Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by lykkes_laeserier
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
5.0
"The Spellshop” is an utterly cozy and delightful fantasy novel about the librarian Kiela and her assistant (the sentient spiderplant Caz) as they escape from the Empire’s revolutionary capital when their beloved place of work, the Great Library, is set aflame. Luckily managing to save a good number of spellbooks from the flames, Kiela and Caz set sail for Caltrey – a small island in the outer Empire reaches. This is the island of Kiela’s birth where her family’s old cottage – and safety? – awaits her.
“The Spellshop” is largely character-driven with a fairly simple and straightforward plot creating just enough tension to drive the story forward. I loved the wealth of minor characters from neighbourly neighbour Larran to Bryn, the be-antlered local baker. As an introverted librarian, Kiela’ people skills lack something to be desired, but she does her best and is helped in her interactions by being a Caltreyan by birth.
Magic and magical creatures flow freely in this book – despite the Empire’s strict laws on the use of magic. I enjoyed the simple and classic magic system (spells and potions) and world-building elements of the book. Nothing overly fancy but just right.
As a work of literature, “The Spellshop” perhaps does not warrant my full 5 stars: I hardly think it is destined – or deserves – to become a classic of literature. However, my reading experience could not have been more delightful. I enjoyed every minute of reading this charming novel and would recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy and well-written fantasy novel. It certainly doesn’t get any cozier than this!
“The Spellshop” is largely character-driven with a fairly simple and straightforward plot creating just enough tension to drive the story forward. I loved the wealth of minor characters from neighbourly neighbour Larran to Bryn, the be-antlered local baker. As an introverted librarian, Kiela’ people skills lack something to be desired, but she does her best and is helped in her interactions by being a Caltreyan by birth.
Magic and magical creatures flow freely in this book – despite the Empire’s strict laws on the use of magic. I enjoyed the simple and classic magic system (spells and potions) and world-building elements of the book. Nothing overly fancy but just right.
As a work of literature, “The Spellshop” perhaps does not warrant my full 5 stars: I hardly think it is destined – or deserves – to become a classic of literature. However, my reading experience could not have been more delightful. I enjoyed every minute of reading this charming novel and would recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy and well-written fantasy novel. It certainly doesn’t get any cozier than this!