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adventurous
mysterious
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
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4 stars — A worthy follow-up I’m glad I took my time with
The Ashfire King was one of my most anticipated reads this year, especially after how much I loved The Stardust Thief. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC!
This one took me a little longer to finish than usual—not just because work has been hectic, but also because there’s a lot going on in this story. Chelsea Abdullah has built such a detailed world, and I’m actually glad I didn’t rush through it. I needed time to sit with everything—especially with how much lore, magic, and character development we get this time around.
One thing I really appreciated? Abdullah included reminders and context from book one. I didn’t realize how much I needed those little refreshers until I saw them, and they helped so much in keeping me grounded in the story.
The jinn realm, the rising rebellion, the emotional stakes—this book has so many layers. Loulie’s arc in particular stood out to me. She’s navigating powers that aren’t hers, decisions she never asked for, and trying to figure out who she’s really doing all this for. It was a lot—but in the best way.
Even though I didn’t finish before release day, I’m glad I gave this one the time it deserved. Can’t wait to see where the story goes in book three!
The Ashfire King was one of my most anticipated reads this year, especially after how much I loved The Stardust Thief. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC!
This one took me a little longer to finish than usual—not just because work has been hectic, but also because there’s a lot going on in this story. Chelsea Abdullah has built such a detailed world, and I’m actually glad I didn’t rush through it. I needed time to sit with everything—especially with how much lore, magic, and character development we get this time around.
One thing I really appreciated? Abdullah included reminders and context from book one. I didn’t realize how much I needed those little refreshers until I saw them, and they helped so much in keeping me grounded in the story.
The jinn realm, the rising rebellion, the emotional stakes—this book has so many layers. Loulie’s arc in particular stood out to me. She’s navigating powers that aren’t hers, decisions she never asked for, and trying to figure out who she’s really doing all this for. It was a lot—but in the best way.
Even though I didn’t finish before release day, I’m glad I gave this one the time it deserved. Can’t wait to see where the story goes in book three!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-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
**Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for an advanced ebook**
This sequel was one of my most highly anticipated books for this year, and I am so grateful that I was given an advanced copy!
I was so excited to be back in this world and with these characters. There is SO MUCH that happens in this book. And honestly, the characters and their arcs through this sequel definitely surprised me for where things went.
I was surprised that somehow Aisha became my favourite in the book! I still adore Mazen, Loulie, and of course, Qadir, but Aisha surprised me with her arc and plotline. I was fully swept up in it and loved her character throughout.
The only reasons that this is not 5 stars: I struggled a bit with the pacing for the first half of the book, but I think that was mostly because this has one of my least favourite things - split the party. And not only is the party split, but they are split multiple times!!! And when everyone is finally back together? Nothing but bad things and not a moment to lose. I'm really hoping that the group stays together for the final book, because I'd love to see them all together again through some plotlines and how things play out now that the characters have all grown.
I know we probably have a bit of a wait until the next book but WITH THAT ENDING I need the next book like tomorrow please.
Anyways, as the first book was an amazing debut, this was a fantastic sequel! It suffers a little from middle book syndrome I think - said from someone who generally loves sequels and middle books actually - but it was a really solid follow up.
This sequel was one of my most highly anticipated books for this year, and I am so grateful that I was given an advanced copy!
I was so excited to be back in this world and with these characters. There is SO MUCH that happens in this book. And honestly, the characters and their arcs through this sequel definitely surprised me for where things went.
I was surprised that somehow Aisha became my favourite in the book! I still adore Mazen, Loulie, and of course, Qadir, but Aisha surprised me with her arc and plotline. I was fully swept up in it and loved her character throughout.
The only reasons that this is not 5 stars: I struggled a bit with the pacing for the first half of the book, but I think that was mostly because this has one of my least favourite things - split the party. And not only is the party split, but they are split multiple times!!! And when everyone is finally back together? Nothing but bad things and not a moment to lose. I'm really hoping that the group stays together for the final book, because I'd love to see them all together again through some plotlines and how things play out now that the characters have all grown.
I know we probably have a bit of a wait until the next book but WITH THAT ENDING I need the next book like tomorrow please.
Anyways, as the first book was an amazing debut, this was a fantastic sequel! It suffers a little from middle book syndrome I think - said from someone who generally loves sequels and middle books actually - but it was a really solid follow up.
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This story picks up right where The Stardust Thief left us. Loulie, Mazen, and Rijah arive in the jinn world to find that it's sinking further into the Sandsea and magic is becoming finicky. Aisha remains in the human world separated from Qadir, who's been captured by Omar.
This starts off slow as we're introduced to a myriad of new characters and are introduced to the complexities of the jinn world. Our POV characters shine as they're thrust into new deadly situations, but Aisha and Amira/the Resurrectionist's relationship continues to be my favorite.
We're witness to a barrage of betrayals as we try to piece together what exactly is going on and what types of machinations are afoot. This book will keep you on your toes. If you enjoyed TST, you'll eat up this next installment. It sets up the final book nicely.
Finally, FUCK OMAR.
This starts off slow as we're introduced to a myriad of new characters and are introduced to the complexities of the jinn world. Our POV characters shine as they're thrust into new deadly situations, but Aisha and Amira/the Resurrectionist's relationship continues to be my favorite.
We're witness to a barrage of betrayals as we try to piece together what exactly is going on and what types of machinations are afoot. This book will keep you on your toes. If you enjoyed TST, you'll eat up this next installment. It sets up the final book nicely.
Finally, FUCK OMAR.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of this book. A delightful second installment to the Sandsea Trilogy. The Ashfire King delivers on the magic and wonder of the first book, expanding into new jinn realms and tribes. Loulie and Mazen both continue to shine as protagonists, but I have to say Aisha still has my heart. Her storyline pulls hard on both emotion and action, and adds one of my new favorite secondary characters. New characters as a whole turn the volume on this sequel up to eleven, granting depth and complexity to the motivations on both human and jinn sides. The look back at the Ashfire King and the seven ifrit was woven in well, highlighting the precarious situation the jinn realm finds itself in. The wait for book two was worth it, because there is no second book syndrome here. Only a wild and raucous adventure above and below the Sandsea. I cannot wait to see how this trilogy ends in book three!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The magic, the hidden world, the non stop action are all just *chef's kiss*
The Ashfire King is one of the rare occasions where the second book outshines the first book in every way!
I love the storyteller stories within the story we're reading and that we get a recap of The Stardust Thief told from a storyteller perspective at the start before diving into chapter after chapter or fights and confrontations. I don't know how many times I said to myself, "can't these characters get a break, can't I (as the reader) get a break?!"
Please don't leave us hanging for too long for the final book 🤞
The Ashfire King is one of the rare occasions where the second book outshines the first book in every way!
I love the storyteller stories within the story we're reading and that we get a recap of The Stardust Thief told from a storyteller perspective at the start before diving into chapter after chapter or fights and confrontations. I don't know how many times I said to myself, "can't these characters get a break, can't I (as the reader) get a break?!"
Please don't leave us hanging for too long for the final book 🤞