Chelsea Abdullah, The Stardust Thief, Hachette, May 2022, 480 pp., RRP $32.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780356517445
The presence of ancient and extremely powerful jinn changes the balance of the human world, as they fall under the disguise of normal people and cause chaos. But… is there something more to it?
The story follows Loulie al-Nazari, (secretly known as the midnight merchant), who sells extremely rare relics with guidance from her jinn guardian, Qadir. However, after being discovered by the Sultan when she saves his son’s life, Loulie is forced to embark on a quest across the dangerous desert with the High prince and one of the king’s 40 thieves to retrieve a lamp that would rid the world of jinn while strengthening the kingdom of Madinne.
Although they are forced to survive attacks from multiple powerful jinn, Loulie is able to discover the past of the Jinn’s origins along the way; and also her own. Can she overcome the overbearing weight of the truth? Can she try and escape the King’s quest to save Qadir?
While the novel is quite long at 480 pages, it ensures a thrilling and gripping tale that can be enjoyed by all. I especially liked how the strong characters were thoughtfully developed throughout the novel, as Loulie is able to discover her past while Prince Mazen is able to realize his potential as more than just the King’s son through the experience of seeing the world through a powerful man’s eyes. It was also nice to see that the story included a strong, individual female character (Loulie) who has her own flaws but is able to overcome them while staying true to herself.
The Stardust Thief is recommended for ages 14 and above due to some of the graphic violent action that’s included. While they often expose a dark side to humanity, these scenes also ensure this magic story is riveting and immersive.
Reviewed by Emily Woolnough
