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mariaoverbooked's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 rounded up - Definitely didn’t love this like I thought I would. It felt very ya instead of adult and somewhat predictable. I also was extremely bored and it took me way too long to finish because I had no motivation to pick it up.
I gets stars for potential and the middle eastern inspired fantasy, because we don’t have enough of that. But overall, I was disappointed.
I gets stars for potential and the middle eastern inspired fantasy, because we don’t have enough of that. But overall, I was disappointed.
monopolyllama's review against another edition
5.0
A delightful tale that I wish I had finished reading sooner.
This book felt like the best kind of indulgent fantasy to me. It had mysterious merchants who steal magical treasures to sell to others, powerful Jinn that take various forms and have various back stories, a sultan and his family with their own mysterious past…
I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment of this trilogy. Chelsea Abdullah has woven together a magic tapestry worth diving into and getting lost in the details.
This book felt like the best kind of indulgent fantasy to me. It had mysterious merchants who steal magical treasures to sell to others, powerful Jinn that take various forms and have various back stories, a sultan and his family with their own mysterious past…
I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment of this trilogy. Chelsea Abdullah has woven together a magic tapestry worth diving into and getting lost in the details.
slushyyy's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emilybranscome's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emilyh84's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
blue_guitar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I read this as part of the 2024 r/fantasy Bingo – Multiple POV
The Stardust Thief is an adventure story inspired by One Thousand and One Nights but set in a world where humans and Jinn are locked in bloody state of violence. Humans hunt Jinn for their magical powers, while in the desert - powerful Jinn wander, killing humans who cross their path.
The story follows three main characters, Loulie al-Nazari a treasure hunter and seller, the Sultan's cowardly son, Prince Mazen, and Aisha - a member of the Forty Thieves, but is more like an assassin.
The really good parts of the Stardust Thief is the world building, which is lush and vibrant and set in a world that feels authentically realized as Arabian mythology. The characters are set out on a grand quest and along the way have numerous adventures and exploits, which often takes them to imaginative scenarios.
The things that didn't work for me boiled down to the pace. It felt slow to get going. The reveal, set up and then execution of the plot took a while and occasionally, dragged a bit. Also the tone of the book is a little YA.
The other thing that I had trouble with was the characterization. For the most part, the characters in book spend a lot of time not liking each other. They lie to each other, mislead one another and kind of act like jerks sometimes. It's hard to develop any empathy for them.
One thing that may or may not work for you is the twists and turns. Some feel a bit predictable, others really come out of nowhere. Characters die and come back to life, villains are defeated but then come back.
The Stardust Thief is an adventure story inspired by One Thousand and One Nights but set in a world where humans and Jinn are locked in bloody state of violence. Humans hunt Jinn for their magical powers, while in the desert - powerful Jinn wander, killing humans who cross their path.
The story follows three main characters, Loulie al-Nazari a treasure hunter and seller, the Sultan's cowardly son, Prince Mazen, and Aisha - a member of the Forty Thieves, but is more like an assassin.
The really good parts of the Stardust Thief is the world building, which is lush and vibrant and set in a world that feels authentically realized as Arabian mythology. The characters are set out on a grand quest and along the way have numerous adventures and exploits, which often takes them to imaginative scenarios.
The things that didn't work for me boiled down to the pace. It felt slow to get going. The reveal, set up and then execution of the plot took a while and occasionally, dragged a bit. Also the tone of the book is a little YA.
The other thing that I had trouble with was the characterization. For the most part, the characters in book spend a lot of time not liking each other. They lie to each other, mislead one another and kind of act like jerks sometimes. It's hard to develop any empathy for them.
One thing that may or may not work for you is the twists and turns. Some feel a bit predictable, others really come out of nowhere. Characters die and come back to life, villains are defeated but then come back.
carmelien's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
jasmine_nisha's review against another edition
5.0
Had a beautiful time with this book. Considering raiding a thrift store and becoming a merchant, possibly running headfirst into the nearest stretch of sand. Chelsea Abdullah deserves her flowers and also a good shove because where is the next book?
achay91's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.5
lucyjo333's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely blown away, loved every min of this story. The characters are brilliant and the twists and turns kept the story moving brilliantly. I loved the main character fully, their emotions and feelings were so strong through the whole story. Honest cannot wait to read the next book, such a great story. The constant discoveries about the world at the same time as the characters finding out was brilliant and really made all the information more shocking