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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Sharon Lynn Fisher, and 47North for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I ate this up! This was exactly what I needed at the moment. It has a perfect blend of Historical, Fantasy, Romance, and Mystery. The atmosphere was gloomy and spooky. It will be the perfect read to pick up when it comes out in October. I adored the cast of characters. I found the magic system very interesting. The fact that Mina, FMC, was a tasseographer, which is the art of reading tea leaves. Harker, the MMC, is a reclusive alchemist. I loved them together. I could read a whole series following these characters. I highly recommend it! Please, if this book and others by Sharon Lynn Fisher a read if you love atmospheric, historical, fantasy with romance!
I ate this up! This was exactly what I needed at the moment. It has a perfect blend of Historical, Fantasy, Romance, and Mystery. The atmosphere was gloomy and spooky. It will be the perfect read to pick up when it comes out in October. I adored the cast of characters. I found the magic system very interesting. The fact that Mina, FMC, was a tasseographer, which is the art of reading tea leaves. Harker, the MMC, is a reclusive alchemist. I loved them together. I could read a whole series following these characters. I highly recommend it! Please, if this book and others by Sharon Lynn Fisher a read if you love atmospheric, historical, fantasy with romance!
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you NetGalley and 47North for the E-book arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book took me a long time to get into. I wasn’t super interested in it until about 50% of the way through. More often than not I was more or less getting annoyed by how our FMC was very adamant on telling us the same three things, what is up with Roche and Traggerick (valid but we could evolve the thoughts a bit more), her parents dying, and Jack being a drunk and sucky brother. I get these are parts of her life but sometimes it seems that is all we hear for the first half of the book. I would say the second half turned out great once some movement happened with solving the murders. If you enjoy Twilight you might enjoy this too. Our main characters portray Bella and Edward in terms of “this is the skin of a killer” but 1800s sort of feel. There is a lot of wanting to protect Mina because he feels he cannot stop himself. I will say it was an extremely unique was of telling a vampire story which bumped up my rating a whole star due to it being so unique.
This book took me a long time to get into. I wasn’t super interested in it until about 50% of the way through. More often than not I was more or less getting annoyed by how our FMC was very adamant on telling us the same three things, what is up with Roche and Traggerick (valid but we could evolve the thoughts a bit more), her parents dying, and Jack being a drunk and sucky brother. I get these are parts of her life but sometimes it seems that is all we hear for the first half of the book. I would say the second half turned out great once some movement happened with solving the murders. If you enjoy Twilight you might enjoy this too. Our main characters portray Bella and Edward in terms of “this is the skin of a killer” but 1800s sort of feel. There is a lot of wanting to protect Mina because he feels he cannot stop himself. I will say it was an extremely unique was of telling a vampire story which bumped up my rating a whole star due to it being so unique.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I don’t know if I’d call this a Dracula adaptation or spin off or inspired but Tea & Alchemy dares ask the question, what if Harker was a vampire (not based on Dracula lore, but in his own way) and Mina fell for him anyways? I had so much fun while reading this. I feel like Mina was a well developed character, I loved how she fought to find her place, never giving in to her brother’s wishes for her. Harker was so tender and, in a genre where obsession is usually done in a really creepy, illegal/abusive way, I found it refreshing that his obsession with Mina was more soft and passionate. You could tell when his feelings changed from “oh she has a tantalizing smell” to “oh I love her and cherish her”. I feel like the plot could’ve had more urgency before the climax, but all in all, this was an enjoyable and quick read.
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thank you Netgalley & 47North for the ARC!
Tea & Alchemy is magical, gothic tale full of romance and folklore. Sharon Lynn Fisheris very talented—her writing is atmospheric, really engaging you and pulling you into her world. It went by fast, but the pacing of the story was perfect!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
I really loved the fact that the book wasn't explicitly marketed asa vampire novel. The publishing industry is so oversaturated with tropes, supernatural creatures, and anything that can increase its marketing. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but as a reader it gets so tiring to see books overly marketed with every trope to the point where I'm not surprised by the plot anymore. I honestly might not have picked this book up had I known, and I was pleasantly surprised to go into this blind!
I really love all of the characters, they're all so likeable and interesting to watch interact. Harker and Mina are the perfect match, opposites full of respect for one another. Mina doesn't come from an educated background, but Harker never makes her feel stupid, knowing she's incredibly intelligent and perceptive. Harker is cold and tries to scare Mina off, but she sees right through him, knowing him to be a very compassionate man despite his trauma. And even our side characters, Jack became by favorite by the end. Not once did I expect him tobe the one to save the whole village.
I loved all the little details: their relationship, the folklore, the tea leaf reading, the alchemy, the tensions in the village, the creature's weakness. It all felt so realistic in a magical way, and that's the best kind of story.
Tea & Alchemy is magical, gothic tale full of romance and folklore. Sharon Lynn Fisheris very talented—her writing is atmospheric, really engaging you and pulling you into her world. It went by fast, but the pacing of the story was perfect!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
I really loved the fact that the book wasn't explicitly marketed as
I really love all of the characters, they're all so likeable and interesting to watch interact. Harker and Mina are the perfect match, opposites full of respect for one another. Mina doesn't come from an educated background, but Harker never makes her feel stupid, knowing she's incredibly intelligent and perceptive. Harker is cold and tries to scare Mina off, but she sees right through him, knowing him to be a very compassionate man despite his trauma. And even our side characters, Jack became by favorite by the end. Not once did I expect him to
I loved all the little details: their relationship, the folklore, the tea leaf reading, the alchemy, the tensions in the village, the creature's weakness. It all felt so realistic in a magical way, and that's the best kind of story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was so good! Such a delicious blend of folklore, alchemy and tasseography. A perfect read for rainy or moody days. The dark and foreboding atmosphere was palpable, I loved it.
I did not expect it to be about a certain paranormal creatures (no spoilers), and I was pleasantly surprised. The author put a fresh spin on them, and I really enjoyed how everything played out.
I adored Mina and Harker and how they were trying to figure out what's going on and how to save everyone. The slow-burn romance was sweet, and I liked watching their relationship grow.
Also, the setting was fantastic. It’s based on a real place called Roche Rock in Cornwall, England. And it’s absolutely beautiful! Please google it if you’re unfamiliar with it.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable story, and I had a great time with it.
This was so good! Such a delicious blend of folklore, alchemy and tasseography. A perfect read for rainy or moody days. The dark and foreboding atmosphere was palpable, I loved it.
I did not expect it to be about a certain paranormal creatures (no spoilers), and I was pleasantly surprised. The author put a fresh spin on them, and I really enjoyed how everything played out.
I adored Mina and Harker and how they were trying to figure out what's going on and how to save everyone. The slow-burn romance was sweet, and I liked watching their relationship grow.
Also, the setting was fantastic. It’s based on a real place called Roche Rock in Cornwall, England. And it’s absolutely beautiful! Please google it if you’re unfamiliar with it.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable story, and I had a great time with it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Synopsis: When Mina starts seeing shapes in her customer's tea leaves, she's sure it's just her imagination. That is, until she finds a customer drained of blood and a strange horned figure fleeing into the mist at the edge of the Tregarrick estate only hours after seeing death in his tea leaves.
Hidden away on the estate in the Roche Rock chapel, vampire Harker Tregarrick is determined to end his cursed bloodline, satiating his blood desires with an alchemic essence he formulated. But Harker's isolation is shattered when a demonic creature starts taking victims on his estate, and old rumours of his ancestor's dark past start to resurface.
When Mina starts to investigate the murders, she discovers Harker's true nature and trusts his pleas of innocence. But despite the danger, Mina can't stay away, and both their willpower and sanity are tested as desire draws them closer.
Review: This was not marketed as a vampire story, and I wish it had been as this is not a genre I like. I found the story difficult to get through because Mina was constantly being foolish and selfish, tempting Harker's vampire nature by seeking him out even after he attacked her despite his imploring her to keep away.
With thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hidden away on the estate in the Roche Rock chapel, vampire Harker Tregarrick is determined to end his cursed bloodline, satiating his blood desires with an alchemic essence he formulated. But Harker's isolation is shattered when a demonic creature starts taking victims on his estate, and old rumours of his ancestor's dark past start to resurface.
When Mina starts to investigate the murders, she discovers Harker's true nature and trusts his pleas of innocence. But despite the danger, Mina can't stay away, and both their willpower and sanity are tested as desire draws them closer.
Review: This was not marketed as a vampire story, and I wish it had been as this is not a genre I like. I found the story difficult to get through because Mina was constantly being foolish and selfish, tempting Harker's vampire nature by seeking him out even after he attacked her despite his imploring her to keep away.
With thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Death, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Grief
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow, this book took me by surprise! I loved everything about it. The writing was wonderful and immersive. The bits of mystery definitely kept me guessing and the characters were well written. A great blend of romance and mystery. This book helped break my reading slump and was a great palette cleanser for all the romantasy I've been reading lately.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
All opinions in the review are my own.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
All opinions in the review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood
adventurous
emotional
3.5 stars. I found this to be quite slow paced and repetitive at times. But overall the romance was sweet and the characters were engaging enough that I finished it in a day.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
This is a athmosheric read, set in the victorian era. It's well researched, you can see that the author put in the research.
While it starts off feeling like a cosy read, with Minna working at the tea shop, baking and walking to and from work, it's certainly not. The narrative becomes darker and more tense pretty quickly.
I did not expect thevampires from reading the blurb and might not have started reading the book if I would have known. It follows some tropes but the author makes the story her own in a good way. I enjoyed the book and the blooming love stroy, even tough I wanted to yell at Minna at some points. I'm not the biggest fan of the trope used, but it was used well and I enjoyed the book.
I was provided with a free ARC copy of the book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While it starts off feeling like a cosy read, with Minna working at the tea shop, baking and walking to and from work, it's certainly not. The narrative becomes darker and more tense pretty quickly.
I did not expect the
I was provided with a free ARC copy of the book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.