Tea & Tales

This is the first book in the Mistborn trilogy. Which is my recommended starting point if you have never read a book by Brandon Sanderson. In all honesty this mans brain absolutely amazes me. I will literally fight anyone who says otherwise. Although I must warn you to get into Brando at your own risk – He’s books are thick bois and there are lots of them.

This trilogy follows a charismatic thief and an orphan girl with special abilities as they attempt to overthrow the Lord Ruler of the Final Empire in order to liberate the oppressed population.

If you’re too scared to get your teeth straight into the Cosmere that Brando has to offer but you want to dip your toes in, then I offer to you this stand-alone novel that’s still in the Cosmere. This book became my favourite Brando book when I read it because the magic system is just so cool. I absolutely loved the story and the world-building.

Warbreaker follows two sisters, who are princesses, as they aim to honour treaties and save their nation from the God King. During the story we also follow the Gods that have been brought back from glorious deaths trying to learn more about how they came to be.

This book caught my eye when I was browsing in a Waterstones and I just could not leave without it. I absolutely adored this book, with its historical overtones and interesting science – I honestly felt like I was reading a true representation of someones life. If the cover isn’t enough to wet your appetite then let me tell you a little more.

This book follows a wonderful woman who despite societies expectations, travels around the world in order to study dragons. This book is part of a series which follows Lady Trent’s lifetime, with all its trials and tribulations, as she endeavours to identify the natural history of dragons.

This book took me by surprise, because I absolutely loved it and to be honest I struggled to put it down. It’s one of those books I think about a lot, just when I’m going about my day-to-day. It’s one of those interestingly dystopian books that leaves you thinking about how this could actually happen.

This book is set in a near-future where death and disease have been eliminated due to advances in technology. The only way to die in this world, is to be randomly killed by professional reapers known as scythes. This one is also part of a trilogy + prequel.

This book came in a book subscription box sometime in mid 2024 and I decided to pick it straight up for some reason (which is pretty rare for me, half my physical TBR is literally book subs lol). I ate this book up. Seriously. I haven’t really seen anyone else talk about this book but it is soooooo good. I then preorder the sequel, and devoured it as soon as it landed on my doorstep. It’s currently a duology but there are more coming out.

This dual POV follows a female scientist who is assigned to a project studying the integration of of 12 elite gods into human society. When she is assigned to the God of Chaos, his unpredictable and selfish nature starts to impact her research. It’s a hate to love with a lot of well-written spice.

This one was actually also from a subscription box, which makes me think I mostly consume romantasy when it is forced upon me. Either way, the folklore aspect captured my eye and I’m glad that it did. It’s a pretty short stand-alone but that doesn’t affect the world-building or character-building. There is enough adventure, mystery and drama to keep you hooked throughout. I think if you’re someone that likes a little bit of whimsy and is interested in traditional folklore then you will love this book.

Here we follow two rival academic folklorists as they embark on an expedition with four other members of the nobility in order to find a magical spring. When their mentor is murdered aboard the expedition ship, they have to find a way to work together to solve the mystery and navigate a treacherous landscape to allow their king to use the magic of the spring for his political gain.

I don’t completely know why I love translated fiction about cats so much. Maybe it’s because I enjoy punishing myself, maybe it’s because sometimes it’s just good to feel something. But seriously if you haven’t read this or something similar then I highly recommend you run to your preferred book seller and get a packet of tissues on the way.

Don’t be fooled by the simple and light-heartedness at the beginning of this book. Here we follow Nana the cat and his owner Satoru as they embark on a road-trip to visit longtime friends.

I bought this book on a whim, because well you can probably tell I love a Japanese book about cats. What can I say, I’m predictable as hell. To be honest if the cover doesn’t draw you in then maybe don’t bother, because I got it based on the cover and it did not disappoint. Yes, I do judge some books by their cover, and it often pays off. If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, then this book gives very The Cat Returns vibes.

Set in a little bookshop that the main character inherits from his grandpa, a little tabby cat comes to show the new owner that there is still life to live. The unlikely duo go on magical adventures to, you guessed it, save books.

A nice little contemporary read, that is a pretty good palate cleanser if you’re looking for some lit fic to shake things up a bit. Having said that, this book is great in it’s own right. I feel like this may be a little like marmite but I really enjoyed it, and I think the way that mental health and trauma is incorporated is so beautifully seamless.

Here we follow Eleanor, who, as you may have gathered, is completely fine. She is a woman that has a very specific routine, and that works for her. But when someone interferes with her ‘fine’ life, she finds herself learning to navigate the world and facing parts of her past that she had tucked away.