Quick note about this page. It is ever evolving. I am working on reading all of Sarah Beth Durst’s books and getting reviews written at this time. If you don’t see a review for something, come back soon!

About the Author

I was introduced to Sarah Beth Durst the same way a lot of people were, The Spellshop. I was instantly hooked and then read a bunch of her newer work right away.

Most of Sarah Beth Durst’s work deals with the human condition, specially revolving around grief. While her books are fun and fantastical, they are deep and thought provoking.

Her writing style is straightforward and accessible. Even her more complex adult novels are in this signature style.

The more I delve into her older work, the more diverse this author is. From the magical seahorse in her island paradise, to the Female main character chopping off her own finger to save her friend, she has an amazing breadth of work.

I got to meet Sarah Beth Durst recently and she is an amazing, down to earth, sweet, cozy human. In her own words, all she does is write because that is what makes her happy.

Recommended Reading Order

Cozy Fantasy Readers

This probably goes without saying but the best place to start for her cozy books is The Spellshop. All of the Spellshop Books can be read in any order, but I recommend reading them in release order.

If you are looking for more of a YA vibe then The Faraway Inn might be a better place for you to start with her cozy books.

Dark Readers

Yes, the Queen of Cozy writes dark fantasy. And she writes it REALLY WELL. It is hard to say where to start with her dark fantasy because they are stand alones.

My Recommendation would be Race the Sands. I have never read a book that reminded me of the vibe of A Horse and His Boy, but this one did! I’m obsessed with this book.

However, please do not miss The Bone Maker. For people who want older fantasy heros who are on their comeback tour. I devoured this one and it lives rent free in my head.

Lastly, in the world of Renthia, you have the DEEPLY emotional The Deepest Blue. It had a similar vibe to the TV show “Alone”, but with dark fantasy twist. I rarely read books that leave me melancholic, but this one did in the best possible way. It can be read as a stand alone, but technically exists in the same universe as Renthia.

And for our Thriller readers, the YA stand alone The Lake House was chilling for me. It has a light fantasy twist at the end and kept me guessing the whole time.

YA Readers

She has a LOT of YA options I haven’t read yet. Out of the ones I have read it depends of what Genres you prefer. If you love Fantasy I recommend The Faraway Inn. If you are a Thriller fan, you NEED to read The Lake House.

Fantasy Readers

If you are wanting to start outside the cozy sector but want to read Sarah Beth Durst’s fantasy I would strongly recommend the Queens of Renthia trilogy.

General Fiction Readers

While she doesn’t write General Fiction, if you are a fan of it looking for entry points into the world of Sarah Beth Durst, I adored The Warbler. It has magical properties, but is more subtle and focused on Characters.

My Reviews

The Spellshop Books

The Spellshop

The Enchanted Greenhouse

Sea of Charms

A magical adventure through the uncharted seas with freedom and finding eventually finding a family.

This book is a must read if you like: Spellshop, found family, cozy fantasy, adorable sidekicks, sentient plants

Stand Alone YA

The Faraway Inn

Calisa wants to use helping her great aunt as an escape, but she doesn’t know how far it will take her.

This book is a must read if you like: Portal fantasy, coming of age, LGBTQ+ Representation, Cozy fantasy.

The Lake House

Stand Alone Adult

The Lost

Have you ever felt like everything is Too much and you just need to run away and get Lost? Lauren did and now She is very lost.

This book is a must read if you like: Peter Pan retellings, magical realism, vivid descriptions of magical landscapes, and engaging Characters.

The Warbler

The Bone Maker

Race the Sands

World of Renthia Books

The Queen of Blood

The Reluctant Queen

The Queen of Sorrow

The Deepest Blue

Books I Still Need To Read

• The Lies Among Us (Lake Union Publishing, A, 2024)
• Fire and Heist (Penguin Random House/Crown, YA, 2018)
• Chasing Power (Bloomsbury, YA 2014)
• Conjured (Bloomsbury/Walker, YA, 2013)
• Vessel (S&S/McElderry, YA, 2012)
• Drink, Slay, Love (S&S/McElderry, YA, 2011)
• Enchanted Ivy (S&S/McElderry, YA, 2010)
• Ice (S&S/McElderry, YA, 2009)
• Spy Ring (HarperCollins/Clarion, MG, 2024)
• A = books for adults; YA = books for teens; MG = books for kids (ages 8-12); PB = picture books
• The Shelterlings (HarperCollins/Clarion, MG, 2022)
• Even and Odd (HMH/Clarion, MG, 2021)
• Catalyst (HMH/Clarion, MG, 2020)
• Spark (HMH/Clarion, MG, 2019)
• The Stone Girl’s Story (HMH/Clarion, MG, 2018)
• Roar and Sparkles Go to School (Running Press, PB, 2017)
• Journey Across the Hidden Islands (HMH/Clarion, MG, 2017)
• The Girl Who Could Not Dream (HMH/Clarion, MG, 2015)
• Out of the Wild (Penguin/Razorbill, MG, 2008)
• Into the Wild (Penguin/Razorbill, MG, 2007)

Forthcoming:

The Magical Cheese Emporium (Macmillan/Tor/Bramble, A, 2027)