#Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

[betterbooksandthings]

“If you swoon at the sight of queer dragons, werewolves, and robots, you have made it to the right place. The best queer SFF romance books not only have wonderful queer romance, but also the magic, mystery, and mayhem that accompany science fiction and fantasy. Are we here to wrestle with the meaning of humanity and love? Yes, of course we are. In my biased opinion, there is nothing better.

I want a forbidden love that is legitimately forbidden because if they fall in love an ancient magic rains hell upon the earth. Marriages of convenience simply work better when the two diverging kingdoms may destroy each other (with magic or robots) if your wedding doesn’t happen. Give me the introduction scene normal people receive when they learn about all the things that go bump in the night. I need all your secret societies that are actually vampires or werewolves or whatever else you want to throw at me.

I am a bit of a queer SFF romance fanatic. In general, if it has a romance with a ghost, reaper, werewolf, witch, robot, or spaceship, I want to read it. I love it all. Theoretically, I can read the same set of tropes and premises over and over, and I am not sure I will ever tire. I haven’t yet, and trust me when I say I could name 20 books about vampires and vampire hunters falling in love right now without breaking a sweat.“

[torpublishinggroup]

Tor Publishing Group is BACK (again) with a guide of books to gift the people in your life…and yourself!

━ ˖°˖ ☾☆☽ ˖°˖ ━

Cozy books to curl up with in the winter...

Legends & Lattes / Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

━ ˖°˖ ☾☆☽ ˖°˖ ━

Dazzling new worlds to explore...

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark

Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-il Kim; translated by Anton Hur

━ ˖°˖ ☾☆☽ ˖°˖ ━

High stakes, high thrills...

Extinction by Douglas Preston

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning

Exordia by Seth Dickinson

━ ˖°˖ ☾☆☽ ˖°˖ ━

Story collections that pack a punch...

Januaries by Olivie Blake

The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and Power edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker

Not enough books? Don’t worry, we have another GET BOOKT: THE BOOKENING guide to help you out!

[woppy42]

Her book releases tomorrow, May 7 2024. It’s a Library Reads pick for the month of May, will be on display tables in every airport bookstore, and she’s being sent on 17-day book tour all across the U.S. by the publisher (Tor!).

She’s also my girlfriend, and I’m incredibly proud of her for relentlessly pursuing her dream—and more, for sharing every scrap of information she learns about all varieties of publishing and writing with anyone who has interest, trying to help every author to pursue their own dreams.

Like she said: Keep at it! You never know when the lightning strike of success will hit, but you can keep setting up fields and field of lightning rods. :)

(Also go buy her book. It’s sapphic and cozy and has dragons and puns. What more could you want 😂 https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250333292/cantspelltreasonwithouttea )

[homerjacksons]

[the-final-sentence]

Eventually.

Rebecca Thorne, from Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

[realitys-abore]

📖 REVIEW 📖

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The moment I started this, I KNEW it was going to be brilliant! Like, it literally opens with an assassination attempt! I was HOOKED & by the second chapter the general vibes made it obvious that I was going to enjoy reading this!

I fell in love with Reyna & Kianthe, they had such fun, complimentary personalities AND they were both gloriously snarky, so the narrative was hilarious regardless of which POV you were reading!

Kianthe is kind of a Big Deal when it comes to magic (she’s a super powerful mage) so she can hold her own even without sword skills like Reyna! She’s also a bit more hot headed & the way she hates the Queen is hilarious!

Reyna is an absolute mood, I LOVED her! Like who among us hasn’t wearied of life and wanted to flee to a new place to start over again? Preferably with a bookshop of our very own involved? 😅 Reyna’s living the dream and I just found her so relatable!

The romance is sweet and kind of unique in that they’ve been together a while BUT didn’t really spend much time together because of the distance so it was established but also kind of new in a way? As they started to spend all day every day together instead of the odd snatched moment here or there, they obviously had some bumps to smooth out along the way but I feel like they communicated well & their relationship was realistic!

Cosy as this is, it was more mid than low stakes and I was okay with that tbh! I liked the suspense of waiting to see if the unhinged queen would track Reyna down as well as the mystery of the dragon eggs! Like it IS slice of life with the bookstore & town life but it also has the tension of Reyna’s colleagues hunting her AND Kianthe’s (kind of)!

There’s also bandits running around AND the dragons prone to fiery attacks but I loved the added jeopardy of it all! As if that wasn’t enough to make it fun, there’s also griffons AND a side ship that I’m rooting for already because it’s giving enemies/annoyances to lovers!

Overall the vibes were immaculate and while it was a tad slow in places, the writing style was easy to read, the characters easy to root for & it was a lot of fun!

I can’t wait to see what’s next! 👌🏻

[pridepages]

Been a little MIA recently, but here’s the tea on my latest LGBT reads…

As You Walk On By by Julian Winters ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A sweet tribute to the power (and importance) of queer friend groups. (But did we really need another version of the Breakfast Club?)

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne ⭐️⭐️⭐️ This cozy fantasy owes an (obvious) debt to Legends and Lattes. But I do respect that the romantic leads are older sapphics who model healthy relationship communication alongside the magical hijinx!

And I’ve been lucky enough to receive a few highly-anticipated ARCs! Since the pub date is closest, I’m cracking open one of the reads I’m most excited for in ‘24: Alison Cochrun’s third novel: Here We Go Again. (My queer little English teacher heart is glowing…)

XOXO

EJ

[purplebunnyreads]

🪻Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea🪻 by Rebecca Thorne

This book wasn't my favorite, but I wasn't really expecting it to be. I actually liked it more than I thought I would. To be honest the point of reading this was to get to book two, which looks really, really good.

The main characters were fun but I feel like I was thrown into the story and expected to already be attached to them. I did like Reyna and Kianthe, but I would have been more invested in them if the book included the beginnings of their relationship, rather then just referencing back to it a few times for the sake of context.

I wish Wylan and Feo had been in the story more. I was excited because at one point it seemed like they were going to be, but then all of the stuff with the queen happened, and then the book was over. I was excited to see their relationship develop. I hope they appear in book two.

The highlight of the book was the dragons. Their magic is so insanely cool. And the humor was very entertaining!

I would give this book somewhere between three and four stars. I am very much looking forward to book two!

[queer-books-bracket]

[duckprintspress]

Celebrate J.R.R. Tolkien’s Birthday with 54 Queer Fantasy Books!

Today, January 3rd, is J.R.R. Tolkien Day—the day we celebrate the legend’s birthday. It’s hard to imagine the fantasy genre without Tolkien’s influence on it. That’s why, we figured, what better way to celebrate than by having an adventure with an awesome fantasy book? And, as this is the first time we’ve done a queer fantasy rec list, our reccing crew got very excited, with the result that this is one of the longest lists we’ve ever posted. We asked our contributors for great queer, fantasy recommendations, and boy, did they deliver! We collected a list of whooping 54 titles, all thanks to Sanne, Kelas, Shadaras, Nina Waters, Shea Sullivan, E. C., Adrian Harley, Alex, D. V. Morse, Zel Howland, Shannon, Dei Walker, Linnea Peterson and an anonymous contributor.

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Fire Logic by Laurie J. Marks

The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho

The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang

The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Witch King by Martha Wells

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Heaven Official’s Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison

The Husky & His White Cat Shizun by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

Devil Venerable Also Wants To Know by Cyan Wings

Ruin of Angels by Max Gladstone

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

Ash by Malinda Lo

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed

The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Little Thieves by Margaret Owen

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner

Reforged by Seth Haddon

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling

The Bone Doll’s Twin by Lynn Flewelling

Umineko: When They Cry by 07th Expansion

The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce

Witchmark by C.L. Polk

Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling

The Brilliant Death by A.R. Capetta

Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha

First Test by Tamora Pierce

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Weak Heart by Ban Gilmartin

The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett

Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

What are your favorite queer fantasy books?

You can find all these books on our Goodreads bookshelf of queer fantasy books.

Did something here spark your curiosity? You can buy it through the Duck Prints Press Bookshop.org affiliate shop. 

So many books means so much to talk about! Come, join our Book Lover’s Discord server to chat with us about aaaaaall the books!

[betterbooksandthings]

"Even though we love them, we have to admit there are some fantasy books that would be impossible to adapt into movies or TV shows. Not all magic and world-breaking fantasy elements are film-friendly.

Although book-to-film adaptations of fantasy novels have been getting better over time, there are still a few things even the best visual effects (VFX) and Computer-generated imagery (CGI) cannot pull off. I am a big fan of well-done practical effects, even if they are mechanic at times. For me, the way actors tend to engage with practical effects reads as more sincere. So, when it comes to this list of fantasy books, I mostly included books I think would require too much green screen or CGI to be worth it. Sometimes, magic is best left on the page and off the screen."

[torpublishinggroup]

This advertisement is for Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne, a cozy fantasy steeped in sapphic romance about one of the Queen’s private guards and a powerful mage who want to open a bookshop and live happily ever after…if only the world would let them. Cover art by Irene Huang.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT

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. What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum.

[queerliblib]

Any good queer high fantasy suggestions? I love queer fantasy!! (Also appreciate spiciness, but it is not required)

oh hell yeah, here are a few in our collection! (🌶️ may vary)

the Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne (definitely more cozy than spicy)

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

House of Crimson Hearts by Ruby Roe (steamy vampire fantasy)

The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper (described as ‘dark & sexy’ with mermaids)

Reforged by Seth Haddon @sethhaddonsblog

happy reading! 🌈 📚

[gay-art-vibes]

SAPPHICS / WLW

Rebecca Thorne has made Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea free to get on Amazon ebook until the end of the month.

It’s cosy, cute, gay as heck and low angst. For fans of legends and lattes & d&d. Sharing this as it’s great for anyone who often can’t afford or struggles to safely access physical books in ban areas.

The author is also awesome, and speaks a lot about queer access to literature. Can’t recommend Thorne enough.

*edit, this is now no longer available *

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

💖 Sapphic Books Coming Out May 2024

🩷 There's something especially sweet about a sapphic romance. Here are only a few of the amazing sapphic books hitting shelves in May 2024. Which ones are you adding to your ever-growing TBR?

Contemporary 💖 Here For the Wrong Reasons - Annabel Paulsen & Lydia Wang 💖 Perfume & Pain - Anna Dorn 💖 Cheryl - Jillian Fleck 💖 A Little Kissing Between Friends - Chencia C. Higgins 💖 Lavash At First Sight - Taleen Voskuni 💖 The Game of Giants - Marion Douglas 💖 We Were the Universe - Kimberly King Parsons 💖 Oye - Melissa Mogollon 💖 The Summer Love Strategy - Ray Stoeve 💖 Noah Frye Gets Crushed - Maggie Horne 💖 Halfway to Harbor - Nicole Melleby 💖 Sunhead - Alex Assan

💖 The 7-10 Split - Karmen Lee 💖 Trust & Safety - Laura Blackett & Eve Gleichman 💖 Second Night Stand - Karelia Stetz-Waters & Fay Stetz-Waters 💖 How It Works Out - Myriam Lacroix 💖 April May June July - Alison B. Hart 💖 The Ride of Her Life - Jennifer Dugan 💖 One Night With the CEO - Emily Hayes 💖 Dulhaniyaa - Talia Bhatt 💖 A Girl Can Dream - Emily Barr 💖 I Want You More - Swan Huntley 💖 Exhibit - R. O. Kwon 💖 Only a Bridesmaid - Haley Donnell

💖 Thirsty - Jas Hammonds 💖 Housemates - Emma Copley Eisenberg 💖 Don’t Be a Drag - Skye Quinlan 💖 True Love and Other Impossible Odds - Christina Li 💖 Murray Out of Water - Taylor Tracy 💖 The Redemption of Daya Keane - Gia Gordon 💖 Blame My Virgo Moon - Freja Nicole Woolf 💖 From Where We Are - Nicole Zelniker 💖 Cabin Fever - Tagan Shepard 💖 Channel Surfing in the Sea of Happiness - Guy Babineau 💖 Meet Me in Berlin - Samantha L. Valentine 💖 Behind You - Catherine Hernandez

Paranormal/Horror 💖 Primal Hunt - L.L. Raand 💖 Blood on the Tide - Katee Robert 💖 We Mostly Come Out at Night - (ed) Rob Costello 💖 Flowers from the Void - Gianni Washington 💖 My Darling Dreadful Thing - Johanna van Veen 💖 When the Devil - Emma E. Murray 💖 Honeybites - I. S. Belle 💖 My Favorite Thing Is Monsters - Emil Ferris 💖 The Worst Perfect Moment -Shivaun Plozza

Fantasy 💖 The Honey Witch - Sydney J. Shields 💖 The Fireborne Blade - Charlotte Bond 💖 Chained Destinies - D. Jordan Redhawk 💖 Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea - Rebecca Thorne 💖 Grand Slam Romance: Major League Hotties - Ollie Hicks & Emma Oosterhous 💖 Snake Charming - Genevieve McCluer 💖 The Witches of Silverlake - Simon Curtis 💖 Death’s Country - R. M. Romero 💖 Snowblooded - Emma Sterner-Radleygh 💖 Bird Suit - Sydney Hegele 💖 Farzana's Spite - Felix Graves

Historical 💖 The Good Women of Fudi - Liu Hong 💖 Spitting Gold - Carmella Lowkis 💖 Adrift - Sam Ledel 💖 A Heart Divided - Angie Williams 💖 A Liaison with Her Leading Lady - Lotte R. James

Mystery/Thriller 💖 The Deadly Spark - Roxie Key 💖 The Advice Columnist - Cade Haddock Strong 💖 The Lilies - Quinn Diacon-Furtado 💖 Loyalty - E. J. Noyes 💖 Clean Kill - Anne Laughlin 💖 Have You Seen This Girl - Nita Tyndall 💖 The Last to Pie - Misha Popp

Sci-Fi 💖 The Sunforge - Sascha Stronach 💖 Road to Ruin - Hana Lee 💖 Exile in Guyville - Amy Lee Lillard 💖 The Lily of Enarah - Arden Brax 💖 The Z Word - Lindsay King-Miller

[ashen-crest]

I NEED YOUR HELP

A Rival Most Vial is in a queer cozy fantasy bracket on Reddit.

I am up against Can’t Spell Tea Without Treason.

I know Rebecca Thorne is far more well-known than me, but I am not going down without a fight

Will you vote in this google doc poll for me??