I started reading this book on US election day because I needed something light and distracting. I did not expect it to have such strong, resonant themes with unfolding events, but boy did it. Kiela is a librarian who must flee the capital city after a violent revolution gets out of hand and the Imperial Library is set on fire; she takes with her five assorted crates of spellbooks from her section of the library (natural history) and after sailing somewhat aimlessly, turns towards her childhood home island. From this unfolds a story of unlearning individualism, learning to lean into the mutual care of community, and embracing your limited but not impotent power as one person. Kiela feels powerless, overwhelmed, and traumatized at the beginning of the story. She struggles with whether it even matters that she has the spellbooks because what kind of difference can she even make? But slowly she starts to see the places where she specifically can help in her new community. This book is a warm hug, and a hand up out of the pit of despair. I highly highly recommend it as a light, encouraging read for anyone struggling with overwhelm, or feeling like it's all pointless so why even bother.