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arlaubscher's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: Miscarriage and Alcohol
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A warm, cosy hug of a read with an uplifting premise (and endearing cast of characters) that thoroughly stole my heart! If you loved Legends & Lattes or have been in a book hangover ever since reading and in desperate need a new cosy fantasy to fully immerse in, then you must consider checking this out!
Though not entirely low stakes (we do get a pretty action filled sequence involving dragons,as well as a stand off or two) the character development and dynamics between lovebirds Reyna and Kianthe was beautifully heartwarming. And I enjoyed watching them working to make their dream of running a tea serving Bookshop (called Tomes & Tea) a reality.
Having loyally served a tyrannical Queen for almost all her life, we follow former Queen’s guard Reyna who has decided to run away with her girlfriend, (the quite important and powerful Mage of Ages) Kianthe to pursue their dream of opening up a Bookshop—where tea and tasty baked goods are just as plentiful as the books!
Yet all is not quite well, for their new hometown of Tawney is under constant siege by dragons, which has seen this once prosperous town struggle to sustain its community. Wanting to solve the mystery and protect their new home, Kianthe and Reyna decide to investigate the possible motives behind the Dragon’s ire. But their discovery goes far deeper as the pair, in the midst of building a new life, learn just what they mean to each other…
Full of mishaps, mysteries, dragons and vengeful Queens— I was utterly ensnared by this whimsical, cosy, sapphic fantasy and didn’t want to put it down! Rebecca Thorne’s well plotted and character driven prose had me emotionally invested from the very start. And not only in the lives of Reyna and Kianthe either, but also the supporting cast who make up the loveable, tight-knit community within Tawney.
I adored Kianthe, who was an enthusiastically smitten ball of elemental magic (and cheesy puns) that I found instantly endearing. Her outgoing personality and sense of humour was delightfully infectious and complemented Reyna’s introspectively wary demeanour soo well.
They do both struggle a little in their new roles (and dynamics) at first, but their support: in inspiring and challenging one another to be themselves (in ways they’ve never been allowed to before) was what really had me rooting for them.
Overall, an enjoyably engaging and comforting read that (as controversial as it may sound, and please don’t hate me) I actually preferred more than Legends & Lattes. I don’t know if it was the banter, the dragons or Kianthe’s sassy Griffon Visk, but Thorne’s take on the Cosy Fantasy genre was simply marvellous!
Also a huge thank you to Book Break UK and Olivia-Savannah at Tor UK for the proof & finished copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: Murder and Death of parent
roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was a wonderful cozy fantasy and exceeded my expectations.
I appreciated that it is a book with a relationship already well established between the main characters, it allowed the plot points to carry the story while also showing the love and caring between Kianthe and Reyna.
The pacing felt consistent and the puns were a lot of fun. I didn't realize at first that there might be a sequel but would like to read more about Reyna and Kianthe's adventures!
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor/Forge for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication.
I appreciated that it is a book with a relationship already well established between the main characters, it allowed the plot points to carry the story while also showing the love and caring between Kianthe and Reyna.
The pacing felt consistent and the puns were a lot of fun. I didn't realize at first that there might be a sequel but would like to read more about Reyna and Kianthe's adventures!
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor/Forge for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
mamaewalk's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A cozy fantasy with a little bit of adventure.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Animal death, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Cozy vibes, with late to the party plot. I wasn't too sure where this story was heading for the first half of the book. The characters were meandering, setting up their soft, new life on the lam and hoping things wouldn't catch up with them for a few years at best. Cute, adorable, the tea & book shop is a total vibe, but as a reader I was getting antsy. I needed something more to happen.
Enter, dragons. A pact, a theft, a mystery! Finally a little plot to sink our teeth into a an audience. I enjoyed how it bright the plot showed up a few notches and made me start caring a bit more about what was happening. I had been staying to worry the cozy vibes were all there was, and as much as it was sweet and all, I was having a hard time staying invested in just that.
Around 77% I had the realization that this story wasn't going to be fully wrapped up by the end. I was a little put out for a cliffhanger with no warning, but I'll survive. At least book 2 comes out this year!
Enter, dragons. A pact, a theft, a mystery! Finally a little plot to sink our teeth into a an audience. I enjoyed how it bright the plot showed up a few notches and made me start caring a bit more about what was happening. I had been staying to worry the cozy vibes were all there was, and as much as it was sweet and all, I was having a hard time staying invested in just that.
Around 77% I had the realization that this story wasn't going to be fully wrapped up by the end. I was a little put out for a cliffhanger with no warning, but I'll survive. At least book 2 comes out this year!
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
gremlinpride's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Medical content
Minor: War and Alcohol
betweentheshelves's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a delight! The perfect book to read on vacation, honestly. I think it might have been a little longer than it needed to be, but I enjoyed the overall atmosphere of the book. The cast of characters were lovely, making a little found family in this town that they settle in. I'm loving that we're getting more of these cozy fantasy books, because they're fun to read if you're not looking for something that's too heavy. There's still some action and adventure, but for the most part, the stakes are relatively low.
I also love books where they open a little bookshop because it's always such fun. The magic system in this was interesting, too. I'd love to learn more about it!
I also love books where they open a little bookshop because it's always such fun. The magic system in this was interesting, too. I'd love to learn more about it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
lotte5322's review
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
ifoundcallie's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Vomit, Death, and Fire/Fire injury