Kingdom of Readers

Reading The Stardust Thief for a second time was no less magical than the first. I was just as enthralled, which only speaks to the first of many reasons this book is so fantastic.

I remember thinking how original this fantasy felt when I first read it, and that still holds true.

I’ve read plenty of fantasy books, but none—especially mainstream ones—have ever really touched on jinn. Honestly, that’s disappointing because it feels like such a rich and untapped source for worldbuilding. But for Chelsea Abdullah, that works in her favor—she brings a much-needed uniqueness to the fantasy genre.

Speaking of our author, I hadn’t looked much into Abdullah or the background of the book before, but I was curious: how much of this story rings true?

How much did Abdullah pull from fables and history, and how much came purely from her imagination? If this all came from her mind, she’s a genius. But weaving a story around historical and cultural elements is just as impressive, so I had to look it up.

(Pause for dramatic suspense…)

Turns out, Abdullah draws inspiration from her experience growing up in Kuwait, part of the Arabian Peninsula.

I love reading books by authors from different backgrounds. Some of my favorite authors have lived experiences outside of my own, and their stories feel more layered, more immersive. There’s something inherently magical about reading perspectives that are new to me—elements that might be mundane in one culture can feel fantastical simply because they’re unfamiliar.

For example, when cardamom tea was mentioned in this book, I immediately thought, I wonder what that’s like? Is it common? Is it good? I should try it.

Books like this make me want to broaden my own experiences, to explore beyond what I know.

Even though The Stardust Thief is a fantasy, it just hits differently when a story can entertain and teach you something along the way.

As I often do, I listened to the audiobook, and I was seriously impressed by the narration. The voice actors truly understood the pronunciations, which is something I always appreciate—especially when words are derived from a different culture with unique sounds and intonations. It made everything just feel more authentic.

The story introduces us to our FMC, Loulie, who is strong, cunning, and deeply layered. I loved that her personality—especially her snarky tendencies—was established early and remained consistent throughout the book.

Loulie was my favorite of the main characters, but her bodyguard, Qadir, held a special place in my heart as well. Their relationship felt almost father-daughter-like, which was both heartwarming and unexpected in the best way.

Mazen, however, was probably my least favorite of the main cast. I felt like he had the least depth, not forming strong relationships with the others. That being said, I’m excited to see how his character develops in the next book.

And Aisha? A total badass. A manipulated thief with morally gray moments who, by the end, became a satisfyingly complex and likable character.

Now, while this book doesn’t have a ton of witty banter, the dialogue still serves a strong purpose: driving the plot forward. And at no point did I feel not entertained. It’s not a humorous story, but it is an adventure—and I loved that.

To me, this book was more about the worldbuilding and plot, with the characters woven into that rather than the other way around. It constantly had me questioning things—wondering what really happened, how people became who they are, and what truths were buried beneath the surface.

Honestly, the plot and the intricacies of the worldbuilding blew me away. I feel a little speechless trying to put its impact into words.

And when I say worldbuilding, I mean the fantastical elements—the lore of the jinn, their relics, their history. Not so much the physical setting, which is mostly desert.

And the ending? It gave just enough answers to be satisfying while leaving plenty of room for the rest of the trilogy to unfold.

It left off on an exciting note—not a cliffhanger, but the kind of ending that makes you need to continue the journey. After falling in love with these characters and the lore, I can’t not return for their next adventure.

And now we’re only a month away from the next book? I am SO excited to dive back in.