I was not expecting this book to be an absolute RIDE! It combined all my favorite things from previous desert-themed books like The Wrath and the Dawn, We Hunt the Flame, and Rebel of the Sands. It has many stories from One Thousand and One Nights, tons of jinn, magic and relics, and an intriguing quest full of hidden identity, secret politics, and desert traveling. The characters are magnificent and truly have a lot of growth through the book. Although there's no romance in this one, I have very high hopes that this book sets up the stage for a fantastic romance in book two. And the writing was superb: detailed and flowing and easy to get lost in.

Honestly I expect this book to be a huge hit once it releases. I can't wait to read books two and three! Definitely pick this up if you want a sweeping desert fantasy with jinn magic and fantastic characters and world building.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the ARC!

Thank you to Orbit & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

★★★★★

"Qadir had said she was the bravest person he knew. Now she would prove it to herself"

I absolutely loved this debut! Since I cracked this open I have not been able to put it down. You know a book is good when you're grabbing it whilst doing something else. An exceptional debut.

Things I loved:
World building & lore
Characterisation including strong female characters
Complex opposite sex relationships with no romance

I love, love, loved Loulie and Mazen. I loved Loulie and Qadir's relationship (more platonic mentor relationships in books please - it was giving me Vin & Kelsier energy!)

Abdullah blew me away with her ability to draw me completely into the world she has created. The smattering of handed-down stories interwoven into the book! The vivid descriptions of places, magic and people.

I eagerly await the sequel!

The Stardust Thief is the first book in the upcoming Sandsea Trilogy. Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, this is the tale of a legendary smuggler, a cowardly prince, and a perilous quest to find a magical lamp...

**This review is a little spoilery (Not big things though)!*

Not gonna lie, I had a really hard time getting into this book. I found the multiple perspectives with short chapters really distracting and off-putting. I felt like the story almost needed longer chapters or more perspectives. It took me about half way until I felt really drawn in and invested in the story. After that point, I was completely blown away. I really appreciated the references to A Thousand and One Nights. They were palpable, but not complete knock-offs. It gave the story a warm, familiar feeling. The only thing that I'm still really disgruntled by is the title of the book. There were a couple of references throughout the story, but we never found out what it meant or how it ties in to the story. Hopefully we find out in book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me a digital copy for review. The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of the author or publisher.

This book is so beautifully and magically crafted. Both Loulie and Mazen are such intriguing characters, but the most charming aspect of this book is indefinitely the world building and magic system.

I was surprised to find out thus was a debut novel! It is so beautifully crafted. I cannot wait to read the other books in this series!!

The MENA representation is a huge bonus to this book.

The Stardust Thief is a glittering and adventurous tale about a merchant, a jinn, a prince, and a thief who set out on a perilous quest to retrieve an ancient relic from the mystical Sandsea.

Did I use enough fancy words to convince you to read it? No? Well then, I guess I’ll try to convince you by gushing about what might end up being my favourite read of the year.

The book follows three main perspectives: Loulie, a merchant of magical relics with a jinn bodyguard; Mazen, the youngest and most cowardly of three princes who has a heart for the desert he longs to explore; and Aisha, a fierce and uncompromising thief who I didn’t expect to love but ohmygosh I love her.

All of these characters have such distinct voices throughout the book and there wasn’t a single boring moment with any of them. Even characters without a POV like the mysterious jinn bodyguard, Qadir, and others I won’t name so you can find out for yourself, were full of personality and life.

Nevermind the way that Chelsea Abdullah described each location and setting in such a beautiful yet digestible way. Or the super fascinating and most imaginative magic system I’ve read in a while. Despite being able to tell that this was a debut every now and then, everything else made up for it. EVERYTHING. This book was so compelling from the very first page (not an exaggeration, I had such a struggle to put it down that only my stress over school was enough to surmount). Especially the clever and smooth way that the tales/interludes were incorporated (and told). This world and The character’s stories will sweep you up and take you along a whirlwind ride you won’t regret embarking on.

Extra extra kudos for some freaking good Arab rep. I know this isn’t the only adult fantasy book with Arab rep written by an Arab author out in the world but it’s the first one I’ve read and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

Ok there did I convince you now?

Netgalley blessed me this Ramadan. Thank you for the ARC.

Lots of ratings and reviews for this one already. I'll just recommend it to Fantasy fans. It's a good start to a series. I see lots of 5 stars in it's future.

I really appreciate the free review copy!!

Well written. I love Loulie and Omar. Mazen seemed a bit whiny to me and I'm not sure why, but I just didn't connect with him. Loulie, however, captivated me right away. She is fierce, strong, and witty. The prose is quite pretty and easy to read but I found myself getting bored often. What bored me was the constant switching between characters points of view. Just when I would start getting very interested in someone's voice, it would switch. I understand the need for everyone's point of view but something felt off. The story itself is oozing with excitement I just wish the relationships between the characters was more pronounced. It was nice to enter the world of the Jinn and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an escape from the every day in to a world of magic.

I love a good adventure, especially one with mythical background! This was such a fun read and I couldn't wait to continue the story.

The world building was well done. I really got a sense of how the world functioned and especially how humans feared the jinn and how that turned into hate and all around with hunts. Although this was written from multiple perspectives, Loulie feels like are main protagonist. She's the Midnight Merchant. She has a tragic back story and is now on her own (mostly - we'll get to that) and in charge of her destiny. So, she finds magic and sells it, which is illegal. Somehow she doesn't seem to be wanted though.

She's fearless because she has a jinn bodyguard, Qadir. He has many secrets, but he protects her and helps her find the forbidden magic she sells. He doesn't get any sort of renumeration. He just wants to protect her and he can blend in with the humans, so it works.

Until it doesn't. When she's summoned by the sultan to find an all powerful lamp, her life and the freedom she's relied on, disappears. Suddenly, she's on a quest. Her companions are equally shady (for different reasons) and no one has the same goal. The author then takes us on an adventure that never seemed to end; in a good way! So much happened in this book, I kept thinking, "Surely this will be the cliffhanger that ends the book?". It was not. There was so much explanation of the world, the history of the world, the character backgrounds and yet, I still cannot wait to read the next book!

Qadir was just plain awesome. He has many, many secrets. Of course, when I read that humans were hunting the jinn nearly to extinction and their blood creates life, I knew there was a great deal of hidden backstory and I wanted to learn it all. This novel gave enough. I didn't feel cheated at the end and I didn't feel like I dropped off a cliff and now I have to wait who knows how long before I get the second book. I want the second book, but there was enough of an ending to satisfy. I like that. Unless I'm reading a series way late to the party where I can binge the whole thing.

The way the author twisted the 1001 Tales was very interesting. While I am familiar with them, I have never actually read them. Some things in the novel felt familiar and some I probably missed. Even without the inspiration, this was an exciting adventure without much if any romance. I will be watching for book two!

This book was nothing short of magical. The Arabic was so beautifully intwined into the book itself it was such a joy to read. Everything about the writing, the world and the magic system touched me in ways I never believed it would have. I laughed and smiled throughout the entire book I adored it so much. Reading the stardust thief made me realise Chelsea Abdullah will be an author I look out for in the future. What a pleasure to read, 5/5 very happy and content stars!

Actual rating: 4.5

Okay, this book. Prepare to be SICK of me. I'm going to be insufferable now that I've found more Arab rep. I will simply never shut up about it.

Let's talk Arab/MENA rep. I can count on one hand the books I feel represented in as an Arab. This book is an EXCELLENT addition to that list. I tabbed every word of Arabic and ended up running out of tabs. There's a thrill in seeing the words you speak on the pages you're reading. It never gets old. This book DELIVERED on Arab representation. Like the names of the characters in this book?? Are the names of my brother, my cousin, my friends. I felt seen and ready to take on the world after reading this. BRB gonna go prep my Loulie cosplay.

The book itself is a solid debut. The characters are fantastic (I am officially a Qadir stan) and their dynamic on page was so fun to read. While four POVs might sound like a lot, I truly enjoyed every single one and seeing their perspectives of each other is refreshing. I will say, I am SO here for the dramatic, lowkey himbo, main guy character trend that I've been seeing (first Kamran from This Woven Kingdom, now Mazen). If this is the YA community moving away from the "dark and broody", consider me on board.

The strongest aspect of this book is the world and magic system. It was developed so well and the references to old legends (as well as actual stories inserted) made for a magical and rich reading. I understood the magic system really well, and the reveals were done nicely. I did get a little lost with the plot at one point (hence the 4.5 rating) but the twists and turns were fun to read, even when I was ready to throw my book across the room.

Highly recommend preordering this one!

TW: violence, murder, manipulation, grief, possession, captivity, torture

This story is stunning, the adventure is amazing, the characters are so hard not to get attached to.

What I loved most about this book is how everything and everyone came together, the redemptions of some characters, and the friendships and relationships that bloomed along the way. I got invested into this story so quickly, I can’t wait for the second book!! Also, Louie and Qadir’s friendship is to die for.

Keep an eye out for this one!

4.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this ARC.

I love stories about jinn! They are always so fun to read. I really liked this book and am looking forward to the sequel.

The writing was really easy to follow and the pacing was just right. I didn't feel bored at times as there was always something going on.

I liked how the chapters had 3 PoV. I didn't find myself not liking any of the 3 characters. Each chapter had me engaged and wanting to know more about their lives.

I think the second should be interesting because of the way it ends. I would recommend!

DNF at 47%. There were a lot of things to love about this book--the world building was rich and lush and I loved the relationship between Louie and Qadir. It was sweet and lovely. Generally, the plot just wasn't holding my attention unfortunately--I think I'm just a fan of books with a little faster pacing. I do think a lot of people are going to fall in love with this though.

After reading the City of Brass trilogy, I thought I would never get another fantasy story in a desert setting with djinn and magic...until Orbit hurt my TBR even more with this must read book called "The Stardust Thief" by Chelsea Abdullah.

This epic fantasy book was a rollercoaster of emotions, djinn, magic, and guesses of what is to happen but when it happens you didn't expect what came next. Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, it tells the story of a trio of characters who are given a dangerous quest to find a legendary lamp: a magic smuggler, the smuggler's djinn companion, and a cowardly prince.

Though I gave a general idea of what this story is about, it is far more complex and deeper than I can go without spoiling it. So, if you haven't read this book, I recommend it for fans of City of Brass!

5/5 stars, 3/3 djinn, and 1 Phoenix.

This was an incredibly refreshing fantasy novel. Clearly inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, The Stardust Thief is about a merchant, her bodyguard jinn, and the legendary relic they’ve been forced to pursue by the sultan.

Our main character is Loulie, the Midnight Merchant, who is known for selling magical relics in black markets. She is incredibly competent, no-nonsense, and seemingly quite independent. Her bodyguard, Qadir, has been with her since she was small, and does his best to keep her safe. Qadir is, without a doubt, my favorite character in this book. He’s quite serious, and mostly stoic. However, he loves Loulie with all his heart, and that comes across on page. He’s got a million and one secrets, and it was fascinating watching them all fall out as the story moves forward.

The other two main characters are Aisha, a dangerous thief, and Mazen, one of the princes. Mazen is an adorable cinnamon roll who needs to learn the ways of the world, but I still love him.

The writing in this book wove an absolutely beautiful tale set in an equally stunning setting. The landscape felt lush, and real. It is gorgeous. The Stardust Thief reads like someone is audibly telling you a story, and I loved it.

My one complaint is that the ‘romance’ between Loulie and the wali who’s name I literally cannot remember right now felt a little contrived. I wish we had seen more of them meeting or how they had fit together in the past, because as it is, it feels as if we were dropped into their relationship with absolutely zero context. I wasn’t a fan of this, and ultimately, I was rather happy when this plotline fizzled out. I figure there will be a romance eventually in this series, and hopefully that one will earned!

The Stardust Thief is an excellent start to a trilogy, and I hope that you’ll pick it up when it is released!

5 Stars

The Stardust Thief follows Loulie al-Nazari, the Midnight Merchant, who hunts and sells illegal magic with the help of her Jinn bodyguard. When she saves the cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his father. The Sultan then blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that would cost sacrificing all the Jinn. With no other choice, Loulie travels with Sultan’s eldest son to find an ancient lamp, aided by her Jinn bodyguard. They encounter ghoul attacks, a jinn queen, and confront Loulie’s past.

As soon as I heard the premise behind The Stardust Thief, I knew it would fall on my most anticipated reads of 2022! When I saw it pop up on my NetGalley feed, I requested it right away. When I saw the email sitting in my inbox, I jumped for joy and couldn’t believe it! I was not expecting to get approved, so I started reading it as soon as I could! Anyways let me get into this review!

The Stardust Thief presents two different worlds throughout the story. The world combines elements of beauty and cruelty into a chaotic harmony. While the humans thrived, the Jinn were feared and hunted so humans could use their immense power to further themselves. As the Jinn slowly disappeared, barren land would turn into luscious areas of nature because they were murdered in cold blood. Magic Relics were items that people sought after while collectors would sell them for the best price.

Through the rich and complex world, Abdullah juxtaposes these two concepts emphasizing the division between the Humans and Jinn. The beautifully written prose allows the reader to fully grasp this concept presented, immersing them further into this world. It demonstrates how history can be manipulated to support the dominating perspective.

Not only does Abdullah do an excellent job with her worldbuilding, but her characters make the story even more enjoyable. Loulie al-Nazari, a well-written character, filled to the brim with complex narratives, directly challenges the standards of the juxtaposing world she lives in. While most humans view Jinn as evil forces, Loulie doesn’t believe that, in contrast, having a Jinn as a bodyguard. Together the two of them create meaning in one another’s life. Both are the missing pieces they both needed to move on from the past, creating a better future together. (Also, Qadir, the Jinn Bodyguard, was one of my favorite characters. He wasn’t even a main character, but I enjoyed him so much. I hope his character is explored more in this series.)

Aisha and Mazen, the other two main characters, were also great additions to this story. Each added a different perspective to the story that wouldn’t be seen otherwise if Loulie was the only one. Aisha is one of Prince Omar’s, the Sultan’s oldest son, Forty Thieves. Fueled by Rage and Revenge, Aisha becomes a Jinn hunter to get justice for her family. Through the story, she learns that this can only get you so far. She learns how to trust people and that it’s okay to rely on others. Mazen is often called the cowardly prince, and the Sultan’s youngest son has been sheltered all his life and wants to go out into the world. As we follow Mazen, he begins to find himself making the choices rather than what is told of him.

Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, this story has a heavy emphasis on storytelling and traditions. There are excerpts woven into the story, where characters share stories about the Jinn, magical relics, and their world. These stories have orally been passed for generations, which help to shape the world our characters reside in. They interject an extra layer of history and culture into her establishing worldbuilding.

Abdullah illustrates that while storytelling has always had a special place in humans, these stories aren’t always flawlessly. Perspectives can be skewed or altered from the original story, pieces missing from the whole puzzle. While this is the case, she uses other elements to fill in the missing pieces, which are beautifully incorporated, allowing the reader to step back and view the puzzle as a whole.

The main draw of this story, presented in the synopsis, is the journey of finding an ancient lamp to revive the barren land. But at the cost of sacrificing all of the Jinn. There is so much that happens in this story, but Abdullah manages all of it under fast consistent pacing. She makes sure to keep the reader entertained instead of confused. The chapters are short, further captivating the reader’s attention, creating a sense of suspension on what will happen to our characters next.

This story doesn’t also focus just on the importance of storytelling but also emphasizes identities. Many of our characters go by other identities having different personalities from the real ones. We see one of the characters who connect close with this theme. Over time they eventually find their way, straying away from the version that many view them as.

While this is marketed as an Adult Fantasy, and this topic may not seem like it would connect to the intended audience but it does. All humans, no matter what age engage in a constant struggle with their identities. The fact that these characters are in their 20s makes this even more relevant because they are new to adulthood and trying to discover who they want to be rather than give in to others’ wishes. This story highlights that it’s okay to question your identity, but you have to be true to yourself and not others’ versions.

At the behest of the sultan, four completely different people will be drawn together on a quest: a merchant dealing in illegal magic, a jinn with a resolutely buried past, a thief with vengeance in her heart, and a cowardly prince. As their journey continues and tentative trust is earned, secrets and hidden ambitions will threaten their very lives.

This book was gorgeous and filled with feeling. Abdullah gives her characters permission and room to feel, whether that’s grief or guilt or insecurities. I felt everything they did, which was a bit of a problem because these characters are going through it. The quartet of main characters is strong and well-balanced; I was never eager for one POV to end, but always excited when the next one appeared. I burned through this book, stopping only when my heart was too scared to go on. I can’t wait for the sequel and I hope this book gets mountains of love; Abdullah deserves it.

Content Warnings: violence, self harm, gore, language

Holy traitorous confusion Batman. I was so excited by the description for this book. It did take me a bit to get into it, like until they made it to the desert. I liked the concept of the story a lot. Also appreciate how intricately the story was woven together not just the base quest but how the world expanded through the journey. It did have a bit of repetitive emotional bits where it could have been done a little different but still convey the feelings maybe. That ending though did not see coming.

I liked the world building the setting etc etc a lot. The writing was fine-tuned and whimsical. Perfect for someone that’s such a storyteller as is Chelsea. I think unfortunately any issue I had with this book was entirely my fault. Mostly because I wanted romance and this was more of a platonic book, which is GREAT but just didn’t fit my mood. Hopefully I can try this again later and love it!

Where to start on this amazing journey!! The Stardust Thief is a gripping tale of adventure, self discovery, friendship, lost family and love. This world was an adventure on every page. Great character's and world building and magic system flowed so well. The story telling though out the tale was unique. I can't wait to read what comes next. This is definitely one of my top 5 reads so far this year. Thank you for allowing me the chance to enjoy this amazing book.