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theaceofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book is often compared to Legends and Lattes. I'll admit that I struggled a bit with that one since I need a bit more action in my books. I got a little bored and it didn't keep my attention as much as they hype suggested. I, however, heard good things about Can't Spell Treason Without Tea from bookish people I know so decided to give it a shot! And I'm glad I did. It has a lot more action (and a griffin!) and it was less repetitive so I found it much easier to stay invested in what's happening. Maybe the fact that I'm more of a tea person also helps! I don't know.
If, like me, you like the idea of lower stakes fantasy but still need some stakes and a plot to keep reading, this one may be one of the better cozy fantasy options for you. I loved Visk. Easily my favourite character and I wish we'd gotten to see more of him. I did enjoy the other characters and getting to know them as well of course. I liked that the narrator used different voices and accents to distinguish them.
Despite my enjoyment I do feel like the plot suffers from a big event being solved far too simply, similar to how I felt in Legends and Lattes. I suspect this is largely to keep it low stakes but I was hoping for something bigger. While it definitely had lower stakes (mostly personal rather than the whole world is in danger variety) I felt like this book had done a decent job of dealing with them until this point. The journey in Can't Spell Treason Without Tea was still incredibly enjoyable for me though! The ending definitely didn't ruin the experience, even though I did find myself wishing for more. I'm definitely interested in picking up the sequel.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
If, like me, you like the idea of lower stakes fantasy but still need some stakes and a plot to keep reading, this one may be one of the better cozy fantasy options for you. I loved Visk. Easily my favourite character and I wish we'd gotten to see more of him. I did enjoy the other characters and getting to know them as well of course. I liked that the narrator used different voices and accents to distinguish them.
Despite my enjoyment I do feel like the plot suffers from a big event being solved far too simply, similar to how I felt in Legends and Lattes. I suspect this is largely to keep it low stakes but I was hoping for something bigger. While it definitely had lower stakes (mostly personal rather than the whole world is in danger variety) I felt like this book had done a decent job of dealing with them until this point. The journey in Can't Spell Treason Without Tea was still incredibly enjoyable for me though! The ending definitely didn't ruin the experience, even though I did find myself wishing for more. I'm definitely interested in picking up the sequel.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Classism and Murder
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
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
wickedgrumpy's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
I have some qualms with this book.
If it were a romance it skipped all the fun parts of the forbidden nature into the growing pains of the relationship where they move in together but don't really know each other that well because they've been sneaking away previously. So, no pining, they're in love but not quite the fluffy happily ever after love. One is the super powerful mage with a penchant for puns and is perpetually horny and loves reading (the brains) and the other is a palace guard who bakes and loves tea along with battle sense and quick analyzing skills (the brawn). They are very much in a ride or die mindset and it's a bit repetitive until the cast of character is expanded to include neighbors/townsfolk and start to develop more of a found family.
The world building was... Both sparse and complex somehow. Imagine some nuggets of lore just dropped and seeming like it means something but is never fully explained. That is the majority of the book and while some of it can be figured out with context clues, there's still a lot of questions and I suppose I am used to a first book in a series spending adequate time establishing everything to reduce confusion through the remaining volumes.
As for plot, there were so many threads everywhere and only one was really tied up. I presume more will be addressed in the future but it seemed like a lot of plot for a book that was vibe heavy.
Finishing this and all I can think is that it was fine. The things I have issues with weren't particularly bad but I might hesitate to read more in the series.
If it were a romance it skipped all the fun parts of the forbidden nature into the growing pains of the relationship where they move in together but don't really know each other that well because they've been sneaking away previously. So, no pining, they're in love but not quite the fluffy happily ever after love. One is the super powerful mage with a penchant for puns and is perpetually horny and loves reading (the brains) and the other is a palace guard who bakes and loves tea along with battle sense and quick analyzing skills (the brawn). They are very much in a ride or die mindset and it's a bit repetitive until the cast of character is expanded to include neighbors/townsfolk and start to develop more of a found family.
The world building was... Both sparse and complex somehow. Imagine some nuggets of lore just dropped and seeming like it means something but is never fully explained. That is the majority of the book and while some of it can be figured out with context clues, there's still a lot of questions and I suppose I am used to a first book in a series spending adequate time establishing everything to reduce confusion through the remaining volumes.
As for plot, there were so many threads everywhere and only one was really tied up. I presume more will be addressed in the future but it seemed like a lot of plot for a book that was vibe heavy.
Finishing this and all I can think is that it was fine. The things I have issues with weren't particularly bad but I might hesitate to read more in the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Death, Abandonment, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Outing, Vomit, Violence, Confinement, Deadnaming, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
saintyeehaw's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book just wasn't my cup of tea which is disappointing. I found it a bit immature and overwritten in parts. Kianthe and Reyna's personalities are just too similar to tell them apart much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, and Violence
shaipanda's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loveddd this. This is the blueprint of cozy fantasy and literally was perfecttt for me!!! I definitely think this is a good book for ppl who find cozy fantasy like Legends and Lattes to be anticlimactic and need more action. Cause while it is still adorable and domestic, it also definitely has action and conflict that comes up
I desperately need the second book and will have to see if it’s out/when it’s coming out so I can keep reading. Also this 100% cemented cozy fantasy as my favorite genre/sub genre and I don’t think I’ve read a single cozy fantasy book that I haven’t absolutely loved and rated 5 stars :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Vomit, and Cursing
Minor: Murder and Death of parent
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