Reviewed: May 23rd, 2025
Released: August 2nd, 2022
Genre: Cozy Fantasy
“There will always be work for those who know how to listen.”
When the fourth princess of Istalam is due to dedicate herself to a path serving the crown, she makes a choice that shocks everyone, herself most of all: She leaves.
In hiding and exiled from power, Miyara finds her place running a tea shop in a struggling community that sits on the edge of a magical disaster zone. But there’s more brewing under the surface of this city—hidden magic, and hidden machinations—that threaten all the people who’ve helped her make her own way.
Miyara may not be a princess anymore, but with a teapot in hand she’ll risk her newfound freedom to discover a more meaningful kind of power.
Helen’s Thoughts: 5/5
Miyara has always followed the rules, done what was expected of her, but she doesn’t know her purpose. She doesn’t know how to serve the people of Istalam and so she takes the most unexpected step of all, she walks away from her priviledged life as part of the Istalam royal family, and decides to find her own path on a journey of self discovery.
Never having had to perform simple chores, Miraya is ill-equipped for life outside the palace, and yet washing up as a bedraggled refugee on the doorstep of teahouse may be the most fortunate thing to happen to her.
Unexpected friendships and opportunities arise, but Miraya can’t help but think she doesn’t deserve the kindness others show her. She wants to help others, and through her love of tea she discovers a way.
There is much going on at the edge of the world, on the borders of the cataclysm where wild magic distorts reality. Discovering one of those responsible for the welfare of others is exploiting them instead, Miraya may have to give up her hard fought for freedom to help those she has come to love.
A really enjoyable cozy mystery with great characters. I think Miraya is a worthy heorine with hidden depths. Denial is sweet, Entero intriguing and Lorwyn a suitable bad-ass! There is magic, an adorable baby dragon and plenty of twists and turns. What more could you want?
Purchase A Coup of Tea
Link to book on Amazon UK: ebook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: ebook | Paperback
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series and now Harmony, a dystopian science fantasy.
Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Helen Garraway 