Chelsea Abdullah

Chelsea Abdullah is a Kuwaiti-American writer. She is the author of the fantastical Sandsea Trilogy.

Early life and education
Abdullah was born and raised in Kuwait. She earned an MA in English from Duquesne University. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Career
In 2022, Abdullah published her debut novel, the first of an intended trilogy. Titled The Stardust Thief, it's a story that takes place in a One Thousand and One Nights-inspired fantasy world where jinn are persecuted and hunted for their healing blood, and their enchanted relics are coveted. Publishers Weekly praised Abdullah's "lush descriptions [that] bring the setting to life" and her ability to create a "sense of mystery and enchantment". The New Arab applauded her inclusion of traditional Emirati folk tales and said she "beautifully [weaves] stories within stories, tales within tales."

The second installment of the trilogy, The Ashfire King, will be published in 2024.