Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collections
Publication
Tor (2024), Edition: Main Market, 352 pages
Description
"All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters... all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen's private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn't so easy. But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she's thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibly -- all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town nestled in the icy tundra near dragon country, and open the shop of their dreams. What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm's biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other... and the world." -- From back cover.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member MHThaung
I don’t think I’d classify this as cosy fantasy, but it was a quick enough read. There’s a mix of slice-of-life/relationship scenes where the 2 main characters set up their cafe, and more action/drama events where they (together or separately) handle “serious” (risk to life, limb, sanity)
The prose was easy to read, though I found it a bit repetitive. There was an interesting mix of side characters, and it was pretty obvious which villains we were expected to boo. Somehow, I didn’t find the two main (point of view) characters as distinctly portrayed as the others: a few times, I lost track of whose point of view we were in.
Overall, an entertaining light read.
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problems.The prose was easy to read, though I found it a bit repetitive. There was an interesting mix of side characters, and it was pretty obvious which villains we were expected to boo. Somehow, I didn’t find the two main (point of view) characters as distinctly portrayed as the others: a few times, I lost track of whose point of view we were in.
Overall, an entertaining light read.
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LibraryThing member Bodagirl
I think this might not be my fantasy genre. I kept waiting for more action but it just stayed in the everyday goings and doings that I think are a nice break from the action - a la David Eddings world's. I liked the characters and the idea of the coziness, but I might be too ingrained in urban and
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"high" fantasy. Show Less
LibraryThing member bkjake
Picked it up from a Tor recommendation and DEVOURED it. Can't wait for the next one!
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Great Title! Like the theme, the characters, the cozy bookstore fantasy of it all, but I also felt a little frustrated with the storytelling. I wanted a cleverer solution to the problems Reyna and Kianthe are experiencing, and while I enjoyed the couples counseling that is present throughout, it
My one minor pet peeve as a printing nerd -- the author did not bother to learn how books were printed -- it was the same process for about 500 years (1450-1950) — c’mon now, that’s just disappointing. Wooden type only works for very large letters (think posters). You want to print books? You pretty much have to use cast metal type. It’s kind of the point of the printing revolution. Argh. If you're not going to bother to find out how something is made in reality/history, call it magic and leave it there.
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just needed a little more... something to pull it together. Unhelpful, I know, but overall I enjoyed it -- loved the plants/tea/books/bakery/ great community. I am... not sure what to make of the everlasting plants -- if she can create immortal plants that don't need sustenance, could she make immortal humans, too? My one minor pet peeve as a printing nerd -- the author did not bother to learn how books were printed -- it was the same process for about 500 years (1450-1950) — c’mon now, that’s just disappointing. Wooden type only works for very large letters (think posters). You want to print books? You pretty much have to use cast metal type. It’s kind of the point of the printing revolution. Argh. If you're not going to bother to find out how something is made in reality/history, call it magic and leave it there.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Tomes and Tea series. I got a copy of this in audiobook format from NetGalley to review.
Thoughts: I liked this book. It was a fun, cozy fantasy with traditional swords and sorcery types of themes. This definitely has similarities "Legends and
The story alternates between Reyna and Kianthe. Reyna is the personal guard to a cruel tyrant queen, while Kianthe is the most powerful mage alive. They both have a lot of responsibilities and they both dream of running away together to find happiness and peace. Then Reyna decides she has had it and they do exactly that. Unfortunately, you can't just leave everything behind. Reyna ends up dodging spies, while Kianthe has a responsibility to help those with her enormous power...and the remote town they choose to live in has a bit of a dragon problem om top of all of their other problems.
I enjoyed all the characters in this book. This is one of those happy, cozy books where even the "bad" guys end up having redeeming qualities (well most of them do). There is a wonderful community here. I also loved watching Reyna and Kianthe get to grow and understand each other (and themselves) better. There is a lot of humor in here too, which I really enjoyed.
This is decently written and I thought it was a fun, light fantasy read. There's nothing surprising or ground-breaking here but it is a very nice and pleasant read that will leave you entertained and happy.
I will mention that I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was okay but not great. The narrator had trouble keeping character voices straight and would accidentally forget to switch voices or use the wrong voice at times. This wasn't too disruptive to the story but did add confusion at times. When I read the second book in this series I plan on reading it in written format and not listening to it.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this and plan on continuing the series. I would recommend to those who enjoy humorous, swords and sorcery types of fantasy reads with some romance. This has a happy, cozy feel to it but also has enough action, humor, and intrigue to keep the plot moving forward at a good pace.
Thoughts: I liked this book. It was a fun, cozy fantasy with traditional swords and sorcery types of themes. This definitely has similarities "Legends and
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Lattes" but I think it has unique aspects of its own as well. The story alternates between Reyna and Kianthe. Reyna is the personal guard to a cruel tyrant queen, while Kianthe is the most powerful mage alive. They both have a lot of responsibilities and they both dream of running away together to find happiness and peace. Then Reyna decides she has had it and they do exactly that. Unfortunately, you can't just leave everything behind. Reyna ends up dodging spies, while Kianthe has a responsibility to help those with her enormous power...and the remote town they choose to live in has a bit of a dragon problem om top of all of their other problems.
I enjoyed all the characters in this book. This is one of those happy, cozy books where even the "bad" guys end up having redeeming qualities (well most of them do). There is a wonderful community here. I also loved watching Reyna and Kianthe get to grow and understand each other (and themselves) better. There is a lot of humor in here too, which I really enjoyed.
This is decently written and I thought it was a fun, light fantasy read. There's nothing surprising or ground-breaking here but it is a very nice and pleasant read that will leave you entertained and happy.
I will mention that I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was okay but not great. The narrator had trouble keeping character voices straight and would accidentally forget to switch voices or use the wrong voice at times. This wasn't too disruptive to the story but did add confusion at times. When I read the second book in this series I plan on reading it in written format and not listening to it.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this and plan on continuing the series. I would recommend to those who enjoy humorous, swords and sorcery types of fantasy reads with some romance. This has a happy, cozy feel to it but also has enough action, humor, and intrigue to keep the plot moving forward at a good pace.
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LibraryThing member ladycato
I received an advance copy via NetGalley.
Reyna is the private guard for a cruel queen. Kianthe is the most powerful mage in the world. They love each other. When Reyna has yet another near-death scrape with no respect or gratitude, that's it--she flees, and with Kianthe, they set up shop in a
The love story at the center of this is cute. I mean, this book is as formulaic and cozy as they come. I really enjoyed that aspect, and the village and the townspeople. The whole vibe is just lovely. What drove me bonkers, though, and kept jolting me out of the coziness was the worldbuilding. It just didn't make sense. A lot of emphasis was placed on the food and drink they were making, because that was a major part of the cozy vibe. This medieval culture was making things that didn't make sense. Yeah, yeah, I know, I should let it go, like enjoying a big turkey leg at a Renaissance Fair, but after researching this stuff extensively for my own books, it's really hard when it's not just one thing that doesn't make sense, but everything. Where are these supplies coming from? How are they eating these foods in THIS season? What about their winter stores? Do you realize how much butter goes into croissants--and that they didn't exist until the 19th century, which is weirdly out of step even in this secondary world? How do these people know what vanilla smells like?! Cocoa?!
I think most people wouldn't even notice these things, but for me they were like a flock of mosquitoes.
Reyna is the private guard for a cruel queen. Kianthe is the most powerful mage in the world. They love each other. When Reyna has yet another near-death scrape with no respect or gratitude, that's it--she flees, and with Kianthe, they set up shop in a
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remote border village to create the tea-and-bookstore of their dreams. There are bandits to consider. That the squabbling local leaders. And the dragons that keep threatening to burn down the town. But through it all. Reyna and Kianthe's love is the constant.The love story at the center of this is cute. I mean, this book is as formulaic and cozy as they come. I really enjoyed that aspect, and the village and the townspeople. The whole vibe is just lovely. What drove me bonkers, though, and kept jolting me out of the coziness was the worldbuilding. It just didn't make sense. A lot of emphasis was placed on the food and drink they were making, because that was a major part of the cozy vibe. This medieval culture was making things that didn't make sense. Yeah, yeah, I know, I should let it go, like enjoying a big turkey leg at a Renaissance Fair, but after researching this stuff extensively for my own books, it's really hard when it's not just one thing that doesn't make sense, but everything. Where are these supplies coming from? How are they eating these foods in THIS season? What about their winter stores? Do you realize how much butter goes into croissants--and that they didn't exist until the 19th century, which is weirdly out of step even in this secondary world? How do these people know what vanilla smells like?! Cocoa?!
I think most people wouldn't even notice these things, but for me they were like a flock of mosquitoes.
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LibraryThing member readinggeek451
This occupies much the same space as Legends and Lattes, but I didn't find it quite as engaging. I did enjoy it, however, and will be reading the sequel.
Reyna resigns the Queensguard by running away with her girlfriend Kianthe, the world's leading mage. This is treason; no one leaves the Queen's
A cross between cozy and action.
Reyna resigns the Queensguard by running away with her girlfriend Kianthe, the world's leading mage. This is treason; no one leaves the Queen's
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service. They open a teashop/bookstore in a remote border village and begin making friends. But dragons and the Queen's spies don't care about their comfort.A cross between cozy and action.
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Awards
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — May 2024)
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
1035030993 / 9781035030996
Local notes
Due May 9, 2024
Two friends whose plan of opening a bookshop turns into a wild adventure brimming with sapphic romance, dragons and a profound love of tea.
Signed by the author with white dragons stencilled on red sprayed page edges.
Two friends whose plan of opening a bookshop turns into a wild adventure brimming with sapphic romance, dragons and a profound love of tea.
Signed by the author with white dragons stencilled on red sprayed page edges.