The Spellshop

Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Published: 2024
Target: Adults (Appropriate 14+)

Kiela has always struggled interacting with people, but thankfully as a librarian at the empire’s Great Library, she hasn’t has to for ages. Instead, she has spent eleven years happily looking after rare and powerful spellbooks in the company of her assistant Caz, a sentient plant.

But when a violent uprising ransacks the empire’s capital, Kiela and Caz must grab whatever spellbooks they can save and flee far away to Caltrey - the island village she left as a child. There, Kiela is dismayed to discover that in addition to overly-friendly locals (and a very handsome neighbour), the empire has been withholding crucial magical assistance to the island. As crops dwindle and magical creatures diminish, Kiela realises the answers to Caltrey’s issues may lie in her pilfered spellbooks.

With Caz’s help, Kiela opens a secret spellshop disguised as jam shop to offer “remedies” to the islanders’ problems. But the more people she helps, the greater the risk of discovery. And the consequence for performing unauthorised magic is death…

Review:

‘The Spellshop’ is cosy fantasy full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter romance. Set against a cheery cottagecore backdrop, this story features a colourful array of characters and nature-focused magic as Kiela and Caz work to build a life on Caltrey and keep the spellbooks a secret from their inquisitive new neighbours. Kiela’s social awkwardness in making friends and her growing romance with Larran presents a relatable, entertaining story that draws readers in. Through her journey, ‘The Spellshop’ explores themes of returning to a childhood home, rediscovering yourself, the power of community cooperation, and figuring things out through trial and error (and fantastical mishaps)! 

This all makes for a enjoyable, light-hearted novel, but from a structural perspective it could benefit from greater depth. While Kiela is an active protagonist who pushes the plot forward and grows as a person, her character arc is conflicting. For the first third of the book, Kiela is reclusive and standoffish, determined that no one find outs about the sequestered spellbooks. However, after learning about the island’s struggles, she immediately starts experimenting with spells in public, opens a shop to sell totally-not-magical ‘remedies’, and then teaches others how to make them. This reversal is jarringly rapid and at odds with her previously established motivations.

The numerous supporting characters are likeable and distinctive, but their personalities only just barely develop beyond their distinguishing character traits: Larran is a handsome himbo, Caz is a gossipy best friend, cantankerous local Fenerer is antagonistic, and baker Bryn is chatty and kind. The romance in ‘The Spellshop’  is also simplistic, with little basis other than Kiela and Larran being attractive, heterosexual, and in each other’s vicinity. The character dynamics and narrative obstacles unfold in a way that is straightforward and predictable, but ultimately satisfying. While this probably won’t suit those searching for a meatier fantasy or romantasy book, this novel is delightfully perfect for readers wanting a fun and fluffy tale to relax with.

‘The Spellshop’ is a sweet, feel-good story of love and found family wrapped up in a swirl of magic and a dollop of jam. For those wanting more cosy adventures in the fantasy world of ‘The Spellshop’, you can look forward to its sequel ‘The Enchanted Greenhouse’ coming soon in July 2025!

Excerpt:

“I know how we can do better than just survive! I know how we can live here.”

“How?” he asked.

“In exchange for bread and soap and the things we need that we can’t grow, we’re going to give magic to the people of Caltrey.” There would be challenges, of course. Risks definitely. If the ex-emperor’s people heard about this, if they guessed what she was doing, there could be trouble […] But the islanders of Caltrey…the fisherfolk, the farmers, the merhorses, even the winged cats…And me. I need this. We all need this.

Caz rustled his leaves at her. “Say again? We’re going to what now?”

Kiela smiled broadly at him. “We’re going to open a spellshop.”