I first saw this book when my son purchased it at the book sale. The copy he got was especially nice, with sprayed edges (in a nice turquoise color), and a lovely map. I was interested in the book shop theme and the description: "a cozy fantasy steeped with love." And since I love tea, "tea" in the title of the book pulled me in too. I wanted to read it immediately and my son let me read it first.
The story is about a lesbian couple who want to leave their current lives behind and open a bookstore in a remote location where no one can find them. The problem is that Reyna is a private guard to a powerful and cruel queen, and Kianthe is a powerful mage. Somehow they both manage to leave their responsibilities behind and move to a small town far from their previous lives to set up a book shop.
Reyna and Kianthe have never had any extended time together before, and they use this time to adjust to their differences and see if they can make a life together.
My Thoughts on the Book:
What is a cozy fantasy? I had not been aware previously that there was a subgenre of fantasy that is described as cozy fantasy. I don't often read cozy mysteries, but like any other genre or subgenre, there is a wide range of books within the mystery genre categorized as cozy. Online there are many different descriptions of cozy fantasies, emphasizing community or familial relationships, and focusing on comfort and a sense of belonging.
This book had griffons and dragons. Griffons are new to me. Dragons are not, but I did begin to notice how differently dragons are described and used in various fantasy series. In the last ten years, I think the only dragons I have encountered in fiction were in the Dragonriders of Pern series. In the Tomes & Tea series dragons are monsters, the enemy that can burn down towns (at least at this point). I am currently reading Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett, a Discworld book, and dragons are summoned by evil forces and are attacking the city of Ankh-Morpork. The approach to dragons in the Discworld series seems entirely different.
The story was good and held my interest; it is a light-hearted tale, not too demanding, focused on community, sharing, being open to ideas. It has enough conflict to make it interesting.
I enjoyed the depiction of all the characters in the story, even the evil ones. The evil queen doesn't really get much time in the book until close to the end, but even in that case, her character is very well defined.
This book is not perfect. It was the author's first novel and in some ways it shows. Some behaviors and scenarios are used over and over. That may be realistic but in fiction it can get annoying. But I liked the story and the characters a lot and I am willing to try more books in the series to see how it develops.
14 comments:
I had no idea this subgenre existed. A romance bookstore just opened down the street from me. I bet they would have this sort of book.
This is a new subgenre to me, too, Tracy. But that's one thing I really like about the number and variety of books out there; there's always something that's new to me and a bit different. I like the premise of the story and the bookshop setting, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. It'll be interesting to see how Thorne develops as a writer.
I've read plenty of cozy mysteries, but cozy fantasy is new to me, as well. It sounds like a pleasant book to spend time with!
This new cozy fantasy series sounds like it has promise...I'll have to check it out.
You are probably right, Patti. There is also a subgenre that is new to me called Romantasy. I have never been too interested in romance novels but I sometimes enjoy novels that have that element along with other interesting elements. And often it depends upon the writer.
Margot, I have been trying a lots of different types of books that are very different from my usual mysteries. This started after Covid, and I want to continue to try new things.
I think I had a similar reaction to you when I read this. It was fine, I quite enjoyed it, loved the setting and idea behind it, but it wasn't amazing. I'm not sure whether I'll read on or not, perhaps if subsequent books come up on sale on Amazon for 99p I will grab them. That's usually what I do. LOL
Kelly, I have a darker fantasy series that I am reading, and this is like the opposite of that. They both have their good points.
Lark, I think you would like it if you give it a try.
Cath, I definitely want to continue the Tea and Tomes series soonish, but I have to decide what I can afford to buy. There are just too many books I want to read.
Glen has just ordered a copy of The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. After seeing your enthusiastic comment on it at my last post.
This sounds like something I would like. I saw your comment above, The Historian is wonderful.
This'll make you laugh, Tracy. After checking the title of the next book in this series, I went to Amazon, only to have it tell me that I apparently bought A Pirate's Life for Tea back in February.
Pleased to see 'Ryan' in his comment say The Historian is wonderful. :-)
Ryan, I think you would enjoy it too. I am glad to hear that you liked The Historian; I may be interested in reading it sometime.
Cath, it is funny, because that happens to me a lot also. The Historian does seem to be well liked.
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