Tag: cozy fantasy

Review:  Trades & Treaties: The Glyphwright Chronicles Book 3 by Jeremy Fabiano 

Rating: 4.75⭐️

What a fantastic piece of fantasy storytelling! This is one of my favorite series and Fabiano has become a autobuy based on the superiority of his work on this series.

It’s not often I find myself reading novels that I find just so satisfying on multiple levels that I can recommend to many ages of readers, but this author and series is one of them. 

I mean how often do you hear someone say that a writer has made math, precision, economics, and the basics of trade absolutely gripping and part of a fascinating magical system and storyline? Fabiano does this time and again here and throughout the series.  

He’s building systems and exploring new areas just like his characters, Marcus and Felix, have been building up in skills and abilities for their craft and innovation. 

And as with new areas, new challenges and opportunities for growth and innovation. 

Drama too. With Prince Adrian and his two bodyguards, a mysterious Kingdom and its ruler of a nearby country in need, and a political crisis that needs the help of our two Glyphwrights, this is a quietly mesmerizing tale.

I did think the ending resolution was either exactly right or too quick. I’m thinking about it still. 

I do love how each book ends with every one returning home, watching as their beloved small town comes into view, knowing that each one they love will be waiting for them. And a new future will emerge. 

It’s lovely and warmhearted. Exactly what we want for these characters we’ve come to care for. 

None of these stories are standalone books but build upon the one before. 

I highly recommend reading them all. Excellent work and fantastic storytelling. 

A highly recommended read. Just amazing work by the author. 

Cover design by Jacqueline Sweet Design

The Glyphwright Chronicles (4 book series):

  • Ink & Intent  #1
  • Wards & Measures #2
  • Trades & Treaties #3 
  • Vision & Venture #4 – April 8,2026

Buy link:

        Trades & Treaties: The Glyphwright Chronicles – Book 3

    

Blurb 

Marcus thought infrastructure work was complicated. Then someone made it political.

The Northern Kingdoms ask for help with their failing ward networks. Prince Adrian volunteers Fairwind & Penwright for the job: redesign everything to work with local materials instead of expensive imports. Except the imports aren’t expensive by accident. Someone’s price-gouging essential supplies, and they don’t want competition.

Marcus’s merchant instincts see the pattern: economic sabotage wrapped in a supply chain monopoly. When Prince Adrian gets kidnapped, the technical work becomes the easy part.

One job. Two skill sets. And finally, a payout big enough to buy their own shop.

A cozy fantasy with LitRPG progression, economic intrigue, unexpected rescues, and the discovery that sometimes your merchant skills matter just as much as your magic.

Pour yourself something warm, settle into your favorite reading spot, and discover that sometimes fixing the magic is simpler than fixing the people.

February 8, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

454 pages

Book 3 of 6

The Glyphwright Chronicles

Review: A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (Adenashire, #1) by J. Penner 

Rating: 4⭐️

“A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off…”

It had me at the tag line. 

A sweet, no spice fated soulmate fantasy romance, A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic 

follows the journey of orphaned human baker, Arleta Starstone who lives in a small village called Adenashire next door to the two orcs who raised her after her parents died. Her passion is baking, it’s how she supports herself and she’s fantastic at it. But she’s insecure because she’s human and without magic.

The Langheim Baking Battle, a famous baking contest, is the path that sees Arleta on her way to becoming a person of confidence in her abilities as a baker and as a strong kind woman. One able to make friends, achieve her goals and accept a HEA. 

Penner’s storyline brings in several characters that turn into important figures in Arleta’s life and the series. They’re characters who have strong back histories relayed here and future books in the series. I look forward to each one.

I found A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (Adenashire, #1) by J. Penner very entertaining, the characters are engaging and fun.  

There’s issues with this that stick out. One is an element that bugs me whenever I see it. That of the “disappearing animal character “, the one character where the author has made a point about in the narrative, pages and descriptions. And it’s importance to one of the main characters. Then it vanishes from the story. Gone. 

As it does here. 

What happened to Theo’s magical Forest  Lynx cat with horns , one he rescued btw and needs to be fed? Did it go with Theo? What happened to it? No mention about it. Authors need to include the necessary details to wrap it up into the finished piece. 

And what about the difference in lifespan? That’s never addressed either.  

Those are major holes in the story.

But I will end up with huge positives. All the recipes at the end.  Some of the contest recipes are included there.  Be prepared to drool and bake, of course. 

Gorgeous Book Cover by Clara Fang

Adenashire (5 book series)

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic #1 

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons #2

A Fellowship of Games & Fables #3

A Fellowship of Curses & Cats #4

A Fellowship of Academics & Arts #5

Buy link

        A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic: Adenashire, A Cozy Fantasy Book Series

    

Blurb 

A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off…

In the heart of Adenashire, where elvish enchantments and dwarven delights rule, human baker Arleta Starstone works twice as hard at perfecting her unique blend of baking with apothecary herbs. So, when her orc neighbor (and biggest fan) secretly enters her creations into the prestigious Langheim Baking Battle, Arleta faces a dilemma. Being magicless, her participation in the competition could draw more scowls than smiles. And if Arleta wants to prove her talent and establish her culinary reputation, she’ll need more than just her pastry craft to sweeten the odds.

Though Arleta may not yet believe in herself, she makes her way to Langheim―with the help of a very attractive woodland elf―and competes. While on a journey of mouthwatering pastries, self-discovery, heartwarming friendships, and potential romance, Arleta will have to decide whether winning the Baking Battle is the true prize after all. But win or lose, her adventure is only beginning…

Although this book is part of a series it can only be read as a standalone. Escape to Adenashire for a delightful cozy fantasy where every twist is a treat and every turn a step closer to home.

Review: A Coup Of Tea (Tea Princess Chronicles: Book 1 ) by Casey Blair

Rating: 4⭐️

I will admit that I’ve struggled with this book and rating because I’ve enjoyed so much of this story and characters. It’s got really interesting elements and the makings of a terrific fantasy tale of a young woman who is trying to find her way of service in a tumultuous magical world. 

And in many cases it does work.  The writing is descriptively detailed, rich in elements and emotional imagery. It’s magical in many respects. 

Author Blair sets out a terrific foundation of a kingdom of rulers that’s based around service, an intriguing idea. And it opens up as the fourth daughter of the ruling family is about to enter the ceremony to determine the course of her career and life’s path of service to her family and people of Istalam. 

Let’s just say the ceremony doesn’t go as planned. And Princess Miyara finds herself with another life journey in store for her. 

One that ends in a small tea shop in the city of Sayorsen which sits on the edge of a cataclysmic event that separates an entire realm of unstable magic. Here Miyara finds her way to her true self, and it’s a beautiful thoughtful and deeply caring journey. 

Miyara’s new life involves her working with people of various backgrounds, cultures and traditions, all new to someone of her previous status. As she grows stronger and adapts to her new life, finding new friends of all kinds, witches included, political and social changes start to happen.

Casey Blair’s story incorporates important such elements such as the need for societal change, highlighting the impact of racism, exploitation, environmental degradation, and the importance of service.  All that through Miyara, her development, her role in the community and with the family. And her dedication to becoming a Tea Master with the beautiful magical tea ceremony, dragons , and more. 

Is it perfect? No there a few odd phrases that don’t make sense here, especially when spoken by a Princess who for most of the story has trouble remembering that “court language “ isn’t common for the type of person she’s trying to portray now.  

Here’s a quick example. 

“I laugh, a little hysterically. “Thank you for not telling me I’m batty.”

In a strange mystical magical kingdom that sentence and use of batty, especially from a palace princess, feels so much very out of place. 

Strange bits of narrative weirdness that jar the reader out of the story. 

However, the whole plot and character is marvelous. And as someone who has read ahead, I can say that book 2 is even better. 

A definite winner. And another recommendation! A cozy fantasy adventure with a complete set!

Love these covers. 

Cover design by Hampton Lamoureux of TS95 Studios

Tea Princess Chronicles:

A Coup Of Tea #1

Tea Set and Match #2

Royal Tea Service #3

Short story sequel:

Saiyana’s Challenge: A Story of the Tea Princess Chronicles

Tales from a Magical Teashop: Stories of the Tea Princess Chronicles

Buy Link

 Book 1 of 3: Tea Princess Chronicles 

Description 

A complete, bestselling cozy fantasy series available to binge now!

“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.

A Coup of Tea is the first book of the Tea Princess Chronicles, a cozy fantasy series full of magic tea, found family, and lifting people up even when the odds seem impossible.