  | Bloodstone thief Author: Khan, Sabina | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Laila Habib is having the worst birthday ever, as she's just discovered that her family's two-year stay in Houston, Texas, is going to be extended ... indefinitely. But her day only gets worse from there. Opening up what she thinks is a hidden birthday present, Laila unleashes an evil jinn from a magical amulet. Trapped there long ago by Laila's father, the jinn is eager for revenge, and drags Laila's father back to the magical world of Qaf.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (08/15/25)
Booklist (09/01/25)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/07/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 06/16/2025 Frustrated and homesick for Mumbai after discovering that her family’s stay in Houston has been extended indefinitely to accommodate her mother’s job, 12-year-old Laila Habib accidentally releases Bilquis, a malevolent jinn, from a pendant she finds in her parents’ closet. Bilquis promptly kidnaps her father-whom Laila learns is a jinn king-and vanishes to Qaf, a magical world parallel to her own. With help from an enchanted, and snarky, flying carpet, Laila journeys to Qaf, where she meets her abrasive cousin Amira. The two become reluctant allies in their quest to retrieve the Bloodstone, a mythical artifact capable of defeating Bilquis and saving Laila’s father. As she travels across Qaf solving riddles and facing creatures Laila once only knew as stories, she hones her newfound magical abilities and comes to terms with her family’s complicated legacy. In this high-octane fantasy adventure, Khan (What a Desi Girl Wants) draws upon Islamic myth and legend to craft an energetic tale of power, peril, and persistence. While Laila’s primary goal is to rescue her father and return home, she also grapples with issues of prejudice relating to her human heritage as she navigates Qaf society. Ages 9-12. Agent: Andrea Morrison, Writers House. (Sept.) - Copyright 2025
Booklist - 09/01/2025 Khan’s stand-alone middle-grade fantasy adventure begins on Laila Habib’s stinker of a birthday. She’s furious that her hopes to return to her home in Mumbai have been delayed, and her day is made 100 times worse when she accidentally awakens a vengeful jinn who kidnaps her father, sweeping him off to mythical Qaf. Laila sets off on a quest to save him, acquiring comrades along the way who help her develop the skills she needs for the rescue and who enrich the proceedings with humorous banter. Great literature? No. Great fun? Yes. Middle-grade readers will welcome this tale steeped in the rich mythology of Islam. The story line is action-packed with a minimum of exposition and maximum thrills, coming to a quick, happy conclusion. Readers unfamiliar with the cultural and mythological terminology used throughout would welcome a glossary. Even so, they will be swept up in the fantasy and appreciate the personalities, family dynamics, and high spirits exhibited, reminiscent of Percy Jackson, Aru Shah, and Sal and Gabi. A definite purchase for children’s collections. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
