This is the sort of fantasy that takes its cues from mythology and stories, but turns them into something wholly its own. The worldbuilding in this is rich and plastic, which just adds to the book as a whole transporting you into its realm. I fell for this book within just a few chapters, and its many twists and turns kept me engrossed until the very last page. But the story was delightful and dark, gritty and compelling, and all-around wonderful. My current gremlin brain has already forgotten far too much other than that – and I’m looking forward to rereading it soon to refresh my memory. 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 artefact. 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. Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. SUMMARY: Neither here nor there, but long ago…

The stardust thief book