Cinnamon Soul by Quinn Lawrence
If you love fantasy with a side of sass and soul, Cinnamon Soul is your next must-read.
This lighthearted mystery-fantasy from start to finish feels like the lovechild of Veronica Mars and Discworld, sprinkled with elven charm and a healthy serving of blueberry pie. Whether you’re here for the found family feels, fast-paced magical chaos, or badass women taking on the elite, this story has a little something for every kind of reader.
What’s Inside?
“The two of us against all of them? How unfair for them.”
Hokuren would rather swallow poison than crawl back to her old job at the Velles City Watch. But if she doesn’t snag a big case soon, she may have no other choice.
Her private investigation office’s rent is past due. Her sterling success rate applies mostly to finding lost cats. And she should really pay her overworked elven assistant, Cinna, with more than just slices of blueberry pie. So when the Prince asks Hokuren to find his daughter, she hopes this will be the break she needs.
But there is more to this case than a mere missing princess. Hokuren soon finds herself chasing after the monstrous villain behind an elf kidnapping scheme and tangling with magic said to no longer be possible (never trust the wizards). She’s determined to uncover every secret, no matter how heart-wrenching, until she solves the case—because she always solves the case. Yet as she and Cinna dig deeper into the conspiracy, Hokuren starts to suspect that the hunter has become the hunted. And the biggest secret of them all might be hiding within her unassuming assistant . . .
A lighthearted and fast-paced fantasy adventure full of action, mystery and sly humor, Cinnamon Soul is also the heart-warming exploration of an unbreakable bond of friendship forged between two women as they struggle against the forces of the elite and powerful.
How did it make me feel?
The Narrative
Let’s talk plot. The premise kicks off with Hokuren—grumpy, broke, and stubborn as ever—trying to keep her PI office from collapsing into bankruptcy. Her “big break” arrives in royal form: the Prince wants her to find his missing daughter. Sounds like a straightforward missing persons case, right? Nope. This one spirals into a multi-layered conspiracy involving ancient magic, elf trafficking, and some very shady wizards.
The pacing? Snappy. The world-building? Seamlessly slipped in without info-dumping. You’re swept into Velles City and its gritty back alleys, enchanted forests, and bureaucratic nightmares without ever feeling lost. And while the plot twists and turns with the best of them, the emotional core stays solid—this is a story about loyalty, trust, and what it means to fight for someone who’s always stood by your side.
The Characters
Now to the heart of the book: Hokuren and Cinna. If you adore character-driven stories, this dynamic is chef’s kiss. Hokuren is all sarcasm, trauma, and sharp instincts. She’s not here for your nonsense—unless it involves solving a case or feeding her assistant pie. And then there’s Cinna, her overworked (and underpaid) elven sidekick with a quiet strength and maybe a secret or two of her own.
What makes them shine? Their banter, their mutual trust, and how they lift each other up without turning it into a cheesy girl-power moment. It feels real. Their friendship isn’t perfect, but it’s unbreakable. You’ll root for them harder than you’d expect.
Also, the side characters—mysterious villains, snooty nobles, and morally flexible mages—bring flavor to the chaos. But let’s be honest, you’re here for the Hokuren-Cinna duo all the way.
Would I recommend it?
Cinnamon Soul is the kind of book that gives you danger and heart in equal measure. It juggles mystery, fantasy, and emotional depth without ever losing its sense of humor or charm. You’ll laugh, gasp, and maybe cry—but most importantly, you’ll close the book craving more from this world.
Get your own copy of Cinnamon Soul here. If you use my link to buy, I may get a small commission at NO additional cost to you! It will help me keep my blog running! 🙂 Thank you for your support!