44 pages • 1 hour read
Sarah Beth DurstThe Spellshop
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Author Sarah Beth Durst says that she “wanted to write a book that felt like a warm hug” (375). How does she use language and symbolism to achieve this?
The Spellshop takes place in an alternate fantasy world yet depicts many real-world struggles. How is Kiela’s fight against the hoarding of knowledge reflected in contemporary society?
Consider the role of forgiveness in the novel. How do the characters earn forgiveness for their mistakes?
What is Kiela’s fatal flaw? How does she overcome it during her journey?
What role does trauma play in the novel? Compare and contrast at least two characters who manage trauma in the story.
Food is a large part of the story, with food often being offered to create a connection. How does food serve to shape the characters’ lives?
How does the appearance of the forest spirits shift the trajectory of the plot? What might they symbolize on a deeper level?
Compare and contrast the three main antagonists: Fenerer, Radane, and Varrik. What does each one bring to the story? How does each align with (or oppose) the novel’s central themes?
The novel is rooted in a few distinct settings. How does a strong sense of place inform the story?
How do the large-scale politics of the empire parallel the interpersonal politics happening on Caltrey?
