While we don't quite get winter weather here in LA, we do get a chill in the air and more clouds. With the rare gloomy weather setting in, I was desperate for a cozy read, and this one hit the spot.
Genre: Cozy Fantasy
Category: Cozy Read
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Rating: 4/5 Stars
Plot: 3.5/5 stars
Characters: 4/5 stars
World: 4.5/5 stars
Pairing: Rose and mint tea + strawberry sweet rolls
(NOTE: Recipes are not offical, but these treats are actually in the story!)
"They say the stories we love share a bit about ourselves."
PLOT
You know that feminine urge to dump your current responsibilities and open a bookshop that sells treats? Well, that's this book.
Kianthe is the Arcandor––the most powerful mage in the world. If that wasn't enough, the rest of the Magicary resents her coming into incredible power at such a young age. She dreams of escaping their disdainful presence and living a quite life as a bookshop owner. When her girlfriend Reyna––a Queensguard––decides to desert her post, Kianthe gets her chance. Together, they run away and open a shop to celebrate both of their passions: books and tea.
And so, they went to Tawney.
While in my local B&N I wanted to skim a page or two to get a feel for the writing style and whether I might like the book. But Thorne opens the story in the middle of an intense scene, painted a vivd picture, and had me hooked instantly.
Reyna stalked the edges of the gilded crowd, watching the assassin creep ever closer to Queen Tilaine.
There was a bit of a lag in the middle, reflecting the way Kianthe and Reyna's lives were slowing down, but it does pick up again toward the last 25-30% of the book. Luckily, the cozy atmosphere and character interactions were strong enough to help me not mind it. Plus the ending and sneak peek of book two sets the characters up for more adventure in the future.
While there are some non-cozy elements like assassination attempts, fleeing a vengeful queen, and fighting dragons atop a griffin, most of this book has a slower, calmer pace, and the overall vibe is wholesome and cozy. It's a healthy balance.
This book is often compared to Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust (you can read Kori's reviews here), and for good reason. There are several similarities: FMCs leaving their old lives to chase a quiet life of passion, renovating a building to open a small business, business partner romance, found family and community being built alongside the business, animal companions, and lots of mouthwatering treats.
If you enjoyed Legends & Lattes, but wanted more romance, this is a book for you. While I loved Baldree’s books a smidge more, Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea scratched that itch, and I can’t wait to read the next two books.
CHARACTERS
Reyna and Kianthe had distinct, relatable personalities. Reyna is the "tough girl" with hidden insecurities, and––unless they've been extremely lucky––many readers can resonate with the feeling of working under someone who mistreats those in their employ. Kianthe is a bit of a dork who loves dad jokes, romance novels, and making Reyna blush. Yet underneathe it all she fights anxiety that can cause her to lose control of her magic.
Their romance feels unique in that it's already established at the onset of the story. Rather than watching them fall for each other, readers get the arguably less exciting experience of witnessing them traverse the unfamiliar territories of Tawney, small business ownership, and domestic living together.
"Can we go back to yesterday, when my biggest question was which tea to wake you up with, and trying to remember to pick my clothes up off the washroom floor?"
"I love you, and I'll be back shortly."
"I'll raze the town if you aren't."
But it's so damn cute to watch them grow as they go, learning more about each other, building their business, and settling into the security of mutual commitment. Their relationship is adorably healthy; they have great communication and boundary-setting skills, respect each other's space, and encourage each other to confront their conditioning and become their most vibrant selves. Readers are guarenteed to smile, squeal, kick their feet, or break out their annotation tools. I tabbed quite a few places myself.
I particularly loved two things. First: the beauty of Reyna's journey as she started asking herself what she wanted and slowly became her own person after a life of service to someone who viewed her as an expendable tool.
What kind of person could she become? It was intimidating to decide.
Second: these characters read like a Rayla + Claudia fanfic. If you know, you know. (If not, you should totally check out Netflix's The Dragon Prince.)
The friends and allianaces they make along the way are just as adorable. Readers can look forward to sweet friendships, people coming together to help one another, fun banter, and a will-they-won't-they between two supporting characters.
WORLD
Reyna and Kianthe's chosen home, Tawney, is an almost idyllic community…at least until you factor in the dragon attacks and endless winter. But it makes for a near-perfect location for a cozy bookshop / tea house, and it's home to characters from all over who settled in hopes of starting anew.
"Tawney is proof that prejudice can be overcome. It's proof that your home country, your hometown, your home values...they don't have to define you."
Readers also get a glimpse into Queen Tilane's gaudy castle, other communities, and dragon country in this installment, but most of it takes place in Tawney. However, I believe the other installments explore more of the world, and I look forward to that.
I also look forward to seeing more of this world's magic. As a cozy fantasy, I didn't expect heavy worldbuilding or info-dumping. Aside from the dragons and griffins, Kianthe's power carries most of the fantasical weight. That said, the magic system is interesting and well-executed.
IN CONCLUSION
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is an adorable fantasy that many readers can live vicariously through as the main characters open their own book + tea shop. The characters, community, and romance provide a wholesome story that amplfies the cozy atmosphere. It's full of healthy dynamics, satisying character growth, fun banter, and even a few action-packed scenes that will have readers questioning if this is indeed a cozy fantasy. Let me assure you, it is.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is an excellent comfort book that I highly recommend for fans of Travis Baldree, sapphic romance, and cozy books in general.
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