A review by natashaleighton_
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

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.
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