I stumbled upon Misshelved Magic while researching publishers. I was immediately intrigued but the idea. It was one of those drop-everything-else-I-found-the-next-book-I-must-read kind of moments.

Overall, this book was remarkably well thought out. Crickard had me completely convinced that cervara were a type of folkloric being I’d never heard of before. (I just Googled it… and the author is extremely welcome to correct me, but they’re not. She must have just made them up! As much as I love pulling from folklore for the roots of a story, I also love that these creatures were completely original and she had me completely fooled.)

The story…

Adelina is content to be a humble librarian with no magic, organizing ordinary books and leaving the magical section of the library to the management of the mysterious creature called a cervara…until she finds a misshelved spellbook that refuses to stay in its proper place. Despite warnings from the College of Magic and her superiors, she decides to return the book to the magical section, where she befriends the mysterious creature. Contrary to what she’s been told, the cervara is trying to protect humanity from dangerous magic by hoarding it in the library. But is it also hiding an even greater danger?

Leon is a mage in his final year at the college who needs to write something impressive for his final thesis. But when he meets the charming Adelina, and she confides her discovery to him, Leon’s world turns upside down. He’s forced to try to mediate between the mysterious creature and the power-hungry magi who surround him, all while trying to pursue his favorite librarian.

Can Adelina and Leon protect the cervara from the world—and the world from the dangers of the library? Or will both sides be destroyed by the secrets they hide and the greed that drives them to seek forbidden knowledge?

I highly recommend the audiobook on this one. I’m sure it’s delightful to read read, but I honestly can’t imagine having consumed this book in any way other than having these distinct character voices speaking to me.

It was my favorite kind of reads — both cozy (not the genre, just the word) and engaging.

Now, without further ado, the three words I assign to this book:

Original

In terms of magic system, plot, and made up mythic beings, this book was like nothing I’ve come across before, which was extremely refreshing! There ARE new ideas in the world after all!

Realistic

Considering the above, how was it realistic? I’m primarily speaking here in terms of the romance. I’m forever gagging at over the top romance narratives. (Don’t get me wrong, I love a good romance.) But this romance was realistic. They were courting — not hurling themselves headlong off a cliff for one another. The romance moved quickly because they were just so drawn to one another, but in a way that totally happens in real life when you find someone with whom you click. I found their courtship delightful.

Logical

The magic system was well design. It was vague where it needed to be vague (without leaving me with obvious, gaping questions) and intricate with precise rules as to make the magic believable.

Like these reviews? Please follow me on Goodreads and subscribe to my monthly newsletter! Thanks!