The Spell Shop
By Sarah Beth Durst
Dates Read
Oct 29 - Dec 1
2024
Read my own physical copy
Blurb:
Every home needs a little magic . . .
Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people, and as librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she hasn’t had to.
She and her assistant, Caz, a sentient spider plant, have spent most of the last eleven years sequestered among the empire’s precious spellbooks, protecting the magic for the city’s elite. But a revolution is brewing and when the library goes up in flames, Kiela and Caz steal whatever books they can and flee to the faraway island where she grew up. But to her dismay, in addition to a nosy – and very handsome – neighbour, she finds the town in disarray.
The empire has slowly been draining power from the island, and now Kiela is determined to make things right. But opening up her own spellshop comes with its own risks – the consequence of sharing magic with commoners is death. And as Kiela starts to make a place for herself among the townspeople, she realizes she must break down the walls she has kept so high . . .
Favorite Character:
Caz, neurotic (possibly murderous) spider plant
Favorite Quotes
Ch
"You don't know me. So I'm telling you about me. So you'll know me and why it's better if I leave. I read and I forget anything else exists. And I don't forgive anyone who isn't careful with books. I hate people who tear out pages, who bend corners, who break the spines."
Thoughts:
This was cute. I loved the community of people that enveloped Kiela and made her a lovely found family. Caz is still my favorite even after threatening murder (in fact that was my favorite part.) One drawback is towards the end, there were too many crises back to back. I needed a breather.
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