Article contributed by Coline Pechberty-Pautal
Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea was my first foray into the “cosy fantasy” genre and it made me absolutely love that experience! This adorable story is a comfortable ride in a world of magic, dragons, welcoming neighbours, and power-hungry people in the company of a diverse cast of mostly heartwarming characters.
We are first introduced to Reina, a royal guard to a terrible queen, who after yet another taxing day working at court has had enough and decides to flee. She’s ready to start the life she and her secret girlfriend have only been able to dream about until now. However, fleeing means high treason and a death sentence—no questions asked. Reina will have to be very careful and hide her identity for as long as possible—knowing that she’ll inevitably be found at some point by the queen’s guards, her ex-companions. Kianthe is the Archandor, the most powerful elemental mage in the world, appointed by the source of magic itself. After a solitary life always on the move, being seen only as a means to an end, she met Reina who asks nothing of her but her love and who has finally agreed to run away with her. The responsibilities linked to Kianthe’s status are something she never asked for and wished she could leave behind—even though her powers are pretty cool…and very useful
It’s in a small and cold border town called Tawney that they settle to open their bookstore and tea shop. There they work at creating the space and life they always wanted, and the dream of any bookworm: a wood-walled room filled with books, freshly baked goods, warm cups of tea, plants, and a fireplace. The small-town mentality is focused on neighbours helping each other. Even if some people will take a bit longer to warm up to Reina and Kianthe, the adorable couple will eventually fit right in.
Our two protagonists will face many obstacles—such as bandits, government more-or-less officials, and dragon attacks—but they will face them together, displaying a healthy communication style between them that is honestly a nice change to read about. A couple that talks and supports each other, stays together!
In this story, you can expect some fighting, some cunning, and a fast-paced writing style, but no big fright putting you at the edge of your seat, no feeling of urgency, and no big cliffhanger. This is not the point of this book, but rather to spend a few hours in a warm-hug atmosphere of magic and low(ish)-stake situations with a lovable, strong couple who is spending all the time they can baking and reading near the fireplace, and defending with magic and sword their happy corner of the world against anyone looking to dislodge them.
While the stakes are relatively low (no end-of-the-world events, no deeply troubled chosen one saviour, no hundreds of pages long quest across the world here), some mysteries still have to be unfolded and enemies have to be fought, dragon eggs have to be found to avoid a terrible fight with powerful wild creatures, and the queen’s people might be closing in on Reina quicker than expected. The couple will have to learn to adapt, compromise, and find their balance between responsibilities, death threats and business acumen while navigating their new life together.
In short, Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is an anxiety-free pill of a book.
Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 17th.
Will you be picking up Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
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 responsibility–all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town that boasts more dragons than people, 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.
