Spellwright

by Heather Kassner

Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Heather Kassner's YA debut, Spellwright. Pitched as An Enchantment of Ravens meets A Study in Drowning, this cozy romantic fantasy follows a young spellwright who must reluctantly team up with an insufferably alluring magician to investigate the theft of a dark grimoire before its curse claims her next. Sheyla Knigge and Victoria Marini at High Line Literary brokered the deal for world rights, with publication set for Fall 2026.

Genres: Cozy Fantasy, Young Adult

Hardcover

Expected publication October 1, 2026

About the author

Heather Kassner loves the magic of thunderstorms and hummingbirds, of a moon-bright sky and the quiet wild of a forest—though her favorite place is home. She lives with her husband and two sleepy cats in a cozy house filled with books and music. Her novels include Spellwright, her YA debut, as well as The Bone Garden, The Forest of Stars, and The Plentiful Darkness.

Reviews

[Anna Mercier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and prepare to be whisked away by the delightfully enchanting world of Spellwright. The characters are unforgettable, and I'm now best friends with all of them. I'll be living inside Fia's shop and world for the rest of my life, helping her uncover the next mystery. Seriously. This book has everything: magic, whimsy, heart, and a cantankerous boy that will make all our Howl's Moving Castle loving hearts swoon!

[Joan He · Rating 5 out of 5]

cozy fantasy done RIGHT with all the wonderful classic hallmarks and Heather's unique heartfelt (and sometimes aching) touch. loved my cat-sleepy boy that is Penn and my burning-all-the-things girl that is Fia. their dynamic is DELIGHTFUL. Andromeda is a queen btw and I'd read a whole other book with her as the MC. all in all, I laughed, smirked, shouted, and sighed reading this one. dying to hold it physically in my hands <3

[Tanaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

From scheming magicians and curses gone wrong to humor, friendships, community and a romance that is as heartwarming as it is endearing, Spellwright has everything that defines a cozy fall book!
Reading Fia and Penn’s story was like being wrapped in a warm, cinnamon-scented hug--I did not want it to end!

[Sarah Glenn Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dare you to read this and not fall under the spell of Fia Ives, the world's most enchanting spellwright. Every page of this cozy yet compelling read glitters with Fia's gold-dusted touch of magic. It's the kind of read you'll want to savor with a warm cup of tea in hand.