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path_through_pages's reviews
173 reviews
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
So I haven't been reading a lot of YA recently and I think that was giving me an unfair perspective on this book in the beginning.
Initially I was feeling it was a bit too juvenile and the love connection felt unnecessary. But then I remembered... This is YA, I shouldn't be treating it with expectations beyond YA.
When I put myself in the proper frame of mind I actually genuinely enjoyed this story! I still felt that the love connection was unnecessary and it honestly would have felt more believable and connected more if it was a growing friendship with the trust being genuinely earned, but other than that I thought the entire concept was incredibly intriguing!
2024 is the year of tea themed books it looks like and I think this is one that is worth adding to your TBR.
The book is a bit slower in the beginning but really hits it's stride in the second half. I am very much looking forward to the sequel!
Initially I was feeling it was a bit too juvenile and the love connection felt unnecessary. But then I remembered... This is YA, I shouldn't be treating it with expectations beyond YA.
When I put myself in the proper frame of mind I actually genuinely enjoyed this story! I still felt that the love connection was unnecessary and it honestly would have felt more believable and connected more if it was a growing friendship with the trust being genuinely earned, but other than that I thought the entire concept was incredibly intriguing!
2024 is the year of tea themed books it looks like and I think this is one that is worth adding to your TBR.
The book is a bit slower in the beginning but really hits it's stride in the second half. I am very much looking forward to the sequel!
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Palace guards, an evil queen, a powerful mage (with anxiety... I mean, same girl.. same), a griffin who is simply the goodest boy and a horse who is just trying her best
... What more could you POSSIBLY want in a cozy romanticy???
This book has the ultimate feel good romance mixed with dragons and tea!
Picture Bookshops & Bonedust with less ogres, more action, and a dash of politics. It's like... A super soft Game of Thrones where the ending doesn't suck.
Pros:
-sapphic love
-the relationship is HEALTHY! No miscommunication tropes and each partner has their own flaws that don't dominate the relationship and are acknowledging and worked through on a mutually respectful and open manner.
-found family and community
-no-nonsense female leads
-magical creatures like dragons and griffins
-adventure and room for sequels!
If you read Legends & Lattes/Bookshops & Bonedust then you know that books like this get better with time.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is like a delicious pastry. It's lovely in the moment but then once you sit, relax, and let it settle in your mind you start to really savor how delightful that treat really was.
Give yourself a break. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some tea and tomes!
Brief synopsis:
Two women, one is the queens most loyal guard, and the other the most powerful mage in the known land decides to run off together and open a book/tea shop far away to the North. But this is all... Technically treason so of course their responsibilies start quickly catch up to them. Through political nonsense (yes it's nonsense), a sense of community, and through a strong bond and brilliant planning you can watch them fight their way to freedom! Or at least some version of it. Oh! And there's dragons.
... What more could you POSSIBLY want in a cozy romanticy???
This book has the ultimate feel good romance mixed with dragons and tea!
Picture Bookshops & Bonedust with less ogres, more action, and a dash of politics. It's like... A super soft Game of Thrones where the ending doesn't suck.
Pros:
-sapphic love
-the relationship is HEALTHY! No miscommunication tropes and each partner has their own flaws that don't dominate the relationship and are acknowledging and worked through on a mutually respectful and open manner.
-found family and community
-no-nonsense female leads
-magical creatures like dragons and griffins
-adventure and room for sequels!
If you read Legends & Lattes/Bookshops & Bonedust then you know that books like this get better with time.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is like a delicious pastry. It's lovely in the moment but then once you sit, relax, and let it settle in your mind you start to really savor how delightful that treat really was.
Give yourself a break. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some tea and tomes!
Brief synopsis:
Two women, one is the queens most loyal guard, and the other the most powerful mage in the known land decides to run off together and open a book/tea shop far away to the North. But this is all... Technically treason so of course their responsibilies start quickly catch up to them. Through political nonsense (yes it's nonsense), a sense of community, and through a strong bond and brilliant planning you can watch them fight their way to freedom! Or at least some version of it. Oh! And there's dragons.