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Tea Princess Chronicles #3
Royal Tea Service
Miyara has saved the day, again.
And once again, the world has come calling.
Everyone wants a piece of the magical disaster zone for their own agendas, and some will stop at nothing to destroy the border and bring catastrophe down on the world. It's up to Miyara to host a summit bringing all the players to one place so she can find out what's going on and forge the connections necessary to stop it before it's too late for everyone.
Failure means the end of the world. Miyara has no choice but to prove once and for all that her path in serving people with tea is powerful enough to matter.
And once again, the world has come calling.
Everyone wants a piece of the magical disaster zone for their own agendas, and some will stop at nothing to destroy the border and bring catastrophe down on the world. It's up to Miyara to host a summit bringing all the players to one place so she can find out what's going on and forge the connections necessary to stop it before it's too late for everyone.
Failure means the end of the world. Miyara has no choice but to prove once and for all that her path in serving people with tea is powerful enough to matter.
548 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2022
486 people are currently reading
773 people want to read
About the author
Casey Blair
17 books221 followersCasey 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 120 reviews
March 9, 2023
I had to keep reading just to find out what happened (especially with Thiano, who was intriguing), but this one lost me somewhat. For one thing, I caught a lot more errors; the book really needed a copyeditor.
For another, the tea philosophy and digressions into Miyara's constant self-examination and SERVE SERVE SERVE mentality got...old. It was pages upon pages this time, and I found myself skimming to get back to the story and the characters.
For another, the tea philosophy and digressions into Miyara's constant self-examination and SERVE SERVE SERVE mentality got...old. It was pages upon pages this time, and I found myself skimming to get back to the story and the characters.
June 2, 2023
The final book in the Tea Princess trilogy could be subtitled: so many princesses! Miyara's sisters all turn up, as the world is in peril and they must work together to save it. In this fantasy world, problems can be solved via dialogue, collaboration, community building, and the occasional big act of magic. Miyara's superpowers continue to be self-awareness, ability to have deep conversations with people she's just met, and general wisdom:
Once you get used to the entire narration taking this tone, the whole trilogy is charming and restful to read. I found Royal Tea Service to be an entertaining and satisfying conclusion. The characterisation of Miyara's friends and newly introduced sisters was deft and the plot well paced. It's always nice when fantastical fiction acknowledges that people get tired and need regular rest. (Particularly as this world reveres tea but doesn't appear to have coffee.) The discussions on types of magic were a highlight: magecraft, witchery, and arcanism seemingly approach the same force in differing ways. Different cultures also consider magic in varying ways, ranging from exploitable resource to spiritual practise. Tea masters appear to have their own magic, which is definitely on the spiritual end of the scale.
Despite never worrying that Miyara and her allies would fail or die, as this isn't that sort of book, I still found it exciting to see how she would sort everything out. I compared the first book in the series to The Wire, as it examines the complexities of urban poverty. Similarly, the third book considers how to deal with the legacies of persecution and exploitation. I respect the emotional sincerity of the Tea Princess trilogy and appreciate that serious moments are balanced with the cuteness of a miniature dragon playing with a cat. A good choice when depressing non-fiction is getting you down. If you want this same vibe in a TV series, I recommend The Makenai: Cooking for the Maiko House.
It is not enough to contemplate: we also have to live. Epiphanies that are separate from lived experience must be able to bear up under the the reality of living, or they're too flimsy to be revelatory. Part of a tea master's strength is perspective: too close or too distant, and we can't do our work effectively.
Once you get used to the entire narration taking this tone, the whole trilogy is charming and restful to read. I found Royal Tea Service to be an entertaining and satisfying conclusion. The characterisation of Miyara's friends and newly introduced sisters was deft and the plot well paced. It's always nice when fantastical fiction acknowledges that people get tired and need regular rest. (Particularly as this world reveres tea but doesn't appear to have coffee.) The discussions on types of magic were a highlight: magecraft, witchery, and arcanism seemingly approach the same force in differing ways. Different cultures also consider magic in varying ways, ranging from exploitable resource to spiritual practise. Tea masters appear to have their own magic, which is definitely on the spiritual end of the scale.
Despite never worrying that Miyara and her allies would fail or die, as this isn't that sort of book, I still found it exciting to see how she would sort everything out. I compared the first book in the series to The Wire, as it examines the complexities of urban poverty. Similarly, the third book considers how to deal with the legacies of persecution and exploitation. I respect the emotional sincerity of the Tea Princess trilogy and appreciate that serious moments are balanced with the cuteness of a miniature dragon playing with a cat. A good choice when depressing non-fiction is getting you down. If you want this same vibe in a TV series, I recommend The Makenai: Cooking for the Maiko House.
December 4, 2023
My rating is actually 2.5 stars.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the overall series. The story idea was new and fun. It was light reading which I needed at this point. The basic plot isn't complicated. No one dies. There is little violence and no blood. I recognized aspects of Japanese culture that I enjoyed.
However, little things that bugged me a bit in the first 2 books bothered me more in this last one. One was this one needed a heavier hand in editing. There were misspellings, missing words and sentence structure was awkward enough at times, that I had to go back and reread it at least once to sort it out. And on at least one occasion, couldn't figure it out.
I also found Miyara's constant self-examination seemingly endless at times. I skimmed parts to get back to the story.
But the thing that bugged me the most was the timeline. Of course, it's fantasy with magic, so I'm already having to suspend quite a lot of disbelief, but why did the timeline have to be like this too? All three books kept reminding the reader that everything had only happened 'weeks ago'. Every book started almost immediately after the other ended. Why couldn't a bit of time pass?
Perhaps this is all rather nitpicky and I'm too cynical, but sometimes it's the little things that make a book just ok rather than good or great.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the overall series. The story idea was new and fun. It was light reading which I needed at this point. The basic plot isn't complicated. No one dies. There is little violence and no blood. I recognized aspects of Japanese culture that I enjoyed.
However, little things that bugged me a bit in the first 2 books bothered me more in this last one. One was this one needed a heavier hand in editing. There were misspellings, missing words and sentence structure was awkward enough at times, that I had to go back and reread it at least once to sort it out. And on at least one occasion, couldn't figure it out.
I also found Miyara's constant self-examination seemingly endless at times. I skimmed parts to get back to the story.
But the thing that bugged me the most was the timeline. Of course, it's fantasy with magic, so I'm already having to suspend quite a lot of disbelief, but why did the timeline have to be like this too? All three books kept reminding the reader that everything had only happened 'weeks ago'. Every book started almost immediately after the other ended. Why couldn't a bit of time pass?
Perhaps this is all rather nitpicky and I'm too cynical, but sometimes it's the little things that make a book just ok rather than good or great.
July 24, 2023
There's a good story in there, but you do have to wade through what feels like virtue signaling in book form. I will say this last book had less of it than book 2. That being said, I did read all 3 books.
June 21, 2023
I'm not quite sure how I should characterise these books, but I came across a piece in volume 3 which sums up what is very typical of these books
"The afternoon proceeds not in a rush, but a painstaking abundance of nuance and care. We are all so intent on our words and their effects, how many ways they can be interpreted, what to imply or infer, that I am both exhilarared and ragged by the time we part ways."
It is fantasy based a bit on Eastern culture in the whole tea thing: the tea master, tea ceremony, tea-pet, etc.
But because it is fantasy, that can be exploited in a very unique way.
What I find slightly less satisfying is Miyara's superiority in almost all circumstances. She is extremely sure of herself, knows who she is, what she has to do and sometimes this is emphasised a bit too much.
I had some trouble at first with the book being written in the present tense, because I don't really like that very much. But it doesn't hinder in this story.
What I love is the atmosphere, the meticulousness, the care, the characters and the story, which is also really special. Original and strong.
And it really has the most adorable and cute dragon in literary history. Yorani is really irresistible, but especially the way she is written about is strong. There is no emphasis on her cuteness, but the manner in which there are casually mentions about her friendship with the cat, her preference for her sleeping socks (!!!!) and how she sleeps in her teapot make me very happy without effort.
I started these books with 4 stars, but now, coming to the end of the series, I'm changing it to 5 because I don't want to leave and because it changed me a bit while reading.
And to think I almost didn't start it because of the trite title.
"The afternoon proceeds not in a rush, but a painstaking abundance of nuance and care. We are all so intent on our words and their effects, how many ways they can be interpreted, what to imply or infer, that I am both exhilarared and ragged by the time we part ways."
It is fantasy based a bit on Eastern culture in the whole tea thing: the tea master, tea ceremony, tea-pet, etc.
But because it is fantasy, that can be exploited in a very unique way.
What I find slightly less satisfying is Miyara's superiority in almost all circumstances. She is extremely sure of herself, knows who she is, what she has to do and sometimes this is emphasised a bit too much.
I had some trouble at first with the book being written in the present tense, because I don't really like that very much. But it doesn't hinder in this story.
What I love is the atmosphere, the meticulousness, the care, the characters and the story, which is also really special. Original and strong.
And it really has the most adorable and cute dragon in literary history. Yorani is really irresistible, but especially the way she is written about is strong. There is no emphasis on her cuteness, but the manner in which there are casually mentions about her friendship with the cat, her preference for her sleeping socks (!!!!) and how she sleeps in her teapot make me very happy without effort.
I started these books with 4 stars, but now, coming to the end of the series, I'm changing it to 5 because I don't want to leave and because it changed me a bit while reading.
And to think I almost didn't start it because of the trite title.
August 20, 2023
First of all, this is not really a cozy fantasy, in the sense that it doesn't have low stakes. The protagonist is setting out to save the world, which is as high as stakes can get. But it has a lot of the furniture of cozy: a tea shop, a sweet romance, a lot of page space dedicated to the personal and interpersonal development of the characters rather than to the world-saving.
Don't start with this book, by the way. The books are based on a continuous web series, and so when a character from a previous book reappears there isn't the slightest attempt to recap who they are, what they do, or what their relationship to the protagonist is; you need to remember from having read the previous volumes relatively recently. And there are a lot of these characters, too.
I was pleased to note that one of my criticisms of the previous book is starting to be addressed in this one. Miyara the Tea Princess has been making everything about her, doing all the protagonism, and treating her friends and acquaintances largely as a little court who she orders about as extensions of herself. In this book, she's become aware of that and is trying to work on it, delegate more, trust them to do what they're good at in their own way without her direct supervision, and have their own development and growth. Because it's still narrated in her voice, inevitably everything still filters through her perspective, but at least she's encouraging more agency in the other characters, and they're taking it on.
One thing hasn't changed. One of her sisters says at one point, "I was under the impression that defeat by graciousness was your primary mode of operating." I have never been under that impression; to me, it seems that Miyara's primary mode of operating is to berate people with harsh truths and ultimatums until they fold and do what she wants, inexplicably without resenting her manner in most cases.
In terms of language, the sentences sometimes wander so much that they get lost and fall apart grammatically; there was one I couldn't parse at all, I assume because at least one of the words had the wrong part of speech. There are numerous missing words, repeated words, transposed words, and other errors and typos (including "knew" for "new," twice, and "their" for "there"; maybe the author uses dictation software and doesn't clean up the output properly?). A couple of times, Miyara claims to be the "fourth youngest" princess; she's actually fourth oldest, and therefore second youngest, of the five.
All up, I noted about twice as many errors as I'd expect to see in a book this length (it's long), which earned it my "seriously-needs-editing" tag. The author is being ambitious with the prose, attempting sentences that are long and complicated and profound, but doesn't have the chops to pull it off consistently. Apparently, the books were funded by a Kickstarter following success as a web series; more of the proceeds needed to be dedicated to competent professional editing.
In my reviews of the previous two books, I mentioned that the worldbuilding felt like scenery flats. Here, it feels a little more filled in, especially the magic systems. We do still get the occasional ritual recitation of 2020s US progressive orthodox doctrine on oppressive systems, with no attempt to make it feel like an organic part of the setting or something Miyara, with her background, would realistically think, but most of the thoughts that are actually integrated into the story are not so rote or simplistic and most of them make some sense. (I will note that ambassadors are not usually empowered to change the laws of their countries by making a treaty with other countries; their government still needs to ratify the treaty and make the changes to the law by their normal process.)
I'm being harsh on it, despite rating it highly, because it's a fresh and (from a story point of view) mostly well-executed premise that I felt was badly let down by lack of attention to detail. I would normally place a book with this amount of depth and character development in at least the Gold tier of my Best of the Year list, if not the Platinum tier, but as it is, it only merits Silver.
There's a sentence in there somewhere that I didn't highlight from Deniel, Miyara's love interest, about putting effort into your art to make it the best it can be. I feel like the author needs to put that sentence up on the wall and reflect on it deeply. This whole series shows a lot of promise that, for me, is not fully realized because of poor mechanics, mental blind spots and ignorance about how a world works. If the author (who is young and early-career) works hard on these things, rather than coasting on the popularity the good storytelling and strong characters deservedly attract, future books could be extraordinarily good, rather than a mixture of excellence and profound flaws.
Don't start with this book, by the way. The books are based on a continuous web series, and so when a character from a previous book reappears there isn't the slightest attempt to recap who they are, what they do, or what their relationship to the protagonist is; you need to remember from having read the previous volumes relatively recently. And there are a lot of these characters, too.
I was pleased to note that one of my criticisms of the previous book is starting to be addressed in this one. Miyara the Tea Princess has been making everything about her, doing all the protagonism, and treating her friends and acquaintances largely as a little court who she orders about as extensions of herself. In this book, she's become aware of that and is trying to work on it, delegate more, trust them to do what they're good at in their own way without her direct supervision, and have their own development and growth. Because it's still narrated in her voice, inevitably everything still filters through her perspective, but at least she's encouraging more agency in the other characters, and they're taking it on.
One thing hasn't changed. One of her sisters says at one point, "I was under the impression that defeat by graciousness was your primary mode of operating." I have never been under that impression; to me, it seems that Miyara's primary mode of operating is to berate people with harsh truths and ultimatums until they fold and do what she wants, inexplicably without resenting her manner in most cases.
In terms of language, the sentences sometimes wander so much that they get lost and fall apart grammatically; there was one I couldn't parse at all, I assume because at least one of the words had the wrong part of speech. There are numerous missing words, repeated words, transposed words, and other errors and typos (including "knew" for "new," twice, and "their" for "there"; maybe the author uses dictation software and doesn't clean up the output properly?). A couple of times, Miyara claims to be the "fourth youngest" princess; she's actually fourth oldest, and therefore second youngest, of the five.
All up, I noted about twice as many errors as I'd expect to see in a book this length (it's long), which earned it my "seriously-needs-editing" tag. The author is being ambitious with the prose, attempting sentences that are long and complicated and profound, but doesn't have the chops to pull it off consistently. Apparently, the books were funded by a Kickstarter following success as a web series; more of the proceeds needed to be dedicated to competent professional editing.
In my reviews of the previous two books, I mentioned that the worldbuilding felt like scenery flats. Here, it feels a little more filled in, especially the magic systems. We do still get the occasional ritual recitation of 2020s US progressive orthodox doctrine on oppressive systems, with no attempt to make it feel like an organic part of the setting or something Miyara, with her background, would realistically think, but most of the thoughts that are actually integrated into the story are not so rote or simplistic and most of them make some sense. (I will note that ambassadors are not usually empowered to change the laws of their countries by making a treaty with other countries; their government still needs to ratify the treaty and make the changes to the law by their normal process.)
I'm being harsh on it, despite rating it highly, because it's a fresh and (from a story point of view) mostly well-executed premise that I felt was badly let down by lack of attention to detail. I would normally place a book with this amount of depth and character development in at least the Gold tier of my Best of the Year list, if not the Platinum tier, but as it is, it only merits Silver.
There's a sentence in there somewhere that I didn't highlight from Deniel, Miyara's love interest, about putting effort into your art to make it the best it can be. I feel like the author needs to put that sentence up on the wall and reflect on it deeply. This whole series shows a lot of promise that, for me, is not fully realized because of poor mechanics, mental blind spots and ignorance about how a world works. If the author (who is young and early-career) works hard on these things, rather than coasting on the popularity the good storytelling and strong characters deservedly attract, future books could be extraordinarily good, rather than a mixture of excellence and profound flaws.
August 29, 2023
I wish I stopped at the first book in this series.
Go go go all the time, all three books. Not well paced. The main character is always assuming what everyone else is thinking/doing, and assumes she is right. So many pages of this. Also, if there are two people that could possibly be a couple (close in age), they will be after meeting once or twice. Descriptions of characters were very lacking, and if you forgot who one was between the books there were zero reminders. Made it hard to imagine things All of these annoyed me a lot, and I almost dnf.
Go go go all the time, all three books. Not well paced. The main character is always assuming what everyone else is thinking/doing, and assumes she is right. So many pages of this. Also, if there are two people that could possibly be a couple (close in age), they will be after meeting once or twice. Descriptions of characters were very lacking, and if you forgot who one was between the books there were zero reminders. Made it hard to imagine things All of these annoyed me a lot, and I almost dnf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2023
Super slow
I like finishing a series, but each book seemed to get slower and slower. I found myself looking forward to the hand full of interactions with the cat and the tea spirit. Too much dialog, and the dialog was super boring. The concept of the book was very creative, but it was like reading a tutorial on how to be a diplomat or a therapist. Most boring book ever, and it had magic, witches, mages, and spirits. If you want to read something to make you sleep, this is it. Snooze!
I like finishing a series, but each book seemed to get slower and slower. I found myself looking forward to the hand full of interactions with the cat and the tea spirit. Too much dialog, and the dialog was super boring. The concept of the book was very creative, but it was like reading a tutorial on how to be a diplomat or a therapist. Most boring book ever, and it had magic, witches, mages, and spirits. If you want to read something to make you sleep, this is it. Snooze!
September 28, 2020
This was just a lovely series from start to finish. Tea and magic and adventure and dragons and found family and 🎶 these are a few of my favorite things... just read them. They're free and available online and just... just read them. The world needs some tea magic right now.
August 30, 2025
Wonderful fantasy adventure with romance
The adventure is the thing! And multiple threads are woven into a harmonious whole in this splendid conclusion to the Chronicles. Books with fully fledged, loveable secondary characters are my favorites, and these characters and their stories don't disappoint. Best of all, Thiano finds redemption. I read these books in KU but will buy them to reread.
The adventure is the thing! And multiple threads are woven into a harmonious whole in this splendid conclusion to the Chronicles. Books with fully fledged, loveable secondary characters are my favorites, and these characters and their stories don't disappoint. Best of all, Thiano finds redemption. I read these books in KU but will buy them to reread.
October 30, 2024
Hard to get Through
I enjoyed books one and two. New characters with many similar but obscure names along with dragged out subplots makes this story a bit of a slog to get through.
I enjoyed books one and two. New characters with many similar but obscure names along with dragged out subplots makes this story a bit of a slog to get through.
December 30, 2022
TeaPrincess3
How do you keep a secret? Tell no one.
Unfortunately, Miyara has four sisters, who are not going to let her live in simplicity, just because she renounced her heritage. So Suiyana told Iryara and Reyata and Karisa where she was, what she was doing and who with - disaster! And that’s just on the personal front.
They also have Plaaaaanssss that she would be perfect for. But Miyara has changed. She has found her niche, and nobody is gonna pry her out of it. So what were passive, and seemingly happenstance consequences, she has to own and orchestrate to maintain her autonomy.
And show her sisters how to own their own choices. She had chosen to hide when she lived in the palace; and the past two books were the opening of her chrysalis in a supportive environment. Now she gets to justify her choices to the people who matter most from a distance, her family.
The fight becomes more personal and more precious, when they realize outside forces are arrayed against their nation, with world ending consequences.
I want more!
How do you keep a secret? Tell no one.
Unfortunately, Miyara has four sisters, who are not going to let her live in simplicity, just because she renounced her heritage. So Suiyana told Iryara and Reyata and Karisa where she was, what she was doing and who with - disaster! And that’s just on the personal front.
They also have Plaaaaanssss that she would be perfect for. But Miyara has changed. She has found her niche, and nobody is gonna pry her out of it. So what were passive, and seemingly happenstance consequences, she has to own and orchestrate to maintain her autonomy.
And show her sisters how to own their own choices. She had chosen to hide when she lived in the palace; and the past two books were the opening of her chrysalis in a supportive environment. Now she gets to justify her choices to the people who matter most from a distance, her family.
The fight becomes more personal and more precious, when they realize outside forces are arrayed against their nation, with world ending consequences.
I want more!
June 23, 2024
ugh THREE epilogues?!? nope - unacceptable
This book was about 200 pages too long. Readers don’t need every thought and sentence analyzed and explained. If you’re going to have an epilogue, use it appropriately. There is ZERO EXCUSE FOR THREE EPILOGUES - I paid less and less attention as I went on. The main romance deserves to be resolved as part of the actual book, so officially we don’t know what happened.
Decent ending but the editing went off the rails.
This book was about 200 pages too long. Readers don’t need every thought and sentence analyzed and explained. If you’re going to have an epilogue, use it appropriately. There is ZERO EXCUSE FOR THREE EPILOGUES - I paid less and less attention as I went on. The main romance deserves to be resolved as part of the actual book, so officially we don’t know what happened.
Decent ending but the editing went off the rails.
June 13, 2023
Teas, Dragons, and Spies — Oh my!
This was an amazing book for me. The narrative was good, the author is thoughtful, and created a complex world with lots of interesting characters and an appreciation for positive values. And there are also Teas, Dragons and Spies. — and so much more. Read the series.
This was an amazing book for me. The narrative was good, the author is thoughtful, and created a complex world with lots of interesting characters and an appreciation for positive values. And there are also Teas, Dragons and Spies. — and so much more. Read the series.
February 18, 2024
Not a cozy story
Having to save the world and all the politics makes this a different genre. I enjoyed the first novel a lot and mostly enjoyed the second one, but couldn’t finish this one.
Having to save the world and all the politics makes this a different genre. I enjoyed the first novel a lot and mostly enjoyed the second one, but couldn’t finish this one.
July 26, 2023
This one was really quite boring for me--too much psychodrama and introspection. I could barely finish it.
Read
August 13, 2023This series is so hard to rate, moments of brilliance and pages without clarity. It’s clear it’s self published. With some refining, it could be a 5 star trilogy, all of the potential is there.
October 14, 2023
I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous books. It felt like there was a lot of internal monologuing going on and not much action.
July 3, 2024
Didn't LOVE it but invested enough to want to know what happens.
November 11, 2023
Step into a world of refined elegance and indulge your senses with Casey Blair's "Royal Tea Service." This literary gem is a delightful exploration of the art and ritual of tea, offering readers a regal journey through the fascinating world of steeped sophistication.
Blair's writing is a blend of charm and expertise, effortlessly guiding readers through the intricacies of hosting a royal tea service. The prose is as smooth as the finest Darjeeling, providing a perfect complement to the subject matter. Blair's passion for tea is palpable on every page, making the book not only informative but also a genuinely enjoyable read.
One of the book's standout features is its accessibility. Whether you're a seasoned tea aficionado or a newcomer to the world of loose leaves and delicate china, Blair's writing caters to all levels of expertise. The book strikes a harmonious balance between detailed insights into the history and culture of tea and practical tips for creating a truly regal tea experience at home.
"Royal Tea Service" is not merely a guide; it's an invitation to savor the finer things in life. Blair skillfully navigates the reader through the nuances of tea selection, brewing techniques, and the art of pairing, creating an immersive experience that goes beyond the beverage itself. The inclusion of beautiful illustrations and photographs adds an extra layer of visual delight, making each page a feast for the eyes.
What sets this book apart is its celebration of tea as a form of self-care and connection. Blair beautifully captures the essence of the tea-drinking experience, emphasizing the restorative and communal aspects of this timeless tradition. As you read, you can almost hear the gentle clinking of teacups and the hushed conversations in elegant tea rooms.
In a world that often rushes by, "Royal Tea Service" encourages readers to pause, sip slowly, and appreciate the beauty in simplicity. Casey Blair has crafted a literary masterpiece that not only imparts knowledge but also fosters a sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the finer details of life. Whether you're a tea enthusiast or someone seeking a touch of sophistication, "Royal Tea Service" is a must-read that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the art of tea. Indulge yourself in this majestic journey, and let the pages of Blair's book transport you to a world of serene elegance and timeless tradition.
Blair's writing is a blend of charm and expertise, effortlessly guiding readers through the intricacies of hosting a royal tea service. The prose is as smooth as the finest Darjeeling, providing a perfect complement to the subject matter. Blair's passion for tea is palpable on every page, making the book not only informative but also a genuinely enjoyable read.
One of the book's standout features is its accessibility. Whether you're a seasoned tea aficionado or a newcomer to the world of loose leaves and delicate china, Blair's writing caters to all levels of expertise. The book strikes a harmonious balance between detailed insights into the history and culture of tea and practical tips for creating a truly regal tea experience at home.
"Royal Tea Service" is not merely a guide; it's an invitation to savor the finer things in life. Blair skillfully navigates the reader through the nuances of tea selection, brewing techniques, and the art of pairing, creating an immersive experience that goes beyond the beverage itself. The inclusion of beautiful illustrations and photographs adds an extra layer of visual delight, making each page a feast for the eyes.
What sets this book apart is its celebration of tea as a form of self-care and connection. Blair beautifully captures the essence of the tea-drinking experience, emphasizing the restorative and communal aspects of this timeless tradition. As you read, you can almost hear the gentle clinking of teacups and the hushed conversations in elegant tea rooms.
In a world that often rushes by, "Royal Tea Service" encourages readers to pause, sip slowly, and appreciate the beauty in simplicity. Casey Blair has crafted a literary masterpiece that not only imparts knowledge but also fosters a sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the finer details of life. Whether you're a tea enthusiast or someone seeking a touch of sophistication, "Royal Tea Service" is a must-read that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the art of tea. Indulge yourself in this majestic journey, and let the pages of Blair's book transport you to a world of serene elegance and timeless tradition.
November 15, 2024
I guess if you lasted three books they can't be bad. It is an odd series, however.
THE GOOD
The story is engaging.
The characters, especially supporting characters, are relatable. You grow to care about them.
The world building is well done.
The idea of Cataclysm is thrilling. I'd love this to be a series with a huge budget to see the CGI there. It reminded me of the scenes in the Annihilation trilogy.
It is surprising. Despite some slow (on that below) bits, there is enough actions and twists to keep you on your toes.
It is actually the first book where I see some more daring inclusivity made to make sense.
THE BAD
The inclusivity does sometimes feel forced. Initially I liked how one of the characters got a set of neutral pronouns because it felt natural. Then it took it and shoved it down your throat by stopping action to do exposes on it. It felt forced. Ditto for a lot of the 'inclusivity' talk on witches, Galleani etc. It really hammers down the 'marginalised groups' narrative by simultaneously being entirely champagne marxist (on that more below) - Miyara, the main character, who's so hellbent on this whole inclusivity thing and injustice done to the refugees and witches, then is A-OK with embracing her grandma , who perpetrated a lot of it, casually brushing it off as 'oh well, she had some difficult choices to make, bummer'.
On the topic of Miyara - if you buy the inclusivity narrative , then she is the epitome of white saviour. In the end the world is saved by a rich, powerful lady. Convenient. This is also why I see her as a champagne marxist, especially as for all the talk of inclusion, she's quite adamant on keeping all the power positions she can, while pretending otherwise. Unlike some of the supporting characters, hers isnt as well developed either. It seems whatever she does, she succeeds, which is just not believable. There's a lot of talk about her insular and unloving upbringing, which then doesn't gel at all with the outcome, because she's also , somehow, amazing at navigating relationships and reading characters. These skills are lazily brushed as a result of her 'princess training'. But, psychologically, thats just not plausible.
Anyway, it was a fun read, but I'd classify it as the chick lit of cosy fantasy. I read it after the House Witch trilogy which was infinitely better.
THE GOOD
The story is engaging.
The characters, especially supporting characters, are relatable. You grow to care about them.
The world building is well done.
The idea of Cataclysm is thrilling. I'd love this to be a series with a huge budget to see the CGI there. It reminded me of the scenes in the Annihilation trilogy.
It is surprising. Despite some slow (on that below) bits, there is enough actions and twists to keep you on your toes.
It is actually the first book where I see some more daring inclusivity made to make sense.
THE BAD
The inclusivity does sometimes feel forced. Initially I liked how one of the characters got a set of neutral pronouns because it felt natural. Then it took it and shoved it down your throat by stopping action to do exposes on it. It felt forced. Ditto for a lot of the 'inclusivity' talk on witches, Galleani etc. It really hammers down the 'marginalised groups' narrative by simultaneously being entirely champagne marxist (on that more below) - Miyara, the main character, who's so hellbent on this whole inclusivity thing and injustice done to the refugees and witches, then is A-OK with embracing her grandma , who perpetrated a lot of it, casually brushing it off as 'oh well, she had some difficult choices to make, bummer'.
On the topic of Miyara - if you buy the inclusivity narrative , then she is the epitome of white saviour. In the end the world is saved by a rich, powerful lady. Convenient. This is also why I see her as a champagne marxist, especially as for all the talk of inclusion, she's quite adamant on keeping all the power positions she can, while pretending otherwise. Unlike some of the supporting characters, hers isnt as well developed either. It seems whatever she does, she succeeds, which is just not believable. There's a lot of talk about her insular and unloving upbringing, which then doesn't gel at all with the outcome, because she's also , somehow, amazing at navigating relationships and reading characters. These skills are lazily brushed as a result of her 'princess training'. But, psychologically, thats just not plausible.
Anyway, it was a fun read, but I'd classify it as the chick lit of cosy fantasy. I read it after the House Witch trilogy which was infinitely better.
November 23, 2025
The last book of the series and now we get all the princesses in one place. And despite the sisters having barely had any interaction before, they quickly become tight-knit, and of course, as always, Miyara understands Everything about Everyone.
I want to rate this higher, I really do. Because cozy, dragons, tea, magic, witches, found family... all things I love.
But at this point, I'm really tired of the MC. In a few weeks, she's gone from sheltered and unloved princess who leaves everything behind and doesn't even have shoes when she just happens to end up in the city where *everything* important for the country will happen. She gets a job, colors her hair green because reasons, studies for a week or two for an exam that supposedly takes others years to do (yes, she has the tea ceremony itself down, but not all the knowledge), finds a race lost in a big magical chaos, exposes a bad guy, meets a guy and fall in love, moves in with him (and then he's pretty much forgotten in this book), is forced to enter a tea competition and of course wins that, becomes a master everyone recognizes, exposes more bad guys, creates a baby dragon, can see spirits hardly anyone can see, and then organizes a summit for like five countries or something, all while handholding everyone else to "become what they're meant to be" and repeating that her purpose is "serving" a few times a day. Also, there's a bunch of teens that Miyara is the boss of that somehow always get the job done, too, and there really isn't much in the way of setbacks throughout.
As in the second book in particular, there is also a lot of preaching. And the MC analyzing her own thoughts and feelings, and everyone else's, and knowing exactly what others are thinking.
The side characters are really what make it worth it, and several of them get too little screen time. I would've loved to see more of the female friendships, but this book has much more of the sisters. There are a LOT of characters to keep track of. (I will say that the neatness with which everyone is paired off is a bit... eh... but...). I also really enjoyed the Cataclysm, including the background of it. There are some twists and turns (though again, most are over-exposed in Miyara's thoughts).
The whole series is enjoyable, but it could've been shorter and much less preachy, and that would've made the whole thing much better.
I want to rate this higher, I really do. Because cozy, dragons, tea, magic, witches, found family... all things I love.
But at this point, I'm really tired of the MC. In a few weeks, she's gone from sheltered and unloved princess who leaves everything behind and doesn't even have shoes when she just happens to end up in the city where *everything* important for the country will happen. She gets a job, colors her hair green because reasons, studies for a week or two for an exam that supposedly takes others years to do (yes, she has the tea ceremony itself down, but not all the knowledge), finds a race lost in a big magical chaos, exposes a bad guy, meets a guy and fall in love, moves in with him (and then he's pretty much forgotten in this book), is forced to enter a tea competition and of course wins that, becomes a master everyone recognizes, exposes more bad guys, creates a baby dragon, can see spirits hardly anyone can see, and then organizes a summit for like five countries or something, all while handholding everyone else to "become what they're meant to be" and repeating that her purpose is "serving" a few times a day. Also, there's a bunch of teens that Miyara is the boss of that somehow always get the job done, too, and there really isn't much in the way of setbacks throughout.
As in the second book in particular, there is also a lot of preaching. And the MC analyzing her own thoughts and feelings, and everyone else's, and knowing exactly what others are thinking.
The side characters are really what make it worth it, and several of them get too little screen time. I would've loved to see more of the female friendships, but this book has much more of the sisters. There are a LOT of characters to keep track of. (I will say that the neatness with which everyone is paired off is a bit... eh... but...). I also really enjoyed the Cataclysm, including the background of it. There are some twists and turns (though again, most are over-exposed in Miyara's thoughts).
The whole series is enjoyable, but it could've been shorter and much less preachy, and that would've made the whole thing much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
2.5
It hurts me to write such a low review for this book, because there IS a great story at the center.
But this book had waaaay too much introspection, and concerns about exactly how/what OTHER people were saying and what they REALLY meant underneath it all - that it became exhausting to read. Each interaction had text, subtext, and new interpreted meanings, and everyone's feelings had to be managed correctly to the nth degree.
The other books had this in smaller doses, but a lot of it was Miyara learning and acclimating to her new environment. There's still a lot of that happening and adjustments especially when setting up a new world/story, but it just seemed be more excessive in this book, and that should have been reduced as the series went on rather than increased.
There were a lot more spelling/grammar errors (missing or misplaced words), and the timeline for this just seemed to be more unrealistic every time they mentioned it. They kept talking about how Miyara was doing all of this "in just a few weeks" and building this new life "in just a few short weeks", and how her and Deniel are moving in together now after "just a few weeks," and on and on. There really should have been allowed more time to pass in order to make it ring true. The events were fine, but Many of the things they describe take time to learn, like earning people's trust doesn't happen overnight. the events in the book keep talking about days and nights happening, but yet they're still only talking about a few weeks. What are a few weeks in this case? Cause it feels like it should be closer to a year!
I really enjoyed reading about all of the different princesses, the spies and spymasters, and the dragons. The meetings with the dragons and the oldest sister were fun as well. I just wish they hadn't been so over analyzed.
This book is a little bit more serious in higher stakes than the others and it is quite a bit thicker. I think if this were edited a bit more and trimmed down it could be an amazing book, and a perfect ending to the series.
It hurts me to write such a low review for this book, because there IS a great story at the center.
But this book had waaaay too much introspection, and concerns about exactly how/what OTHER people were saying and what they REALLY meant underneath it all - that it became exhausting to read. Each interaction had text, subtext, and new interpreted meanings, and everyone's feelings had to be managed correctly to the nth degree.
The other books had this in smaller doses, but a lot of it was Miyara learning and acclimating to her new environment. There's still a lot of that happening and adjustments especially when setting up a new world/story, but it just seemed be more excessive in this book, and that should have been reduced as the series went on rather than increased.
There were a lot more spelling/grammar errors (missing or misplaced words), and the timeline for this just seemed to be more unrealistic every time they mentioned it. They kept talking about how Miyara was doing all of this "in just a few weeks" and building this new life "in just a few short weeks", and how her and Deniel are moving in together now after "just a few weeks," and on and on. There really should have been allowed more time to pass in order to make it ring true. The events were fine, but Many of the things they describe take time to learn, like earning people's trust doesn't happen overnight. the events in the book keep talking about days and nights happening, but yet they're still only talking about a few weeks. What are a few weeks in this case? Cause it feels like it should be closer to a year!
I really enjoyed reading about all of the different princesses, the spies and spymasters, and the dragons. The meetings with the dragons and the oldest sister were fun as well. I just wish they hadn't been so over analyzed.
This book is a little bit more serious in higher stakes than the others and it is quite a bit thicker. I think if this were edited a bit more and trimmed down it could be an amazing book, and a perfect ending to the series.
June 29, 2023
Thank you Casey Blair
Politics, tea, dragons, spies, magic, potential world-ending, philosophy, change, connections between different and differing people, relationships without the physical aspect stealing all the screen time, solid immersive writing, a trilogy where each book resolves enough that you feel content but still curious, and the main active force of plot progression is all linked even though the previous aspect was resolved, making space for emotion but not being negatively ruled by it, all the emotions but ultimately good ones.
The tea princess storyline feels satisfactorily concluded, though I’m sure she’ll be involved if you continue writing this world and these characters… which I can’t help but hope you do. I’d love to devour Iryasa’s story, with the main focus starting just before she leaves for Sayorsen and extending into the future that awaits, Lorwyn’s story from youth til now or even further, because I think I’d enjoy seeing events from her perspective and learning more about her, Saaiyana and Ostorio’s story, a mini-novella with Thiano’s story, how things go with the spy teens, Elowyn’s story and the choices she will make for her future work and relationships, Reyata and Braisa… and all the others but my brain is short circuiting because I’ve been awake too long reading and I’m already sure I’ve misspelled names.
Regardless of whether this world is ever revisited, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the tea princess chronicles, and hope to share their magic with others.
Also, reading recommendation wise, if anyone enjoyed this, they will likely enjoy Forthright’s Amaranthine books (though a little less chaste than this series) and vice versa. Maybe also T A White’s pathfinder series, though there’s less similarity at a glance and I can’t quite put my finger on why I feel the same readers may appreciate them.
Politics, tea, dragons, spies, magic, potential world-ending, philosophy, change, connections between different and differing people, relationships without the physical aspect stealing all the screen time, solid immersive writing, a trilogy where each book resolves enough that you feel content but still curious, and the main active force of plot progression is all linked even though the previous aspect was resolved, making space for emotion but not being negatively ruled by it, all the emotions but ultimately good ones.
The tea princess storyline feels satisfactorily concluded, though I’m sure she’ll be involved if you continue writing this world and these characters… which I can’t help but hope you do. I’d love to devour Iryasa’s story, with the main focus starting just before she leaves for Sayorsen and extending into the future that awaits, Lorwyn’s story from youth til now or even further, because I think I’d enjoy seeing events from her perspective and learning more about her, Saaiyana and Ostorio’s story, a mini-novella with Thiano’s story, how things go with the spy teens, Elowyn’s story and the choices she will make for her future work and relationships, Reyata and Braisa… and all the others but my brain is short circuiting because I’ve been awake too long reading and I’m already sure I’ve misspelled names.
Regardless of whether this world is ever revisited, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the tea princess chronicles, and hope to share their magic with others.
Also, reading recommendation wise, if anyone enjoyed this, they will likely enjoy Forthright’s Amaranthine books (though a little less chaste than this series) and vice versa. Maybe also T A White’s pathfinder series, though there’s less similarity at a glance and I can’t quite put my finger on why I feel the same readers may appreciate them.
November 8, 2023
In the final book of the Tea Princess Chronicles, Miyara leads a summit to try and identify the cause of the Cataclysm and prevent its expansion, encompassing the whole of the continent. In the process, she has to deal with spies, teenagers and family. Sometimes at the same time.
I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't say it was essential to Miyara's story. It does tell us about the Cataclysm and what caused it, but I'm not really sure that was such a burning question. The one big thing it does do, I guess, is give Miyara closure with her sisters, all of whom turn up in this book, after just one in the previous one. Most of the focus is on her eldest and youngest sisters. Her third sister, Saiyana, had a lot of development in the previous book, but it's a shame that her second sister gets very little characterisation beyond being the strong, silent type.
Miyara feels a bit overpowered in this book. In previous books it always felt like she was being stretched, and learning new ways to be and to serve, but I didn't really feel that here. She handles her relationship with her partner, with her sisters, her friends and with the ambassadors attending the conference with ease. And then it sort of feels like a number of big events happened "off-screen", as it were.
And on top of everything else, even the pun in the title wasn't as good as previous books (although I'm not sure it's possible to best Tea Set and Match). Still an enjoyable, cosy read though. I enjoyed spending time in the world and wish that our own rulers had half as much desire to really serve the people as Miyara and her sisters do.
I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't say it was essential to Miyara's story. It does tell us about the Cataclysm and what caused it, but I'm not really sure that was such a burning question. The one big thing it does do, I guess, is give Miyara closure with her sisters, all of whom turn up in this book, after just one in the previous one. Most of the focus is on her eldest and youngest sisters. Her third sister, Saiyana, had a lot of development in the previous book, but it's a shame that her second sister gets very little characterisation beyond being the strong, silent type.
Miyara feels a bit overpowered in this book. In previous books it always felt like she was being stretched, and learning new ways to be and to serve, but I didn't really feel that here. She handles her relationship with her partner, with her sisters, her friends and with the ambassadors attending the conference with ease. And then it sort of feels like a number of big events happened "off-screen", as it were.
And on top of everything else, even the pun in the title wasn't as good as previous books (although I'm not sure it's possible to best Tea Set and Match). Still an enjoyable, cosy read though. I enjoyed spending time in the world and wish that our own rulers had half as much desire to really serve the people as Miyara and her sisters do.
September 3, 2023
The trilogy over all was cozy and entertaining. I’m not sure if the series was meant to be YA or not, but it did mostly read that way, though it was refreshing to have the leads not be teenagers if so. I couldn’t tell.
For me, what cannot be loved about dragons, tea, and fantasy? Over all, it was good. I am rating this as a series here. The first book was the best. The second came off forced at times and borderline a little preachy, like it wanted to get as many social topics in as possible. This third and final was not as good as one but much better than 2.
As someone with education and experience with writing and editing, I did at time have struggles. For one, while the world was obviously created and not one we know, it was fleshed out well enough, but the time frame wasn’t. I couldn’t tell if it took place in our understanding of the past or present. Not being our world history, overall it didn’t matter, but there were enough times that made me wonder. Also, it was full of typographical errors, some grammatical, some where the sentence stopped making sense without fixing it mentally. It wasn’t bad enough to stop be from reading, but the author or publisher would benefit from a better editor next time.
The plots were good, entertaining, though mildly questionable at times, mostly within the second book. The characters were where she shined mostly. Some did fall flat and could have benefited from more fleshing out, and at times I found myself having to remind myself who we were talking about.
I did like it. Don’t get me wrong. These critiques are only as evident as they are due to my education and experience.
For me, what cannot be loved about dragons, tea, and fantasy? Over all, it was good. I am rating this as a series here. The first book was the best. The second came off forced at times and borderline a little preachy, like it wanted to get as many social topics in as possible. This third and final was not as good as one but much better than 2.
As someone with education and experience with writing and editing, I did at time have struggles. For one, while the world was obviously created and not one we know, it was fleshed out well enough, but the time frame wasn’t. I couldn’t tell if it took place in our understanding of the past or present. Not being our world history, overall it didn’t matter, but there were enough times that made me wonder. Also, it was full of typographical errors, some grammatical, some where the sentence stopped making sense without fixing it mentally. It wasn’t bad enough to stop be from reading, but the author or publisher would benefit from a better editor next time.
The plots were good, entertaining, though mildly questionable at times, mostly within the second book. The characters were where she shined mostly. Some did fall flat and could have benefited from more fleshing out, and at times I found myself having to remind myself who we were talking about.
I did like it. Don’t get me wrong. These critiques are only as evident as they are due to my education and experience.
February 17, 2025
3.5 stars. I loved the series, and liked this book. I really debated the rating. I felt like the story started to drag in this book and that conversations and points were sometimes repetitive. I didn’t feel the same push to get to the next scene and find out what happens next in this book that I felt in the previous two. Though the stakes are higher in some ways, they aren’t as personally high for Miyara - or I didn’t feel it that way, in any case. I wasn’t sure how the plot was going to end; who the bad guy(s) were going to be exactly, or how they would solve the Cataclysm problem, but I did know fairly early on who was going to end up with who. There weren’t really any other major character arcs this book. Miyara has to learn how to let go, but she gets it figured out fairly swiftly. I did enjoy her interactions with each of her sisters, though I also got tired of what felt somewhat repetitive there. In all, I think this book could have been much shorter. Learning that the entire series started as a web toon or web serial explains some of that for me. I think a web serial would encourage some of the repetition - similar conversations with multiple characters, slow reinforcement of growth arcs. I think it might read well, or at least better in a web series where each episode or small arc of episodes has its own mini climax and mini ending while the larger arc plays out significantly more slowly. Books, while longer and more sprawling than movies, are significantly more compact than web series, though admittedly my experience of the latter is not super broad and I could be wrong.
February 8, 2023
The first book in the trilogy was pretty strong, introducing interesting characters, setting a stage, good worldbuilding.
The second book - more interesting characters, some action, some intriguing chunks of the world this is set in, and a snarky, but ultimately pale villain - irrespective of him, a good read.
The third book - this one - O.M.G. Endless wittering on about boundaries, dithering about this, dithering about that, the interesting love interest of the protagonist gets more or less condemned to an 'also ran' role, 60odd percent into the book I was seriously considering throwing it at the wall. The introduction of a posse of sniping snarky supercilious sisters did not add to the allure of the narrative. Not at all.
Finally this reader struck a hint that something might actually be imminent to happen .... so I didn't chuck it [yet].
There is entirely too much pointless verbiage, bulking things up (and I like doorstop like books, generally speaking, but not when they're stuffed with chuff). Oh, and, as someone else pointed out, the editing is clearly not up to scratch. Can we blame the author for that? Well, never mind: it certainly adds to not making this book a sparkling gem that one doesn't want to put down before 10 am after reading through the night. And a decent editor would've suggested: "cut, cut, cut" to about half at a loose guesstimate, of the first half of the book.
The second book - more interesting characters, some action, some intriguing chunks of the world this is set in, and a snarky, but ultimately pale villain - irrespective of him, a good read.
The third book - this one - O.M.G. Endless wittering on about boundaries, dithering about this, dithering about that, the interesting love interest of the protagonist gets more or less condemned to an 'also ran' role, 60odd percent into the book I was seriously considering throwing it at the wall. The introduction of a posse of sniping snarky supercilious sisters did not add to the allure of the narrative. Not at all.
Finally this reader struck a hint that something might actually be imminent to happen .... so I didn't chuck it [yet].
There is entirely too much pointless verbiage, bulking things up (and I like doorstop like books, generally speaking, but not when they're stuffed with chuff). Oh, and, as someone else pointed out, the editing is clearly not up to scratch. Can we blame the author for that? Well, never mind: it certainly adds to not making this book a sparkling gem that one doesn't want to put down before 10 am after reading through the night. And a decent editor would've suggested: "cut, cut, cut" to about half at a loose guesstimate, of the first half of the book.
September 3, 2025
gosh I hate to do this, b/c I LOVED Book 1 And gave it 5⭐... 3.5⭐ to book 2..
2.5⭐ for book 3. And the half stars are because of Yuranni(The baby dragon. I don't know the spelling. I listened to the audiobooks).
really, just stop at book 1...
Just like by book 2, this was blogged down by just ridiculously long and boring dialogue.. being inside miyara's head made sense in book 1.. we really don't need to see that constantly.. like every other paragraph.. And it was so much worse with book three because this one was even longer..
too many characters.. and there are no reminders of who is who going from book to book... when Ari popped back up near the end I was like.. what?? who dat? I literally didn't even remember him..
book one had such amazing world building. The cataclysm is this giant problem they're trying to solve and yet after book one we barely see inside it ever again..
I should have DNFed.. I thought about it at least 6 times.. But I was listening to the audiobook while driving so I just kept hoping it would get better.. except it didn't..
The endlessness resolved rather quickly after being bogged down for forever. And then came the epilogues. yes Plural.. 3... what is that?
I just am so beyond disappointed. I VERY rarely rate below three stars.. And when I give half Stars I also round up.. but unfortunately this one just didn't deserve that..
2.5⭐ for book 3. And the half stars are because of Yuranni(The baby dragon. I don't know the spelling. I listened to the audiobooks).
really, just stop at book 1...
Just like by book 2, this was blogged down by just ridiculously long and boring dialogue.. being inside miyara's head made sense in book 1.. we really don't need to see that constantly.. like every other paragraph.. And it was so much worse with book three because this one was even longer..
too many characters.. and there are no reminders of who is who going from book to book... when Ari popped back up near the end I was like.. what?? who dat? I literally didn't even remember him..
book one had such amazing world building. The cataclysm is this giant problem they're trying to solve and yet after book one we barely see inside it ever again..
I should have DNFed.. I thought about it at least 6 times.. But I was listening to the audiobook while driving so I just kept hoping it would get better.. except it didn't..
The endlessness resolved rather quickly after being bogged down for forever. And then came the epilogues. yes Plural.. 3... what is that?
I just am so beyond disappointed. I VERY rarely rate below three stars.. And when I give half Stars I also round up.. but unfortunately this one just didn't deserve that..
September 27, 2023
This is the final book in the Tea Princess trilogy, and it has the hardest for me to get started on. I don’t know what it was about the first few chapters, but it was a slog getting started. However, once I did get a little further, I was completely drawn into the story. We get to meet the rest of Mireya’s sisters who are a fascinating collection, though this books really focuses on her oldest sister (Iryasa) and her youngest (Karisa). Saiyana is still around but mostly in the background though she does play an important role and the second oldest sister (Reyata) is present but not very active in the story which is too bad. Once again, the relationships are the real focus of the story which was quite enjoyable.
This book was really heavy on the political intrigue, and I can see why that might not work for everyone. I really enjoyed the book once I got into it though. All in all it was a pretty satisfying conclusion to the series. While I wouldn’t mind more stories set in this world, I’m pretty content with how it left things. Four out of five stars.
This book was really heavy on the political intrigue, and I can see why that might not work for everyone. I really enjoyed the book once I got into it though. All in all it was a pretty satisfying conclusion to the series. While I wouldn’t mind more stories set in this world, I’m pretty content with how it left things. Four out of five stars.
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