Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Stardust Thief

Overall, I really enjoyed this. Lots of adventure and twists. I do think it dragged at times while going too fast at others. Can’t wait to read the next one!

Content Warnings

starsincline's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.5

Content Warnings

brittanyboston18's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

tbhsunday's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

mallorypen's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The characters and use of myth as a basis for the storytelling were hugely enjoyable. The jinn (especially Qadir) were interesting, and the relics with their powers and origin made the story feel like both a treasure hunt and a philosophical quandary about power.

That said, this novel had SO many twists and turns I had a rough time keeping everything straight. I liked all the plot points, but getting to them felt in some places awkwardly quick, and in others clumsy and slow.

I also feel like the characters’ relationships are being kept deliberately uncertain in a way that feels more like a book to read more books in a series (which idk if I would be interested in doing) versus building to real resolution.

Content Warnings

thebookcoyote's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

TW/CW: Violence, family death, death of a child, fantasy violence, murder

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 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.

Content Warnings

ishouldreadthat's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Check out more book reviews and content here!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah is a debut adult fantasy novel inspired by the 1001 Nights. With a lovely setting, great characters, and a compelling plot, it's definitely one to pick up if you enjoy:

-Badass and clever women
-Hot jinn dads
-Cinnamon roll princes
-Friendships!!
-The power of storytelling
-Non-European settings

I listened to the audiobook for this one, and really enjoyed the narrators, but the editing leaves a lot to be desired (lots of repetition and strange cuts). I hope they go in and edit these issues, because it's a great way to read this book!

Content Warnings

elpk1313's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Content Warnings

More...