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ishouldreadthat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
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I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah is a debut adult fantasy novel inspired by the 1001 Nights. With a lovely setting, great characters, and a compelling plot, it's definitely one to pick up if you enjoy:
-Badass and clever women
-Hot jinn dads
-Cinnamon roll princes
-Friendships!!
-The power of storytelling
-Non-European settings
I listened to the audiobook for this one, and really enjoyed the narrators, but the editing leaves a lot to be desired (lots of repetition and strange cuts). I hope they go in and edit these issues, because it's a great way to read this book!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah is a debut adult fantasy novel inspired by the 1001 Nights. With a lovely setting, great characters, and a compelling plot, it's definitely one to pick up if you enjoy:
-Badass and clever women
-Hot jinn dads
-Cinnamon roll princes
-Friendships!!
-The power of storytelling
-Non-European settings
I listened to the audiobook for this one, and really enjoyed the narrators, but the editing leaves a lot to be desired (lots of repetition and strange cuts). I hope they go in and edit these issues, because it's a great way to read this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
elpk1313's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
This. Was. Everything. Fans of the City of Brass Trilogy I have found our newest obsession. This was AMAZING. I’m literally speechless. So this is the end of the review. READ THIS BOOK.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Alcohol, and Animal death
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Chelsea Abdullah had some good ideas here, but in the end, this novel left me slightly confused and underwhelmed.
First, to the good stuff. I liked how Abdullah intertwined the best-known Arabian Nights stories into her tale, incorporatingScheherezade, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and I'm sure there were many more stories woven in that I was unfamiliar with . The first hundred pages or so The Stardust Thief are snappy and pacy in style, and I was thinking "oh, this is going to be a cracking good story."
It wasn't long after our narrators - Loulie, Mazen and Aisha (as well as Qadir) - set out on their journey (not a spoiler as it's in the official blurb) that I started to get confused. It was still incredibly gripping to read - but I was no longer as invested as I was in the beginning.
So what went wrong? For me, it was a number of things. A few plot holes which I couldn't rationalise to myself. Too many convenient escapes where someone or something turned up at just the right moment. The characters felt too thin and weren't developed enough to make me care about them. I was confused about jinn lore and exactly how the magic worked. And I think it was too long, with twist upon twist until it became impossible to keep track of who knew what and when.
In conclusion, a strong start and some clever ideas, but the worldbuilding and character development left a lot to be desired.
First, to the good stuff. I liked how Abdullah intertwined the best-known Arabian Nights stories into her tale, incorporating
It wasn't long after our narrators - Loulie, Mazen and Aisha (as well as Qadir) - set out on their journey (not a spoiler as it's in the official blurb) that I started to get confused. It was still incredibly gripping to read - but I was no longer as invested as I was in the beginning.
So what went wrong? For me, it was a number of things. A few plot holes which I couldn't rationalise to myself. Too many convenient escapes where someone or something turned up at just the right moment. The characters felt too thin and weren't developed enough to make me care about them. I was confused about jinn lore and exactly how the magic worked. And I think it was too long, with twist upon twist until it became impossible to keep track of who knew what and when.
In conclusion, a strong start and some clever ideas, but the worldbuilding and character development left a lot to be desired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Murder, Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Minor: Pregnancy
Many murders and violence occur through magical means.kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy is my shit! I loveeeeddd this! I did get lost a few times with what was happening and had to go back and re-read to catch on with the plot, but overall I really enjoyed it. Can't wait for the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death and Animal death
xtsukix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For a debut novel this book had a fascinating and original story, one that I think many people would enjoy. I will say that the characters despite effort felt quite flat, which I imagine will improve the more Abdullah writes, she pulls off the whole “detached grouchy untrusting” character scheme a little too well, where it seems to bleed into every character in the book.
The start was a little boring, and this book took me forever to get through but I do blame that partially on my reading slump. I think I’d give the second book in the trilogy a read when it does come out :) Qadir is definitely my favourite character and I would love to see more of him.
The start was a little boring, and this book took me forever to get through but I do blame that partially on my reading slump. I think I’d give the second book in the trilogy a read when it does come out :) Qadir is definitely my favourite character and I would love to see more of him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Grief, Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Torture, Gore, and Child death
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism
victoriousbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
asipofcozy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
3.75
I could not for the life of me figure out what I wanted to rate this book. I yanked between a 3.75 and 4 star for the last hour and still my mind is warring with me.
The Stardust Thief is a story filled with magic, stories, flawed characters, and betrayal. I mean what more could a girl want. I instantly fell in love with the worldbuilding and the magic system. I felt immersed in the stories that were being told, and it was almost like I was transported into the world when everyone gathered to listen to the old storytellers.
We end up following the POV's of Mazen (the prince), Aisha (the thief), and Loulie (the merchant). There is nothing I love more than flawed characters that struggle with their inner beliefs and views of the outside world. It makes the story all that more enjoyable. Even when Mazen's naive characteristics drove me up the wall, I still enjoyed reading about his struggles of family duty and want of adventure. These flaws also make for great character develoment and complicated characters - which is a big win for me.
Where my rating debate comes in is the writing style and how the book reads. This is labeled as an adult, yet reads and comes across as YA. I wanted more intricate adult fantasy descriptions and in-depth knowledge behind the magic system that most adult fantasy's give. However, The Stardust Thief is lacking in this aspect. While I enjoyed the fast pacing plot and the quick action that had me turning the pages. I wanted those moments of deep imagery, especially in a world that is colorful and full of jinn and magic.
Given that, I still can't wait to pick up the next book when it releases.
The Stardust Thief is a story filled with magic, stories, flawed characters, and betrayal. I mean what more could a girl want. I instantly fell in love with the worldbuilding and the magic system. I felt immersed in the stories that were being told, and it was almost like I was transported into the world when everyone gathered to listen to the old storytellers.
We end up following the POV's of Mazen (the prince), Aisha (the thief), and Loulie (the merchant). There is nothing I love more than flawed characters that struggle with their inner beliefs and views of the outside world. It makes the story all that more enjoyable. Even when Mazen's naive characteristics drove me up the wall, I still enjoyed reading about his struggles of family duty and want of adventure. These flaws also make for great character develoment and complicated characters - which is a big win for me.
Where my rating debate comes in is the writing style and how the book reads. This is labeled as an adult, yet reads and comes across as YA. I wanted more intricate adult fantasy descriptions and in-depth knowledge behind the magic system that most adult fantasy's give. However, The Stardust Thief is lacking in this aspect. While I enjoyed the fast pacing plot and the quick action that had me turning the pages. I wanted those moments of deep imagery, especially in a world that is colorful and full of jinn and magic.
Given that, I still can't wait to pick up the next book when it releases.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Animal death
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, and War
mandkips's review against another edition
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Death of parent, and Blood
Minor: Child death and Animal death