I received The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah for free on NetGalley by Orbit UK in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much for my advanced copy!

I’m calling this now - this is the BOOK OF THE YEAR! In fact, it’s become one of my all time favourite books!! Within the first 10 pages I got that magical feeling where I knew that this book was going to be special and I loved every single moment of it!

I was instantly hooked by the incredible writing and practically devoured the book! I read over half of the story in one sitting - it would have been the whole book but having to go to work sabotaged me 😂

The characters are amazing and fulfil my favourite trope of found family!! I felt instantly connected to them and the multi-POV throughout the book was done so well! Plus the mini stories that are weaved into this story add amazing layers to the worldbuilding in such intricate, gorgeous detail. I was fully immersed into this world and didn’t want to leave! It had everything that I love from a story - fantastic writing, interesting plot, incredible worldbuilding and extraordinary characters all together - it is brilliant!

Chelsea is a magical storyteller and The Stardust Thief is definitely stealing all of my stars! (Sorry for the pun I couldn’t help myself 😂) Thank you so much for such a wonderful story! I can’t wait to see what happens next!

this book is beautiful and how it is written drags you in to a world you wish you could stay in, this retelling of one thousand and one nights is a classic in its own way, the world building is stunning and helps build up the story line and so doesnt leave the reader with an info over load. i found the characters to be well thought out and make you want to wrap them in cotton wool just to keep them safe. The character growth is amazing and natural with each character complementing each other and no over ruling.

the plot twists in this book will give you whiplash as the are just that good and doesnt rule the plot in anyway like some twist do. can wait to see where this series of books goes.

"Remember, not all jinn are evil..."
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Loulie al-Nazari is the famous Midnight Merchant who deals in relics and jinn magic. Accompanied by her bodyguard, who is secretly a jinn, she is forced by the Sultan to undertake a difficult quest - one that could lead to the destruction of all jinn. While on this journey they confront a jinn queen and unlock secrets from Loulie's past that have haunted her for years.
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"Death in a free land is better than life in a gilded cage..."
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Absolutely fell in love with this book! The amazing storytelling, the vivid Arab culture and the magic! The Stardust Thief takes stories from One Thousand and One Nights, including what reminds me of a gender bent Aladdin, and weaves them with the myths of the jinn. It's told through various POV chapters from the main characters but each one reads unique. With the characters aged up in their twenties it's a nice bridge between YA and Adult fantasy with not alot of emphasis on romance. It's the first in a trilogy and I can't wait for book two! What an absolutely fabulous debut novel - honestly can't get over that it's Chelsea Abdullah's first novel it's so well written!
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"When in doubt, there is no better person to be than yourself..."

‘Neither here, Nor there, But long ago…’ Sweeping desert vistas, the smell of jasmine in the air, mighty jinn, magic lamps, princes and thieves, The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah will sweep you into its enchanted arms and whisk you away to a magical world inspired by the stories of the One Thousand and One Nights and Aladdin.
Chelsea Abdullah gives us one of the greatest fantasy books of 2022. She builds a world enriched with Middle Eastern folklore, filled with strong characters, who will lead you on a journey bursting at the seams with adventure and full of magnificent twists and turns. Told from the POV of three irresistible characters, Midnight Merchant Loulie, Prince and storyteller Mazen and thief and fighter Aisha, you will have trouble picking a favourite.
This book reminds you of the power and beauty of storytelling. Its source material is classic and familiar but in this author’s hands these stories are reinterpreted and unlocked to reveal a whole new captivating world of middle eastern tales.
A dazzling magical soaked debut that leaves you wanting more five out of five

EEEEEEEE THIS WAS EVERYTHING.

Where to even begin? If you love City of Brass, We Hunt the Flame, The Wrath and the Dawn or just READING, this book is for youuuuuuu! (Especially if you are looking for a bridge between YA and adult fantasy)
This book had so many classic fantasy elements, rich world, quest and a good amount of thievery. BUT it also throws in a good mix of real Arab stories to make the world seem more deep.
The characters*drum roll pls* ALL HAD THEIR OWN DISTINCT PERSONALITIES?! Whaaaaa- is that even allowed? And they were all worthy of love! While in general I honestly don’t care about characters, they are crucial for a quest story. You need their sass!
And ohmigosh this writing style deserves a hug. It was SO REAL! The character let lose an arrow? Darn right I felt the bow’s string in my hand and the rush of air against my cheek as it soared over the horizon towards…okay I think y’all get my point.
And if you don’t, I shall summarise my point here: READ THIS BOOK!

The Stardust Thief is a tale inspired by One Thousand and One Nights that follows a merchant, her jinn bodyguard, and a prince as they venture together on a quest.

Chelsea Abdullah has created a beautifully written page turner that features incredible worldbuilding, with rich and vibrant descriptions that transport you out of one world and into another. Abdullah’s writing style has such an easy flow to it that it lets you fall into the pages of the book and get carried away.

Told from a multi POV perspective, The Stardust Thief follows three compelling narrators whose stories weave together to create a seamless tale. I adored each of the characters. Loulie, a merchant with a fierce spirit; Mazen, the sheltered prince; and Aisha, an enigmatic thief. There is so much depth and spirit to these characters and I utterly adored going on this journey with them. My only complaint is that we didn’t get nearly enough from Aisha’s perspective.

Quest-centric plots are one of my all time favourites. I am a sucker for anything quest related and so this was right up my street. It always starts off as a simple quest but, the reality is, no book would be as interesting if the quest didn’t take a turn for the worst – and this did not disappoint. While there were adventure scenes in the middle that didn’t hook me, mostly because of the pacing, I did love the direction the adventure this group of characters goes on went in and I’m really excited to see where else the journey goes in the second book.

One of the biggest surprises for me was the lack of romance. I went into this book feeling apprehensive that there would be a romance, but I was pleasantly surprised. While a romance is briefly mentioned, it’s very much a blink and you miss it kind of deal, the book focuses instead of friendship. I particularly adored the friendship between Loulie and Qadir. The bond they have is special and it’s just the kind of thing that I crave to read about in books.

My main complaint with this book is that the pacing slowed to a crawl during the middle. If a book starts off strong with a fast pace, I expect that pace to continue, and I find it hard to switch between paces as I tend to run full steam ahead, so the slowing pace makes it a slog to get through. However, the book redeemed itself towards the end. That had to be one of the most explosive, thrilling endings to a book I’ve read so far this year. I cannot wait for the sequel!

Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant along with her jinn friend Qadir, hunts and sells illegal magic. After saving the life of cowardly prince Mazen, the sultan blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that has the power to revive his land by sacrificing all jinn. With no choice otherwise Loulie journeys to find the artifact, secrets are revealed, creatures attack them, they face a jinn queen, and a ghost of the past returns.

First, let me say that I would probably class this book as YA rather than an Adult fantasy but for the blood usage and the odd fight scene. Second, I did enjoy this book but it seemed like a lot of travel and not much to do, half the time the main characters do not talk to each other so it does tend to slow the book down a bit.

It was a breath of fresh air that the reader got an Arab story written by an Arab woman and also that it weaved in other Arab tales within the main story. The worldbuilding was vivid and awe-inspiring and I could see every character and every building.

The parent/child bond between Loulie and Qadir is gorgeous and I enjoyed their little in-jokes however I was super irritated by Qadir's 'secrets - secret's being exposed - oh there's more secrets - oh dang did I not tell you about these other secrets I have?'

I think the book finally got going and then ended which is unfortunate but hopefully means all the set up is now done and we can jump straight into story for book 2.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the advanced reader's copy.

When I heard about The Stardust Thief , I knew it would be a book that I would adore. That's precisely what happened. From the moment I started reading, I knew I had found another fantasy favourite. Oftentimes, with adult fantasies, the language of it all can get difficult to understand.

One of the most striking things that I noticed was how easy it felt to read. Oftentimes, with adult fantasies, the language can be extremely descriptive and flowery and that drags down the pace of the book. But that was not the case with The Stardust Thief . It felt easy to read, almost like I was reading an upper YA fantasy. I feel this book sits perfectly in the bridge between YA and adult fantasy tales.

Chelsea Abdullah's prose is simple and extremely stunning. She has created a lush and vibrant world, one where you want to get lost in. The pacing was a little bit slow, but it suits this book. Getting to experience the various perspectives of all the different characters gives us a taste of how things will go. And at the same time, you don't really know what might happen next. There were many moments that left me gasping and nearly fallen out of my chair. I loved all the characters, but Loulie was definitely my favourite out of them all. The ending has left me very excited for the sequel, I'll say!

The Stardust Thief is an incredible adult fantasy debut, with beautiful prose, incredible world-building, a found family you'll adore and of course, going on a treasure hunt to hunt down mysterious relics.

If I could have given this book 6 stars out of 5 I would. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah is an Arab story written by an Arab woman! I was immediately immersed in this world inspired by the stories in 1001 Arabian Nights. If you like mythology, treasure hunting, magical relics, and political unrest this is absolutely a book for you. There were so many plot twists, cliffhangers, and action I didn't want to put this book down.

Synopsis:
Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that has the power to revive the barren land—at the cost of sacrificing all jinn.

With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan’s oldest son to find the artifact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen, and confront a malicious killer from Loulie’s past. And, in a world where story is reality and illusion is truth, Loulie will discover that everything—her enemy, her magic, even her own past—is not what it seems, and she must decide who she will become in this new reality.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a review copy

Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant selling ancient magical artefacts that derive from magical beings the jinn. She finds herself following a bewitched man through the bazaar saving him from certain death. Like any good story this is about a journey on a quest. We slowly learn about the main characters, they are complex so we learn more about them as they travel through the desert revealing their secrets as they battle against adversity. Chelsea Abdullah's descriptions immerse you in the atmosphere, feeling the cold dry night winds and the relief of finding an oasis. Action packed, full of drama and self discovery I hope to read another chapter from this world.

4.5

The Stardust Thief is a thrilling reimagining of tales told in One Thousand and One Nights, and I loved it so much! Chelsea Abdullah's writing is very engaging and easy to immerse yourself in, and it is so vivid - I could literally see every scene unfolding in my mind like a movie, which is one of my favourite things for a book to manage to do. The adventure is enthralling, with really fantastic worldbuilding that is super easy to get your head around, and a magic system that is well thought out and explained. This book is filled with twists and turns that just keep on coming, and I could not wait to keep reading to see what was going to happen next.

I also really loved the inclusion of stories within this story, I thought that was a really lovely addition. A really great positive to this book has to be the three main characters, our narrators, Loulie, Mazen and Aisha. They all have very distinct voices and each are endearing in their own way, especially our cowardly prince Mazen, whom I absolutely love. He is so refreshing and different from your classic fantasy prince/hero who just goes bulldozing in to a fight; Mazen thinks things through and approaches fights very differently, which you'll see what I mean when you read the book; just trust me, he's so lovely.

I did think the three narrators were all a bit separated from each other - they were very much acquaintances for most of the book, but I LOVED the relationship between Loulie and her bodyguard Qadir. Their friendship is *chef's kiss*, they have great chemistry (platonic) - definitely don't go into this book expecting romance, because there is little to no romance, but between Loulie and Qadir, you do find an amazing bond that fulfils that need, for me anyway.

The beginning was a bit slow, but it ended on such a cliffhanger, I can't wait to read the next book!

What a book! Absolutely loved it! This book is inspired by 1001 Nights and we follow three points of views, Layla, Aisha and Mazen. Layla is The Midnight Merchant, Aisha is a thief and Mazen is the son of the Sultan. We see Qadir as well, probably my favorite character, who is Layla's bodyguard, and Omar, who is Mazen's brother.

You know that feeling when you read a great book and you want to scream while reading it because you can't help yourself, because it's so good and you want everyone to read it? That's how i felt reading this book.

When i started "The Stardust Thief", i had no idea what is about. I knew it's with jinns and magic lamps, so it got me intrigued. And i've read that it's perfect for "The Daevabad Trilogy" fans, one of my favorite series, so i knew i must read it and see what the deal it's about. And OMG!!! If i could say one thing about this book is that you don't have time to breathe while reading it. Things are happening, secrets are coming out, we have secret cities and artefacts of magic and great GREAT plot-twists! I gasped while reading this book so so many times.

Besides the plot and the great characters and action, what i loved were the stories and the legends from the world of this book. The legends about gods and jinns, about love and friendships and how things have turned out as they are now. I got so hooked-up in these legends, that i felt like i was there, with the storyteller and i wasn't breathing, i just needed to know what happens next. They are so beautifully told and written and they leave you wanting more.

I love the characters, they are humans with flaws and secrets, and i just can't choose a favourite. Maybe Quadir, because he's so awesome and funny and he cares so much about Layla. I really liked what the author did with Mazen, i loved that she did not made him the hero or the only hero of the story, he's not like the rest of the main characters from other books. He's scared and all he has are his stories. He's a great storyteller, and he has this power to fully capture the reader. Aisha is a really mysterious character, we don't know much about her in the beginning, we just know that he's one of the forty thieves of Mazen's brother, Omar. I loved the reference to Ali Baba and the forty thieves (if i am mistaken, please, tell me).

It was so easy to get lost in this beautiful world, full of sand and oases and stories. I loved how subtle were some of the stories within this book, if you don't know just a little about the Arab legends, you don't realise what you're reading about. They are so strongly explained and so magical, told next to a great fire or in a city, with only the stars and the people next to you, that you want to go back a few pages and reread them, leaving you wanting more and more. They capture the magical sense of the past and the author knows how to take these stories and this past and makes you think about the truth behind this story.

There are many jaw-drops moments, that you don't have time (or you don't want to) to press pause. I just needed to know what happened next, and that's how i got to the end.
Overall, this great epic fantasy book was so good, you have to give it a chance, at least for the stories within it. You will love it. And what's not to love? It's a magical tale, with quests, secrets, a never-ending desert, secret cities, jinns... you want more? I can't wait for the next book, and it's definitely a new favourite.

EARC provided by NetGalley, to whom i am very grateful.

I absolutely loved this book and I can’t thank Netgalley enough for inviting me to read it early! I pre ordered my physical copy as soon as I finished as it is an addition I want on my shelf! Also thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy!

Of course, is this only my personal opinion of the book and just because I give this rating to the book doesn’t mean, that everyone will have that opinion.

Just let me say from the beginning: I loved this book! It was everything I’d ever wanted and expected from it.

The writing style is perfect and I was sucked into the world instantly. The worldbuilding was also good and I didn’t have any problems navigating it. This is not my first fantasy with this vibe so I also had no problems with specific terminology. Maybe this could be a problem for a reader but I think you will get the meaning of the word either through a quick google search or the context of the dialogue in the book.

I also loved the four main characters and I can’t wait to read more about them. I liked the development between them and also the deep connection between Loulie and a certain jinn.

The plot was really nice and I absolutely love these types of quests. I couldn’t put the book down and I knew after the first 10% that I wouldn’t give this book less than 4 stars! I will not say more about the quest because this is just the first book and there is still so much room for the story to flourish but just let me say this: If you enjoyed books like We hunt the flame – there is also a high chance that you will like this one!

Conclusion
I loved this book so much and I can’t wait to have a hardcover copy in my hands!

A big thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this eArc!

This was really good! I’m excited to receive my physical copies!! <33

BOOK REVIEW: The Stardust Thief by @chelsabdullah

4.5 Stars

I was so excited for this book as it was likened to City of Brass which I adored and I am a huge fan of middle eastern fantasy. I am happy to say that I LOVED The Stardust Thief.

The Stardust Thief is a book full of adventure, interesting characters and loads of magic! It is a thrilling read with tons of imagination and worldbuilding that sets a great background for a mesmerising story. There is magic within relics, jinn that control their own magic and cities and gardens formed from the spilled blood of jinn (who are hunted for their blood but also because humans are scared of them). The story is filled with twists and turns that I never saw coming which is always a plus! It is 100% the fantasy that I wanted and needed!

Not only was the worldbuilding, storyline and magical elements excellent but the characters were perfect as well!
Our lead female Loulie is an illegal trader in magical relics and is a force to be reckoned with! I absolutely loved her character as she is so strong and feisty but also smart, funny and kind.
Our lead male Mazen is such a sweetheart! The son of the sultan, he has a quiet and more reserved personality and is so smart and caring. He craves adventure as his life in the palace is stifling and small.
The side characters are all excellent but especially Loulie's "bodyguard" and best friend Qadir who is a Jinn. He is so intriguing and I loved getting to know his story through the book.

The writing by Chelsea Abdullah is impeccable. It is lyrical and beautiful to read and made putting down the book even harder! Within the book are written stories which added so much depth and interest and made it that more magical.

Overall, The Stardust Thief is definitely a book that all fantasy lovers should read. The imagination and writing really sets Chelsea Abdullah's story apart from many other fantasy books and if you are after magic, excitement and great characters then look no further!

Please note that I was #gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was really interesting right from the start. I loved the writing and I was never bored while reading this even though I found the plot to be very predictable. The characters were definitely the strong suit here, especially the three pov characters. All three stand out on their own and I was interested in all of their individual storylines. Aside from a few plot issues this was a really fun read.

4.25 stars

This was one of my anticipated reads of 2022 and it did not disappoint whatsoever! The Stardust Thief is a fantasy that celebrates Arab and Middle-Eastern culture, and you can tell by the immersive and lush atmosphere and world building that Chelsea Abdullah has spun for this story. I liked that this book also has little stories based on folklores from Arab, how Chelsea Abdullah incorporates those folklores into the plot itself and also showing how storytelling has its flaws and how folklores due to time and different generation are becoming altered and exaggerated due to people's beliefs. This book took me a while to read (almost 1 and a half month), but I had no trouble being pulled into the story every time I decide to open it up again. And it hooks you right in, not just because of the atmosphere but also because of the characters.

Goddd, I love the characters. One of the reason why I seem to gravitate towards books published by Orbit is because I always seem to find the characters in the books memorable and complex. And it was definitely the case with Chelsea's. I love Loulie, Qadir, Mazen and Aisha so much, and how they contribute to the story. I like how they're all completely different from each other and they may not be the found family you think they might be, but the different dynamics and development are one to enjoy in this one. My favorite is definitely Loulie and Qadir's father-daughter/best-friends relationship so much (also their size difference?? I keep seeing illustrations and theyre just so cute), and the way it progresses through out the story. I was also very attached to Mazen - please bring back soft boys in fantasy. No more of those brooding men (except for Qadir. we love you Qadir).

I also just really love the writing. Like I said, this book has immaculate vibes and it's the kind of fantasy that feels sort of cozy and comforting, despite it being such a whirlwind of a journey. I love how magical the world is and how intricate the storyline is. .Now I'm just going to think about that ending until the next book comes out. And also waiting for my pre-order to come.

Thank you Orbit Books UK for approving me of an e-arc!

There is a lot to like about this new take on the Arabian Nights and if you liked SA Chakrborty's City of Brass then you are in for a treat. This is a story about a dealer in magical relics, Loulie, the Midnight Merchant, and her protector the Jinn King Qadir who saved her from death as a child. It's also about Prince Mazen and his evil brother, the Stardust Thief of the title (you find out this is a horribly poetic way of describing the theft of magical jinn blood). As I said there is lots to like and it's well written and very entertaining, I just felt that the author could have just pushed the depth of her storytelling and characters a bit more - Qadir is easily the most interesting and intriguing character but they all are. I couldn't help wondering what the story would have been with a bit of Leigh Bardugo or Sarah J Maas' depth. But other than that I really did enjoy the story and look forward to the next one!

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for review. Opinions are my own.

A tale as old as time, and just as captivating.

Ummm, i'm obsessed???

This is an absolutely fantastic debut from Chelsea Abdullah. When I say I gasped at the myriads of twists and turns throughout this book, I mean it!

The way Abdullah weaves Arabic folk tales into the tapestry of the book was masterful, alluding to them while still completely making them her own at the same time. I loved how so many historical events were presented with alternate histories and we were always shown that there were two sides to the same coin, and not to trust the victor's point of view as fact.

Is it too soon to say that this has eclipsed The City of Brass as the first book in an Arabic trilogy series for me? I thought that the characters were relatable (sometimes painfully so, especially when battling their vulnerabilities), and while I usually find it hard to love all three MC/POVs, I will say that this was a bit of a game-changer for me because I did genuinely enjoy them all.

From Loulie's struggles to rely on herself, Aisha's struggles within herself to be who she wants to be, and Mazen's fear of being cowardly and powerless, I grew to be invested in all of them (though my favourite character was definitely Qadir).

I look forward to reading more about them in the next installments!

Thank you so much to Orbit Books for the ARC!!