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Tea Princess Chronicles #2
Tea Set and Match
Miyara saved the city of Sayorsen and the dragons. She was happy with the place she'd made for herself.
But every action triggers consequences.
Her older sister comes to drag her back to the palace and the meaningless life she hated. The tea guild won't support her unless she succeeds on her own in their chosen challenge: a tea tournament, and the international politics and unrest that come along with it. And to top it all off, the border protecting the remaining world from the magical disaster zone is suddenly failing.
The path she'd thought was clear is twistier than ever, but armed with her trusty tea set Miyara will fight to keep it.
But every action triggers consequences.
Her older sister comes to drag her back to the palace and the meaningless life she hated. The tea guild won't support her unless she succeeds on her own in their chosen challenge: a tea tournament, and the international politics and unrest that come along with it. And to top it all off, the border protecting the remaining world from the magical disaster zone is suddenly failing.
The path she'd thought was clear is twistier than ever, but armed with her trusty tea set Miyara will fight to keep it.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2018
525 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
About the author
Casey Blair
18Ìýbooks184ÌýfollowersCasey Blair is a bestselling author of hopeful fantasy novels about ambitious women who dare, including the Tea Princess Chronicles, Sundered Realms, and Diamond Universe: Sierra Walker series. Her own adventures have included teaching English in rural Japan, taking a train to Tibet, rappelling down waterfalls in Costa Rica, and practicing capoeira. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest and can be found dancing spontaneously, exploring forests around the world, or trapped under a cat.
For more information visit her website caseyblair.com or follow her on Instagram @CaseyLBlair.
For more information visit her website caseyblair.com or follow her on Instagram @CaseyLBlair.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
July 3, 2023
Someone described the first book as being incredibly earnest. That was true, but the sequels take it to another level. The story was the primary focus in book 1, but the sequels feel like long sermons or propaganda mixed with some plot. Every thought and reason is described in great detail to the point where it mainly becomes an explication of a worldview. The story and the characters are still enjoyable - when they're allowed to be. But all of the sermonizing gets in the way.
I don't enjoy preachy novels, whatever worldview they are supporting. In this case, it was that every person must find who they really are within themselves, including their gender, that every person has worth regardless of race (witch or dragon, etc.), and that everyone has a purpose if they can only find it. Whether these are worthy points to make or not, it felt really heavy-handed, and at times I forgot this was actually a story about characters. I think it would have been better to let the characters and their actions speak for themselves instead of lecturing through them and making them into a political treatise. I forged on to get the occasional glimpses of the story. There's a good one in there somewhere.
I don't enjoy preachy novels, whatever worldview they are supporting. In this case, it was that every person must find who they really are within themselves, including their gender, that every person has worth regardless of race (witch or dragon, etc.), and that everyone has a purpose if they can only find it. Whether these are worthy points to make or not, it felt really heavy-handed, and at times I forgot this was actually a story about characters. I think it would have been better to let the characters and their actions speak for themselves instead of lecturing through them and making them into a political treatise. I forged on to get the occasional glimpses of the story. There's a good one in there somewhere.
April 2, 2023
I started reading because is so debilitatingly depressing that I need to alternate it with utterly different books. The continued adventures of Miyara, former princess and current Tea Master, are ideal for this purpose. Although there are a handful of dramatic action scenes and some serious themes, the plot and world building are for the most part cosy and comforting. Miyara is required to compete in a tea tournament which has lots of awkward micropolitics that intersect with the local politics she's also dealing with. Luckily, she has magical interpersonal relationship-building powers (they're truly incredible) and an adorable miniature dragon to help.
Events proceed via collaboration and thoughtful conversations, some amusingly awkward (the dinner party with Miyara's sister) and others just cute (relationship discussions with Deniel). Miyara ponders her place in a community she only joined weeks ago yet has already become an important part of. She rejected the power of being a princess, but still wants to counter injustice wherever she sees it. The addition of new characters from distant lands widens the world building and probably sets up an antagonist for the final book in the trilogy. The vibes are much more important than the plot, though. The characters and their dynamics are appealing, while the magic of tea soothes all troubles. This makes a lovely restful read.
Nevertheless, two books into the trilogy I'm shocked that the most important question hasn't yet been addressed: does this magical world have coffee as well as tea?
Events proceed via collaboration and thoughtful conversations, some amusingly awkward (the dinner party with Miyara's sister) and others just cute (relationship discussions with Deniel). Miyara ponders her place in a community she only joined weeks ago yet has already become an important part of. She rejected the power of being a princess, but still wants to counter injustice wherever she sees it. The addition of new characters from distant lands widens the world building and probably sets up an antagonist for the final book in the trilogy. The vibes are much more important than the plot, though. The characters and their dynamics are appealing, while the magic of tea soothes all troubles. This makes a lovely restful read.
Nevertheless, two books into the trilogy I'm shocked that the most important question hasn't yet been addressed: does this magical world have coffee as well as tea?
November 22, 2023
2.5 stars
I enjoyed book 1 more, which had a solidly good story, even if the social agenda was overly on-the-nose. This one picks up more preachy social agendas but lacks growth and challenge. Sure, there are conflicts, but never a reason to question if Miyara will come out on top. She has already learned to stand her ground, so her sister isn't actually a threat. The competition poses no true challenge for her; it's a given she'll win. She's already perfectly woke, so there are no prejudices to work through. In spite of them both being dead-tired busy, her and Deniel's relationship is in no danger, because they're both practically perfect. It feels like she and her friends are basically flaw-free, while anyone who isn't a friend is either a bully or bigot.
So I guess I would have liked to see more balance in strengths/flaws, both in the protagonists and antagonists; more story (what was up with the tea guild, anyway? Why such jerks for no apparent reason?) and less soapbox on social issues (a message can be very powerful in fiction, but a bit of subtlety often resonates more than a full on assault).
I enjoyed book 1 more, which had a solidly good story, even if the social agenda was overly on-the-nose. This one picks up more preachy social agendas but lacks growth and challenge. Sure, there are conflicts, but never a reason to question if Miyara will come out on top. She has already learned to stand her ground, so her sister isn't actually a threat. The competition poses no true challenge for her; it's a given she'll win. She's already perfectly woke, so there are no prejudices to work through. In spite of them both being dead-tired busy, her and Deniel's relationship is in no danger, because they're both practically perfect. It feels like she and her friends are basically flaw-free, while anyone who isn't a friend is either a bully or bigot.
So I guess I would have liked to see more balance in strengths/flaws, both in the protagonists and antagonists; more story (what was up with the tea guild, anyway? Why such jerks for no apparent reason?) and less soapbox on social issues (a message can be very powerful in fiction, but a bit of subtlety often resonates more than a full on assault).
February 7, 2023
Here is, in part, what I wrote about the first book in this series:
"The setting, unfortunately, is of the scenery-flats variety. I felt it was only just barely worked out enough to enable the plot. For example, there's never any definition of what magic can and can't do or how it works, enabling it to do whatever it needs to, and to provide analogues of contemporary technology like fridges... There are occasional intrusions of right-now-this-minute US liberal concepts... without any attempt to make them feel organic to the setting. It feels like it's mashed up out of bits of traditional Japanese and contemporary American culture, with some on-the-fly fantasy elements papered hastily over the seams."
All of that very much still applies in this second book, and for me is by far its biggest flaw. To give the most egregious example, the tea tournament was obviously being presented as a reality show - in a world where not only is there no social media, there's no mass media. It had showrunners, producers, crafted narratives to engage the audience - and the sheltered ex-princess understood, in depth, at once, exactly how all of this worked and how to exploit it, despite the fact that she'd barely been out of the palace until a few weeks before. She was genre-savvy for a genre that shouldn't have even existed.
There are also a number of careless typos (like "wide" for "side") and consistent misspellings (like "borne" when it means "birthed" rather than "carried," and "leant" when it means "loaned" and not "leaned"). Also, some missing question marks, and hyphens where they shouldn't be.
This lack of attention to key elements of execution drags it down from the Gold tier of my Best of the Year list, where the originality and reflective depth would have placed it, to the Bronze tier, meaning only just a recommendation. But if you don't care about plausible worldbuilding and don't notice mechanical fumbles, this is a warm-hearted, sometimes profound and overall enjoyable book.
I have to say, though, I did grow a little tired of Miyara, the tea princess, tearing into someone in what seems like a highly judgmental and confrontational way (presumably mitigated by her always calm formal tone, but it was hard not to read it as bitter and accusing) and, rather than making an enemy for life, instead forcing them to confront their own issues and end up doing whatever it is she wants them to do so that she can continue to save all the less-powerful people from her position of privilege. She is a little too perfect and successful, and her role as a catalyst in bringing everyone together (which she several times remarks on) makes everything about her. So far, it's not quite so irritating that I don't want to read the third book in the series, because there are some definite strengths here that I don't often see, but I'm slowly cooling on it.
Because it started as a web series and is only now being reformatted as three books, there's a lack of what I call "previously-on" to reorient the reader to the events and people of the first book. I did manage to remember who everyone was relatively quickly, which is not so much a tribute to their characterization as to how strongly they are related to the main character; it was those relationships, not their personal qualities, that I mostly remembered. But if it had been longer since I'd read the previous book (I read it three months ago), I would have struggled.
In summary, then, a book with considerable strengths balanced by notable flaws, with the potential to be much better given a bit of work.
"The setting, unfortunately, is of the scenery-flats variety. I felt it was only just barely worked out enough to enable the plot. For example, there's never any definition of what magic can and can't do or how it works, enabling it to do whatever it needs to, and to provide analogues of contemporary technology like fridges... There are occasional intrusions of right-now-this-minute US liberal concepts... without any attempt to make them feel organic to the setting. It feels like it's mashed up out of bits of traditional Japanese and contemporary American culture, with some on-the-fly fantasy elements papered hastily over the seams."
All of that very much still applies in this second book, and for me is by far its biggest flaw. To give the most egregious example, the tea tournament was obviously being presented as a reality show - in a world where not only is there no social media, there's no mass media. It had showrunners, producers, crafted narratives to engage the audience - and the sheltered ex-princess understood, in depth, at once, exactly how all of this worked and how to exploit it, despite the fact that she'd barely been out of the palace until a few weeks before. She was genre-savvy for a genre that shouldn't have even existed.
There are also a number of careless typos (like "wide" for "side") and consistent misspellings (like "borne" when it means "birthed" rather than "carried," and "leant" when it means "loaned" and not "leaned"). Also, some missing question marks, and hyphens where they shouldn't be.
This lack of attention to key elements of execution drags it down from the Gold tier of my Best of the Year list, where the originality and reflective depth would have placed it, to the Bronze tier, meaning only just a recommendation. But if you don't care about plausible worldbuilding and don't notice mechanical fumbles, this is a warm-hearted, sometimes profound and overall enjoyable book.
I have to say, though, I did grow a little tired of Miyara, the tea princess, tearing into someone in what seems like a highly judgmental and confrontational way (presumably mitigated by her always calm formal tone, but it was hard not to read it as bitter and accusing) and, rather than making an enemy for life, instead forcing them to confront their own issues and end up doing whatever it is she wants them to do so that she can continue to save all the less-powerful people from her position of privilege. She is a little too perfect and successful, and her role as a catalyst in bringing everyone together (which she several times remarks on) makes everything about her. So far, it's not quite so irritating that I don't want to read the third book in the series, because there are some definite strengths here that I don't often see, but I'm slowly cooling on it.
Because it started as a web series and is only now being reformatted as three books, there's a lack of what I call "previously-on" to reorient the reader to the events and people of the first book. I did manage to remember who everyone was relatively quickly, which is not so much a tribute to their characterization as to how strongly they are related to the main character; it was those relationships, not their personal qualities, that I mostly remembered. But if it had been longer since I'd read the previous book (I read it three months ago), I would have struggled.
In summary, then, a book with considerable strengths balanced by notable flaws, with the potential to be much better given a bit of work.
March 22, 2023
Chaotic
I had to work hard to get through this. Firstly, there was a timeline of a few weeks between the beginning of the first book and the conclusion of this one. There were too many story threads to manage and it was never really explained why tea is so important to this culture. Add in racism, discrimination, privilege, immigration, espionage, witches, magic, dragons, self awareness, family issues, cultual etiquette, and a love story to make this too busy. There were enough edit issues to make it more difficult. Miyara feels the witchcraft every time Lorwyn uses it on her who says witches can feel other witches but doesn't address this. Book one has Misses interact with Talmeri but she's barely referenced in book 2. All this in a few weeks. Lastly, it would have been nice to better understand the tea spirit.
I had to work hard to get through this. Firstly, there was a timeline of a few weeks between the beginning of the first book and the conclusion of this one. There were too many story threads to manage and it was never really explained why tea is so important to this culture. Add in racism, discrimination, privilege, immigration, espionage, witches, magic, dragons, self awareness, family issues, cultual etiquette, and a love story to make this too busy. There were enough edit issues to make it more difficult. Miyara feels the witchcraft every time Lorwyn uses it on her who says witches can feel other witches but doesn't address this. Book one has Misses interact with Talmeri but she's barely referenced in book 2. All this in a few weeks. Lastly, it would have been nice to better understand the tea spirit.
July 18, 2023
The soapbox was strong in this one.
July 23, 2023
This book dragged a lot more than the first and some of the events were...slightly improbable.
October 1, 2023
I had to strike one star out, as it got exhausting at several points in the book, to have this overanalysing character dissecting the air she breathes.
April 30, 2024
Perfect cozy, found family and sisterhood with a little espionage and political games (government and otherwise)
July 13, 2023
A fun cozy tea book.
The main character's life just keeps escalating.
The main character's life just keeps escalating.
September 30, 2023
A diverse and lovely story
I love the variety of multidimensional characters that flow through this story. They make me want to know them better. The world building is charming and the story interesting. Another wonderful instalment in this series.
I love the variety of multidimensional characters that flow through this story. They make me want to know them better. The world building is charming and the story interesting. Another wonderful instalment in this series.
April 7, 2023
Also, es ist halt der zweite Band einer Trilogie, das ist immer ein bisschen tricky.
Wo aber typischerweise das Problem ist - dass in einem zweiten Band zu wenig Handlung ist, weil es eher die Exposition für den dritten Band ist, ist das in diesem Buch gerade das Gegenteil:
Es hat mir definitiv zu viel Handlungsstränge und vor allem auch Figuren.
Wobei die Figuren immer noch erstaunlich lebendig, vielschichtig und divers gestaltet sind.
Aber eben irgendwie zu viel.
Und auch hier wieder: die Handlung ist sehr gehetzt.
Ich hatte gehofft, dass das magische System noch ein bisschen besser erklärt wird, es ist immer noch recht nebulös, wie es funktioniert� halt immer so, dass es irgendwie der Geschichte dient.
Mal abgesehen von diesen Punkten war wieder wundervoll geschrieben! Es inspiriert darüber nachzudenken wo eigentlich der eigene Platz im Leben sein könnte, und stellt durch verschiedene Figuren auch verschiedene Varianten dar.
Dieses Thema der „Found Family� war wieder sehr stark, und durch den sehr diversen Cast an Charakteren auch toll dargestellt!
Rep: demiromantisch/sexuell, lesbisch, bi, nonbinary, trans, körperliche Einschränkung/Behinderung und verschiedene soziale Klassen.
Wo aber typischerweise das Problem ist - dass in einem zweiten Band zu wenig Handlung ist, weil es eher die Exposition für den dritten Band ist, ist das in diesem Buch gerade das Gegenteil:
Es hat mir definitiv zu viel Handlungsstränge und vor allem auch Figuren.
Wobei die Figuren immer noch erstaunlich lebendig, vielschichtig und divers gestaltet sind.
Aber eben irgendwie zu viel.
Und auch hier wieder: die Handlung ist sehr gehetzt.
Ich hatte gehofft, dass das magische System noch ein bisschen besser erklärt wird, es ist immer noch recht nebulös, wie es funktioniert� halt immer so, dass es irgendwie der Geschichte dient.
Mal abgesehen von diesen Punkten war wieder wundervoll geschrieben! Es inspiriert darüber nachzudenken wo eigentlich der eigene Platz im Leben sein könnte, und stellt durch verschiedene Figuren auch verschiedene Varianten dar.
Dieses Thema der „Found Family� war wieder sehr stark, und durch den sehr diversen Cast an Charakteren auch toll dargestellt!
Rep: demiromantisch/sexuell, lesbisch, bi, nonbinary, trans, körperliche Einschränkung/Behinderung und verschiedene soziale Klassen.
September 18, 2024
I like the cozy feeling of the relationships in this book, but it felt like the ideology came before the plot. The competition was barely focused on, and it seems like it should be more important. Similarly to the first one, conflicts were resolved conveniently at the last minute, which is less satisfying. Everything in these first two books has happened in such a short time, which is implausible. Rooting out deep corruption, changing people's attitudes towards discriminated groups? These things take time, not a couple of weeks.
December 5, 2023
After reading the first book, I thought the second would be equally enjoyable as an escape from reality. But unfortunately, the excellent plot was destroyed by the gender ideology and trans movement that I wish would stop being pushed everywhere a person turns. This should come with a warning label so readers can choose whether or not they want to partake in reading about a controversial topic. Pronouns used, gender fluid concepts, same sex relationships - all under the guise of virtue signaling.
This book follows a clear liberal agenda - a white female with non-normal colored hair who has lofty ideals and is going to change the world to her entire way of life simply by inserting herself into everyone's business. Typical entitled privilege thoughts where only they can help people realize how to better themselves because these oppressed people can't or won't speak for themselves expressed throughout this book. It is rather insulting to see this IS exactly how the white female liberal thinks in real life and is perpetuated in writing. There is also the clear disdain for government causing all the problems yet simultaneously deemed to be the solution and savior for the oppressed. Highly disappointed that this political plot was not discovered in the first book and it ruined true enjoyment of a simple, good fantasy story about tea.
This book follows a clear liberal agenda - a white female with non-normal colored hair who has lofty ideals and is going to change the world to her entire way of life simply by inserting herself into everyone's business. Typical entitled privilege thoughts where only they can help people realize how to better themselves because these oppressed people can't or won't speak for themselves expressed throughout this book. It is rather insulting to see this IS exactly how the white female liberal thinks in real life and is perpetuated in writing. There is also the clear disdain for government causing all the problems yet simultaneously deemed to be the solution and savior for the oppressed. Highly disappointed that this political plot was not discovered in the first book and it ruined true enjoyment of a simple, good fantasy story about tea.
June 14, 2024
I guess more like 3 1/2. Miyara had a lot of thoughts about focusing on and centering oppressed people, but sometimes she took over the discussion from the oppressed people themselves. Like she takes over the conversation about gender that a transgender person begins, like only Miyara herself can reassure a person who is just figuring out that they are non-binary, and is learning that that's a concept that exists at all.
The messages about social justice fit the trope called "anvilicious" very well. It's not that it's an ideology that I oppose, but I don't see these attitudes around me in my ordinary life. I certainly don't have that kind of ideological purity. Miyara decides she must be the savior for the people who are refugees, or disabled, or transgender, or have an unapproved kind of magic, or are dragons. It might be better if she used her powers to be an ally, and let the dragons or refugees or witches speak for themselves.
As other readers have pointed out, the proofreading isn't great.
The messages about social justice fit the trope called "anvilicious" very well. It's not that it's an ideology that I oppose, but I don't see these attitudes around me in my ordinary life. I certainly don't have that kind of ideological purity. Miyara decides she must be the savior for the people who are refugees, or disabled, or transgender, or have an unapproved kind of magic, or are dragons. It might be better if she used her powers to be an ally, and let the dragons or refugees or witches speak for themselves.
As other readers have pointed out, the proofreading isn't great.
June 23, 2023
4.5 stars
Just as good as the first. I deducted half a star for numerous spelling errors that plagued this book compared to the 1st although it was easy to decipher. Miyara continues to be a force to be reckoned with and uses that power to uplift even more people than before. It's rare for me to come across a book steeped in altruism, but I will definitely be on the look out from now on. This was a great read that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy.
Just as good as the first. I deducted half a star for numerous spelling errors that plagued this book compared to the 1st although it was easy to decipher. Miyara continues to be a force to be reckoned with and uses that power to uplift even more people than before. It's rare for me to come across a book steeped in altruism, but I will definitely be on the look out from now on. This was a great read that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy.
February 9, 2024
I enjoyed A Coup of Tea enough that I immediately read this book.
And, it just wasn't as good. The author fell into the classic trap of ratcheting stakes, making the conflict bigger and more important than in the previous book ... which totally misses the point of a cozy novel!
Also ... the reality-show competition just did not work for me. It was unbelievable that the tea guild would associate with it at all, and I just couldn't care about it.
And, it just wasn't as good. The author fell into the classic trap of ratcheting stakes, making the conflict bigger and more important than in the previous book ... which totally misses the point of a cozy novel!
Also ... the reality-show competition just did not work for me. It was unbelievable that the tea guild would associate with it at all, and I just couldn't care about it.
July 16, 2023
If you were to take a bicycle and load it down with streamers, flashing lights, and every bedazzle imaginable, so much so that you can hardly see the bicycle underneath it all, that bicycle would be very hard to ride. That bicycle is this book. There is a good story hidden here, but it is buried under piles of poor writing and a mountain of unnecessary froof.
October 18, 2023
It was OK
I think this author has potential. Her characters are relatable and I like the dialogue. My main issue is that this one was more didactic, especially at the end. It felt contrived, like the whole gender/ pronoun issue was being preached, instead of a story being told.
I think this author has potential. Her characters are relatable and I like the dialogue. My main issue is that this one was more didactic, especially at the end. It felt contrived, like the whole gender/ pronoun issue was being preached, instead of a story being told.
July 9, 2024
Did not care for this sequel at all. Too many characters to keep track of, endless (ENDLESS) dialogue that went in circles, and very heavy handed and white-savioury in its dealing with social justice issues.
July 13, 2024
More like 2.5. I really enjoyed the first book. The characters were vibrant, the setting and plot was interesting. In this book, however, it feels like we are almost entirely in the main character's head and we did not get to enjoy the world or the other characters.
July 10, 2023
Tea Set and Match largely maintains the quality of the first book, but has a couple more issues, one of which is more personal than anything else.
Primarily, although the plot differs, its mostly the same story; it feels the same and it progresses the same. The cozy tea vibe worked wonderfully in book one, but this book doesn't change that enough, doesn't add any new elements or conflicts or perils and so fails to distinguish itself from book one in a meaningful way. The actual plotting and prose remain strong, there just wasn't enough 'new' present. We brushed against Miyara getting pupils, and social themes, but the story isn't about the pupils, and the social themes aren't centered on Miyara (I.E she undertakes them, but isn't immediately threatened by them, rendering her an activist in them more than a protagonist.)
A lesser complaint is how boring the core romance is; Miyara's love interest is so perfectly, inoffensively supportive and loving and utterly devoted to her, and largely lacks narrative of his own. This might sound good in theory (oh he's such a good match/man) but in practice it's one note and results in a lack of chemistry. ( For clarification, chemistry doesn't require drama, it requires two elements to interact, and he exerts next to no pressure on her meaning theirs no 'spark' to their interactions, just inoffensiveness as he doesn't even really offer her or the story that much.)
That last comment also segues in my second main issue with the book ( the personal one.) Tea Set and Match is distinctly political, touching prominently on discrimination and the transgender debate and it is the third book in four I've read where these themes are included. I don't usually criticism a book for political themes if they're implemented well (they're implemented decently here, but feel distinctly unnecessary to the actual plot) but I am growing fatigued of these plot lines, especially with their prominence in the news and social media. As a result, their inclusion soured me on this book and continuing the series. For those who are deeply invested in those political points, this book should remain thoroughly enjoyable.
Primarily, although the plot differs, its mostly the same story; it feels the same and it progresses the same. The cozy tea vibe worked wonderfully in book one, but this book doesn't change that enough, doesn't add any new elements or conflicts or perils and so fails to distinguish itself from book one in a meaningful way. The actual plotting and prose remain strong, there just wasn't enough 'new' present. We brushed against Miyara getting pupils, and social themes, but the story isn't about the pupils, and the social themes aren't centered on Miyara (I.E she undertakes them, but isn't immediately threatened by them, rendering her an activist in them more than a protagonist.)
A lesser complaint is how boring the core romance is; Miyara's love interest is so perfectly, inoffensively supportive and loving and utterly devoted to her, and largely lacks narrative of his own. This might sound good in theory (oh he's such a good match/man) but in practice it's one note and results in a lack of chemistry. ( For clarification, chemistry doesn't require drama, it requires two elements to interact, and he exerts next to no pressure on her meaning theirs no 'spark' to their interactions, just inoffensiveness as he doesn't even really offer her or the story that much.)
That last comment also segues in my second main issue with the book ( the personal one.) Tea Set and Match is distinctly political, touching prominently on discrimination and the transgender debate and it is the third book in four I've read where these themes are included. I don't usually criticism a book for political themes if they're implemented well (they're implemented decently here, but feel distinctly unnecessary to the actual plot) but I am growing fatigued of these plot lines, especially with their prominence in the news and social media. As a result, their inclusion soured me on this book and continuing the series. For those who are deeply invested in those political points, this book should remain thoroughly enjoyable.
April 18, 2025
This book follows on from a Coup of Tea which introduced us to this flamboyant and fundamentally flawed society set in a low fantasy setting.
I love love love Yorani � she is a tea dragon, a spirit born of a teapot and don’t we all need a few tea dragon spirits in our TBRs? She bounces with the destructively delightful enthusiasm of a fire breathing puppy through this book and her meeting with Denials cat was utter perfection. I liked seeing more of the Te Muraka � dragon shifter people � and the beginnings of their integration into Istal communities and culture. Like the previous book it really addressed the difficulties faced by refugees and how prejudice warps society until the people in it don’t even see it anymore.
Miyara as a character has continued to grow and she definitely was more assertive with her sister Sariyana. Sariyana is her next oldest sibling and I honestly hated her. I can understand her point of view but she just went around leaking toxicity and putting Miyara into the position where she had to constantly be evaluating and asserting any independence away from what Sariyana thought best. She’s written so well that I can justifiably hate her almost think she is approaching redemption and then launch herself back into the abyss of who on earth does she think she is? Within one chapter. Miyara’s relationship with her almost felt a little like a villain origin story in an odd way. They pushed each other in the way that usually only an anti-hero and a hero do with their morals and approaches to the same situation.
Damsel Reader Recommendation: 13+
Romance Rating: Sweet - kissing, cuddling, can have mild innuendo.
Violence Rating: Level 2
Content Warnings: racism, prejudice. There is also a few mentions of sex if you are bothered about that but nothing is on the page.
I love love love Yorani � she is a tea dragon, a spirit born of a teapot and don’t we all need a few tea dragon spirits in our TBRs? She bounces with the destructively delightful enthusiasm of a fire breathing puppy through this book and her meeting with Denials cat was utter perfection. I liked seeing more of the Te Muraka � dragon shifter people � and the beginnings of their integration into Istal communities and culture. Like the previous book it really addressed the difficulties faced by refugees and how prejudice warps society until the people in it don’t even see it anymore.
Miyara as a character has continued to grow and she definitely was more assertive with her sister Sariyana. Sariyana is her next oldest sibling and I honestly hated her. I can understand her point of view but she just went around leaking toxicity and putting Miyara into the position where she had to constantly be evaluating and asserting any independence away from what Sariyana thought best. She’s written so well that I can justifiably hate her almost think she is approaching redemption and then launch herself back into the abyss of who on earth does she think she is? Within one chapter. Miyara’s relationship with her almost felt a little like a villain origin story in an odd way. They pushed each other in the way that usually only an anti-hero and a hero do with their morals and approaches to the same situation.
Damsel Reader Recommendation: 13+
Romance Rating: Sweet - kissing, cuddling, can have mild innuendo.
Violence Rating: Level 2
Content Warnings: racism, prejudice. There is also a few mentions of sex if you are bothered about that but nothing is on the page.
June 20, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
Miyara's adventures in becoming a tea master continue. This time, the tea guild demands that she compete in a competition in order to become an official tea master with all the perks. If you've read the first book, you already know how unfair that is.
Another problem for Miyara to solve is her older sister showing up to try and convince her to go back to the palace, and take up her princess tiara once again.
The author spent the whole book juggling plot threads, relationships, and hammering her points home over and over. All, and I do mean all, of the characters from the first book show up again, and more are introduced. Then Miyara gets to witness every single relationship between all the characters. Of course, there's more than one romance.
I wanted more focus on the competition, with a side order of the espionage from the last book. So much focus on the relationships was tiresome. Don't get me wrong, I love when the characters have different types of relationships, and I enjoy seeing them develop, but there were around 20 characters, and all of them had multiple types of relationships.
I also had a problem with all the issues thrown into the mix. Race, identity, sexuality, bigotry, institutional apathy, and more were examined. The author was trying to do way too much.
In spite of the complaints, it wasn't terrible. The writing is quick, and has a nice pace. I liked Miyara, Deniel, and Lorwyn, and several of the other characters. I also liked the baby dragon. There were a lot of great lines, and dialog.
I'll probably check out the last book in the trilogy.
Miyara's adventures in becoming a tea master continue. This time, the tea guild demands that she compete in a competition in order to become an official tea master with all the perks. If you've read the first book, you already know how unfair that is.
Another problem for Miyara to solve is her older sister showing up to try and convince her to go back to the palace, and take up her princess tiara once again.
The author spent the whole book juggling plot threads, relationships, and hammering her points home over and over. All, and I do mean all, of the characters from the first book show up again, and more are introduced. Then Miyara gets to witness every single relationship between all the characters. Of course, there's more than one romance.
I wanted more focus on the competition, with a side order of the espionage from the last book. So much focus on the relationships was tiresome. Don't get me wrong, I love when the characters have different types of relationships, and I enjoy seeing them develop, but there were around 20 characters, and all of them had multiple types of relationships.
I also had a problem with all the issues thrown into the mix. Race, identity, sexuality, bigotry, institutional apathy, and more were examined. The author was trying to do way too much.
In spite of the complaints, it wasn't terrible. The writing is quick, and has a nice pace. I liked Miyara, Deniel, and Lorwyn, and several of the other characters. I also liked the baby dragon. There were a lot of great lines, and dialog.
I'll probably check out the last book in the trilogy.
February 4, 2025
I continue to love this series/story. I've read other reviews and know that some people felt this story was too long and some of the conversations were too...philosophical? therapy-like? long? Not sure, except that yes, I could see while reading what those people didn't like. It just didn't bother me very much. I like cosy. I like slice of life. I'm not entirely sure I like either of those terms, especially when people say them negatively. I like cozy better, I guess, perhaps because I haven't really heard it used negatively, and I have heard slice of life used that way. Anyway, if you give me interesting people in interesting relationships trying to do interesting and meaningful things with their lives in interesting worlds, I'm not going to complain if they don't have to conquer Voldemort or whatever in order to do it. Funny enough, Miyara is privileged and consequently does have knowledge of the workings of power in her world in many ways, and does have pull and influence in high places. So, she is saving her world. And since the author is exploring systemic prejudice and injustice, there's a bit of a White savior element going on, even though the races are different in this world. Anyway, I liked it. A lot. I stayed up late last night to finish it, and now I've started book 3, which I expect to linger over a bit more since it's Monday and I have to work. Even with the imperfections...there are imperfections in life.
October 24, 2023
Following on from the events of the first book, Miyara, now a (provisional) tea master has to take part in a tea tournament to prove herself, while at the same time dealing with her sister, who arrives to deal with the aftermath of the treaty with the dragons. But there turns out to be more at stake than just her future. While I had some minor issues with the lack of conflict in the first book, after some further reflection and after finishing this one, I think that's a feature rather than a bug. The whole tea master thing is about diplomacy, compassion and service, and Miyara has the emotional depth and self-awareness to be able to put the principles into practice without having to resort to conflict and violence.
I enjoyed the deepening relationships with her friends and introducing her sister as someone she rubs against the wrong way added a bit of spice. I really enjoyed the mature relationship she has with Deniel, where they are able to talk about their feelings before misunderstandings get blown out of proportion (something that bugs me in a lot of stories). I do wonder at someone so young being this poised, but that didn't stop me really enjoying the story.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Miyara's story wraps up (I hope we'll see more of Lorwyn and Entero).
I enjoyed the deepening relationships with her friends and introducing her sister as someone she rubs against the wrong way added a bit of spice. I really enjoyed the mature relationship she has with Deniel, where they are able to talk about their feelings before misunderstandings get blown out of proportion (something that bugs me in a lot of stories). I do wonder at someone so young being this poised, but that didn't stop me really enjoying the story.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Miyara's story wraps up (I hope we'll see more of Lorwyn and Entero).
April 27, 2024
I don't know if I'm wrong, but I felt this book to be in worse condition than the first one. It was plain hard to read sometimes due to awkwardness of the language, like it was written by someone for whom English is not a native tongue. But also I decided that this series is too much Social Justice for me - keeping with the refugee theme of the original, the sequel also expands to trans children rights. If only it did it less clumsily, it would be better, but no - most of the book's morals are in your face.
The author brings things from the real world into her fantasy without any regard for consistency. For example, while hiding a sinister conspiracy behind the facade of some kind of competition is a time-honored tradition, Tea Masters competition feels like it was transplanted from our reality, and doesn't quite FIT. For example, it has big-name sponsors, reality-show like staging, canny producers... But no way to reach any audience besides those present in the hall, because this world has no TV or radio, and even newspapers aren't mentioned (though I assume there are some). Yet no explanation is ever offered why does this work at all - if I had to guess, because the author doesn't have one, and doesn't even think she needs one. Cozy fantasy or not, I expect more from a writer.
The author brings things from the real world into her fantasy without any regard for consistency. For example, while hiding a sinister conspiracy behind the facade of some kind of competition is a time-honored tradition, Tea Masters competition feels like it was transplanted from our reality, and doesn't quite FIT. For example, it has big-name sponsors, reality-show like staging, canny producers... But no way to reach any audience besides those present in the hall, because this world has no TV or radio, and even newspapers aren't mentioned (though I assume there are some). Yet no explanation is ever offered why does this work at all - if I had to guess, because the author doesn't have one, and doesn't even think she needs one. Cozy fantasy or not, I expect more from a writer.
July 3, 2023
An lovely story of antiracist wishful thinking
This is lovely and a bit convoluted as fantasy readers enjoy, but in the end it is a story of noblesse oblige. Change is created by devoted people at the top bringing their expertise to a long-suffering people who have pushed for change ineffectively for years. Long-suffering but joyous people who, in the crisis, show up with their considerable powers to support the central ex-royal, who, of course is the mastermind, the source of unifying power.
The story sees prejudice as a set of systems. Good. The humility of the ex-royal leader, her love for all those around her, mistakes she makes, the friendship and romances, the youthful struggles to find one's way--all verrry endearing. The themes of gender affirmation, sex-positivity, the stripping of the land-all good! And...
Where's the bottom up story? The story of people turning to each other despite all manner of difficulties, pulling each other out of imposed self doubt, becoming woke (the original meaning of the term), planning, informing communities, creating openings, gathering force and making change impossible to refuse? Where thought leaders come from within a community, and there's many of them.
This is lovely and a bit convoluted as fantasy readers enjoy, but in the end it is a story of noblesse oblige. Change is created by devoted people at the top bringing their expertise to a long-suffering people who have pushed for change ineffectively for years. Long-suffering but joyous people who, in the crisis, show up with their considerable powers to support the central ex-royal, who, of course is the mastermind, the source of unifying power.
The story sees prejudice as a set of systems. Good. The humility of the ex-royal leader, her love for all those around her, mistakes she makes, the friendship and romances, the youthful struggles to find one's way--all verrry endearing. The themes of gender affirmation, sex-positivity, the stripping of the land-all good! And...
Where's the bottom up story? The story of people turning to each other despite all manner of difficulties, pulling each other out of imposed self doubt, becoming woke (the original meaning of the term), planning, informing communities, creating openings, gathering force and making change impossible to refuse? Where thought leaders come from within a community, and there's many of them.
June 26, 2023
love and adore
First and most important, after finishing the second book in this series in two days, I can hardly wait to start the next (if only the world would stop spinning for a little so I could savour them more).
Beyond the beautiful crafting of an intriguing world and set of characters, I most appreciate the underlying story of becoming more oneself, and more accepting of both ourselves and others, the mistakes we make along the way, and approaching change with grace and humility (NOT to be confused with humiliation).
For those to whom it matters, because I’d never want anyone’s disappointed expectations to sour this wonderful story for them: our main character is female and her love interest male, they have always been such in both body and mind, and they so far remain chaste. There are frank discussions of what sex means to people and how timing of when it’s appropriate depends on the individual couple, and there are discussions about people that don’t fit the gender labels they wear, that take up the choice to change them, and one who changed their body to match who they were.
First and most important, after finishing the second book in this series in two days, I can hardly wait to start the next (if only the world would stop spinning for a little so I could savour them more).
Beyond the beautiful crafting of an intriguing world and set of characters, I most appreciate the underlying story of becoming more oneself, and more accepting of both ourselves and others, the mistakes we make along the way, and approaching change with grace and humility (NOT to be confused with humiliation).
For those to whom it matters, because I’d never want anyone’s disappointed expectations to sour this wonderful story for them: our main character is female and her love interest male, they have always been such in both body and mind, and they so far remain chaste. There are frank discussions of what sex means to people and how timing of when it’s appropriate depends on the individual couple, and there are discussions about people that don’t fit the gender labels they wear, that take up the choice to change them, and one who changed their body to match who they were.
July 3, 2023
Perhaps this second in the Tea Princess Chronicles veers too much for my personal taste into the the intellectual/philosophical struggles our main character former Princess, now Tea Master, struggles with as she figures out what her calling is in serving the people of her newly adopted town.
Turns out the Tea Guild isn't *really* bestowing the Tea Master title on her, and when a Tea Tasting competition comes to her Sayorsen town, along with some spies messing with the integrity of the magical chaos just outside the town's door waiting to consume it with man-eating plants and sentient wind.
There's also her new tea spirit dragon and the newly arrived dragons-as-immigrants to contend with. And....her Princess Sister.
While I do love the cozy feel of this, I wanted a bit more tension with love interest Deniel, possibly less curtailing of baby dragon, more Entero sneaking around or Thiano being cryptic, and less obvious romantic pair ups between Every. Single. Character.
I do love the representation, but how about an Ace or Aro character?
Still, this is a balm-for-the-fantasy soul and soothing read, so I'll continue.
Turns out the Tea Guild isn't *really* bestowing the Tea Master title on her, and when a Tea Tasting competition comes to her Sayorsen town, along with some spies messing with the integrity of the magical chaos just outside the town's door waiting to consume it with man-eating plants and sentient wind.
There's also her new tea spirit dragon and the newly arrived dragons-as-immigrants to contend with. And....her Princess Sister.
While I do love the cozy feel of this, I wanted a bit more tension with love interest Deniel, possibly less curtailing of baby dragon, more Entero sneaking around or Thiano being cryptic, and less obvious romantic pair ups between Every. Single. Character.
I do love the representation, but how about an Ace or Aro character?
Still, this is a balm-for-the-fantasy soul and soothing read, so I'll continue.
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