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A review by sofia_bookishwanderess
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
This is such a sweet and cozy fantasy novel. I really enjoyed the world-building, the way magic works, the sentient plant, the small-town vibes, and the friendly side characters. The plot was engaging, with enough stakes to keep it from feeling boring.
However, the romance was not well-developed. Larran is a complete cinnamon roll—slightly awkward but kind and dependable. Unfortunately, we don't get to know him beyond these basic traits, and there’s no physical description of him other than being a big guy. As a result, the relationship between Kiela and Larran feels shallow. Since Larran is not a well-rounded character, there are no deep conversations or a particularly strong emotional connection between them. Larran has a tragic past, which Kiela learns about from another character because they never have a meaningful conversation. The most we get from Larran regarding his past is half a sentence that he leaves unfinished.
Overall, I really enjoyed everything but the romance.
However, the romance was not well-developed. Larran is a complete cinnamon roll—slightly awkward but kind and dependable. Unfortunately, we don't get to know him beyond these basic traits, and there’s no physical description of him other than being a big guy. As a result, the relationship between Kiela and Larran feels shallow. Since Larran is not a well-rounded character, there are no deep conversations or a particularly strong emotional connection between them. Larran has a tragic past, which Kiela learns about from another character because they never have a meaningful conversation. The most we get from Larran regarding his past is half a sentence that he leaves unfinished.
Overall, I really enjoyed everything but the romance.