Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Orbit (2022), 480 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Mythology. HTML: Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, this book weaves together the gripping tale of a legendary smuggler, a cowardly prince, and a dangerous quest across the desert to find a legendary, magical lamp. Neither here nor there, but long ago . . . Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that has the power to revive the barren land�??at the cost of sacrificing all jinn. With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan's oldest son to find the artifact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen, and confront a malicious killer from Loulie's past. And, in a world where story is reality and illusion is truth, Loulie will discover that everything�??her enemy, her magic, even her own past�??is not what it seems, and she must decide who she will become in this new real… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Anniik
TW/CW: Violence, family death, death of a child, fantasy violence, murder
RATING: 1/5
REVIEW: The Stardust Thief is the story of Loulie (Layla?), a merchant who sells magical artifacts and Mazen, a prince who is forced to travel with her on a mission to retrieve a magical lamp. It is the first in a
I really wanted to enjoy this book. Reading the blurb on Book of the Month, it sounded interesting and I am a huge sucker for epic fantasy, which was what I hoped this would be. I also loved the ideas of story telling and the idea of a great epic fantasy taking place in the middle eastern world with middle eastern mythology. Unfortunately, I was greatly disappointed.
The first thing I have to say about this book was that it was boring. It droned on and on and on with nothing really happening. There is absolutely no reason that this book should have been even close to it’s 463 pages. A big part of the reason that it was boring was the complete lack of character development. I felt nothing for any of the characters. I really couldn’t have cared less what happened to any of them. None of them were friends, or close to each other, and none of that built over the ‘action’ of the story.
The second thing that really bugged me was the author’s complete lack of ability when it came to writing any sort of dramatic tension. Even in places where it should have been exciting, it just kind of fell flat.
And lastly, there was a lot of it that just didn’t make sense. More than in a lot of books, I found myself looking back to see if I’d missed something that could explain what was going on. If I had? I certainly couldn’t find it anywhere. I’m still very confused by the ending, and I’m not a skimmer, so I read everything.
I do not recommend this book, and I won’t be reading the next one.
RATING: 1/5
REVIEW: The Stardust Thief is the story of Loulie (Layla?), a merchant who sells magical artifacts and Mazen, a prince who is forced to travel with her on a mission to retrieve a magical lamp. It is the first in a
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planned trilogy.I really wanted to enjoy this book. Reading the blurb on Book of the Month, it sounded interesting and I am a huge sucker for epic fantasy, which was what I hoped this would be. I also loved the ideas of story telling and the idea of a great epic fantasy taking place in the middle eastern world with middle eastern mythology. Unfortunately, I was greatly disappointed.
The first thing I have to say about this book was that it was boring. It droned on and on and on with nothing really happening. There is absolutely no reason that this book should have been even close to it’s 463 pages. A big part of the reason that it was boring was the complete lack of character development. I felt nothing for any of the characters. I really couldn’t have cared less what happened to any of them. None of them were friends, or close to each other, and none of that built over the ‘action’ of the story.
The second thing that really bugged me was the author’s complete lack of ability when it came to writing any sort of dramatic tension. Even in places where it should have been exciting, it just kind of fell flat.
And lastly, there was a lot of it that just didn’t make sense. More than in a lot of books, I found myself looking back to see if I’d missed something that could explain what was going on. If I had? I certainly couldn’t find it anywhere. I’m still very confused by the ending, and I’m not a skimmer, so I read everything.
I do not recommend this book, and I won’t be reading the next one.
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LibraryThing member mojomomma
This tale of jinns and other magical creatures living in hidden desert communities wore on my last nerve. And this is the first of a trilogy. I probably will not indulge in parts 2 and 3.
LibraryThing member Jthierer
This book is a smart retelling of some of the 1001 Nights stories with an interesting twist. It follows 3 POV characters (Loulie, Mazen and Aisha) as they are sent on a quest to recover an ancient artifcat: a lamp containing a jinn. Along the way they encounter magic, ghouls, a jinn who resurrects
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the dead, treachery, and more. The story allows for some potential future romance between two of the characters without being a love story (which I deeply appreciated) and is well-paced. Up until the climax it was solidly 4 stars. Unfortunately, this one is the start of a planned trilogy. While first books in a series can tell a complete, satisfying story, this one just ends with very little resolved. The main bad guy has been revealed, but he isn't even superficially defeated. The fate of two pretty important characters is left ambiguous. And there's no publication date for Book 2. I'm all for leaving room to explore the story in the next volume, but you have to tell me a complete story in this volume to convince me to want to invest in the next one. Show Less
LibraryThing member BethYacoub
This book!!! I knew this was going to be something special and... quick notes version... it was all that and then some! Even though I received an eARC of this book, it sounded perfectly suited to what I was craving and the voice actors were incredibly emotive and distinct... they really sealed the
*** Chef's Kiss ***
This managed to put forth a cast of characters so enchanting that I was won over by each and every one of them... except for 1... you know who you are!! I loved the rest fiercely, even all 3 MCs in their own ways. I don't want to give away too much but let me say that I just now reached the end and I want to start it all over again... and that's not like me... at all! So I'll just leave that here and you can make of it what you will.
Overall:
This remastered version of A 1001 Arabian Nights was not only a skilled Own Voice homage it also gifted us a lush backdrop and equally beguiling chatacters all steeped in beautifully represented Mythology told in Abdullah's dreamy prose. The audiobook both blew me away and reigned me in, helpless to look away. The 3 narrators were exceptional and vividly brought this gem to life. I'll quit the (much deserved) fangirling but leave off letting you know that this went above and beyond my expectations and perfectly scratched the itch that was left behind by my completion of the Daevabad Trilogy... if you were a fan of that series, you're going to Love this!! I can't wait to see where this story goes from here! Bring on book #2!!
*** I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
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deal... I had to have it on audiobook so... I bought it and you know what?? I am thankful I did. I will definitely be gifting copies to some friends and family this holiday, that's how much I enjoyed it! It did have a few slow spots but the background's ambiance and the character's kaleidoscopic essences were enough to smoothe over any sluggish spots. BUT don't worry about the slogging areas... when it picks back up?? Wooo weee does it get good! I'd say that the last 10 (or so) chapters were more than worth the price of admission and the very last few reveals are both heartbreaking and hopeful. And where 2 of the 3 MCs end up?? *** Chef's Kiss ***
This managed to put forth a cast of characters so enchanting that I was won over by each and every one of them... except for 1... you know who you are!! I loved the rest fiercely, even all 3 MCs in their own ways. I don't want to give away too much but let me say that I just now reached the end and I want to start it all over again... and that's not like me... at all! So I'll just leave that here and you can make of it what you will.
Overall:
This remastered version of A 1001 Arabian Nights was not only a skilled Own Voice homage it also gifted us a lush backdrop and equally beguiling chatacters all steeped in beautifully represented Mythology told in Abdullah's dreamy prose. The audiobook both blew me away and reigned me in, helpless to look away. The 3 narrators were exceptional and vividly brought this gem to life. I'll quit the (much deserved) fangirling but leave off letting you know that this went above and beyond my expectations and perfectly scratched the itch that was left behind by my completion of the Daevabad Trilogy... if you were a fan of that series, you're going to Love this!! I can't wait to see where this story goes from here! Bring on book #2!!
*** I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
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LibraryThing member macha
i do love a good arabian fantasy. but alas, though it shows some promise, this one is not ready for primetime. and the most intriguing bit of the story is the very last page.
LibraryThing member majkia
DNF. I didn't hate it. I just couldn't really get into it. I was avoiding it, so time to DNF.
LibraryThing member spiritedstardust
4 stars
this reminded me so much of the Daevabad Trilogy by S.A Chakraborty - it honestly felt like dejavu.
I thought this was ok. Like i said it felt like a series I have already read so it's hard to be fresh eyed with it. I liked the main character Loulie - I loved Qadir - he fascinated me the
I would read the next one to get some answers - so far the romance is pretty much non-existant. And I don't really care for most of the Princes (besides Hakim).
this reminded me so much of the Daevabad Trilogy by S.A Chakraborty - it honestly felt like dejavu.
I thought this was ok. Like i said it felt like a series I have already read so it's hard to be fresh eyed with it. I liked the main character Loulie - I loved Qadir - he fascinated me the
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most.I would read the next one to get some answers - so far the romance is pretty much non-existant. And I don't really care for most of the Princes (besides Hakim).
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LibraryThing member RandyMorgan
Jinn are hunted because their blood contains magic and produces magical relics. Loulie al- Nazari forges the relics with the assistance of her jinn bodyguard. Loulie becomes the midnight merchant and earns herself a reputation worthy of a king. Through blackmail, the king recruits Loulie, a thief,
Chelsea Abdullah has reimagined the lore found in “One Thousand and One Nights” into one cohesive work. The Stardust Thief has three perspectives that weave the plot. The three perspectives allowed for surprises while justifying secrets. Truly an enjoyable retelling fantasy.
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and his son to find a relic said to revive the barren land. Chelsea Abdullah has reimagined the lore found in “One Thousand and One Nights” into one cohesive work. The Stardust Thief has three perspectives that weave the plot. The three perspectives allowed for surprises while justifying secrets. Truly an enjoyable retelling fantasy.
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Awards
Arab American National Museum Book Award (Winner — Adult Fiction — 2023)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2022-05
Physical description
480 p.; 9.45 inches
ISBN
0356517438 / 9780356517438
Local notes
A merchant, a prince and a bodyguard undertake an enchanted quest to find a magic lamp in this Aladdin retelling.
Waterstones exclusive edition with orange sprayed page edges.
Waterstones exclusive edition with orange sprayed page edges.