Caught between an world of magic and a world without and not fitting either, Cassandra (aka Cas) suddenly realizes she has to save both.

About the Book:

Title: The Bookshop Below
Genre(s): Fantasy
Author: Georgia Summers
Published by: Hachette Audio | Orbit
Date Published: November 18, 2025
Format Read: AudioBook
Where I Got It: NetGalley gave me a copy of this book.
It is a stand alone book.
This book is a must read if you like: Unique magic systems, sentient inanimate objects, V.E. Schwab’s threads of Power series, fantasy set in bookstores.

Snapshot: what do you need to know before you pick up the book.

Profanity: Adult language
Intimacy: Light, some slow burn.
Violence: This is an adult book. violence
Themes:

My Thoughts

This book is magical with both a cozy feel, and also a darker side. I wish I could explain it better, but the author expertly dances the line in this magical world. I really loved this book because it had a good amount of world building, but it wasn’t too heavy.

The magic system was REALLY unique and fun. I also loved that the “romance” aspect wasn’t too heavy (and very sweet). I also liked that the dark elements were intense but tasteful as well.

I know I’ve already said it several times, but I’ve never seen this magic system before. It was full fantasy without feeling unreachable. My favorite part is probably obvious at this point, but I’m obsessed with how the magic works in this book.

I thought the narration fit the book well. Overall I REALLY loved this book. I felt the author handled a lot of elements very masterfully.

Description

A disgraced bookseller journeys into a lush, wondrous world of magical books, deadly ink magic, and secret societies, in this darkly spellbinding standalone fantasy novel from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The City of Stardust.

We are but story made manifest…

If you want a story that will change your life, Chiron’s bookshop is where you go. For those lucky enough to grace its doors, it’s a glimpse into a world of powerful bargains and deadly ink magic.

For Cassandra Fairfax, it’s a reminder of everything she lost, when Chiron kicked her out and all but shuttered the shop. Since then, she’s used her skills in less ethical ways, trading stolen books and magical readings to wealthy playboys and unscrupulous collectors.

Then Chiron dies under mysterious circumstances. And if Cassandra knows anything, it’s this: the bookshop must always have an owner.

But she’s not the only one interested. There’s Lowell Sharpe, a dark-eyed, regrettably handsome bookseller she can’t seem to stop bumping into; rival owners who threaten Cassandra from the shadows; and, of course, Chiron’s murderer, who is still on the loose.

As Cassandra tries to uncover the secrets her mentor left behind, a sinister force threatens to unravel the world of the magical bookshops entirely…

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