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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
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 🤞
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
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:
Complicated
adventurous
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:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Ashfire King
by Chelsea Abdullah
The Sandsea Trilogy #2
Fantasy YA
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: April 15, 2025
Orbit Books
Ages: 14+
Escaping into the jinn cities, Loulie and Mazen thought they would be safe, only to find the jinn's world hidden under the Sandsea is sinking, the sky cracking.
Aisha and Qadir stayed behind, and Loulie doesn't know if her best friend is alive or if their betrayer finished what they set out to do.
This is the second book of the Sandsea trilogy, and I waited three years to read this, and was very disappointed in the recap. Sure, there was the blurb in the beginning, but it still didn't cover the important stuff! I remembered only a little of what happened in the first book, which I read in 2022, and even after finishing this one, I don't remember what the betrayer did, or some of the other things that happened, or the details of the world. It was as if the author expected me to reread the first book.... I don't do that unless the book was a five-star bomb, and that first book was far from that.
Even the jinn world was not described in much detail, and most irritating was the lack of differentiation between the Jinn and the Ifrit. That is a very important detail to skip.
Anyways.... I did almost DNF this one! The writing started off childish, as if the target audience was under ten. This book isn't suitable for readers under 14. There's just a little too much violence/torture. The characters were supposed to be adults, and the jinns hundreds of years old, but they all seemed to think/act like ten-year-olds, but thankfully, the writing did mature and the story finally became interesting and readable and by the ending, I was enjoying the story.
I do want to read the next book in the series, but I wonder if it is going to be another three-year wait, then a poor recap, and immature writing.
A very low...
3 Stars
by Chelsea Abdullah
The Sandsea Trilogy #2
Fantasy YA
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: April 15, 2025
Orbit Books
Ages: 14+
Escaping into the jinn cities, Loulie and Mazen thought they would be safe, only to find the jinn's world hidden under the Sandsea is sinking, the sky cracking.
Aisha and Qadir stayed behind, and Loulie doesn't know if her best friend is alive or if their betrayer finished what they set out to do.
This is the second book of the Sandsea trilogy, and I waited three years to read this, and was very disappointed in the recap. Sure, there was the blurb in the beginning, but it still didn't cover the important stuff! I remembered only a little of what happened in the first book, which I read in 2022, and even after finishing this one, I don't remember what the betrayer did, or some of the other things that happened, or the details of the world. It was as if the author expected me to reread the first book.... I don't do that unless the book was a five-star bomb, and that first book was far from that.
Even the jinn world was not described in much detail, and most irritating was the lack of differentiation between the Jinn and the Ifrit. That is a very important detail to skip.
Anyways.... I did almost DNF this one! The writing started off childish, as if the target audience was under ten. This book isn't suitable for readers under 14. There's just a little too much violence/torture. The characters were supposed to be adults, and the jinns hundreds of years old, but they all seemed to think/act like ten-year-olds, but thankfully, the writing did mature and the story finally became interesting and readable and by the ending, I was enjoying the story.
I do want to read the next book in the series, but I wonder if it is going to be another three-year wait, then a poor recap, and immature writing.
A very low...
3 Stars
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Thank you Chelsea Abdullah, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for the free gift!
Chelsea Abdullah has done it again! The Ashfire King is a rich, immersive continuation of the Sandsea Trilogy that deepens the mythology, raises the stakes, and pulls you even further into its magical world. The realm of the jinn is lush and crumbling all at once, and the way Abdullah explores rebellion, legacy, and identity in this setting is absolutely captivating.
Loulie and Mazen continue to shine—individually and together. Their growing bond was such a heartwarming highlight, full of vulnerability, strength, and subtle moments that made me smile. And Loulie and Qadir? I was on edge waiting for their reunion, and it delivered everything I hoped for. Their connection is something special, and it gave this book so much emotional depth.
Abdullah’s prose is lyrical and atmospheric, and the tension between honoring the past and forging a new path is at the heart of this installment. With high-stakes magic, political intrigue, and unforgettable character dynamics, this series is easily becoming a favorite.
I cannot wait to see how it all wraps up in the final book!