REVIEW: Tea Leaves by Jacob Budenz

A queer romance spans multiple incarnations, but only in doomed cities. A gay medieval scholar must testify for his life to the otherworldly octopus who traps him in a cafe bathroom. Ignoring their better judgment, a witch brings their mortal partner on a hunt for a dangerous sorcerer and must cope with the dire consequences.

A beautiful collection of sixteen short stories that are filled with mystery, magic and wonder – creating a powerful statement about the othering of queer people and culture by placing them in an otherworldly story. There is just something about placing the obstacles and struggles of the queer experience in a backdrop of surreal magic and adventure that emphasises the absurdity of the hatred we receive for simply existing in our world.

We journey to ancient times and modern offices. Visit witches, magicians, fairies and immortal beings in adventures that were delicate, thoughtful and absorbing.

Every story has a curious, playful energy - with beautifully descriptive settings, fantastic characters and richly vivid, lyrical prose throughout. As a short story, of course you can’t always capture the ‘full story’ as it were which at times left me wishing for just a little more context; but the author instead gives us a series of moments that don’t necessarily follow a typical story structure, instead almost acting like a crystal ball and letting us temporarily watch a few moments of life in this mystical world.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tea Leaves will be released September 19th 2023 with Amble Press. I received an advanced reviewers copy of this title.

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