Chelsea Abdullah

The Stardust Thief is the first book in a YA fantasy trilogy written by Kuwaiti author Chelsea Abdullah, inspired by the One Thousand and One Nights.

Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant, who with her jinn bodyguard, Qadir, searches for relics and magic she can sell. When she rescues Prince Mazen bin Malik she is noted by the Sultan and sent on a dangerous quest for hidden magical treasure. She is accompanied by feisty Aisha bint Louas of the Forty Thieves and the bloodthirsty Prince Omar. This turns out to be an epic adventure of thieves, murderers, jinns and magic, interwoven by the stories told by the Shaharazade like Sultan’s wife.

I enjoyed reading a book by an Arab woman with strong female leads and authentic Arabian stories and voices. At times the adventures dragged out too much for me, rather like when you zone out watching a movie with an extended fight scene, but nonetheless a good story. Be warned it ends on a cliffhanger poised for the next book.… (más)

An exciting start to a new series by a debut author. The book introduces the reader to a world of magic and intrigue and interesting characters. I am looking forward to the next installment!

"There was a fine line between being set free by the truth and being shackled by it
"

Mazen, Loulie and Aisha make up an unlikely team as the ser out on a quest for a magic relic. Betrayal, personal demons and magic jinn are some of the obstacles that they have to overcome.
The ending is a cliffhanger!… (más)