New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst invites you to her new standalone novel nestled on a far-away island brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes, and honeyed love. The hardcover edition features beautiful sprayed edges.
Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.
This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home.
But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.
This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.
Funny, kind, and forgiving, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story about giving second chances—to others and to yourself.
The Enchanted Greenhouse is an absolute delight. Sarah Beth Durst has once again crafted a world so vivid and imaginative that I found myself wishing she’d write an endless series of books set there.
This novel serves as a companion to The Spell Shop, with Terlu—briefly mentioned in the earlier book—stepping into the spotlight to become her own compelling character. The sheer creativity in this story is breathtaking. Tiny dragons that can be bribed with honey cakes, flowers that sing in perfect harmony, a maze of moving sunflowers—every page is infused with wonder and charm.
The middle third of the book felt slightly slower in pace, but even that is a minor quibble; it’s still leagues ahead of most other books in keeping me engaged. By the final chapters, I was in floods of happy tears—completely swept up in Terlu’s journey and the joy of a beautifully told story.
I’ll be recommending this book to everyone I know once it’s released and eagerly watching for whatever Sarah Beth Durst writes next.
Recommendations
- Book: If you loved The Enchanted Greenhouse, you’ll adore The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. Both books share whimsical magic, deep emotional resonance, and themes of self-discovery.
- Movie: Miss Potter is a perfect pairing. Its charm, beauty, and themes of creativity and finding unexpected joy make it a delightful match.
The Enchanted Greenhouse publishes on the 15th July, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
On my TBR, thanks for sharing your thoughts
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