Spellwright

by Heather Kassner

Enjoy a sprinkle of magic, a dusting of romance and a whole lot of cosy fantasy fun in this enchanting new YA novel, for fans of Margaret Rogerson, Diana Wynne Jones and Rewitched . 

Fia Ives is desperate to find a way past the ever-watchful gargoyles guarding the restricted archives of the great Thistledown Library. Teeming with powerful grimoires, the archives are her best chance at finding the spellbook that once belonged to her recently departed mother. So, one midnight (and entirely against her cautious nature), Fia sneaks into Thistledown—and glimpses three mysterious figures also searching the forbidden stacks.

The next day, the library announces the theft of an unsettlingly dangerous grimoire, and suspicion falls to Fia. The only way to clear her name is to root out the thieves she espied that night. But solving a magical theft isn’t easy work while running the spell shop her mother left behind. She’ll need assistance.

Impulsively, Fia hires the first person who applies to help mind the store—the insufferably dark-eyed Penbrook Madbury, who is as sleepy as a cat and just as stubborn. Fia isn’t sure she can trust him with her reckless plan (let alone her beloved shop), but there’s something about the secretive magician that seems to lower her guard. As a strange, treacherous magic begins curling through the town, Fia will have to risk her own gargoyle-guarded heart to break a string of curses before they claim her and Penbrook both. And if some of those curses require kisses to break them, well, that’s just part of the job.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Cozy, Young Adult Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 27, 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!

[Victoria | Victoriabooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Simon Teen!

This book was adorable. Spellwright reminded me of staying in on a rainy night, cozying up in front of the fire, and enjoying the sound of a tumultuous storm.

Definitely worth a read if you need a reset after much more intense book, this will absolutely relax you like a sip of hot chamomile tea ☕️

[Isabel Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of Spellwright, and I am OBSESSED with this world. Kassner's writing is so gorgeous and lush and inviting--it feels like cozying up with a good blanket and your very favorite cup of tea. (I don't actually drink tea, but it totally gives those vibes!) The world building is really unique, and the romance is so charmingly tender. I never knew "sleepy lil' guy" was a type of love interest I enjoyed reading, but turns out, it's super great!

There's so much to love about this book. The heart-filled meditations on grief. The way there are high stakes (dangerous curse!) that still manage to feel cozy and safe as you read. There's this level of trust that comes through the writing, where it feels like the author will ultimately be gentle with your heart. Highly, highly recommend!

[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.

[Gita Trelease · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘I’m not looking for love,’ Fia said quickly, and it almost sounded like the truth, even if it wasn’t.”

This story captured my heart! It has everything I want in a fantasy: compelling characters, a gorgeously realized world, enchantments that are dazzling and whimsical but also threaded with darkness…and to top it off, a charming, heartfelt romance that is absolute perfection. Spellwright feels a bit like a newly discovered classic—one that materializes on your bookshelf just when you need its magic the most.

[Chloe]

This was so delightfully magical and utterly romantic. I loved it.