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Chai and Cat-tales
Bask in a sunbeam with three cozy fantasy novellas of the Catsprowl, a busy neighborhood brimming with cats and cat-goddesses, book-keepers and bath-houses, piping hot chai, and pouncing kittens' mischief.
This volume includes the novellas The Prince of Her Dreams, Priye, and The Potter's Dream under one cover.
The Prince of Her Dreams Najra has three dreams in her First, catch the attention of a prince. (Specifically, the God-Emperor’s bookish youngest brother.) Next, get him to hire her to assist with his research in the marvelous Archives in Tel-Bastet. And then, at last, read ALL the books.
Marrying the prince has never been in the plan. Najra has never lusted for anything but knowledge.
Unfortunately, the prince has dreams as well. Because he's also a prophet who foresees trouble coming. Between her heretical geometries and her cursed spellbook, Najra has to admit that his dreams of trouble have her pegged.
Now what is she supposed to do with a matchmaking busybody of an Archivist pushing them together, an angry catfolk bodyguard pulling them apart, and a sweet, anxious prophet-prince who won't even tell her what he wants?
What does a happy ending look like for a pair of mismatched dreamers who both love learning best of all?
For the asexual folks and the questioning folks who've wanted a story where your own desires are respected and valued, this one is for you. For the Witches vs. Patriarchy crew, this one is for you too.
Priye For a small alley-kitten, human words make a tricky tangle of misunderstandings that bite back. Purring and hissing and yowling are much more clear.
A human named her Priye, though, and he taught her that it means someone who is darling, someone who is treasured.
Growing up in the nooks between three cultures is hard, but Priye wants to make her own way. And she wants to repay the kind people who feed small hungry kittens. But it's not always easy to hunt when everyone else is bigger and stronger and faster.
The humans who named her like soap and water entirely too much. But maybe they have a point about sharing things instead of hunting things?
(They absolutely do not have a point about soap, though. Soap is the most horrible thing ever.)
For the neurospicy folks who struggle with the words people expect, this one is for you. For the disabled folks and those who need to hear that your value isn't in your work output, this one is for you too.
The Potter's Dream Usually, the Temple of Bastet teems with cats and catfolk and cat-priestesses and cat-goddesses. It is not supposed to teem with mice. But kind-hearted priest Shai Madhur isn't very good at denying a nourishing meal to anybody… not even the mice.
He needs a better mouse-catcher. But first, he needs to know where the shrine's cauldrons have gone. Because a potter has come to Shai Madhur's temple shrine, and the poor man looks hungry.
What kind of priest can Shai Madhur be if he can't feed someone a nourishing meal? When he's sworn his life to serving others, and suddenly he has nothing at all to give, what does he have left? Sermons of acceptance are all well and good, but they don't fill an empty stomach.
And there's something very strange about the potter.
This volume includes the novellas The Prince of Her Dreams, Priye, and The Potter's Dream under one cover.
The Prince of Her Dreams Najra has three dreams in her First, catch the attention of a prince. (Specifically, the God-Emperor’s bookish youngest brother.) Next, get him to hire her to assist with his research in the marvelous Archives in Tel-Bastet. And then, at last, read ALL the books.
Marrying the prince has never been in the plan. Najra has never lusted for anything but knowledge.
Unfortunately, the prince has dreams as well. Because he's also a prophet who foresees trouble coming. Between her heretical geometries and her cursed spellbook, Najra has to admit that his dreams of trouble have her pegged.
Now what is she supposed to do with a matchmaking busybody of an Archivist pushing them together, an angry catfolk bodyguard pulling them apart, and a sweet, anxious prophet-prince who won't even tell her what he wants?
What does a happy ending look like for a pair of mismatched dreamers who both love learning best of all?
For the asexual folks and the questioning folks who've wanted a story where your own desires are respected and valued, this one is for you. For the Witches vs. Patriarchy crew, this one is for you too.
Priye For a small alley-kitten, human words make a tricky tangle of misunderstandings that bite back. Purring and hissing and yowling are much more clear.
A human named her Priye, though, and he taught her that it means someone who is darling, someone who is treasured.
Growing up in the nooks between three cultures is hard, but Priye wants to make her own way. And she wants to repay the kind people who feed small hungry kittens. But it's not always easy to hunt when everyone else is bigger and stronger and faster.
The humans who named her like soap and water entirely too much. But maybe they have a point about sharing things instead of hunting things?
(They absolutely do not have a point about soap, though. Soap is the most horrible thing ever.)
For the neurospicy folks who struggle with the words people expect, this one is for you. For the disabled folks and those who need to hear that your value isn't in your work output, this one is for you too.
The Potter's Dream Usually, the Temple of Bastet teems with cats and catfolk and cat-priestesses and cat-goddesses. It is not supposed to teem with mice. But kind-hearted priest Shai Madhur isn't very good at denying a nourishing meal to anybody… not even the mice.
He needs a better mouse-catcher. But first, he needs to know where the shrine's cauldrons have gone. Because a potter has come to Shai Madhur's temple shrine, and the poor man looks hungry.
What kind of priest can Shai Madhur be if he can't feed someone a nourishing meal? When he's sworn his life to serving others, and suddenly he has nothing at all to give, what does he have left? Sermons of acceptance are all well and good, but they don't fill an empty stomach.
And there's something very strange about the potter.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2024
15 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Strong
8 books13 followersLynn Strong (MLIS) is a professional information designer, an amateur but enthusiastic trope flipper, and a questionably recovered wordaholic who used to be paid by the column-inch. It likely still shows.
Lynn is also a queer and disabled person who has lived on three continents, speaks six languages with different levels of fluency, has studied (and taught) medieval Japanese dye techniques, and at one point semi-professionally burned Kool-aid while studying for a degree in theater tech.
From February through April 2026, I'll be offering a limited number of free ARC copies of Chai and Charmcraft to interested readers and reviewers -- let me know if you're interested!
Lynn is also a queer and disabled person who has lived on three continents, speaks six languages with different levels of fluency, has studied (and taught) medieval Japanese dye techniques, and at one point semi-professionally burned Kool-aid while studying for a degree in theater tech.
From February through April 2026, I'll be offering a limited number of free ARC copies of Chai and Charmcraft to interested readers and reviewers -- let me know if you're interested!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 7, 2025
This collection of three novellas: "The Prince of Her Dreams", "Priye", and "The Potter's Dream", is a warm hug of a book. Author Lynn Strong has created a world of magic, gods, cat- and dog-folk, caring, kind humans, and tea.
My favourite of the stories was "The Prince of Her Dreams", where Najra tricks her family into letting her travel to not only meet the prince, but to actually become his head archivist. She gains a position, but she also gains a friend, and he gains someone who respects him for who he is.
The story is filled with humour, love, and I really, really hope to meet Najra again in another story.
Priye, the young, small cat-folk of the story "Priye", wants to hunt to repay the kind people of the temple who feed small and very hungry kittens like her. She chooses to hunt to repay them, but comes up against a much bigger and dangerous individual in the process.
Priye is adorable, and tough, and learns about trust.
A priest of the Temple of Bastet has a dream about an odd potter who leaves him a gift, but can't find him anywhere in town. With the help of a good friend, Shai Madhur finds a unique and wonderful way to repay the potter.
Oh my goodness this was a wonderful story!
My favourite of the stories was "The Prince of Her Dreams", where Najra tricks her family into letting her travel to not only meet the prince, but to actually become his head archivist. She gains a position, but she also gains a friend, and he gains someone who respects him for who he is.
The story is filled with humour, love, and I really, really hope to meet Najra again in another story.
Priye, the young, small cat-folk of the story "Priye", wants to hunt to repay the kind people of the temple who feed small and very hungry kittens like her. She chooses to hunt to repay them, but comes up against a much bigger and dangerous individual in the process.
Priye is adorable, and tough, and learns about trust.
A priest of the Temple of Bastet has a dream about an odd potter who leaves him a gift, but can't find him anywhere in town. With the help of a good friend, Shai Madhur finds a unique and wonderful way to repay the potter.
Oh my goodness this was a wonderful story!
January 5, 2025
Okay I got all these indie queer cozy fantasy books for a dollar each the other day, and so far: absolute jackpot! This is the second one I’ve read already and it’s just lovely. Three short stories in one book and the middle one is told from the perspective of a street cat! Soft, warm, low-stakes, full heart.
February 8, 2026
This was a fun little collections of short stories - I specifically picked it up because I couldn't sleep because I was having a really anxious night and needed something that didn't have too much tension/drama or had that cosy feeling that I had on my e-reader to help calm me down so I would stop spiralling and honestly this was pretty perfect for that.
Overall I enjoyed them, but they weren't anything mind blowing. I liked how inclusive the world is and how the characters were really understanding of eachother. I also really liked the Arabic influences (I'm not sure if this is an own-voices book on that regard but it read as authentic to me). Out of the three I think I enjoyed Priye the most, I think that was a really beautiful story on belonging and having to adjust to a world that maybe isn't made with you in mind and also explains a bit how the main character (A non-verbal cat) works which was interested to dive into for sure. I would definitely read from this author again.
The Prince of Her Dreams - 3/5
Priye - 4/5
The Potter's Dream - 3/5
I also really liked that there was a little note on each of the stories explaining a bit more what the authors intentions were and how they wrote it. Also there were a few recipe's included in the back - while I haven't tried any of them yet I'll definitely see if I can make some.
Overall I enjoyed them, but they weren't anything mind blowing. I liked how inclusive the world is and how the characters were really understanding of eachother. I also really liked the Arabic influences (I'm not sure if this is an own-voices book on that regard but it read as authentic to me). Out of the three I think I enjoyed Priye the most, I think that was a really beautiful story on belonging and having to adjust to a world that maybe isn't made with you in mind and also explains a bit how the main character (A non-verbal cat) works which was interested to dive into for sure. I would definitely read from this author again.
The Prince of Her Dreams - 3/5
Priye - 4/5
The Potter's Dream - 3/5
I also really liked that there was a little note on each of the stories explaining a bit more what the authors intentions were and how they wrote it. Also there were a few recipe's included in the back - while I haven't tried any of them yet I'll definitely see if I can make some.
April 16, 2025
All 3 stories in this book are wonderfully engaging. They follow different characters in a version of the Middle East where there is not only magic, but cat people in addition to humans! These stories follow some characters who are in the LGBTQIA+ community or have special needs of some sort and the representation is wonderful to see. As someone who nannies a non-verbal child, I especially loved the second story, which is written from the point of view of a non-verbal character who seems to be about the age of the kid I watch.
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more from Lynn Strong
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more from Lynn Strong
August 2, 2025
The first novella especially made me laugh a lot. I would read a whole cozy fantasy novel about Najra, Faraj, their families (would love the scene of Ghada meeting her swordswoman 👀), and fellow archivists, so am glad to see there will be more!
October 19, 2025
These stories are so worthwhile! I enjoyed Najra's determined, confident character and her solutions to the problems she encountered very much.
Priye is a truly wonderful kitten. Following her three-quarters kitten, one-quarter human understanding of the world and people was good fun and very well done. The last story was not really for me, but still not bad
Priye is a truly wonderful kitten. Following her three-quarters kitten, one-quarter human understanding of the world and people was good fun and very well done. The last story was not really for me, but still not bad
July 19, 2025
These stories are set in an Egyptian-inspired setting with cat people and humans living side by side. In the first story, Najra travels to become an Archivist under the guise of courting the adorkable youngest prince. She talks a great deal and works things out so everyone is satisfied.
In the second story, Priye is a non-verbal kitten-person, trying to make sense of human words. Her physical form is never described outright and she seems to shift between cat-like girl and full cat from moment to moment.
The third story has a priest who will harm no creature and the mice who steal grain. Much of the story is in dreams, too ephemeral for me to pin down. It is relaxing.
In the second story, Priye is a non-verbal kitten-person, trying to make sense of human words. Her physical form is never described outright and she seems to shift between cat-like girl and full cat from moment to moment.
The third story has a priest who will harm no creature and the mice who steal grain. Much of the story is in dreams, too ephemeral for me to pin down. It is relaxing.
September 29, 2025
Charming.
January 19, 2025
I fell in love with the vibes straight away. The 3 stories all have wonderful characters and pacing, staying unique but still set in the same world. The perfect cozy fantasy read. I can't choose which story I like the most, though I am partial to Priye's! I also am super happy about the included recipes and am looking forward to trying them.
May 19, 2025
I loved this fantastical world of cats and chai! From the snarky wannabe Archivist to the fierce kitten to the kind priest who wants to feed everyone, these stories are full of delightful characters.
I definitely want to read more!
I definitely want to read more!
March 10, 2025
Adorable and sweet
October 14, 2025
Lynn Strong’s cozy fantasy defies my experience in the very best of ways. Her books pour joy into my heart and warm me from within, and yet she writes such clever prose that I am as riveted to these tales as I might be to any pulse-pounding thriller.
These three short stories about various people in a shared city delighted me so much! They are about several kinds of love so strong that it can take your breath away, and yet the only “spice” is in the chai and the foods. :)
Perfect for adult readers and safe for young adults, these charming glimpses into the lives of rich characters offer representation, hope, realism, and beauty in perfect proportions. I am so pleased to own a copy of this book, and I can tell it will be a repeated comfort-read for many more years to come.
These three short stories about various people in a shared city delighted me so much! They are about several kinds of love so strong that it can take your breath away, and yet the only “spice” is in the chai and the foods. :)
Perfect for adult readers and safe for young adults, these charming glimpses into the lives of rich characters offer representation, hope, realism, and beauty in perfect proportions. I am so pleased to own a copy of this book, and I can tell it will be a repeated comfort-read for many more years to come.
February 17, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing me with a review copy.
This was a really lovely novella of three cozy fantasy stories, each with great world-building, and charming characters. Every story had amazing representation and felt really unique and authentic. I loved Priye's story the most and it is incredibly impressive how cohesive and immersing the narrative was with a non-verbal protagonist. This was a really gentle and relaxing read that I very much enjoyed.
This was a really lovely novella of three cozy fantasy stories, each with great world-building, and charming characters. Every story had amazing representation and felt really unique and authentic. I loved Priye's story the most and it is incredibly impressive how cohesive and immersing the narrative was with a non-verbal protagonist. This was a really gentle and relaxing read that I very much enjoyed.
February 18, 2025
I loved this cozy fantasy collection of three short stories/novellas, all cat-inspired in Middle Eastern settings! The descriptions were so nicely done, really immersing you in the setting, and there were cute illustrations at the start of each story as well. It’s really quite hard for me to choose which was my favorite (I loved Priye especially), but if I had to choose, it would probably be the first as I loved the fun banter between the two main characters! 5/5 stars.
February 9, 2025
This was rather lovely. Three stories in a Middle-Eastern inspired setting featuring cats, cat-folk, temples, bath houses, and chai. The stories are kind and inclusive, and without romance. The collection felt warm and friendly, and the author even included recipes for hot drinks at the end. Looking forward to reading more by this author!
September 6, 2025
This cozy fantasy is for the animal lovers! This book is set in an Egypt with magic where humans and cat people live side by side. It's cozy, warm, and even has some humor. This book has three short stories that all include an adorable illustration at the beginning of each story. There are even recipes at the end! If you are looking for a cozy with great characters and animals, then grab this.
October 8, 2025
I don't write a lot of reviews, but I just have to tell you all how wonderful these little stories are.
Najra and Ghada made me laugh out loud, and Faraj just needs a hug.
Priye needs some warm milk and ears rubs and I would be honored to give them to her.
Shai Madhur is simply adorable. As in, I adore him.
If you need a cozy cuddle of a book, go read these. Right now.
Najra and Ghada made me laugh out loud, and Faraj just needs a hug.
Priye needs some warm milk and ears rubs and I would be honored to give them to her.
Shai Madhur is simply adorable. As in, I adore him.
If you need a cozy cuddle of a book, go read these. Right now.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews