Name: Naomi P's review of Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Item: Legends & Lattes
Rating: 3.5
Author: Naomi P

Travis Baldree

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee. After decades of raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – one that involves pulling more shots than punches. Armed with hope and a hard-earned secret, she plans to open the first coffee shop in Thune. To build something that will last, Viv needs a new crew. She enlists a gruff hob builder shunned by humans, and a shy baker whose cinnamon rolls are to die for. Then there’s Tandri, a charming succubus who’s determined not to let anyone assume anything about her. But Thune has a shady underbelly that keeps goading Viv to take up her sword once more. New enemies threaten her beloved coffee shop and rag-tag team. And Viv’s adventuring past isn’t so eager to leave her behind – or the fabled piece of loot she took with her. 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.

Legends & Lattes

Orc barbarian Viv is ready to hang up her sword and pursue a more peaceful passion: opening a coffee shop. But her past isn't ready to leave her behind - or the fabled piece of loot she took with her.

Legends and Lattes

Sephirra

This is cozy fantasy so high fantasy setting with low plot stakes. It's a retired mercenary setting up a coffee shop. Found family, slight sapphic romance, cozy vibes. 

kristin :)

"So. I might not deserve you. And you might forgive too much. But I'm damned glad to have you."

"Stop it," Tandri said sharply. "Self-pity doesn't look good on you."

Viv stared at Tandri and didn't voice her first thought.

Maybe her friend was right. Maybe the shop wasn't her life. Maybe she 

Without it, though, what was she, really?

Had she grown so complacent that she'd trust the outcome of this conversation to some mythical 

? Wasn't Tandri more important than that? Didn't she demand Viv's truest words, offered unambiguously?

 say..." Viv glanced over to regard Tandri solemnly. "Fuck those 

"I thought, a university? That's a place where ideas are challenged. Where what you do matters, not where you came from, or 

 you came from. A place where logic and math and science would prove that I'm more than what I was born to. But it seems I take that with me wherever I go."

"It'll be fine. I've been in worse scrapes, and have the scars to prove it. And I don't expect to have any new ones tomorrow."

She cought Tandri slipping into a smile beside her.

He returned the shake, his hand swallowed by hers. "You neither, Viv. Been good work." Somehow, from him, the words were touching.

"It was good to meet you, Cal," said Tandri.

Then, with a nod and another small bow to both of them, he left.

Viv's heart broke a little to see him go.

She was smiling, and for the first time, the building, the city, this 

... felt like hers. A place she'd still be tomorrow, the week after, next season, next year...

I, of all people, ought to know better than to assume anything based on what you were born as.

reading cal call coffee "exotic bean water" is so funny to me

"Ladies' stockin's and exotic bean water. God help us."

Laura Dobie

Even Amity appeared from time to time. To the relief of everyone, she seemed none the worse for wear, although her perpetually sooty fur made it hard to tell. Like a great, gray ghost, she weaved her way between bare studs, gazing around in a proprietary way before disappearing, once more.

Amity even appeared during performances, weaving between startled customers and settling beneath the big trestle table. Regulars learned to be protective of their treats, since she casually swallowed any unattended pastries in her path. Her lashing tail was a menace to mugs. 

Viv never once considered shooing her away.

Apparently giant fantasy cats behave exactly like regular cats.

That evening, Tandri left long enough to collect some blankets and a big goose-down pillow. She and Viv put together a makeshift bed in the back corner of the shop for the dire-cat. The next time Amity reappeared, she stalked over to the rumpled pile, patted it experimentally with one enormous forepaw, and then strolled away.

"Good. Good!" Viv tried to get hold of herself. She'd hired help before. Sure, they'd been mercenaries and cutpurses, but the principle was the same. Lay out the job, set forth the terms, get a feeling for whether they'd cut and run at an inconvenient moment, and then make the call. Easy.

Jazelle H

WHAT FLAMES COULD NOT CONSUME, NEVER SHALL BE EXTINGUISHED

“I was just thinking that you don’t have to forget who you were … because that’s what brought you here.”

Viv held her sword in both hands, head bowed. She’d forsworn her old life, crossing a bridge to a new land, and now knelt in its ruin. This was the bridge burning away behind her, leaving her in a desolation. She tossed the blade back into the ash and took the only path that remained.

Viv leaned on the counter, studying their faces, and saw, at last, what she’d been too nervous to hope for. She found it in half-lidded eyes and a slow, deliberate swallow. In cupped hands around the warmth of a mug and the lingering enjoyment of the last taste. It was the echo of her own experience, and a pleasant flush of recognition washed over her.

"I think I've been looking for a way out for years. Adventuring, fighting, hunting bounties--you're either bleeding yourself slow from a hundred wounds or waiting on one deathblow. But you get numb to the possibility of anything different. This was the first time something else made me feel a way I wanted to keep feeling. So, here I am, and with some blood still in me."

"Things don't have to stay as what they started out as."

samantha lias

It's a very cozy story. It makes you want to snuggle in a soft blanket with a warm mug of coffee in your hands.

Naomi P

Laoise Giblin

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee. After decades of raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good.

A nice easy read. Atmospheric and warm with a touch of foreboding. Very enjoyable.

Jessie Amber

This was a really nice cozy book, makes me wish I was by a fire reading it

Hans

Betty

Emily Richards

High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior's life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune's shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve. A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth.

A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes

I liked this book so much I read it twice in less than a month. It was the cozy, slightly domestic, food/warm beverage-centric found-family and gay friendship story I needed. 

Also, the audiobook narration is beautifully done by the author.

Niza Contreras

I liked this book so much I read it twice in less than a month. It was the cozy, slightly domestic, food/warm beverage-centric found-family and gay friendship story I needed. 

Also, the audiobook narration is beautifully done by the author.

Who would have thought a book about a fighting Orc turned barista would warm my heart as much as it did?

Not only did this remind me so heavily of Coffee Talk, or it's DnD sibling Tavern Talk, but the underlying story telling was unbelievable. 

To think your lucky by coming across a magical device, but in reality all it did was put you on the right path to meet the right people, it's so wonderful. 

Megan McMillan

Who would have thought a book about a fighting Orc turned barista would warm my heart as much as it did?

Not only did this remind me so heavily of Coffee Talk, or it's DnD sibling Tavern Talk, but the underlying story telling was unbelievable. 

To think your lucky by coming across a magical device, but in reality all it did was put you on the right path to meet the right people, it's so wonderful. 

Loved this book 

Absolutely one of the best books I've read in a long time. I received this as a gift for Jolabokaflod (Icelandic book exchange on December 24) and I was excited but worried. Everyone said this book was good. Hype usually disappoints me. I hate to say it but it lives up to the hype. The epitome of cozy fantasy. So excited for the prequel

Stephanie Boisvert

Bg3 has led me to places I wouldn't even go with a gun... honestly not bad, but very one-dimensional? It's "cozy," sure, but there's not much fantasy aside from like gnomes and rats that bake cinnamon rolls. I also wanted more from the romance... like these are just friends that ended up kissing. #NOTMYYURI. IDK. It was a cute and fun read, but nothing to write home about.

lena

Julia 

opowieść heroiczna o sprawach przyziemnych

Legendy i latte

natalka

High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.

A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth.

Joana Duarte

Legends and Lattes is a low stakes, high fantasy in which Viv, an orc barbarian, decides to retire her weapons and open a coffee shop.

The plot was simple and straightforward, with nothing unpredictable happing. That is not to say that is wasn’t entertaining. The daily life of our main character and the people she meets are pretty much the overall focus of the story for the majority of the book. 
It is mostly a book about change and acceptance of oneself, although I would say it stays a bit too surface level on those topics, for my personal preference. Which sums most of my qualms with the story: I wished it was longer and it went deeper on some parts.
The dialogue was witty and the characters were charming and memorable.
I look forward to reading more from Travis Baldree and to trying some more wholesome, low stakes, fantasies in the future.

Anna 

2,5*

well, this was kind of disappointing. there is nothing wrong with the story, it was just so.... why was it 300 pages?

some notes I took while reading:
- nobody knows what coffee is in this town yet the main characters literally visit 'a kafé' and dine there?

-author highlights what kind of animals/creatures visit the coffee shop yet forgets to tell us when a human appears (for example he says there is a gnome sitting by the table // a lute player often visits the shop = does not mention that the lute player is a human)

- the main characters call everyone 'a kid' which was really annoying me

- the whole book has that sort of millennial esque type of humour that I honestly cringe at

- it was repetitive - a new recipe, mc can't help but moan every single time because of how good it tastes, everybody loves it, a new customer appears, trouble in paradise, repeat.

- the mc also gives literally everyone who smiles at her things for free lol no wonders she soon loses the money

.
so yeah this was my second cozy fantasy and the second one I didn't enjoy. I do like cozy movies but cozy books just aren't my cup of tea.

Katelyn O

What a delight to listen to while walking, cooking and sitting inside during winter. Every character was so charming, I wish I could stay in the world!

I feel as though I’m slightly late to the party with this one, however I’m so glad that I read it! ‘Legends & Lattes’ by Travis Baldree will now forever be my definition of a cosy read. He has crafted such an amazing fantasy world and such warm and loveable characters that this book cannot help but leave you feeling warm and fuzzy long after the pages have stopped turning!

Viv is an Orc who after years of adventuring has decided she wants to slow life down and own something special of her own, in this instance a coffee shop. The trouble is, not many people know what “coffee” is. Cue the long list of characters that inhabit the world as Viv builds her coffee shop venture from the literal ruins of a livery and stables.

The first part of the book sees Viv hire Cal (a hob who works as a carpenter) to build her shop and the rich detail of writing in Baldree’s chapters really helps to see the shop take shape in you head. Afterwards Viv employs artistic succubus Tandri as a work-mate with whom to open and run the business. Subsequent recruits include ratkin Thimble, a genius baker, hesitant would-be bard Pendry, who blossoms into an entertainer, and volunteer watch beast Amity the dire-cat. At each stage you’re willing for Viv and company to succeed, whether it be the way they invent new drinks or baked goods or simply to have her business flourish.

Of course it isn’t just an easy ride for our Orc, but I don’t want to delve too far into plot twists and revelations as you need to experience them yourselves. The pacing is superb, as is the length of chapters which can be absorbed steadily or absolutely devoured.

I feel as though I’m slightly late to the party with this one, however I’m so glad that I read it! ‘Legends & Lattes’ by Travis Baldree will now forever be my definition of a cosy read. He has crafted such an amazing fantasy world and such warm and loveable characters that this book cannot help but leave you feeling warm and fuzzy long after the pages have stopped turning!

Viv is an Orc who after years of adventuring has decided she wants to slow life down and own something special of her own, in this instance a coffee shop. The trouble is, not many people know what “coffee” is. Cue the long list of characters that inhabit the world as Viv builds her coffee shop venture from the literal ruins of a livery and stables.

The first part of the book sees Viv hire Cal (a hob who works as a carpenter) to build her shop and the rich detail of writing in Baldree’s chapters really helps to see the shop take shape in you head. Afterwards Viv employs artistic succubus Tandri as a work-mate with whom to open and run the business. Subsequent recruits include ratkin Thimble, a genius baker, hesitant would-be bard Pendry, who blossoms into an entertainer, and volunteer watch beast Amity the dire-cat. At each stage you’re willing for Viv and company to succeed, whether it be the way they invent new drinks or baked goods or simply to have her business flourish.

Of course it isn’t just an easy ride for our Orc, but I don’t want to delve too far into plot twists and revelations as you need to experience them yourselves. The pacing is superb, as is the length of chapters which can be absorbed steadily or absolutely devoured.

I’ve seen a few reviews of this book that called it “cozy fantasy” and I totally agree. Don’t discard it if you aren’t into fantasy, it is very basic fantasy with not a lot of world building. It was really cute, easy to follow and easy to put down and pick back up again. A story about breaking molds and finding friendships and love 🫶🏻

Kass

anya

Amanda

** spoiler alert **
           This book is so cozy and the characters are well written. A cozy slice of life that is like D&D and studio ghibli had a mash up in a book. "To what the flames could not consume" ❤

This whole story was so cute and sweet. Viv and Tandri are adorable, and the found family element is so comforting, especially the ending. 

Katheryn

Enjoyed a lot! It was nice to read a low stakes story!

Samantha Cummings

This was a delightful read. In between some of the heavier media/literature I consume, this was lovely. Not as much of a romance as I thought it would be, so that was good (for me!).

Kiersten

: It was cute. I definitely see why it's been embraced as a cozy fantasy, because it is, but it was a bit too 

 and saccharine for me, so much that it was strange to see actual conflict happen, and it felt random and out of place. The villains seem to be pretending to be villains or playing the role of bullies lol, because they actually turned out to be Very Nice People.

: I really love this setting, but it feels a bit too contemporary for me given the other fantasy elements in the story. I do like how the author is handling the strangeness of coffee and machinery. 

: I wish that the author had spent more time developing the romance because while there were intimate moments, I didn't really sense much romantic chemistry between Viv and Tandri. I really love the friendships in this book.

I loved the flip of the rhyme surrounding the Stalvert's Stone, that's a really nice way of thinking about ring of fortune, that it's not luck, but friendship. 

This book is absolutely beautifully written, Travis Baldree's prose really shines in a refreshing way. It's sad that good writing seems like a surprise nowadays with popular fiction because first drafts are getting published and that seems to be the standard. Good writing IS accessible. 

Bella Baxter

Overall: It was cute. I definitely see why it's been embraced as a cozy fantasy, because it is, but it was a bit too perfect and saccharine for me, so much that it was strange to see actual conflict happen, and it felt random and out of place. The villains seem to be pretending to be villains or playing the role of bullies lol, because they actually turned out to be Very Nice People.

Setting: I really love this setting, but it feels a bit too contemporary for me given the other fantasy elements in the story. I do like how the author is handling the strangeness of coffee and machinery. 

Relationships: I wish that the author had spent more time developing the romance because while there were intimate moments, I didn't really sense much romantic chemistry between Viv and Tandri. I really love the friendships in this book.

Characters: 

I think it would have been interesting if it was a bigger deal that Viv had been an actual legend who settled down. Again, just too perfect for me. 

Tandri, I think was a good example of complex. 

I really enjoyed Cal, I think his characterization was very distinct, as well as Thimble. 

It would have been nice to understand more about Hemington's studies, because I really just got "random Hogwarts student" vibes out of him. 

I actually thought Pendry's nervous energy was really cute. Would have liked to see more about that conflict between wanting to be a bard and working the family business. 

I hate to say it, but Laney was just kind of a persistently annoying old woman? I think she and Thimble would have worked well together. Maybe that'll be explored in a future book?

I loved the flip of the rhyme surrounding the Stalvert's Stone, that's a really nice way of thinking about ring of fortune, that it's not luck, but friendship. 

This book is absolutely beautifully written, Travis Baldree's prose really shines in a refreshing way. It's sad that good writing seems like a surprise nowadays with popular fiction because first drafts are getting published and that seems to be the standard. Good writing IS accessible. 

samantha lias &
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

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Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree