THE BLOODSTONE THIEF
Author: Sabina Khan
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.)
KIRKUS
THE BLOODSTONE THIEF
Author: Sabina Khan
Review Issue Date: August 15, 2025
Online Publish Date: July 19, 2025
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 304
Price ( Hardcover ): $17.99
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 9781338829396
Section: Children’s
A mysterious pendant draws a girl into the mythical realm of jinn to save her father.
Laila Habib doesn’t feel at home in Houston. A middle schooler whose family moved from Mumbai a year ago, she misses her old life, friends, and the feeling of belonging. The move was supposed to be temporary—but on Laila’s birthday, Ammi announces she’s been promoted, and they’ll be staying longer. That night, a devastated Laila discovers a mysterious necklace with a shimmering black pendant—and unknowingly unleashes Bilquis, a powerful jinn, who kidnaps her father. When no one believes her, Laila sets out to rescue him—only to learn that Abbu is the Sultan of Qaf, a hidden realm of ancient magic. With help from Amira, her newly met sharp-tongued jinn cousin, and Raihan, who’s half-human and half-jinn and comes from a refugee camp in Mumbai, Laila must find the mythical Bloodstone, the only way to break Bilquis’ curse. Khan has created a vibrant world rich in South Asian culture and mythology. Laila’s voice is lively and full of spark, striking a strong balance between humor and vulnerability. While the story’s pace is brisk and engaging, some events resolve too smoothly, and other elements (like the jinn refugee camp) are lightly developed. Still, the novel thoughtfully explores themes of family, privilege, and accountability, emphasizing that even young people have the power to demand change.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
THE BLOODSTONE THIEF by Sabina Khan
A richly imagined journey in which ancient magic meets modern identity in amusing and meaningful ways. (Fantasy. 9-12)
Scholastic, 2025 [304p]
Trade ed. ISBN 9781338829396 $17.99
Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-7
Laila isn’t looking forward to her twelfth birthday. She’s been living in Houston for about a year after Ammi (mom) temporarily moved the family from Mumbai for work, and celebrating without her friends and cousins just doesn’t feel the same. The day is made only worse by Ammi’s announcement that they’ll be staying in Texas indefinitely instead of returning to India as planned. And then everything gets truly terrible when Laila accidently releases an evil jinn who kidnaps Abbu (dad) to the jinn realm of Qaf. Abbu has often told Laila amazing stories about the jinn, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine they were real; now, however, those tales will be essential as she and the jinn children she meets in Qaf set out on an adventure to find the Bloodstone, which will give her the power she needs to save her father. Laila is a strong-willed girl who stands up for herself and others even in the face of danger, and side characters stand out with complexity and nuance, creating a compelling and likeable cast. Qaf is intricately detailed, and readers will relish in flying carpet rides and urumi sword fighting while trying to figure out a series of riddles left behind by Abbu. Despite a predictable ending, the story deftly straddles the line between sweeping adventure and thoughtful reflection, making space for discussions about the rights of children, particularly around child refugees. The mix of social commentary and thrilling action in a jinn-filled world will find an audience with readers of Khan’s Nura and the Immortal Palace (BCCB 7/22). JMM
Sabina Khan 