Synopsis
Two women wanted to open a cosy bookshop. They discovered a world of adventure.
Reyna and Kianthe dream of opening a friendly book shop together, serving the very best tea and cakes. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters – all complemented by love and good company. But Reyna is an elite bodyguard to a vengeful queen, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives behind seems . . . impossible. Yet they flee to Tawney, a town nestled in the icy peaks of dragon country. There, they open the bookstore they’d always wanted.
What follows is a tale of mishaps, mysteries, dragons, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. Through it, these two women will discover what they mean to each other – and their world.
My Review
Reyna is a royal guard who loves tea and Kianthe is a mage who loves books. Together they decide to runaway combine their two loves and their love for each other and open up a bookshop. But as Reyna and Kianthe quickly learn they’ve not left their old lives as far behind as they thought.
This book definitely lives up to its description of a cosy fantasy novel with tea and books. As someone who loves both there is nothing more I could have wanted in a story. The world building was brilliant because it was immersive and easy to follow. I enjoyed the storyline. It was cosy, magical, filled with intrigue, drama but was also very light hearted. It’s the kind of book that would be perfect to read on a rainy day while wrapped in a big fluffy blanket.
I really liked the characters of Reyna and Kianthe. They’re so different but they just suit each other. They bounce off each other and it’s clear from their relationship how immensely they care and love each other. They are both accomplished in their own fields i.e. Reyna as a guard and Kianthe as a mage but their lives are not their own especially with Reyna being a guard to Queen Tilaine who is high maintenance and a sociopath. So I think it was quite brave for Reyna to take a leap of faith with Kianthe to make a life for themselves. When they arrive in Tawney all they want to do is blend into the background, become part of the community and open a bookshop which also incorporates a library. They are welcomed by the residents of Tawney but the quiet life they hope for is short lived. Tawney has its own issues involving political issues and dragon attacks. So Reyna and Kianthe try to save Tawney whilst trying to hide their true identities and those sent by Queen Tilaine to find them.
One of the things I loved about their relationship is that they both wear a moonstone that connects them. So even if they are far apart they are still linked by the moonstone. It is a way for them to share their feelings without being near each but also acts as a warning to let them know if the other is in trouble. My favourite scene from the book was when Kianthe uses her magic to turn the barn into a bookshop because she turns it into something unique and spectacular.
The ending of the book was very intriguing and has set up the next book perfectly with a cliff hanger and the introduction of a new character so I’m looking forward to the next book to find out more.
If you’re a fan of cosy fantasy then this is one to add to your list.
Author Bio
Rebecca Thorne is an author of all things fantasy, sci-fi and sapphic romance. She thrives on deadlines, averages 2,700 words a day, and tries to write at least two books a year. (She also might be a little hyper-focused ADHD.) When she’s not writing (or avoiding writing), Rebecca can be found traveling the country as a flight attendant, or doing her best impression of a granola-girl hermit with her two dogs.
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