The Stardust Thief

This was good! A very accessible, fast paced, intriguing fantasy retelling of the Forty Thieves. I particularly loved the world building. Abhullah did a fantastic job of creating a rich and lively setting that felt genuine and interesting. I didn't like the character work so much, most characters were extremely one-dimensional, and while they each had an appropriate character arc that influenced their actions, none of them really had an arc that impacted who they were. Granted, it's the first book in a series, so I imagine we'll see more of that in subsequent installations. But overall this was very charming. I do think it may not end up being terribly memorable as time goes on, but I'm definitely interested enough to pick up the next one that's supposed to release this year.

In Loulie’s world, magic is a scarce commodity. Its rarity not only affords her a decent living through trading magical relics but also has helped her build a fearsome (and therefore protective) reputation as the Midnight Merchant. Magic is rare in Loulie’s world because it comes from jinn, who have been hunted for centuries. Few people have ever seen a jinn, let alone their magic. And that’s where Loulie’s other secret comes in: her friend and bodyguard, Qadir. The two seem content living on the margins at the beginning of Chelsea Abdullah’s vibrant debut novel, The Stardust Thief. So when the sultan summons the Midnight Merchant to deliver a mission she can’t refuse, Loulie is more than a little miffed…and scared...

Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.