The Spellshop is a summer 2024 release from Sarah Beth Durst, an American author of fantasy books. Her 2016 novel The Queen of Blood won a 2017 Alex Award from the American Library Association. Durst has written 28 books for adults, young adults, and middle school readers.
Kiela has always been an introvert and had difficulty being with people. Which is why she’s a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, working in the stacks on her own. She and her assistant, Caz, a magically sentient spider plant, have spent the last eleven years sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. But when a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz salvage as many spell books as they can carry and flee to the faraway island that was once her childhood home. Kiela hopes to lay low in the overgrown and rundown cottage her late parents left her and figure out a way to survive without drawing the attention of either the empire or the revolutionaries.
Unfortunately, her plan to remain isolated doesn’t last long as her nosy and handsome neighbour comes to check in on her frequently, and her need for food and supplies requires her time to venture into town. She finds the town neglected and in a state of disrepair.
Keila soon learns that the empire, for all its magic and power, has been neglecting for years the people who depend on magical intervention to maintain healthy livestock and crops. Instead, the magic that should be helping them has been creating destructive storms that have taken a toll on the island. Kiela, feeling partially responsible for this due to her work in the city library, is determined to find a way to turn things around. She soon decides to open the island’s first-ever secret spellshop that will help to revive the crops and trees on the island.
Opening a spellshop is outright illegal. So the shop is opened under the guise of a jam shop, and she offers customers remedies, not spells, to help their plants. As Kiela comes to make a place for herself among the kind and quirky townspeople of her former home, she realizes that in order to make a life for herself, she must learn to break down the walls she has built up so high.
The Spellshop is a cozy fantasy novel, perfect for reading in the autumn season. The book can also be considered a romantasy, as there’s a significant slow-burn romance subplot that features several popular romance tropes, including grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, forced proximity, friends to lovers, and found family. Most of the story takes place on a remote island, and the author’s descriptive writing does a wonderful job bringing the setting to life with its beautiful gardens, coastal landscape, and small-town village feel!
The characters in this book are interesting and unique. Kiela’s talking spider plant, Caz, is one of the best reasons to read this book. Caz is more than just a talking plant; he’s a loyal friend and guide to Keila, and his banter with her is quite hilarious! There are several other fantastical creatures in the story that will delight readers, including winged cats, merhorses, a sentient cactus, and mermaids! The book is also filled with delectable food references, including sweet jams, exotic berries, cinnamon buns, and homemade pies that will have your mouth watering.
Protagonist Keira is extremely introverted, impulsive, and grumpy, which may cause readers to find her unlikeable. When she is forced to return to her childhood island home, she has no choice but to venture into town and engage with the townspeople. Any extreme introvert reader will empathize with her struggles. Fortunately, the townspeople are mostly pleasant and eager to help her, especially those who remembered her family. As the story progresses, the idea of found family becomes a main theme as Keira begins to embrace the support from the gracious townspeople. As Keira’s entire world shifts, she is forced to change with it. By the end of the story, her character development is quite pronounced, and her wants and needs have completely altered.
If you’re expecting complex magic systems, major conflicts, or epic journeys in this book, you’ll be disappointed. Instead, the storyline is straightforward and fun. Also, the premise of a city girl moving to a remote location, finding unexpected love, and deciding that she’s better off in her new life is far from original—but it’s the characters, the enchanting island setting, and the highly original magical creatures that make this book memorable.
Narrator Caitlin Davies does an excellent job on this audiobook. She uses an exuberant tone throughout her performance, bringing all the wonderful world-building vividly to life while keeping listeners fully engaged. Davies also provides district and authentic voices for all the characters with a great range of emotion and drama. Her portrayal of talking spider plant Caz is the most entertaining and a real highlight to the listening experience!
Overall, this book has a great balance of coziness, unique characters, romance, and magic. But what’s to admire most about the book is its messages about strong community, taking care of nature, and finding one’s place in a world that doesn’t feel like home. The audiobook is most definitely the preferred format for enjoying this one, especially with all the hilarious dialogue and voices. Don’t hesitate on this one if you’re looking for a quick and cozy fantasy read this autumn season!
