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lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was OK. Cozy, and whimsical, and very dreamy, but the main character starts out being outright annoying, and quite delusional where the requirements for survival on an island are concerned.
There's a touch of romance, but I wouldn't even call it a romantic subplot, because we don't see a realistic relationship coming together. I'd best describe this book as a moodboard, or a whimsical exploration of a concept rather than necessarily trying to actually tell a story. I don't think we get a lot of character growth, and all of the drama that does come to pass is resolved happily but I wouldn't say satisfactorily. It was also a bit too long, having several opportunities where it could have stopped off without in any way impacting the overall resolution of the novel.
But in the grand scheme of things? It's OK. I felt that The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches did a better job of delivering a low stakes story that engaged the readers, and I don't think I'd come back to this one for any particular reason unless it was the only book available to hand, but it's not necessarily a poor book. It's exactly what it set out to be, and readers should go in managing their expectations.
There's a touch of romance, but I wouldn't even call it a romantic subplot, because we don't see a realistic relationship coming together. I'd best describe this book as a moodboard, or a whimsical exploration of a concept rather than necessarily trying to actually tell a story. I don't think we get a lot of character growth, and all of the drama that does come to pass is resolved happily but I wouldn't say satisfactorily. It was also a bit too long, having several opportunities where it could have stopped off without in any way impacting the overall resolution of the novel.
But in the grand scheme of things? It's OK. I felt that The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches did a better job of delivering a low stakes story that engaged the readers, and I don't think I'd come back to this one for any particular reason unless it was the only book available to hand, but it's not necessarily a poor book. It's exactly what it set out to be, and readers should go in managing their expectations.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The author stated that she wanted this book to be like a nice cup of hot chocolate. I love hot chocolate and loved this book. The writing was prettier and more thought out than most of the books I have read in the last two years. The main characters are easy to love. So many lessons in this book. Will definitely read this book again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, Pregnancy, War
Minor: Infertility, Violence, Murder
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sometimes it feels like cozy fantasy means no stakes or conflict; that is not the case here. There is rebellion, trauma, secrets, and unpleasantness that infringes on this magical island, and it is met with wholesome community. The romance is pervasive throughout the book, but is entirely sweet without anything spicier than a kiss. Caltrey is definitely a place I would want to spend time, and the coziness reviews are fully earned.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
FORMAT: Combo of physical & Kindle
RECAP: Kiela, a reclusive librarian with a magically sentient spider plant named Caz, escapes a revolution with stolen spell books & takes refuge on her childhood island. There, a persistent—and annoyingly charming—neighbor disrupts her solitude, while she turns to jam-making for income using a mix of old recipes & forbidden magic. Soon, she secretly opens the island’s first spell shop, risking everything to bring a little enchantment to those in need.
REVIEW: The premise of this book would make a great Switch game. I just wish there was ~more~ to the plot - I read for a book club, where multiple people called this a good palate cleanser for after those tough or thick books, and I can totally see/agree with that... I guess I just don't need a palate cleanser, even after finishing The Women, so I have no idea what that says about me.
RECAP: Kiela, a reclusive librarian with a magically sentient spider plant named Caz, escapes a revolution with stolen spell books & takes refuge on her childhood island. There, a persistent—and annoyingly charming—neighbor disrupts her solitude, while she turns to jam-making for income using a mix of old recipes & forbidden magic. Soon, she secretly opens the island’s first spell shop, risking everything to bring a little enchantment to those in need.
REVIEW: The premise of this book would make a great Switch game. I just wish there was ~more~ to the plot - I read for a book club, where multiple people called this a good palate cleanser for after those tough or thick books, and I can totally see/agree with that... I guess I just don't need a palate cleanser, even after finishing The Women, so I have no idea what that says about me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, War
Minor: Death, Infertility, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a very sweet book. I loved how empathetic it was to all of its characters, with even characters that were initially set up as antagonists being treated with compassion and understanding. I really enjoyed the cozy vibes, and just wished we could have seen more of this world (which admittedly would have been difficult to do while keeping things as low stakes as they were).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Murder, Colonisation
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book so much! It was cosy and romantic and fantastical! The ending made me warm and cosy and I couldn’t help but smile.
The book also touches on some deep issues like intimate partner violence, LGBTQ hate crime, and mercy killings but weaves a tale that is true while still showing that happiness can exist even when the world isn’t perfect.
The story was easy to read and flowed really well and also had some funny one liners which I loved!
I can’t wait for another book by this author.
The book also touches on some deep issues like intimate partner violence, LGBTQ hate crime, and mercy killings but weaves a tale that is true while still showing that happiness can exist even when the world isn’t perfect.
The story was easy to read and flowed really well and also had some funny one liners which I loved!
I can’t wait for another book by this author.
Content Warnings
Minor: Hate crime, Violence, Murder
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A talking spider plant, jam and magical beings.
A perfect cozy read
A perfect cozy read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War
Minor: Child abuse
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a cozy quick read. It pushes the ideas of socialism because how else would a tiny island survive without everyone doing their part? The fact that the characters can walk from one end of the island to the other in a matter of hours goes a long way to making that a sticking point. Cooperate or the town will fail. I would have loved this book, but the MC Keila was a terrible portrayal of what I can only assume is the author’s take on some kind of neuro-atypical behavior. If it wasn’t meant to show ADHD or similar, then the MC is just a royal b****. There was no reason she needed to be so nasty to the others just because she “doesn’t need anyone else”.
If it weren’t for the fact that other characters were so interesting to read about I might have DNF’d this. But the other characters carry the story well. I loved the diversity of species and quirks the supporting characters had. I truly love a good centaur! This book gets like the lowest of 3 stars from me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent, War
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Murder
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, War
Minor: Death, Violence, Murder
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Spellshop is a nice cozy fantasy to have with a cup of tea and a biscuit with jam. There’s not much in terms of conflict, but that’s very common in cozy fantasy. It’s just a nice novel to watch Kiela reestablish herself after being completely uprooted from her home. Think Stardew Valley, but in a book. My biggest gripe with this book is a lot of repetitive dialog. Yes, we know, magic is dangerous. You’ve said so like…20 times. Yes, we’re going to make jam. Get over it. Yes, the plant can read, but it doesn’t have eyes. WE GOT IT! It get’s so bad sometimes that characters have repeat revelations and you have to stop and say, “Yeah…we established this. You were already shocked. We had this scene.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War