Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes, #1)

by Travis Baldree

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee.

After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can’t go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters. Yet old rivals and new stand in the way of success. And Thune’s shady underbelly could make it all too easy for Viv to take up the blade once more.

But the true reward of the uncharted path is the travellers you meet along the way. Whether bound by ancient magic, delicious pastries or a freshly brewed cup, they may become something deeper than Viv ever could have imagined.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is a cosy, heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy about found families and fresh starts – perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Katherine Addison and T. Kingfisher.

• Publish Date: April 2023 (first published 22 February 2022)
• Publish Status: Forthcoming
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Imprint: Tor
• Edition: FairyLoot Exclusive
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• Special: Exclusive Design Signed Sprayed Edges

Reviews

[pamela]

I understand why Legends & Lattes appeals to people, but this book was definitely not for me. A cozy read in interesting times seems like it should be just what the doctor ordered, but I just found Legends & Lattes unbelievably dull.

The story is simple. Very simple. Which, I suspect, is a big part of its appeal. It read like a novelisation of a video game side quest. The stakes were low, and the conflicts were on rails with nothing unexpected or attention grabbing about the story.

Here's the thing; Legends & Lattes is not bad. It's well written, and the characters are interesting. But it relies very heavily on vibes, which is not enough to carry a book. It felt like a writing prompt padded out to 50,000 words, and picking it up felt like a chore instead of something I was excited to do. Probably my most disappointing read of the year, given how much I'd been looking forward to it.

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Viv is an orc barbarian needing a bit of a career change. She's tired of being paid to raise hell – and her blade. She's looking for something new...something different. And she knows exactly what it is she wants to do – open up a coffee shop!

Given Viv's history, it should be no surprise that this venture will not be as easy as she would like. Friends and enemies don't just disappear with a career change; even the city itself may create a few complications. But that won't stop Viv from chasing her cafe dreams; she might need some help to get it done.

"it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it's something else."

My Review:

I have been hearing about Legends & Lattes nonstop for months! So I finally sat down to read, and let me tell you – it is worth the hype. Every positive thing you've heard about this book is probably right. It is such a cozy and fun fantasy novel to dive into. If you've been in need of a relaxing read but don't want to deviate from fantasy, I have good news for you.

In my mind, I just kept thinking to myself; this is what would happen if a D&D group decided to fantasize about running a coffee shop. It has charm, chaos, and brilliant characters. And those vibes! It's perfection!

This is the perfect book to read if you have just finished a heavy novel, as it is an ideal palette cleanser. I wish I could go back in time and read it for the first time all over again! I would have been more careful to place it between two of my darker reads, you know, to balance out my emotions.

Highlights:
Cozy fantasy
LGBT/Lesbian
High Fantasy

Trigger Warnings:
Stalking
Fatmisia

Thanks to Cryptid Press and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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[Terri M. LeBlanc]

I finished Legends & Lattes this morning with my breakfast. What a delightful light fantasy novel. Seriously. It reminded me of Jim C. Hines's Princess series  — taking the best elements of fantasy and giving them a unique fun updated twist. I hope we'll see more adventures from Viv and the crew. And there needs to be a recipe book to accompany this one. My mouth was watering every time those cinnamon rolls came up.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[layawaydragon]

This is just what I needed and I need more stat! It's sweet and slow but not pointless. I loved every minute in this slice-of-life set in a fantasy setting.

[thorngil45]

loved it, mister baldree! please write more!

[Ashley]

Everything I hoped it would be! ♥️

[chrssym]

I genuinely loved this one. Wholesome, charming, endearing. I just couldn’t put it down. ✨

[Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub]

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Legends and Lattes is a delight! Creative and sweet, with just the right amount of danger, I enjoyed every word. The book follows Viv, an orc who leaves behind a life of killing and looting to open a coffee shop. That’s right, an orc running a coffee shop. Not only is it unlikely, but no one in the city of Thune even knows what coffee is. Viv definitely has her work cut out for her! Luckily for her, she has a Scalvert’s Stone, which is supposed to bring success. Unluckily for her, someone knows she has it, and wants it.

The premise is so much fun, but what made it even better for me were the supporting characters. There was a wonderful group of unique misfits who slowly turned Viv’s dream into a reality that was so much more than she expected. From the succubus who really wanted to leave the reputation that comes with her race behind, to the rattkin cook, each character added a unique charm to Legends and Lattes. They showcased Viv’s character growth and added a little something extra. I can’t decide who my favorite character was: Cal the hob or Thimble, the rattkin cook. There was something intensely charming about the cook being a rattkin. I also loved Durias the mysterious gnome. I’m a sucker for sage-like characters and I would love to read another book set in this world, just about him.

The coffee shop itself became another character and I fell in love with it. There was something cozy and calming about the way it was described. I loved the descriptions of the coffee and goodies that could be found there, and I would love to nibble on a thimblet!

The pacing was excellent, the story itself was sweet, and the ending was perfect. Legends and Lattes would be the perfect book to read on a rainy day with a cup of your favorite hot beverage.

https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2022/02/20/legends-lattes-a-novel-of-high-fantasy-and-low-stakes-by-travis-baldree/