn't care if you are kidding or not when you call him by name." I don't think playing around with pentacles and such is a good idea.)
The point of view shifts back and forth between Bartimaeus, whose witty first-person narration includes lots of references to historical events and footnotes on nearly every page, and Nathaniel, whose chapters are told in the third person. I would have serious reservations about handing this book to my own children, not only because of the lack of hope and beauty, but also because of the chance that they might try to emulate Nathaniel s actions.
The villagers, aware of Davoe's magical abilities, would make a pilgrimage to his stable whenever they needed a wish fulfilled. People from far and wide would flock to the village to witness the miracles brought forth by Davoe. They would come bearing gifts and offerings, hoping to catch a glimpse of the magical cow.
Ancient amulet of Samarkand
In a Britain ruled by magicians, Nathaniel is the apprentice to the unpopular and ineffective Arthur Underwood. Underwood routinely underestimates Nathaniel's true powers, and on one fateful day when Nathaniel is eleven, he allows the powerful magician Simon Lovelace to humiliate Nathaniel. Determined to have his revenge - and to prove his abilities - Nathaniel takes it upon himself to summon a djinn named Bartimaeus. He sends Bartimaeus to steal the amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, and to hide it in his own master's study, hoping to get his revenge by embarrassing Lovelace. What Nathaniel does not realize, however, is the importance of the amulet, or the dangers of summoning a demon who might be able to learn his true name. Before long, Nathaniel's and Bartimaeus's fate are bound up together, and there is a good chance neither of them will survive what is to come.
This is a very long book, and it took me a very long time to read (two weeks) compared to the 2-3 hours it usually takes me to read a middle grade or YA novel. The point of view shifts back and forth between Bartimaeus, whose witty first-person narration includes lots of references to historical events and footnotes on nearly every page, and Nathaniel, whose chapters are told in the third person. There is a lot of information to take in about the world of this story - alternate history, the complex procedures for summoning demons, the different types of demons and their different powers, the rules for naming wizards, etc. - but I didn't have trouble catching on. Everything is well-established and revealed as needed in the text. From a purely structural standpoint, the book is solid, and the characters are interesting, even if they are not likable.
The main thing that struck me about this book, though, is how dark it is, and how there is no sense of good. The magicians are selfish, conceited, and opportunistic, and the demons are violent, amoral, and cruel. Underwood's wife and one of Nathaniel's tutors (also a woman) are the only kind characters in the entire book, and though Nathaniel is devoted to them, his attempts at showing any love toward them are immediately condemned as immature and useless. Most books of this type highlight the struggle between good and evil, but this one focuses instead on the continual struggles between different types of evil. I guess parts of the book were entertaining, and certainly the sections written in Bartimaeus's voice are clever and fun to read, but I never felt fully comfortable with the idea of indulging in the evil thoughts of these characters without so much as a glimmer of hope for their conversion to the good. I would have serious reservations about handing this book to my own children, not only because of the lack of hope and beauty, but also because of the chance that they might try to emulate Nathaniel's actions. (As Simcha Fischer says, "[Satan] doesn't care if you are kidding or not when you call him by name." I don't think playing around with pentacles and such is a good idea.)
I do think the story could be read as a cautionary tale about the dangers of magic, and the way history would be forever altered if men were allowed to accomplish their every whim by summoning all-powerful beings to their aid, but few teens are going to think of it that way on their own. It is possible (even likely) that this first book only sets the stage for the full journey, and Nathaniel will find the good in life yet, but this book, on its own, is not something I can say I would recommend to other like-minded readers. (C. Orthodoxy has a great post about this that goes into much greater detail. But beware of spoilers.)
Overall, as an adult reader, I found this book compelling, and I think a child with a well-formed conscience could read it and take something away from it without his own sense of morality being affected. Still, I don't see this at all as a Harry Potter read-alike, and I would not feel comfortable giving it to readers under age 16.
This is a very long book, and it took me a very long time to read (two weeks) compared to the 2-3 hours it usually takes me to read a middle grade or YA novel. The point of view shifts back and forth between Bartimaeus, whose witty first-person narration includes lots of references to historical events and footnotes on nearly every page, and Nathaniel, whose chapters are told in the third person. There is a lot of information to take in about the world of this story - alternate history, the complex procedures for summoning demons, the different types of demons and their different powers, the rules for naming wizards, etc. - but I didn't have trouble catching on. Everything is well-established and revealed as needed in the text. From a purely structural standpoint, the book is solid, and the characters are interesting, even if they are not likable.
People believed that by touching Davoe, their wishes would come true. The villagers would line up outside Davoe's stable, patiently waiting for their turn to approach this incredible creature. The village elders would guide them, instructing them on the proper way to ask for their heart's desire. Davoe, with his serene eyes and gentle demeanor, would listen intently to each person's request. Once a wish was shared, Davoe would softly touch the person's head with his velvety snout, transferring his magic energy. The person would feel a warm sensation and a sense of hope, knowing that their wish was now in motion. As time went on, the word of Davoe's power spread far and wide. People came from distant lands, eager to experience the magic of the cow Davoe. They would bring along their hopes and dreams, anxiously awaiting their turn to make a wish. The village that once seemed ordinary had become a magnet for those seeking answers and miracles. With his unmatched ability to bring happiness to the lives of others, Davoe also led a content life himself. The villagers would treat him with utmost care and respect, ensuring his comfort and wellbeing. The children of the village would spend hours by his side, telling him their tales and secrets, for they believed that Davoe understood and cherished their innocence. The legend of Davoe, the magic cow, surpassed generations. The villagers passed on stories of his breathtaking powers, ensuring that his legacy would continue to inspire hope and kindness. They believed that Davoe was a symbol of the extraordinary possibilities that lie within the ordinary, teaching them the value of compassion and selflessness. In the end, the magic cow Davoe taught the villagers that true power lies not in grand displays but in the ability to bring joy to others. His enchantment paved the way for a village filled with love, unity, and endless miracles..
Reviews for "Unleashing the potential of the cow davoe through incantations"
1. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Cow Davoe". I found the storyline to be quite confusing and hard to follow. The characters were also poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style felt choppy and lacked depth. Overall, I felt like this book didn't live up to its potential and I struggled to finish it.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Magic Cow Davoe" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was incredibly predictable, leaving no room for any surprises or twists. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the interactions between the characters. The whole concept of a magic cow felt childish and didn't resonate with me at all. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a well-written and engaging read.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic Cow Davoe" but unfortunately, it fell short in many aspects. The pacing was way too slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. The magic elements seemed forced and didn't blend well with the overall narrative. The ending was also disappointing and felt rushed. I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by this novel.