“It wasn’t that she didn’t like people. It was only that she liked books more. They didn’t fuss or judge or mock or reject. They invited you in, fluffed up the pillows on the couch, offered you tea and toast, and shared their hearts with no expectation that you’d do anything more than absorb what they had to give.”

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is an uplifting cottage core fantasy steeped in warmth and heart. It’s the kind of book that nestles you in and keeps you completely immersed.

Kiela lives, works and breathes in the Great Library of Alyssium, home to an array of spell books that she is charged to care for and protect for the use of only the Emperor’s elite. Kiela loves her life, she loves solitude, she loves being surrounded by words and knowledge and most of all she loves never having to be in contact with people. She does have one companion though, Caz, a sentient spider plant who loves books just as much as Kiela. Yet when the  revolution that is brewing in the Crescent Isles Empire finds its way to burning down the library, Kiela and Caz are forced to flee, taking with them as many books as they can. With very little options and the fact that some may accuse her of stealing the books, she sets sail for sanctuary away from the Empire’s reach. This leads her to Caltrey, the secluded island she spent her childhood years in. Here though, Kiela will face her worst nightmare—people. Yet if she is to survive and start anew, if she is to remain hidden, she may just have to step out of her comfort zone and face a life of new possibilities.

Kiela is a character forced to reinvent herself and adjusting to a new life does not come easily. She’s the kind of character I really relate to, she’s an introvert who loves nothing more than to bury herself in a book and have as little to do with the outside world as possible. I completely endorse this notion, there’s nothing more I enjoy either. Yet sometimes, without even realising it, we can get lonely and crave company, we seek out people to share memories or thoughts with or simply to care for and I feel The Spellshop showcases this desire perfectly. This is a book that’s all about kindness and the rest of the islanders offer this kindness to Kiela freely. There are simple gestures like offering food, giving companionship, making her feel included, wanted. For an introvert these acts can be overwhelming but Kiela slowly learns that this change in her life is no bad thing, that she can let others into her life and accept friendships. Yet this doesn’t diminish her love of books or of some solitude, it’s just her eyes are opened to the joy of being part of a community too. 

Durst injects many wholesome and endearing characters into this story. I of course began by falling in love with Kiela and Caz’s bond. Caz may be a spider plant, but every aspect of him was brought to life in such a human way. He was a worry wart, a bit too cautious of everything but most of all, he supported Kiela in such a patient and understanding way, always letting her know when she may just be overreacting and not giving people a fair chance. We all need an honest sentient plant like Caz in our lives. Then as we meet the islanders we are introduced to Larran, our cinnamon roll, and Bryn who literally makes cinnamon rolls in her bakery and immediately offers Kiela a hand of friendship. There’s also Eadie, the centaur, who also immediately fell into a protective role of Kiela. I could argue that maybe the characters and the way they interacted with one another was too sweet, a little too nice (apart from one!), but at the time I was reading this I needed something fluffy and light and so this certainly delivered on that score.

“Books should be shared with everyone who wants to open their minds and hearts to them.

Keeping them, keeping knowledge, from people who needed it, that was the real crime. The words belonged to the people, all the people, not just the wealthy and powerful…”

Essentially this a cottagecore fantasy, as we are presented with a fairly isolated island, a place of wondrous and whimsical species such as merhorses, mermaids, winged-cats and centaurs. They live in a close-knit community and have a shared history as small villages often do. It is also a place that has lost its magic though and the environment is suffering because of it. I loved the theme of nature and magic working harmoniously together to make for a richer, more balanced, land. Durst does a great job exploring how too much magic can be just as bad as too little, making her magic system simple but also more vital to the narrative. The consequences of the Empire hoarding magic and the knowledge of its use has rippling effects as those islands which rely on magic to calm storms or make soil more fertile are dependent upon the Empire’s sorcerers. The ordinary folk are executed if caught using spells, so when Kiela begins to help the residents of Caltrey by using spells in her books, she puts herself and them all at risk. Yet Kiela’s character shows us that coveting knowledge is a means of suppression and just like the freedom fighters, she too hits back at the empire by defying their rule. I loved the way this was still a low stakes fantasy, a feel-good read, but with deeper, broader themes that add a little extra depth. 

Durst mentions in her acknowledgments that she wanted to write a book that ‘felt like a hug’ or as soothing as a ‘hot chocolate’ and I think she nailed that perfectly. The Spellshop is a sugar-sweet treat that could remedy anyone in need of something comforting to escape into. It will also make you crave cinnamon rolls and jam on toast, so I guess have these on hand whilst reading!

ARC provided by Olivia at UK Tor and Pan McMillan in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the copy!

The Spellshop is out now! You can order your copy HERE