The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

Sarah Beth Durst has written another cosy fantasy, this time for teens. The Faraway Inn follows The Spell Shop and The enchanted greenhouse, which were written for older readers, while The Faraway Inn will appeal to a younger audience. It is a feel-good book, written by an author who believes “everyone deserves a magical escape” (pg.322) and The Faraway Inn certainly delivers. I read it in one sitting and was left smiling, hoping that there is another book is in the not-too-distant future.

16-year-old Calisa arrives at her great-aunt’s inn, desperate for a change of scenery and to get away from her cheating ex-boyfriend. Auntie Zee is not so pleased to see her although Calisa knows that she really needs her help. The Faraway Inn is run down, with few guests, dust and dirt everywhere and an overgrown garden. Calisa can clean and is determined to show Auntie Zee that she is useful. With the help of the groundsman’s son, Jack, she sets about fixing up what she can as well as baking delicious cakes for the guests. But the Faraway Inn has otherworldly secrets and Calisa must unravel them in time to save the inn.

The Faraway Inn is beguiling on two fronts. The world building is stunning and the characters are irresistible. I loved the description of the cosy inn with its eerie statue, talking mirror, strange fire lighter and a self-boiling teapot and the magical guests are fantastic. Calisa is determined to clean away the memories of Ethan, her cheating boyfriend and forge a new life for herself. She is an empathetic person, who doesn’t wait for a prince to rescue her – she manages to do it herself. She is the one who rescues a strange lizard type creature she and Jack name Steve, and she is the intrepid one who opens magical doors to other worlds. Jack sees Calisa’s strengths and likes her for herself, able to let her take the lead when necessary and listening to her carefully. The reader is kept in suspense wondering what has happened to grumpy Auntie Zee to make her neglect the Inn and then disappear.

This is a highly recommended cottagecore fantasy.

Themes: Cosy fantasy, Romance, Inns, Mythical creatures.

Pat Pledger