Before we begin, I want to thank the lovely folks at Pan Macmillan Australia for the copy of The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst. Also, massive apologies that this review is being put out so late. Stuff kept jumping up.
After having read a very heavy action book before this, I needed something cozy to take the edge off. The Spell Shop was perfect for this.
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The story centres on a woman named Kiela, a librarian who prefers being a loner. Her only friend is a Spider plant named Caz who was brought to life by a rogue spell.
A New Adventure
When their beloved library goes up in a blaze of glory, Kiela and Caz set sail with a few crates full of books. They end up on the island Kiela grew up on.
Kiela attempts to do everything in her power to avoid people but when a man named Larran arrives on her doorstep, she cannot stop herself from having to interact with him. Over time, they develop feelings for each other.
Caz, meanwhile, starts out as afraid of everything that could potentially eat him.
The Spellshop: Survival Of The Fittest Edition!
When Kiela realises that she needs to survive on the island, she decides to start a spell shop after she successfully grows vegetables via magical means in her back garden. However, to hide that she’s using magic, she decides to make jam and sell it.
She recruits her neighbour Larran and the local baker Bryn for help.
Larran always had a soft spot for Kiela as he knew her when they were young and she looked after his Merhorse calf.
As Kiela and Caz’s business takes off, they help many people heal the trees around the island. They also assist tree spirits. However, they must be careful and call their magic, “remedies.” They are even approached by a mermaid after a magical storm almost kills her baby.
Kiela and Caz also accidentally create a sentient cactus, which identifies as non-binary. Gender is not a large part of the book and is referenced in one paragraph in the entire book. There are minor LGBTQ references with same-sex relationships in the last maybe 30% of the story.
What is special about The Spell Shop is that it feels like a standalone animated movie where it’s fun the whole time with limited stakes. I really have to read more of Sarah Beth Durst’s books!
