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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Since this is a sequel, I don’t want to talk too much about the plot of this book but this was an incredible follow up to The Stardust Thief. This second book does not suffer from second book syndrome. It maintains its own interesting and fast moving plot with real stakes while setting up the plot of the third book and overall conclusion of the series. I think this book is well written and shows how much Abdullah has grown as a writer since book one.
I just adore the characters in this series and their growth and development during this story, especially Aisha♥️ These characters are not one dimensional and have strong personality traits that their actions make a lot of sense based on their past experiences and personalities. You really get to know these characters in this book, even with it being a very plot driven story.
I struggled getting into this book at first since it’s been so long since I read the first one. I read it when I came out in 2022, while I was studying for the bar exam, so there was no way I was going to remember specifics. I do think Abdullah did a good job recapping the first book that I knew enough to jump into book two, but it took me about 100-150 pages to really get back invested with the characters. I think if I read this right after Stardust Thief, it would be a higher rating.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new fantasy series with found family, epic journeys, and maybe a dash of romance. If you loved the Daevabad Trilogy, this should be your next read!
I just adore the characters in this series and their growth and development during this story, especially Aisha♥️ These characters are not one dimensional and have strong personality traits that their actions make a lot of sense based on their past experiences and personalities. You really get to know these characters in this book, even with it being a very plot driven story.
I struggled getting into this book at first since it’s been so long since I read the first one. I read it when I came out in 2022, while I was studying for the bar exam, so there was no way I was going to remember specifics. I do think Abdullah did a good job recapping the first book that I knew enough to jump into book two, but it took me about 100-150 pages to really get back invested with the characters. I think if I read this right after Stardust Thief, it would be a higher rating.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new fantasy series with found family, epic journeys, and maybe a dash of romance. If you loved the Daevabad Trilogy, this should be your next read!
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Starting where book 1 left, this novel thankfully starts with a recap written as one of the stories told throughout the series. I adore the way these books give a nod to middle Eastern story-telling traditions and that the stories often become the reality of the characters. In this installment of the story, our quest crew from the first novel are in separate locations fighting to save each other and their whole world. The stakes are even higher and scarier than in the first book. The setting is excellent and overall, I loved it just as much as the first. It is always so refreshing to read fantasy set in different locations and traditions. And then there was that ending! Just when you thought you could take a breath!
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a solid sequel. While I enjoyed the first book, The Stardust Thief, I was much more pulled into the story of The Ashfire King. With the characters and world well-established, we get to see them grapple with the truth of the sunken sea and the jinn realm, and what that means for the human world.
We once again follow Loulie, Mazen, and Aisha, which offers a nice, wide view of all the machinations working in the story, and I cared about each of their struggles. It was always bittersweet to end a chapter, because I knew it meant leaving this character’s perspective, but jumping to another who I loved.
My favorite addition this book was Hakim. He has such an interesting personality, different from Mazen though they were both raised in similar horrible circumstances. And the hard-earned trust and partnership built between Loulie and Mazen in the first book only grew stronger in this book. Their friendship and attraction is so sweet and I am eager to see how they grow next. Meanwhile, Aisha spends much of the book in a mental battle with the Resurrectionist jinn who shares her mind. This battle, fraught with paradigm shifts and prejudice, was interesting. It could have easily been repetitive or off-putting, but the way the book tells it, Aisha’s struggles feel real and earned, and the evolution of that relationship makes sense considering bother characters’ perspectives and their circumstances.
As a result of the end of book 1, Qadir is separated from Loulie, imprisoned by Omar. This made for a thrilling plot eventually, but his absence was very felt until he is brought back into the fold. I wouldn’t have changed it, necessarily, but the book just lacked some energy with him not on its pages.
Overall, I enjoyed it! I’m looking forward to the finale even more than I expected I would.
We once again follow Loulie, Mazen, and Aisha, which offers a nice, wide view of all the machinations working in the story, and I cared about each of their struggles. It was always bittersweet to end a chapter, because I knew it meant leaving this character’s perspective, but jumping to another who I loved.
My favorite addition this book was Hakim. He has such an interesting personality, different from Mazen though they were both raised in similar horrible circumstances. And the hard-earned trust and partnership built between Loulie and Mazen in the first book only grew stronger in this book. Their friendship and attraction is so sweet and I am eager to see how they grow next. Meanwhile, Aisha spends much of the book in a mental battle with the Resurrectionist jinn who shares her mind. This battle, fraught with paradigm shifts and prejudice, was interesting. It could have easily been repetitive or off-putting, but the way the book tells it, Aisha’s struggles feel real and earned, and the evolution of that relationship makes sense considering bother characters’ perspectives and their circumstances.
As a result of the end of book 1, Qadir is separated from Loulie, imprisoned by Omar. This made for a thrilling plot eventually, but his absence was very felt until he is brought back into the fold. I wouldn’t have changed it, necessarily, but the book just lacked some energy with him not on its pages.
Overall, I enjoyed it! I’m looking forward to the finale even more than I expected I would.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Abdullah has done it again! I didn't want to finish this book because I wanted to stay in this world with these characters. But the story was also deeply compelling and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This sequel was worth waiting for!!!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was SO good, and SO fun!!! I enjoyed this one SO much, even though it's been years since I read the first novel. I really enjoy the characters, and their development and growth was done in such a fun way. Every time our three main narrators switched POVs, I was bummed because it cut off right at the good part every time!! This one was fast paced and full of magic and mayhem. I think this trilogy is gonna have a special place on my shelf.
I can't wait for the conclusion!
I can't wait for the conclusion!
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Love Loulie, Mazen, and Qadir. Aisha remains unlikable and I find myself trying to speed through her chapters/
adventurous
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I received a copy of the book from Orbit Books UK in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, injury, death, grief, confinement, torture, displacement
--
The Ashfire King jumps right back in where The Stardust Thief left off with Loulie and Mazen stuck below the Sandsea in the sunken jinn realm and Aisha on a course of vengeance. I didn't get around to doing a reread of The Stardust Thief but rest assured if you're in the same boat as me because there is a nice little recap at the beginning of the book. Plus Chelsea Abdullah's incredible storytelling immediately transports you right back into this entrancing world and story that you'll feel like you never left!
There is a somewhat uneven split with the 2 storylines in this instalment but both sides have enough action and mayhem to make it a just as thrilling and magical read as I remember book 1 being. My favourite aspect was without a doubt seeing the worldbuilding being further expanded on both in terms of setting and history. Down in the depths of the jinn realm with Loulie and Mazen, we follow them as they face its unfamiliar, deteriorating landscape that is riddled with political tensions and rebellion. Aisha has her own challenges in the world above but with the help of some old faces and the introduction of some new ones too I was wholly invested in everyone’s journeys.
I did find myself missing Qadir’s presence in this sequel but liked that the situation allowed for Loulie to come to terms with the truths and reveals from book 1 in her own space as well as figure out how to let others in and trust them a little more. We also get to learn a lot more about Aisha and see both her and Mazen standing on their own merits a little more, though I will say I found Mazen’s development to be the weakest of the 3.
While the character relationships were once again fantastically written and all the banter was just as present as it was in the first book, there was a certain romantic development that started to blossom too which I am still unsure on how to fully feel about. I mean I love both of the characters involved and it is definitely on the wholesome side but it lacked a spark?
Additionally, I was much more aware of the repetitive nature of the plot in this sequel particularly with how the characters would double back on themselves on their little escapades. With Loulie and Mazen this was a given as the jinn realm whilst fascinatingly rich in detail was a much more enclosed setting so there was a lot of back and forth between the same places. However, due to this I found that the story was dragging a little too much in the last third which resulted in the cliffhanger ending feeling too abrupt for me.
That being said it was still a damn good ending and I’m looking forward to seeing how the series concludes and of course more stories within the story! Please Chelsea don’t keep us waiting too long this time !!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
**I received a copy of the book from Orbit Books UK in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, injury, death, grief, confinement, torture, displacement
--
The Ashfire King jumps right back in where The Stardust Thief left off with Loulie and Mazen stuck below the Sandsea in the sunken jinn realm and Aisha on a course of vengeance. I didn't get around to doing a reread of The Stardust Thief but rest assured if you're in the same boat as me because there is a nice little recap at the beginning of the book. Plus Chelsea Abdullah's incredible storytelling immediately transports you right back into this entrancing world and story that you'll feel like you never left!
There is a somewhat uneven split with the 2 storylines in this instalment but both sides have enough action and mayhem to make it a just as thrilling and magical read as I remember book 1 being. My favourite aspect was without a doubt seeing the worldbuilding being further expanded on both in terms of setting and history. Down in the depths of the jinn realm with Loulie and Mazen, we follow them as they face its unfamiliar, deteriorating landscape that is riddled with political tensions and rebellion. Aisha has her own challenges in the world above but with the help of some old faces and the introduction of some new ones too I was wholly invested in everyone’s journeys.
I did find myself missing Qadir’s presence in this sequel but liked that the situation allowed for Loulie to come to terms with the truths and reveals from book 1 in her own space as well as figure out how to let others in and trust them a little more. We also get to learn a lot more about Aisha and see both her and Mazen standing on their own merits a little more, though I will say I found Mazen’s development to be the weakest of the 3.
While the character relationships were once again fantastically written and all the banter was just as present as it was in the first book, there was a certain romantic development that started to blossom too which I am still unsure on how to fully feel about. I mean I love both of the characters involved and it is definitely on the wholesome side but it lacked a spark?
Additionally, I was much more aware of the repetitive nature of the plot in this sequel particularly with how the characters would double back on themselves on their little escapades. With Loulie and Mazen this was a given as the jinn realm whilst fascinatingly rich in detail was a much more enclosed setting so there was a lot of back and forth between the same places. However, due to this I found that the story was dragging a little too much in the last third which resulted in the cliffhanger ending feeling too abrupt for me.
That being said it was still a damn good ending and I’m looking forward to seeing how the series concludes and of course more stories within the story! Please Chelsea don’t keep us waiting too long this time !!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail