A review by nerdybookster
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I liked this one.  We follow Kiela, who was a librarian in the capital city. Until the revolutionaries attacked it and she was forced to flee with whatever books she could grab and her sentient spider plant, Caz. With no idea what she's going to do, she ends up going back home to the small island of Caltrey. I loved how every time she tried to be this reclusive introvert, the other inhabitants of Caltrey were like "nope, you will not" and forced her to interact with them. She was quite the pessimist. Always thinking the absolute worst would happen, even if no one had any idea that she was even there. I come from a small town like Caltrey. We look after our own. She was part of the people and I'm glad she finally learned that. I thought the love story between her and Larran was pretty good, too. Believable. I'm looking forward to the next volume when it comes out.