3,75 stars*

The Ashfire King is a worthy second instalment to the Sandsea Trilogy. This book starts off where The Stardust Thief left off. The beginning also contained a helpful recap of book 1, which was amazing. I’m happy I read The Stardust Thief only two months ago, because it didn’t take me long to get back into this world.

The Ashfire King is as adventurous as its predecessor, with more worldbuilding and exploring, and great characters. I only wished we would have seen more of Qadir. Another thing I didn’t really like was the pacing. The story was consistently slow paced without there being any real climaxes. This made me struggle to get through it.

Nevertheless, I would still recommend this series, and I can’t wait for book 3!

Thank you, Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

I want to thank the publisher and NetGallley for the free e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

“The ashfire kind” is the second book in “The Sandsea trilogy” by Chelsea Abdullah. “The stardust thief” was one of the best books I’ve read in 2022, I loved it a lot! I am a huge fan of desert setting and jinns. I love a great adventure, where characters move on the map and we can see a lot of different things and places and creatures.

While I loved the characters in “The ashfire king”, my biggest complaint is about the plot. I found it hard to care about it. I wanted to see more of Qadir and I didn’t like how much the author split the characters. It made it hard for me to care about them on their one. And I know that helped with their development, but I just love a found family that are together for a long time in the story. I couldn’t concentrate enough on their stories because I just waited for them to get together again. When they did get together, the author splits them again.

I liked how Mazen’s character developed, he became one of my favourites, Aisha was ok, but happy to see her again. And Loulie was pretty amazing, as always. But again, I missed Qadir a lot and when we got him again, we don’t spend a lot of time with him.

“The ashfire king” suffers from the middle book syndrome, but, at the same time, it’s not a bad book. I will continue the series, because I actually like it a lot! Can’t wait to see what the author does with the last book.

Oh, we're SO back.

The Ashfire King picks up almost right where The Stardust Thief left off, with a very helpful recap to kick off the book (please, authors and publishers, normalize this, I'm begging you). While it had been three years since I had read the first book, it didn't take me long at all to be swept back into this world.

You can tell that Chelsea Abdullah has put effort into the world and, more than that, that she really loves the world. It's so vast, so thought-out, and I love how these books span so much of it.

We once again get lots of folklore - which, be still, my heart. I loved the lore, and how much we learned in this book. I'm sure book three is going to absolutely fuck me upside the head and I am ready (???) for it.

However, as good as all of that is, the standout remains the characters. When you get multiple POV characters, they're often not all created equally, and - okay, Loulie and Aisha remain my favourite POVs, but they're all very, very strong. The characters are complex, they grow, they're engaging to read, and this applies to supporting characters as well.

A very strong second book in a very strong Arabic folklore-inspired epic fantasy trilogy. I don't know what the third book is called or when it will be released, but I do know that I would die for it.

Thank you to the publisher, Orbit, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah is the breathtaking sequel to The Stardust Thief, drawing readers even deeper into a world where myth and magic collide under the burning sun of the Sandsea. With lush prose, intricate lore, and heart-wrenching stakes, Abdullah delivers a second installment that’s not just a bridge between books—but a brilliant expansion of her universe, brimming with tension, emotion, and unforgettable characters.

Picking up where The Stardust Thief left off, we follow legendary merchant Loulie al-Nazari and exiled prince Mazen bin Malik as they escape into the realm of the jinn—only to find themselves in the midst of a crumbling world teetering on the edge of ruin. The once-magnificent jinn cities are sinking, their ancient protections unraveling as political factions rise and rebellion brews beneath the surface. Far from the sanctuary they hoped for, Loulie and Mazen are swept into a centuries-old war where loyalties are uncertain, alliances are dangerous, and choices carry the weight of entire civilizations.

The world-building in The Ashfire King is nothing short of masterful. Abdullah brings the jinn realm to life with rich, immersive detail—a world as beautiful as it is deadly, where magic pulses through the very air and the echoes of forgotten kings linger in every corner. The stakes are heightened, the scope expanded, and the lore deepened in ways that feel organic and gripping.

At its heart, though, this is Loulie’s story. Her internal struggle is compelling. She is a heroine shaped by loss, driven by resilience, and constantly evolving as the world around her shifts. Her growth is mirrored by Mazen, whose quiet strength and inner conflict add a layer of emotional depth to the narrative. Their bond, tested by betrayal, danger, and the weight of their pasts, is one of the novel’s most compelling threads.

The political intrigue is razor-sharp, the rebellion simmering with tension, and every character feels meticulously crafted—flawed, nuanced, and very human, even when they’re not. Abdullah’s prose is both lyrical and powerful, perfectly capturing the majesty and peril of the jinn world while delivering action sequences and emotional beats with equal skill.

The Ashfire King is an epic fantasy that refuses to be predictable. Twists abound, and just when you think you have a grip on where the story is going, Abdullah shifts the sands beneath your feet. The ending is as shocking as it is satisfying, setting the stage for a conclusion that promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

Perfect for fans of jinn lore, immersive fantasy, and character-driven storytelling, this sequel is a triumph. Chelsea Abdullah has firmly cemented herself as a voice to watch in epic fantasy—The Ashfire King is everything a second book should be: richer, darker, and wholly unforgettable.

The softhearted Prince, Mazen, and the Midnight Merchant, Loulie, find themselves in the sunken jinn realm, a legendary place no human has ever set foot in.
Aisha—the thief who had betrayed, then saved them—stayed behind to carry out her revenge against the king who had lied to her.

<b>Remember, there is no such thing as a single truth. There are just the stories we tell others, and the ones we tell ourselves.
</b>
Quadir (my favourite) takes a step back in this book (one of my saddest gripes) and despite the big revelations, he is sidelined.

Despite loving book one, it was more action and plot focused then character-driven. In this instalment, we get to see characters (especially Mazen) develop as he reflects on himself and how others may have perceived him and what he wants.

<b>“I know what it’s like to keep living after losing everything,” she said softly. “It’s like sinking in the Sandsea. You don’t know when the end will come or if it will. And either way, it doesn’t matter, because there is no reprieve. You just sink and sink...” Her breathing hitched. “Until someone pulls you out and gives you a new purpose. But even then, the hole remains. You can build a new life around it, but it never fills. You continue living, but you never stop sinking.”</b>
Again, I have to shout out the short stories contained in this book. They are vivid despite being merely pages long. They have a tale quality that makes me want a mythology short story collection by the author.

I did want more badass Aisha moments, but she seems more unsure of herself following the betrayal of book one.

One thing I didn’t get - how does Mazen, the supposed pacifist, is suddenly great at fighting.

Arc gifted by Little Brown Book Group.

Chelsea Abdullah’s The Ashfire King is a mesmerizing and richly imagined sequel in the Sandsea Trilogy, plunging readers into a world of jinn, magic, and political intrigue. This second instalment deepens the stakes, expands the lore, and delivers a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is action-packed.

Following the events of the first book, legendary merchant Loulie al-Nazari and banished prince Mazen bin Malik find themselves trapped in the realm of jinn—a world far from the one they know. But instead of finding sanctuary, they discover a land on the brink of collapse. The jinn cities, once protected by the magic of their kings, are sinking into chaos. As political alliances shift and rebellion stirs, Loulie and Mazen are drawn into a centuries-old conflict that threatens to consume them both.

Abdullah’s world-building is nothing short of spectacular, blending the mystique of jinn lore with the tension of a crumbling empire. The realm of jinn is vividly rendered, its beauty and decay creating a haunting backdrop for the story. Loulie’s journey is at the heart of the narrative, as she grapples with the weight of wielding a fallen king’s magic and the choice between carrying on another’s legacy or forging her own path. Her growth as a character is compelling, her resilience and determination making her a heroine to root for.

The dynamic between Loulie and Mazen adds depth and complexity to the story, their bond tested by the challenges they face and the secrets they uncover. The political intrigue and rising rebellion add layers of tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Abdullah’s prose is lush and evocative, capturing the grandeur and peril of the jinn realm with equal skill.

A great read for fans of epic fantasy, jinn lore, and stories with rich world-building and complex characters.