I would like to thank Orbit and Netgalley for sending this ARC.

I love the tale of One Thousand and One Nights and discovering this darker and bloodier story really thrilled me. The multiple points of view that the author puts in place allows a sustained pace in the novel without real downtime.

The characters are endearing and very different from each other. Loulie is intelligent and very strong, Mazen is endearing however the jinn steals the show.

I would read the rest of this adventure given the cliffanger that Chelsea Abdullah offers us at the end of the book. This was a beautiful story full of fantasy and adventure.

THIS BOOK!!!! This book went from my most anticipated release to one of my favourite books I've ever read. The world is amazing and lush. The descriptions bring out such beautiful imagery I was instantly drawn in.

The characters were so well written, each has their own motives and view on the situations their put in. The individual POVs work so well together and gives a fantastic insight as to how each of the characters are feeling and dealing with each situation they encounter. Ive always liked reading about a group of people who don't really like each other and yet have to work together to achieve a common goal.

Theres a specific thing that happens towards the middle of this book that managed to make my cry and thats coming from someone who has only ever cried at two books in the past.

If I could rate this more then 5 stars I would in a heart beat.

4.75 Stars!

Synopsis: Loulie, the Midnight Merchant, and her jinn bodyguard sell illegal magic. But when she captures the attention of the Sultan, he sends her on a dangerous journey to retrieve a specific relic.

CW/TW: Violence/Murder/Death.

The Stardust Thief, by Chelsea Abdullah is a beautiful fantasy, inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights.

The Stardust Thief is a beautifully written fantasy that sweeps you away. Chelsea Abdullah’s prose is beautiful and compelling. She creates rich and vivid settings, gorgeous imagery and impressive landscapes. Right from the start the prose is immersive and gripping and this continues all the way through. The story is told from using multiple POV’s, mainly of Loulie and Mazen. The multiple pov works very well for this book, especially with the plot that is full of secrets and the tropes of hidden identities. The multiple pov’s are all incredibly interesting and kept the pacing balanced well, giving us insight into each of the characters and their own lives and secrets.

The Stardust Thief follows Loulie, The Midnight Merchant, and her bodyguard, Qadir, who finds and sells illegal magical items. Her reputation gains the attention of the Sultan who sends her to retrieve a magical lamp, alongside his son. But the journey ends up being full of danger. I really loved the journey and plot, I thought it was a lot of fun and had a lot of dangers that kept you gripped! The plot is mainly focused around the jinn and the magical relics. Jinn are hunted because the world sees them as dangerous and their deaths are used to benefit the people. I really enjoyed the jinn in the book, I loved Qadir and all the lore/mythology surrounding the jinn and their stories – the slow reveal of jinn secrets and truths was compelling and interesting. I also loved the different jinn we meet throughout the story and learning more about their magic. I also really loved the magical relics we find and see throughout the story.

Aside from the jinn and magical relics, the plot is very character driven. The character’s secrets, their own plots, and own motives. I really enjoyed figuring out all the character’s motives and unravelling all the secrets and plots. I don’t want to spoil it but the conflict built throughout the book and the tension between the main characters and the villains was very compelling.

The book is full of interesting characters. Loulie is the main character and a great one – she is clever and headstrong but flawed. I loved her relationship with Qadir as well, their bond was really sweet and dynamic. Mazen is a sweet character and passionate but he is also flawed. I enjoyed the dynamic between Mazen and Loulie as well. I liked seeing the characters grow and develop as the story progressed, becoming more open, braver, and determined. I enjoyed the development of the characters different relationships as well and the rest of the cast (though I won’t say anything about them because I don’t want to spoil the fun!).

Overall, The Stardust Thief, by Chelsea Abdullah is a beautiful, compelling and captivating fantasy that is immersive and vivid.

*I received an eARC via #Netgalley from @orbitbooks in exchange for an honest review – thank you!*

The world-building is intricate and compelling and the characters are well-developed and fascinating. It’s marketed as adult fantasy but felt like it would be suitable for older teens as well. It ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for book two in The Sandsea Trilogy. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

4.5 stars
The Stardust Thief is a beautifully written and utterly transportive One Thousand and One Nights retelling by Chelsea Abdullah who—in breathing new life into the classic, epic quest fantasy genre, with her endearing characters and gorgeously detailed world building—has reignited my love of all things adventurously quest-like.

In a land where jinn are hunted for the magic in their blood and where their enchanted relics are illegal to possess, Loulie al-Nazari (the infamous Midnight merchant and seller of rare magical items) and her Jinn bodyguard embark on a quest to find a magic lamp. An item that—if found— could save or destroy everything Loulie loves most.

In this world where story is reality and illusion is truth, Loulie will discover that everything-her enemies, her magic, even her own past- is not what it seems, and must decide who she will become to survive in this cutthroat reality.

I loved just how easy it was to lose myself in this magical world, the depth and complexity of the characters was amazing and I loved just how intricately their lives become as the story (and the action) progresses— the execution itself was beautifully subtle but exquisite nonetheless!

The incorporation of folklore throughout was also really lovely, and though her name isn’t expressly mentioned, I loved how prominent Shahrazad’s story (the storyteller who’s clever stories save her life and win her the heart of a Sultan) was, with her son (and his passion for thre oral storytelling tradition) being one of the main focuses of the plot. The stories are so vividly detailed and truly capture that magical sense of wonder you feel when hearing a really great, immersive tale that you return to again and again.

The characters were all super compelling; I loved the Midnight merchant, Loulie she’s smart, witty and incredibly strong, even if she doesn’t see herself that way—she’s a survivor just Aisha and Mazen (to some extents) and I loved just how their shared childhood trauma ultimately bonds them all in a way—bringing them closer to each other.

Mazen’s emotionally conflicting arc was superb but it was the Jinn we encounter thst really stole the show for me— the complexities woven into their magic and history was fascinating and I honestly can’t wait to see where this goes in the rest of the series.

If you love a plot twist, then you’re gonna be pleased as there’s soo many plot twistingly good, jaw-drop worthy moments that kept me coming back for more. And, like the eponymous Sultan eager for Shahrazad’s tales , I was desperate to find out what would happened next— there were many sleepless nights spent devouring Chelsea Abdullah’s lush, magic infused prose (I honestly never wanted it to end.)

Overall, this enchanting epic fantasy is a book you definitely want to get your hands on ASAP, trust me fantasy lovers—you’re going to love it!

Also, thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for the e-arc.

I'm always afraid to step on anyone's toes with not-so-favourable feedback, but I genuinely tried my best to give this book a fair chance - with such a compelling synopsis and the captivating Arab-inspired setting it boasts, how could one not be sold? Yet the first few chapters fell completely flat for me, wrapped up as they were in schematic, somewhat superficial writing and setting forth washed-out, almost formularized characters that I struggled to stay committed, and the only character I found myself caring about at all was Qadir. I do think The Stardust Thief might've missed its mark being marketed as 'adult' fantasy and not YA, but this could just be a classic 'it's not you, it's me' situation, and I wholly count on others appreciating and having a better time with it than I managed to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Orbit for kindly passing on this ARC! 💫

Thank you so much to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for the e-arc of The Stardust Thief in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

I am a total lover of fairytale retellings and this book set in a world based on the stories of 1,001 nights was hugely appealing. Chelsea Abdullah has taken many of these tales and like a natural storyteller has re woven them seamlessly into a bigger story, creating an adventure that transports, entertains and delights.

There are a few protagonists in this tale, including Loulie, known as the Midnight Merchant, who finds and sells illegal magical relics. She can always be found with her mysterious bodyguard Qadir at her side.

Prince Mazen, the Sultan’s youngest son, who cannot fight, nor scheme, but has a true moral compass and like his mother before him, a love for stories and storytelling.

And Aisha, a member of Omar’s (Mazen’s older brother) elite gang of Forty Thieves, who watches over Loulie, Qadir and Mazen as they are press ganged into a quest to locate a lamp, magical of course, for the sultan.

There are a fair few trope in this story, and yes, done do play by the book, but the world-building, the interactions between the gang themselves and the events that occur on their travels, all serve to make this a thoroughly entertaining story.

Perspective is definitely key to this tale, with the conflict between humans and the Jinn being very much at the centre, but just like life there are no clear divisions; There are many shades of character, and morality that only serve to compliment and build a great tale…thus is a great debut novel that I totally recommend you pick up…and can I have the next in the series now please?

3.75/5

This had some very good world building and some strong character development. It's set in a fantasy world that is built strongly on the Arabian Nights, with references to Scheherazade, Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, and probably other hints and fables that would be recognizable to a reader more familiar with that folklore than I am. Yet it is not a straightforward retelling of any of these tales; instead, it is its own story, set in the same world where those stories happened. There is wonderful imagery of landscapes and magical relics and markets and oases and monsters, and very touching relationships that explore a variety of connections and intimacy that are possible between people who have been thrown together in various ways. In particular, I enjoy various moments where people are thrown into close physical proximity and feel certain vulnerabilities in the other person--weaknesses, agitations, etc.--making use of a trope that usually betokens burgeoning romantic feelings in other books, but seems to have no pretensions in that direction here.

Nevertheless, the plot was a little bit frenetic and oddly paced. There was a climax about 2/3 or 3/4 of the way through that felt as if it was the climax of the entire book in scope and drama, and yet didn't resolve any of the ongoing plotlines. When various final revelations were revealed they came out of nowhere, and didn't feel appropriately set up. The plot was composed of too many moving parts, so that I couldn't set in place the full machinery of history and backstory well enough to allow the final revelations to click into place satisfyingly. It felt as if the final revelations themselves had to finish building the backtory before they could find their home in it.

This is the first book in a series, but I confess it did not grip me enough to make me want to read the rest of the series as it is released.

The Stardust Thief is a decent book. It’s pretty enjoyable, definitely readable, with enough action to see you through. However. I never felt it was much more than that.

This isn’t to say I didn’t have fun reading this one. Because I did. There’ve been books where I’ve spent the whole thing just. Wishing I wasn’t reading it, or skimming it (yes, I’m aware there’s a simple fix to these problems). This was not that. I enjoyed it. But I don’t think I could say I enjoyed it enough to want to continue reading the series.

None of this was really to do with the writing or the characters or the plot. All of these were good: the writing was easy to read and moved the story along at a rapid enough pace that I was never bored by it. The characters, too, were ones you could easily like and sympathise with and, if I were ever to decide I wanted to continue the series, it would be because of them. And the plot itself was, alright, a little predictable but not in a way I minded. It was a book to set up what’s coming next, so that’s understandable.

The issue that led me to give it 3 stars, though? That would be the depth.

I don’t mean this in a rude way, but this is an adult fantasy that read like YA. Namely, in the depth of worldbuilding and, to a lesser extent, in the characters. I wouldn’t say it was shallow, so much as underdeveloped. I think it’s a hard balance to strike though, not taking depth to mean infodumps, so I’m inclined to prefer books that lack those infodumps and a little depth to those that substitute depth for infodumps. So, in that sense, this book was alright.

But if I were to read the next books, that’s more what I’d want from them. And, when I say this read like YA, I mean because, typically, this is a kind of style that is more prevalent in YA books. If I’m reading an adult fantasy, this is not what I expect.

However, to counter that, I would say that the bones of it were there with this book. Like, if it had a little more time spent on developing and describing the world, then I could see it becoming stronger. Chelsea Abdullah has all the right skills, it’s just a matter of developing them, which I can see will come as she writes more books.

So, while I may not be so eager to finish this series, Abdullah is definitely an author I’ll be keeping an eye on in the future.

I loved this book. It’s set in a fantasy desert world and is loosely based on some of the stories in 1001 nights but Chelsea Abdullah takes these tales and weaves them seamlessly into her story. The way that she tales form an integral part of the plot is one of my favourite elements of this book.

The book is focused on three main characters. Loulie is a seeker and seller of illegal magical relics. Eventually she comes to the attention of the Sultan who forces her to go on a search for the greatest relic of all, a magical lamp which contains the soul of a jinn. Along with her go the Sultan’s youngest son and Aisha, a member of the notorious gang, the forty thieves. These three characters tell the story between them and we see how each of them is forced to confront their pasts in order to grow.

The setting is brilliantly conceived and I loved the conflict between the humans and the jinn. The humans see the jinn as destructive monsters and some of them, notably the Sultan’s eldest son, are determined to hunt them to extinction. However, as in all good tales, there is more than one side to a story and the jinn tell things very differently.

I really liked all three of the main characters but maybe Prince Mazen is my favourite. He is definitely not your stereotypical hero prince and in fact is described as a coward. However, on this quest, he begins to discover who he might be and the other characters realise that there is more to him than they first thought.

This was a brilliant debut novel and I can’t wait to read the next instalment. Many thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I probably shouldn't start a review by saying that I loved everything about this book but I can't take it! I really loved it all!

Stardust Thief is the first volume of Chelsea Abdullah's epic fantasy trilogy, inspired by the stories of One Thousand and One Nights. In fact, while reading, it is easy to grasp the references to the famous Arab opera!

The story proceeds following the POV of Loulie Al-Nazari, known as The Midnight Merchant, Mazen son of the sultan and Aisha one of the Forty thieves of Omar the first born of the sultan. The three characters will find themselves traveling together in the desert in search of an ancient relic, a legendary lamp. The journey will be full of clashes, intrigues, enemies but also revelations.

Already from the premise, this book had piqued my curiosity. In fact, the world created by Chelsea Abdullah sees a strong contrast between humans and jinns. They have immense power and are therefore hunted and exploited by humans.
The author then reflects on cruelty, prejudice and how not everything is as the story tells.
A layered and complex world, as well as well-characterized characters. Real, complex, multifaceted and layered. They show their strengths, but also their great weaknesses.
The journey in the desert becomes a way to face these fears and weaknesses, to find themselves and discover a new strength and a new point of view.
In this, I find that Aisha's character has the best story arc. Ruthless, fearless, she throws herself headlong into danger regardless of others. But is this blind rage, which isolates her and pushes her to kill all her enemies, really the answer?
Three brilliantly described characters whose relationships, really well managed, I really appreciate. I especially enjoyed the father-daughter relationship between Loulie and Qadir. Lost, fleeing from themselves and their memories, they have found a purpose in each other. A way to go on and live. A beautiful, strong and solid relationship, which almost moved me.

But what I really liked about this book are the interludes with the Jinn stories. This small addition not only develops more the worldbuilding by inserting other details on culture and mythology but shows the love for storytelling and above all shows its great flaw: the possibility of being altered to reinforce people's prejudices. Small stories apparently disconnected from each other are finally joined thanks to the skill of the author who in this way tears the veil of illusion and shows the truth that lies behind the myth.

Stardust Thief was a magical, thrilling and engaging read like I haven't read for a long time. Full of action, love and pain, it becomes difficult to break away from the pages, the characters and this dreamlike atmosphere.

Review will be published May 5th on my goodreads page, direct link (to currently empty review) below within links tab.

<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

<b>"You're right; the Midnight Merchant would never yield to some conceited noble. [...]""He'll regret threatening us."
Qadir smiled. "They always do, in the end."</b>
Let me introude you to Loulie (btw I'm in LOVE with that name <3) and her undercover-jinn bodyguard. Both being considered outlaws, earn for their living by acquiring magical relics and selling them for their powers. With the help of an enchanted compass, I can tell they're living their best. The one thing Loulie lacks, is revenge. For the homicide on her tribe.
<img src="https://img1.daumcdn.net/thumb/R800x0/?scode=mtistory2&fname=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kakaocdn.net%2Fdn%2Fu6BkV%2Fbtqv5f63Ghf%2FfX0t4aQdDg276Yg5S4Okx1%2Fimg.gif" width="300" height="auto" alt="description"/>
<b>Collections are a hobby." Loulie raised a brow. "I run a business."</b>
There are three POVs total, the second one belonging to a younger prince of the ruling Sultan. Mazen, as he's not trained in the art of fighting, or idk, defending himself, ain't allowed outside the palace without an escort. So of course he sneaks off, disuised as random Yousef guy, to explore the streets, and well, live. Genderbend Aladdin anyone? Our cowardly prince gets in trouble, and guess what, Loulie to the rescue. Of course not out of charity.
<img src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2019-03/12/8/asset/buzzfeed-prod-web-03/anigif_sub-buzz-25560-1552395437-1.gif" width="300" height="auto" alt="description"/>
<b>"What will it be?" The sultan's dark eyes bored into her. "Will you find the relic and become a hero? Or will you flee like a criminal and perish in the desert, eith no one there to mourn you?"</b>
Her acting didn't go unnoticed from the eyes of the Sultan, that summons her to the palace making an offer she can't turn down. Find a relic of an ancient jinn king, that once belonged to royal family but got hidden as it apparently was bringing madness to its possesor, but also could clear the land from all the wicked jinns. Great thinking mister Sultan to send people to retrieve it. No one succeded, so probably only legendary Midnight Merchant can get it? To ensure himself that she won't fail, he sends her other son with her, famous leader of forty thieves that're hunting jinns. The only thing is, so called son asks Mazen to go in his steads, Of course Mazen agrees and follows the merchant, ignoring the fact that... his health ain't at his best atm.
<img src="https://c.tenor.com/W9JZG44PafgAAAAC/shadow-and-bone-inej-ghafa.gif" width="300" height="auto" alt="description"/>
<b>"Some people hide their scars; I prefer to wear mine like badges. They remind me of everything I survived, and who it is I must seek revenge against."</b>
Of course brother-the-coward shouldn't be left unattended, so Aisha, one of the most trusted of the 40 thieves, joins the team acting as third POV. As expected her plotline is the most separated one from the rest of the group, as she's holding on to her own secrets. As a s<i>quad</i> they're beginning hey journey, leaving the palace to Omar, the older brother, acting as Mazen. I know it may sound confusing at first as who is who, and yes, it is. You'll need about 100 pages to get into it but eventually you'll figure it out.

Perfect for fans of previously mentioned Aladdin, but also The Wrath and the dawn, Rebel of the sands and Ember in the ashes, story of <i>Stardust Thief</i> gives us much more than a simple glimpse to the many tales of Arabian folclore, lead by a very interesting way of writing and engaging plot. I have to say it is that kind of book that can take you some time to finish, and you might need another reread to undestand it completely, but I also think that's the part of magic of it? Flow of the book was perfectly spread, more interesting events got good amount of attention, and simple travel throu the desert parts were summarised to moments of actual things happening. As the book ends in very uncertain way for our characters, as they once again depart on a journey but much different one, I'll admit I can't wait to see this trilogy become a whole, certain it's free from the syndrome "wish it finished on book one". Solid 4 stars from me!

Loulie al-Nazari is better known as the Midnight Merchant, someone who is able to find enchanted objects and sell them to the highest bidder. So when the Sultan hears of a powerful object tied to a Jinn King of old, Loulie becomes unwillingly embroiled in his plan to find it. Along side a Prince she can't stand, one of the infamous forty thieves and her sullen Jinn bodyguard, they set off on a journey filled with danger and discoveries, Loulie will need to rely on those she doesn't trust if she is to make it out alive.

I loved this book and one of the main reasons for that was the characters. Told from three POV's, Loulie, the Midnight Merchant and the only one with the way to find the enchanted relic. She has no love for the Sultan or the royal family in general and isn't too impressed when she is forced on this journey. She is witty and incredibly strong, even if she doesn't realise it herself and she goes through a huge amount of character growth throughout the story. Prince Mazen is the youngest son of the Sultan. Obsessed with stories, he likes to escape the Palace walls to feel normal, something his oldest brother, an infamous Jinn killer and leader of the forty thieves, would never understand. He is sweet and extremely sheltered, but is more than willing to stand up for what's right when needed. Finally, Aisha, one of the infamous 40 thieves, and a notorious Jinn killer. She has been sent as a spy and almost bodyguard on the journey, loyal to the Crown as long as they let her seek revenge on the Jinn that murdered her family.

Though we only get the above three POV's, there are four character who go on the journey to find the relic, the fourth being Qadir who, apart from Loulie, was one of my favourite characters. He was sarcastic and I just loved how everyone assumed he was Loulie's brooding body guard. Their relationship is one I thoroughly enjoyed following. It wasn't remotely romantic, more familial with Qadir being with Loulie since she was a child. We also get introduced to multiple other players throughout the story from the Sultan, Prince Omar, his eldest son and the leader of the 40 thieves, as well as other members of the thieves and allies of Loulie that pop up throughout their journey.

I Initially picked this up when I realised it was going to be based on tales from 1001 nights and it was easy to see where our story overlaps with the original tales. Abdullah uses the tales, not only to give us insight into the world and it's history, but also as plot points, and some that make for the most impressive of plot twists. I thoroughly enjoyed the deep dive into Arab mythology, and the multiple ways in which the author weaves them into her own unique story. Abdullah's flowing writing style makes it easy to fall into the story and I found myself reading huge chunks at a time, never quite able to put it down. Though it's a bit of a chunk, it's an epic chunk with lots of adventure, magic and some pretty epic action scenes, so it's easy to speed through the story and incredibly hard to stop.

If I had one little nit picky thing that I just didn't love, it would be the romance arc that's weaved through the story. Though it only plays a small part in the overall plot, I really didn't think it added anything, one of the characters never really gets enough page time for us to get invested in the relationship, and I do feel like it could have been removed and wouldn't have impacted on the story at all. The relationship I loved reading about was Loulie and Qadir, we learn early on how they came to be linked, but through the story we learn more about their relationship, and though them more about the history of the world and the magical beings that live in it. I also enjoyed the conversations and interactions between Loulie, Mazen and Aisha, they all have their own reasons for going on the journey, and because they don't necessary get along we get some humorous and entertaining scenes.

As a whole I adored this book, and it ended on one hell of a cliff-hanger that had me swearing, wanting to find out what happens next. If you like your fantasy filled with mythology, misfit characters who are on a journey, plot twists galore and stories about stories, then make sure you pick this one up!

Oh boy, where to start. I picked up The Stardust Thief because it sounded intriguing and although I was on the fence about whether I should request an eARC, knowing epic fantasy isn’t exactly my favorite genre. Eventually, my curiosity killed the cat won. I’m still trying to make my mind up about if that was a good thing or not. You see, I have very conflicted feelings about Chelsea Abdullah‘s Arab culture-inspired/1001 Nights retelling debut novel. And while I’m sure it’ll receive a lot of love, I walked away from it a bit disappointed all things considered.

The Stardust Thief tells the story of Loulie and Mazen’s quest through the desert in search of an old jinn relic belonging to the sultan’s ancestor. They are accompanied by Qadir a jinn, and Aisha a jinn killer and one of Prince Omar’s forty thieves. As journeys tend to do, this one is also full of danger, unexpected encounters, and revelations both about themselves and about a deeper set of political and other intricacies.

I found the premise and the setting very intriguing from the start. We have the mysterious Midnight Merchant who illegally sells magical relics to whoever needs them, who also happens to have a jinn companion. In a country where jinn are hunted for their blood and their relics, this is a rather bold move. Their bond and dynamics are great though, and definitely one of the highlights of this novel. Loulie’s fame and name can’t escape the sultan’s ears and soon she finds herself in the middle of a quest that sends her to the Western Sandsea where the legendary jinn city, Dhahab lies under the sand. To her dismay, she must be accompanied by the oldest prince, Omar who is one of the most celebrated jinn hunters of the land, and one of her thieves, Aisha who is deeply loyal to him. Omar, however, has other plans and forces his little brother to take his place – Mazen always dreamed about being an adventurer, growing up on stories and being a great storyteller himself, but he very much would prefer to be safe, thank you very much.

If I had to pick a favorite character, I would be hard-pressed to do so as I found myself not really caring about them at all. They all remained somehow one-dimensional. Maybe Mazen had the most development as a character throughout the novel, but even that wasn’t quite enough. I also liked Qadir for his caring nature, but I also wanted to kick him for keeping so many secrets from Loulie. The person he admittedly cares about a lot. Also, I found it a bit hard to believe Loulie knew so little about him after being in his company for 9 years or so. And since we are talking about Loulie (I really dislike this name for some reason…) it was her and her relationship with one of the side characters that made me realize this book had too much telling and not enough showing. I’ll talk about my issues regarding the writing below, but we are told over and over again how the characters feel, and instead of making the reader sympathetic toward the said character, it just gets repetitive and makes you wish we would move on already. I get what I was supposed to feel, but I really didn’t.

I also thought that all of the characters would have benefited from a bit more fleshing out. Especially Aisha, who sometimes did very out-of-character things which seemed odd. I also read in a review that the characters are very passive and the plot happens to them rather than them taking an active part and I pretty much agree with that view.

One of the issues I had right from the beginning was that the writing didn’t click with me at all. It felt…clunky, somehow. I knew I was supposed to be drawn in by the atmosphere, but the description didn’t land well with me and I never felt immersed. I found the prose a bit bland if we are being honest. The pacing itself was very wavering as well – sometimes I started getting bored, then something interesting happened, and thought things might start improving only to lose my interest again. I think for the second half of the book it was mostly my growing frustration that kept me from enjoying The Stardust Thief. And I tried, I really did, but all I could think about was when it was going to end. A lot of times the quest itself got the backseat (my curiosity for this plotline what kept me from DNFing) as other plotlines seemed to get more time to develop. And while I wouldn’t say the overall outcome was predictable, it wasn’t much of a surprise either.

What I really enjoyed, however, was how some of the most famous Arabian tales – and probably some more I don’t know – were waved into the story. Like Omar and his Forty Thieves, or Mazen’s mother who survived the sultan’s wife-killing spree by telling him stories and finally winning him over, or the lamp itself. I loved learning about the jinns and their culture, their magic, and their relics. I found that really cool and wished they’d got more time for us to learn about them. A deeper dive, if you will. But based on the ending of The Stardust Thief, there is a very good possibility we’ll get that chance. The question is, whether I’ll want to stick around to find out more. We’ll see.

The Stardust Thief is Chelsea Abdullah‘s debut novel and as such, it has a lot of rough edges. The author has a clear vision and it’s really refreshing to read a fantasy novel with an Arabian setting which I think we need more. It has some cool ideas and a great premise, but it falls short on the execution. It’s a shame as this could have been a great novel if it got more time to find its feet. It was supposed to be character-driven but it felt underdeveloped, and even the plot couldn’t save it with it being a bit too meandering. Overall, I found The Stardust Thief disappointing, but as usual, you don’t need to take my word, as you might fall in love where I could not.

THE STARDUST THIEF

A fantastical Arab adventure focused on the lives of Loulie - the Midnight Merchant, Qadir - her djinn bodyguard - and Mazen - the adventurous prince!

I do not normally read fantasies set in a Middle Eastern world, so this was a pleasant surprise and I found myself enjoying it very much. The world had such vivid imagery and I found myself totally transported. The sights, sounds and smells were so well described - I could feel myself amongst the crowds in the marketplace and in the halls of the Palace.

Loulie's relationship with Qadir was a joy to read. I loved Qadir's dialogue - everything he said was so witty yet endearing. I liked her character progression, and thought she was well-rounded.

Overall, I thought this was a wonderful YA fantasy story. This is not one of my favourites, but it definitely has the potential to be for others.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A mesmerizing retelling of 1001 Arabian Nights

The Stardust thief is a young adult fantasy fiction, based on the folk tales of 1001 Arabian Nights. It tells the story from three POV, Loulie, the Midnight Merchant, Mazen, the King’s youngest son, and Aisha, one of the 40 thieves hired by the King’s older son.

The troop is reluctant travellers setting off on a quest, with the Merchant’s bodyguard acting as a mentor. The worldbuilding is stunning, and I loved the added tales of Arabian nights woven into the story. While this is a young adult, I did think that it has some complicated issues, which made the characters richer and more rounded. One thing I particularly liked was the relationship between Loulie and Qadir, he is this kind of omnipresent vibe around her whenever she gets into trouble and yet he makes her question their relationship constantly.

Overall, I did enjoy the story, however, this is a retelling, and I just feel that the market is flooded with retellings of folk and fairy tales at this current time.

I was so excited to read this book, based on the stories from 1001 nights and the cover is just stunning.

Sadly, this book just didn't deliver on the exciting premise. The legendary Midnight Merchant, Loulie and her bodyguard are forced to join the gentle Prince Mazen and thief, Aisha, to cross the treacherous Sandsea in search of a long lost Jinn relic. This book should have it all; strong, female characters, a gentle, yet brave male lead, magic in a fantastic setting. I can see that this book would certainly be someone's favourite but that someone isn't going to be me.

I found the narrative to be very juvenile. There was an over reliance on telling the story rather than showing and so many adverbs I sometimes felt I was marking a year 6's creative writing project. I personally found the characters to be one dimensional and I couldn't get behind them or care for them. I did like the relationship between Loulie and Qadir, her bodyguard. I've seen this novel has a lot of five star reviews so it's one of those you'd need to read yourself to see if you'd enjoy it.

Thank you for Netgalley and the publishers for providing an ARC of this novel.

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea is a new young adult fantasy based on Middle Eastern folktalea and is a beautifully woven story of how the lives of a group of very different people become entwined.

Loulie al-Nazari is a merchant dealing in forbidden magic in objects which she tracks down with the help of her jinn bodyguard. When she saves the life of the youngest Prince of the kingdom she is drawn into the hunt for a mythical lamp. Together they joinery across the desert to far away cities and encounter enemies in different forms. All the characters have dark and complicated pasts which we slowly learn more about as the story progresses. The females characters are strong, capable women and are often the ones protecting their male counterparts which is so refreshing to read.

Chelsea is able to weave together such a beautiful story with the image of a beautiful and mysterious world. Throughout the book the characters often tells stories they know from folktales to help make sense of the magic they come across. This is a stunning first instalment of what looks to be a brilliant trilogy.

This book has already become one of my favourite reads this year. I loved the story and the characters so much. 1001 Arabian Nights are some of my favourite stories and I loved how Chelsea wove those stories with her own twist into the main arc of the story. We see the story of Scheherazade and the Sultan, the 40 thieves and more and it just made me so nostalgic as I remembered reading them when I was younger and especially being told these stories in urdu by my grandparents.

The storytelling had me completely hooked and sucked into the story and I could truly imagine the story in my head as I read. The writing is beautiful and has such a great flow that you just want to continue reading even as your eyes are literally closing. (Yes this did happen to me several times as I read.)

These characters have my whole heart, Loulie and Mazen were such wonerful characters. So different from each other but they had such great chemistry together. Qadir fast became a favourite, he gave me tired dad chasing after his hyper daughter vibes with Loulie and I am here for it. I really loved seeing their relationship develop throughout the story. Aisha was a surprise and even though I was wary about her, she still won me over. All four of them had some great banter and I especially loved when they were sassy and sarcastic with each other.

However my favourite thing was that Mazen was the single sunshine amongst this group of grumpy travellers. All he wants is to see the world and hear all the stories and somehow he gets dragged into this quest with Loulie and is completely out of his depth in every way but still perseveres. His older brother Omar is the leader of the 40 thieves and yet Mazen can barely swing a sword. It was an interesting contrast to see that between the brothers. When we first meet Mazen he is escaping the palace in search of a storyteller that has come to the city and that causes a domino effect where he ends up fighting ghouls in the desert with Loulie and the others. I loved his character development throughout the story and how we see him change and become braver, though I do think he is brave in a different way, and always the optimist that also showed the others that they were more than the labels given to them.

Loulie is a thief and con artist and very good at her job, so much so that she has created a persona for herself which quickly becomes famous and results in the sultan sending her on the quest. Her story arc was so heartbreaking to read and you can see why she does not trust people and only relies on herself but I loved seeing her slowly learn to trust the others as the story progresses.

Throughout the story through the events and the wonderful short stories within the story we learn of the history of the world and how and why the jinns are hunted and killed, this is lead by Omar and his thieves. It was such an interesting backstory and honestly I could read a whole book about the jinns before they were almost exterminated by humans.

This book is fast paced and action packed we are thrown right into the story from the very beginning and we slowly learn more as the characters learn more. Once I got about halfway I could barely breathe because the revelations and the plot twists left me screaming! I was stressed and absolutely terrified for these characters, the neat death experiences one after the other and it did not stop until the very end. I absolutely need the next book immediately after that ending and I don’t know how I will wait a whole year for that sequel.

This was an interesting book with plenty of great details. I loved the setting and the characters and the plot was good. I do, however, find that it's way too long and that it takes effort to get through it. There's action in there, and things that pull you in and make you want to keep reading, yet it often feels like you're not getting enough reward for pushing through. It's a long road between interesting events and that makes the journey not really worth the payoff.

It's a good read though, and I can highly recommend it.