This is why some jinn can change shape and others can breathe fire or travel the world in the blink of an eye.įor a time, the jinn did as the gods commanded: they loved and nurtured the world they were given, and there was peace. Unlike us humans, who were created from the earth, the gods crafted the jinn from an ancient flame that allowed them to live for hundreds of years and gave them the power to use magic. Our world belonged to the jinn, those doomed creatures who roam our desert like lost spirits. “ The Stardust Thief will transport you, enchant you, and revive your belief in the magic of storytelling.” ―Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun Read Excerpt “A thrilling adventure about found families, ancient magic, and stories that linger.' ―Shannon Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass 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. 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. With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan's oldest son to find the artifact. 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. Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. 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.

The stardust thief by chelsea abdullah