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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
First, I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, Loulie and her jinn bodyguard, Qadir, search the desert for magical artifacts to sell for a steep price. One day, after saving one of the prince's lives, Loulie ends up on the Sultan's radar. He recruits her to go with his oldest son out to the lost city of the jinn and find a particular artifact that he will then use to wipe out all jinn. What follows is an adventure of friendship and love and loss and adventure that is so enthralling.
Guys, I really loved this book. I went into it without many expectations, and I was swept away. The setting was so magical and fully captivated me from the beginning. Abdullah's ability to make me feel present in this world was incredible. The plot was medium paced. There were a few points where I felt like the pacing was a little off. However, they weren't so egregious that I thought the book was bad.
The real star of the show was the characters. I am dying for the second book just to spend more time with these characters. They were so well developed and so unique, and all of their interactions together felt so real. Qadir and Loulie's relationship was beautiful, and I loved every minute we had with them together. I liked that there wasn't any overt romance to the story. Normally I love a good romance, but this book felt like it didn't need it yet.
Overall, an incredible book. I think you should all preorder it.
TW: alcohol, assault, attempted murder, blood, death, emotional abuse, fire, gore, murder, skeletons, violence
In this book, Loulie and her jinn bodyguard, Qadir, search the desert for magical artifacts to sell for a steep price. One day, after saving one of the prince's lives, Loulie ends up on the Sultan's radar. He recruits her to go with his oldest son out to the lost city of the jinn and find a particular artifact that he will then use to wipe out all jinn. What follows is an adventure of friendship and love and loss and adventure that is so enthralling.
Guys, I really loved this book. I went into it without many expectations, and I was swept away. The setting was so magical and fully captivated me from the beginning. Abdullah's ability to make me feel present in this world was incredible. The plot was medium paced. There were a few points where I felt like the pacing was a little off. However, they weren't so egregious that I thought the book was bad.
The real star of the show was the characters. I am dying for the second book just to spend more time with these characters. They were so well developed and so unique, and all of their interactions together felt so real. Qadir and Loulie's relationship was beautiful, and I loved every minute we had with them together. I liked that there wasn't any overt romance to the story. Normally I love a good romance, but this book felt like it didn't need it yet.
Overall, an incredible book. I think you should all preorder it.
TW: alcohol, assault, attempted murder, blood, death, emotional abuse, fire, gore, murder, skeletons, violence
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Neither here nor there, but long ago...
Our story begins with the midnight merchant, Loulie Al-Nazari, a young woman who has a past filled with trauma, loss, and emptiness. She has an uncanny ability to track down relics, and sell them, along with their "magic".
Those familiar with the tales of 1001 Nights, their storyteller, the genie and the lamp, jinn, ifrit, or Middle Eastern lore will immediately be drawn into the weaving stories that Abdullah is telling in her own voice for the first time. Some of these stories are ones that 90s generation kids will be familiar with (enter Aladdin and the lamp, along with the 40 thieves), however, not many are as familiar with the tales of the jinn and ifrit and how some can be on your side, but many, will not.
This is the first book of what is said to be the "Sandsea Trilogy". It is a stunning debut with so many fun twists, and turns. For lovers of mythology and stories, this is the whole package. I do not wish to delve too deeply in this review as I want those who read it to have the magic, wonder, and amusement that I did when I picked it up not knowing anything that would happen in the tale, but know, some of the characters may not feel fully developed but I feel that she found her stride with her writing by the end of the novel. I eagerly await the second volume, The Ashfire King, said to be published this year (2023).
Well done, Chelsea Abdullah! This was a phenomenal debut.
4 1/2 Stars.
Neither here nor there, but long ago...
Our story begins with the midnight merchant, Loulie Al-Nazari, a young woman who has a past filled with trauma, loss, and emptiness. She has an uncanny ability to track down relics, and sell them, along with their "magic".
Those familiar with the tales of 1001 Nights, their storyteller, the genie and the lamp, jinn, ifrit, or Middle Eastern lore will immediately be drawn into the weaving stories that Abdullah is telling in her own voice for the first time. Some of these stories are ones that 90s generation kids will be familiar with (enter Aladdin and the lamp, along with the 40 thieves), however, not many are as familiar with the tales of the jinn and ifrit and how some can be on your side, but many, will not.
This is the first book of what is said to be the "Sandsea Trilogy". It is a stunning debut with so many fun twists, and turns. For lovers of mythology and stories, this is the whole package. I do not wish to delve too deeply in this review as I want those who read it to have the magic, wonder, and amusement that I did when I picked it up not knowing anything that would happen in the tale, but know, some of the characters may not feel fully developed but I feel that she found her stride with her writing by the end of the novel. I eagerly await the second volume, The Ashfire King, said to be published this year (2023).
Well done, Chelsea Abdullah! This was a phenomenal debut.
4 1/2 Stars.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
Oh my goodness that was amazing. A pinnacle of fiction. Exciting and mesmerizing and enchanting. I loved the world, the characters, the conflicts. And once again I chose a book whose sequel is not yet out
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
inspiring
mysterious
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
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