The Spellshop

Caz is the major supporting character of the novel. Although he is “only” a decorative plant, he has a fully formed personality, backstory, and voice. Caz was initially created as a companion to a lonely librarian, something Kiela and the reader only learn toward the end of the novel. His librarian was punished as a result, leaving him to build a new friendship with Kiela and find belonging in a new way. Despite having no perceivable human senses, Caz can see, hear, smell, and understand the circumstances happening around him. There are hints throughout the narrative that, like Kiela, Caz may be neurodivergent, or as neurodivergent as something without a tangible brain can be. He exhibits signs of anxiety and obsessive compulsion, which come from a loving and compassionate place. For instance, when Kiela doesn’t return home following a storm, he busies himself with composing a eulogy: “I had to create different versions, to match the different ways you died” (198). He also adds that the eulogies are written in iambic pentameter. This illustrates how he puts his mind to work in creating mechanical poetry to manage his anxiety about his best friend’s safety.

A notable shift in Caz’s character occurs when Radane is taken prisoner and Caz threatens her life. Kiela reacts with shock and horror, yet Caz isn’t cowed. This suggests that Caz’s humanity is slightly altered and that his perception of morality is different from Kiela’s. This may be because he has only ever existed in the confined space of a library or because he has only been alive for a very limited time, giving him a childlike scope of human psychology. Caz also demonstrates on numerous occasions that he is fiercely protective of Kiela and wants the best for her.

Larran is the male love interest of the novel and a source of both interest and contention for the protagonist. Although he is warm-hearted and kind, he has a different social worldview than Kiela. This is most likely due to their differing formative circumstances; Kiela spent most of her life in virtual isolation in a big city, while Larran grew up in a small, tight-knit community. Therefore, Larran initially runs into problems respecting Kiela’s personal boundaries. Despite their differences, however, Larran helps Kiela get settled into her new home. He is not an overly complex person, accepting Kiela’s quirks and needs without over-analysis.

Despite Larran’s cheerful and open nature, he hides a past of childhood trauma. He grew up with an abusive father who, it is implied, may have inadvertently murdered his mother. This led Larran to seek out family and compassion with Kiela’s parents and creates a deep bond between him and Kiela. It may also explain why he’s so ready to express compassion of his own to anyone who may be in need. Kiela describes Larran as a “caretaker,” seeing his protective instincts regarding both Radane and the merhorses. When Larran is confronted with a problem, his immediate reaction is to try and fix it—whether it’s a clogged chimney or a drowning woman. His newfound relationship with Kiela provides him with someone to care for, filling a gap in his life. When he offers to make Kiela bookshelves, caring for her in the best way he knows how, she realizes that she has found someone who truly understands her.

Radane, also known as “Ravandil Etra L’sari” (287), enters halfway through the novel and functions as its primary antagonist. Her initial arrival is steeped in secrecy, with her true identity and motives being reserved for later on. The first conflict that arises from her introduction to the plot is Kiela’s insecurities regarding her budding romance with Larran. Radane forces Kiela to reassess what she thinks she knows and to disregard her experience. Soon, Kiela learns that Radane is an even bigger threat than she thought: Radane is (allegedly) an imperial investigator putting everything Kiela has worked for at risk. Radane throws herself into her assumed identity, even damaging a priceless family heirloom in an effort to remain “in character.” She draws from her experiences growing up in a toxic classist environment to create a persona that’s compelling and convincing.

Once Radane is captured by Caz and Meep, she’s forced to reveal her true identity and intentions. At this point, she becomes more friendly and approachable, although she never quite loses her projected elitism. Radane finds an unexpected connection with Bryn, although this happens largely off-page, which could be a chance at romance. At the novel’s climax, Radane redeems her past actions by leading the group in a ritual that saves the island and the visitors from Alyssium. This allows her to move into her new life with a clean slate.

Bryn is the first real friend Kiela makes on the island and something of an unofficial leader to the community. She’s also an openly LGBTQ+ character, something that is hinted at throughout the novel and plays a larger role in integrating Radane into the community. As a business-savvy woman, Bryn helps Kiela adjust to the unfamiliar world of retail.

Initially, Bryn seems to be a cornerstone of Caltrey. However, it’s later revealed that she’s an outsider as much as Kiela or Radane, having come there to avoid the tragic feuding she left behind. This illustrates the way that Bryn tries to give back to the community for allowing her to build a life there. Bryn is a blend of brittle confidence and romanticism, as well as a loyal and protective friend.