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 reality.

We’re on the cusp of summer, which means longer days and endless sun and the unavoidable itch to travel somewhere. Well, look no further: Chelsea Abdullah’s The Stardust Thief will instantly transport you.

When Loulie 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. With no choice but to embark on this journey, Loulie is thrust into a dangerous world of ghouls, a vengeful jinn queen, and a malicious killer from her past—and while it’s not exactly fun for her (or any of the other characters) it’s exceedingly fun for her readers.

This enthralling adventure unravels in a vibrant world filled to the brim with glimmering magic and lovably chaotic characters. The ensemble cast provides different perspectives to engage with this world, and you’ll enjoy each one: the criminal merchant, Loulie; her jinn bodyguard, Qadir; the cowardly prince, Mazen; and the warrior thief, Aisha.

The Stardust Thief is a classic quest and is masterfully crafted, each element delicately constructed and intertwined. It’s the type of book you’ll want to read again and again. My advice? Devour it on the first read, then go back and savor it on the second. Just like with a good vacation, it’s the type of world you’ll never want to leave.