This book made me so happy. The rich, vivid writing made Caltry and its inhabitants come to life. There were also enough stakes that I didn’t feel like this was a Legends and Lattes situation where absolutely no conflict drove the story and ultimately made for a boring book. 

Kiela is a little bland, but she’s clever and her love of books is to a concerning point that I kinda love. I wish we knew a little more about her and her family, and why she forgot Larran and the island when she moved when she was eight? But it’s a small critique and Meep the cactus makes up for it. 

THE SPELLSHOP is rife with feel-good elements; new beginnings, second chances, falling in love— it’s all so charming. Durst’s writing horrified me in THE BONE MAKER and enchanted me in THE SPELLSHOP. I can’t wait to read the next book!