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xvicesx 's review for:
The Spellshop
by Sarah Beth Durst
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was OK. Cozy, and whimsical, and very dreamy, but the main character starts out being outright annoying, and quite delusional where the requirements for survival on an island are concerned.
There's a touch of romance, but I wouldn't even call it a romantic subplot, because we don't see a realistic relationship coming together. I'd best describe this book as a moodboard, or a whimsical exploration of a concept rather than necessarily trying to actually tell a story. I don't think we get a lot of character growth, and all of the drama that does come to pass is resolved happily but I wouldn't say satisfactorily. It was also a bit too long, having several opportunities where it could have stopped off without in any way impacting the overall resolution of the novel.
But in the grand scheme of things? It's OK. I felt that The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches did a better job of delivering a low stakes story that engaged the readers, and I don't think I'd come back to this one for any particular reason unless it was the only book available to hand, but it's not necessarily a poor book. It's exactly what it set out to be, and readers should go in managing their expectations.
There's a touch of romance, but I wouldn't even call it a romantic subplot, because we don't see a realistic relationship coming together. I'd best describe this book as a moodboard, or a whimsical exploration of a concept rather than necessarily trying to actually tell a story. I don't think we get a lot of character growth, and all of the drama that does come to pass is resolved happily but I wouldn't say satisfactorily. It was also a bit too long, having several opportunities where it could have stopped off without in any way impacting the overall resolution of the novel.
But in the grand scheme of things? It's OK. I felt that The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches did a better job of delivering a low stakes story that engaged the readers, and I don't think I'd come back to this one for any particular reason unless it was the only book available to hand, but it's not necessarily a poor book. It's exactly what it set out to be, and readers should go in managing their expectations.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War