With The Spellshop, Durst brings us a tale of bravery and change in the face of life altering events and she does so through characters that are endlessly relatable by virtue of highlighting how we all are but an echo chamber of all those who came into our lives and left something behind, all the events that shaped us into who we are, and all those feelings that we sort through each day regardless how ugly or good they might be. And, finally, this is a book about how sometimes settling or even languishing into certain roles is more dangerous than squaring your shoulders and trying the daunting thing.
Cozy Fantasy
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Synopsis Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz―a magically sentient spider plant―have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. When a revolution begins and the library goes up […]
Review: A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
Synopsis: Cordelia knows her mother is . . . unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms—there are no secrets in this house—and her mother doesn’t allow Cordelia to have a single friend. Unless you count Falada, her mother’s beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides […]
Review: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a charming and endearing adult comedy with lots of heart, nuanced relationships, cozy LGBTQ+ rep, foulmouthed characters, and a soft yet passionate romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously nor is it afraid to have flawed characters.
Review: Quaint Creatures: Magical & Mundane (A Sideways Tale) by Andrew D. Meredith
Synopsis When a city councilor comes into Quaint Creatures and asks veterinary doctor Norrik Softstep to investigate the magical crate confiscated by his customs agency, the entire staff of Quaint Creatures will need all their skills and knowledge to unravel the troubles threatening the relatively peaceful city of Brightfall. From liches seeking city approval for […]
Review: Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu
FROM THE ASHES OF AN EMPIRE, A HERO WILL RISE… ‘A dazzlingly epic and richly complex world of dragons, magic, and rebellion’ Amélie Wen Zhao, New York Times bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night ‘A classic fantasy adventure that reminds me of the novels I loved growing up, but with a flair of cultivation from the novels […]
Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (Cecelia and Kate) by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Synopsis A great deal is happening in London and the country this season. For starters, there’s the witch who tried to poison Kate at the Royal College of Wizards. There’s also the man who seems to be spying on Cecelia. (Though he’s not doing a very good job of it–so just what are his intentions?) […]
Review: Small Miracles by Olivia Atwater
TL;DR Version: Like Good Omens, with chocolate and bribery. Heartfelt, delightful, and amusing cozy fantasy. Synopsis: A little bit of sin is good for the soul. Gadriel, the fallen angel of petty temptations, has a bit of a gambling debt. Fortunately, her angelic bookie is happy to let her pay off her debts by doing […]
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Synopsis The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love. Join Kiela the librarian and her assistant, Caz the sentient spider plant, as they navigate the low stakes market of illegal spellmaking and the high risk business of starting over. “Sarah […]
The Harvest of Moondew Valley: Well of Shadows (The Harvest of Moondew Valley) by D. R. R. Hatch
Synopsis Alden Bramblethorn’s job at The Whispering Willow is wearing on him. But it’s not just that. His family is broken, and he has no living relatives. Lonely, he seeks answers from the GoldenRoot Ancestral Repository. It doesn’t take long for him to strike gold. There, he finds an ancient letter with a deed to […]
Review: Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree
Synopsis: When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn’t always what we seek. In Bookshops & Bonedust, a prequel to Legends & Lattes, New York Times bestselling author Travis Baldree takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books. Viv’s career with the […]
Review: Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree
Oh I’m so happy to have another book featuring Viv, and one that is as incredible as its predecessor (although this one is the prequel). Travis has crafted such a wonderful cosy read with slightly higher stakes than Legends & Lattes. It fits perfectly because at this point Viv is still a merc who is forced to stay in Murk for a while due to an injury. So it makes sense that trouble would find its way to her and she wouldn’t be able to resist getting involved.