With the weather getting colder and the... general state of the world, I've been gravitating towards cozy fantasy lately, which is why I finally picked up a book that's been on my TBR for far too long: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne. This is the first in the Tomes & Tea series, and it's one I knew I would like, but I've been squirreling it away for a rainy day. And let's be honest, it's been a rainy month.
Like many other readers, I fell in love with cozy fantasy by reading Legends and Lattes (and before that, the Tea Dragon Society series). Can't Spell Treason Without Tea has some things in common with it- Legends and Lattes, its prequel, and this one all center on renovating a building for a small business, for instance. Which seems very specific, but I'm here for it. There are also some big differences, though, which show that there are many ways to approach the cozy fantasy genre.
Before starting the Tomes & Tea series, I heard some debate about whether this is a cozy read: can a plot that includes fighting dragons while riding a griffon be called a cozy fantasy? To me, though, it fit the bill. It essentially takes the usual ratio of calm/comforting scenes and action scenes in an epic fantasy novel and reverses it. I loved the premise of these two characters who seem fated to be in an action-packed narrative-Kianthe is the most powerful mage in the world and Reyna is a guard for a queen who rules with an iron fist-and who turn their backs on it to start a tea and bookshop. Any action is handled reluctantly by the main characters, who want to return to their gentle life together as soon as possible.
Reyna and Kiantha shine as characters, and that's the biggest strength of this story. The writing seemed a bit clunky in places, but the characters feel so real. They have an interesting dynamic at the beginning, because this is an established relationship. At the same time, their relationship up until this point has been made up only of stolen moments; it's very different to be living together and working together all the time, and they're still a bit shy with each other and unsure about whether this will work.
They're both also stubborn, flawed people. Reyna's entire life has been about being a guard, and she has internalized that sense of being disposable. She pushes through pain and injury regardless of its impact on her. She's also insecure about dating one of the most powerful, famous, and influential people in the world. Kianthe is frustrated that Reyna doesn't value herself enough. She also struggles with anxiety, and strong emotions combine with her magic, which can cause her to spiral dangerously. Only Reyna can pull her back.
Over the course of the novel, we get that cozy feeling of the tea shop/bookstore getting put together and the community that forms around them. There are plenty of fun side characters that the two of them get to know, and they start to really make a home for themselves. They also settle into their relationship, realizing that they're both committed to making it work. Along the way, there are obstacles to overcome-including, yes, a death-defying fight with dragons-but the heart of the story is a quiet one between two vibrant characters.
I'm really looking forward to reading book two, A Pirate's Life for Tea. Book three, Tea You at the Altar, is out in March! If you're looking for a gentle, comforting read to soothe your sapphic soul, I definitely recommend this one.