THE BLOODSTONE THIEF

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.

A richly imagined journey in which ancient magic meets modern identity in amusing and meaningful ways.