Young witch Misha Dayaan’s family runs a tea shop, but Misha can’t quite seem to master enchanted chai brewing. Her mishaps have gotten her expelled from several tea schools, and she doubts her self-worth. She tries to help at her family’s shop, but a rival tea shop seems bent on sabotaging the Dayanns’ tea and reputation.
When the opportunity arises to attend Margaret’s Academy of Tea and Brewing, Misha jumps at what could be her final chance to prove herself, even though the school has a reputation for competition and strictness. But mysterious happenings like ghostly tea leaves and missing tea witches make Misha believe that she’s really jinxed. Not only that, but the powerful Wizard of Chai is looking for an apprentice, leading to challenges (and backstabbing) among the students for the chance to win that honor. And Emery, the daughter of the rival shop, turns out to be a classmate and Misha’s biggest rival—although they may find a way to friendship, and possibly more, as Misha also develops a crush on her. Amidst the mysteries and the chaos, can Misha survive and shake off her jinx, or will her eager assertion, “I can fix this!” fall flat once again?
This is a delightful and lighthearted fantasy with an original magic system built around chai tea, in a South Asian-inspired world. Misha is a perfectly imperfect protagonist who should resonate with many readers as the story offers some light messages about believing in oneself and dealing with the pressure to achieve.
