“The Spellshop” {Book Review}
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Genre: Fantasy
Part of a Series: N
Pages: page number
In Short: A sweet fantasy book with some cool creatures and magic including sentient plants. However, the plot fell a bit short for me in this one.
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Today, we’re diving into The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, a fantasy novel with a beautiful cover that immediately caught my eye. I had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The Premise
Set in a magical world different from our own, the story follows Keila, a librarian, who finds herself fleeing a burning library, set ablaze by rebels. With her assistant, Caz—a sentient plant—Keila escapes to her family’s secluded island, trying to save as many books as possible.
The plot centers around her efforts to hide out and survive while protecting these valuable books.
Keila is initially portrayed as a strict rule follower, but as the story progresses, she starts bending the rules, especially when it comes to magic. In this world, using magic is heavily regulated, and only certain people authorized by the government are allowed to practice it.
Keila brought a bunch of these spell books with her when she fled and she begins dabbling in magic to survive.
Characters and World-Building
One thing I did appreciate was the world-building. The magic system was intriguing, and the fantasy elements, like the sentient plants, centaurs, and fantastical creatures, were a fun addition.
Although, it could’ve been explored more. I was a bit confused at first when all these mythical creatures began appearing in the story.
Keila’s assistant Caz and another plant character, Meep, were some of my favorite parts of the book.
However, Keila’s sudden transformation from rule-abiding librarian to a rule-breaking magic user felt abrupt. While I know why she was doing it, it felt like she just threw her entire character out the window at the drop of a hat.
The Plot and Pacing
The pacing was one of the biggest issues for me. The first two-thirds of the book felt slow and dragged out.
I never felt compelled to stop reading, but I also wasn’t rushing to pick it back up.
When the plot did pick up in the final third, it felt like too much was crammed in too quickly. Events seemed half-formed, and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying.
While there is a hint of romance, it felt like a minor subplot, so don’t expect this to be a romantasy genre book.
Fall Vibes?
Going into this, I was hoping for a cozy, autumnal feel, especially with the cottage setting.
However, the book didn’t give me strong fall vibes. Instead, it felt more like spring—there’s a lot of plant growth, jam-making, and light-hearted scenes that evoke a different season entirely.
So, if you’re in the mood for a cozy fall read, this may not fully satisfy that craving.
Final Thoughts
In the end, The Spellshop was a bit of a letdown for me. While the world and magic system had a lot of potential, the pacing and plot development didn’t quite deliver. I’d give it about 2.75 stars, 3 if I’m feeling generous.
It’s a book with a gorgeous cover, but the story inside doesn’t quite live up to it.
That said, if you’re a fan of unique magic systems and enjoy stories with plant-based characters, there may be something here for you. I’d love to hear from anyone who enjoyed this book—drop a comment below and let me know what you liked about it!
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