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Synopsis
**Sophie Nadash once yearned to understand life and chemistry. Now a disillusioned scientist approaching middle age, she yearns to set aside pipettes and polymerase forever.** A chance encounter with the Goddess Artemis sets her on the path to becoming the Alchemist for the rural Shemmai village of Kibosh, where the rat race gives way to peace and the quiet life. Freed from the hustle of Earth, she can relax, make friends, and rediscover her love for chemistry through its mystical precursor... and come to grips with the Jewish faith she left behind as a child. Quill and Still weaves together chemistry, mythology, magic, and an off-the-path Judaism to form a slice-of-queer-life, which reviewers described as “like opening up a pulp fiction novel and getting Milton's paradise lost”. It's perfect for lovers of cozy, slice-of-life fiction in the vein of Becky Chambers’s “Records of a Spaceborn Few” or Jo Walton’s “Lifelode”.
Is Quill and Still appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
A gentle portal fantasy about a middle-aged scientist finding peace and purpose in a magical village. Features LGBTQ+ representation and exploration of Jewish faith with no violence, romance, or strong language.
What to know going in
This book has no graphic violence, no sexual content, and clean language.
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Readers who love cozy, character-driven stories about starting over in magical worlds will enjoy Sophie's journey to find herself.