The Spellshop is a charming blend of fantasy and romance that is essentially the Big City Girl, Small Town Romance story, but with a delightful magical twist. Keila, a career-driven librarian from the magical city of Alyssium, is forced to flee during a revolution. Accompanied by her sentient plant companion, Caz—my favorite character in the book—Keila seeks refuge in her small hometown that she never thought she’d return to. The romance between Keila and a sweet, rugged local with a tragic backstory—basically a mer-cowboy—balances Keila’s prickly personality as she grows as a person and learns to use her books to help people. Durst excels at world-building, creating a rich and vibrant fantasy realm full of merhorses and winged cats that feels lived-in and real (just don’t examine the socio-political conflicts too closely—it’s a cozy after all!). The Spellshop is an enchanting read for anyone looking for a a cozy fantasy with a sweet romance, humor, and heart (eat the rich!).
Writer, Artist, Designer
