Book Review: The Spellshop (Sarah Beth Durst)
The Spellshop marks Sarah Beth Durst’s debut into romantasy—a charming cottagecore story brimming with stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, delicious jams, and even sweeter love. When I bought this book, I was going through a tough time. It had just hit me that we lost our home in a fire, I was battling a terrible cold, and I needed an escape—something light and uplifting to help me forget for a bit. And I have to say, this book was an absolute joy! Romantasy is still a relatively new genre for me, but the more I dive into it, the more I fall in love. This is definitely an author I'll keep reading.
The story: Kiela is an introvert who prefers books to people. And as the librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she’s found her happy place in seclusion, spending her days with her assistant, Caz—a magically spider plant—surrounded by the empire's most valuable spellbooks, protecting their magic for the elite. When revolution strikes and the library is set ablaze, Kiela and Caz escape with as many books as they can carry, retreating to a remote island Kiela that was once her childhood home.
Once there, Kiela is less annoyed to find a persistent (and handsome) neighbor who won’t take a hint, showing up daily to make sure she’s taking care of herself and helping her repair her new home. Through all of this, Kiela needs a way to survive, and the answer? Jams! She realizes there's one thing the local bakery doesn't offer: jam. Thanks to her mom’s cookbook, she uses an old family recipe (and a smidge of forbidden magic) and her garden quickly overflows with plump berries. But Kiela pushes her luck by using unsanctioned spells to open the island's first-ever secret spellshop.
My Opinion: Like a Hallmark rom-com with a dash of mythical creatures, cinnamon rolls, and magic, The Spellshop will warm your heart and nourish your spirit. There was so much to love about this book—characters I could relate to (even the fantastical ones!), thought-provoking themes, and a story that kept me hooked from start to finish. It struck the perfect balance of cozy without being overly sweet, leaving me craving more of its world even after the final page. In today’s world, I really appreciated a book that highlights the kindness of neighbors and strangers—something we need more of right now. A very timely read!
The only reason I’m not giving this book a full 5 stars is that the middle had a bit of a slower pace. However, once a mysterious stranger arrives, the story picks up again and keeps you hooked. From that point on, the pace flows beautifully, and I absolutely loved it!
I’m already excited for The Enchanted Greenhouse and can’t wait to learn more about a certain mysterious character from this book. If you’re into cozy romantasy, this one’s a must-read!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: July 2024
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
I am also participating in Book Beginnings on Friday, hosted by Rose City Reader, and First Line Friday, hosted by Reading in My Superpower, sharing the beginning of this delightful book:
“Kiela never thought the flames would reach the library. She was dimly aware that most of the other librarians had fled weeks ago, when the revolutionaries took the palace and defenestrated the emperor in a rather dramatic display.”
With this beginning, I was hooked and wanted to read more— it has enough drama and intrigue to pique my curiosity. And it paid off beuatifully. Have you read this book?
