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Goblins and Cheese #2
Priest-Queen
After the disappearance of the evil fairy pretending to be her sister Taryn, Elsyn finds herself crowned the first Priest-Queen in history. She would prefer to be left alone to make cheese and talk to cows, but instead she must get married and begin to right her kingdom. She sends Kandar, the goblin prince, to fetch her oldest friend, Ben, from exile. Together, can they turn back a lurking evil which threatens cheesemakers and civilians alike?
A fantasy intrigue romance novella, m/m/f.
A fantasy intrigue romance novella, m/m/f.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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June 23, 2025This is just so wonderful—it’s got yearning, it’s got intrigue, it’s got the best talking horse and cows you’ve ever seen—and if you like T. Kingfisher, you will like Juniper Butterworth. Elsyn, a priest of the bovine Two-Bodied God, has unexpectedly become queen after the death of the evil fae who stole her changeling sister’s place, and she can’t trust anyone in her court. A delegation from the goblin kingdom is there to help her keep the peace, and she agrees to marry one of them—an extremely charming one named Kandar, and I always love a character who falls in love and into bed at the drop of a hat—if he can bring back her long-lost childhood friend Ben, a task she believes is impossible. But Kandar not only finds Ben, he also falls in love along the way. Then they have to persuade Elsyn to trust them after her long isolation, and it’s very satisfying when they finally do.
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March 21, 2022I am giving myself credit for reading this because I DID read it, after I wrote it.
March 5, 2023
Emotionally satisfying, queer, poly fantasy romance. I love the intimacy that develops between the characters. The world building takes typical high fantasy elements and weaves them together in ways that feel fresh to me.
I think this one is better written than the first book, but reading the first book gives you more context for understanding this book.
I think this one is better written than the first book, but reading the first book gives you more context for understanding this book.
September 12, 2025
I loved this book! There was a distinct improvement from the first and it’s one of my favorite reads of the year for sure.
The characters were each distinct and this time the relationships between them were more skillfully done. The cozy (ish) and healing vibes were perfect (so much cheese)!
Definitely continuing to the third book in the series.
The characters were each distinct and this time the relationships between them were more skillfully done. The cozy (ish) and healing vibes were perfect (so much cheese)!
Definitely continuing to the third book in the series.
April 8, 2022
This story continues from its predecessor and includes three main characters so enticingly real, relatable, and yet uniquely of their story origin, that I was simply transported. I recommend this book extremely highly. I have never really read anything else like this and that is quite a feat.
It’s hard to explain how much this story took me out of my reading funk and gave me something new. This story is of course interesting; however, its uniquely compelling use of what many would consider mundane aspects of life is what truly sells the story. Those mundane, even pastoral and quaint things framed the characters perfectly, particularly the main character and female lead. The main character is one of the most real female characters I’ve ever encountered. Her view and understanding of the world (and her inner dialogue) drive the story in directions I never would have expected.
This story has so much cheese talk it made me hungry. Mix in some truly amazing cows, horses, cats, and goats—and you’ve got a party… at least as far as this world goes. You’d think these wouldn’t be selling points, but they really are. And once you read it, you’ll know why.
Finally, I’d like to note that the story switches perspectives. This is not normally a function of writing that I enjoy and so was worried I’d lose interest reading from another character’s POV; however, the transitions are part of the narrative itself. It gives readers a sense of knowing, like a gossipy neighbor who hears too much… and that blends into the romance in such a delightful way that it makes the anticipation for more and the shifting of those relationships absolutely delicious. Even more delicious than cheese. Yes, you heard me. More delicious than CHEESE!
It’s hard to explain how much this story took me out of my reading funk and gave me something new. This story is of course interesting; however, its uniquely compelling use of what many would consider mundane aspects of life is what truly sells the story. Those mundane, even pastoral and quaint things framed the characters perfectly, particularly the main character and female lead. The main character is one of the most real female characters I’ve ever encountered. Her view and understanding of the world (and her inner dialogue) drive the story in directions I never would have expected.
This story has so much cheese talk it made me hungry. Mix in some truly amazing cows, horses, cats, and goats—and you’ve got a party… at least as far as this world goes. You’d think these wouldn’t be selling points, but they really are. And once you read it, you’ll know why.
Finally, I’d like to note that the story switches perspectives. This is not normally a function of writing that I enjoy and so was worried I’d lose interest reading from another character’s POV; however, the transitions are part of the narrative itself. It gives readers a sense of knowing, like a gossipy neighbor who hears too much… and that blends into the romance in such a delightful way that it makes the anticipation for more and the shifting of those relationships absolutely delicious. Even more delicious than cheese. Yes, you heard me. More delicious than CHEESE!
August 1, 2022
This book follows up The Changeling, which I also loved and reviewed.
Omg the cozy tender vibes and also the intrigue and scary magic and good magic and hilarious cow characters and also Socks the misbehaving horse who loves snacks, just READ IT
Also Elsyn is so practical and lovable and so competent and confident in some ways and tentative in others but she grows so much over the course of the book. I just want to kiss Kandar and give him scritches and Ben is such a sweetheart. I love how they find Elsyn totally amazing and magnificent. I love the body representation. Seriously, read this book, if only for Bean the Boss Cow and the goblins and magic. I love how the world-level conflict unfolds over the course of the book and the amount of cheese that is involved. Genuinely the world and writing are so fresh and delightful. I would have been in a total reading slump if not for this book and the one before it. Another instant comfort read.
I don't know what else I can say, so I'll leave you with a quote:
"Bean was older and less vague than the other cows, but she communicated primarily in forceful bovine aphorisms."
Omg the cozy tender vibes and also the intrigue and scary magic and good magic and hilarious cow characters and also Socks the misbehaving horse who loves snacks, just READ IT
Also Elsyn is so practical and lovable and so competent and confident in some ways and tentative in others but she grows so much over the course of the book. I just want to kiss Kandar and give him scritches and Ben is such a sweetheart. I love how they find Elsyn totally amazing and magnificent. I love the body representation. Seriously, read this book, if only for Bean the Boss Cow and the goblins and magic. I love how the world-level conflict unfolds over the course of the book and the amount of cheese that is involved. Genuinely the world and writing are so fresh and delightful. I would have been in a total reading slump if not for this book and the one before it. Another instant comfort read.
I don't know what else I can say, so I'll leave you with a quote:
"Bean was older and less vague than the other cows, but she communicated primarily in forceful bovine aphorisms."
April 10, 2026
Perfect for the food prompt of the 2026-2027 r/fantasy bingo. As a vegan, all this talk of cheese is driving me crazy.
I'm always apprehensive about goblin stories but this one rehabilitates the creatures into lovely humanoid catlike beings. I can get behind this.
This can be read as a standalone. I never read part 1 and have no trouble following along.
I love Socks and his dialogue. He's so funny. I love the cats. I LOVE the cows.
Elsyn keeps breaking my heart.
There are a bunch of editing mistakes in my edition that are very distracting and yet I'm so charmed by this story and these characters it's had no impact on my rating at all. This was a 5 star read.
I'm always apprehensive about goblin stories but this one rehabilitates the creatures into lovely humanoid catlike beings. I can get behind this.
This can be read as a standalone. I never read part 1 and have no trouble following along.
I love Socks and his dialogue. He's so funny. I love the cats. I LOVE the cows.
Elsyn keeps breaking my heart.
There are a bunch of editing mistakes in my edition that are very distracting and yet I'm so charmed by this story and these characters it's had no impact on my rating at all. This was a 5 star read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews