【 LEGENDS AND LATTES 】

book #1 in the Legends and Lattes series

Genre: Fantasy (cosy)
Audience: Adult
Author: Travis Baldree
Published: November 2022
Publisher: Tor
Pages: 312 (paperback)

A new favourite for my list, to be sure. What’s not to love in this adorable cosy fantasy? This lived up to the hype and beyond for me.

I’ve been eyeing this off for a few years since everyone got up in arms about how wonderful it is. And wow, I wish I’d picked it up sooner because I’m thoroughly obsessed and I GET it now. There’s so many good vibes bundled up in this one book, and if you haven’t read it, then you absolutely must because it will make you feel happy and take all your troubles away.

So, we’re talking a retired fighter of an orc who’s setting up shop with a coffee shop in a small town that’s never heard of coffee. Sold, right!? This book is a delightful break from some of the other fantasy novels out there because it takes away the complicated characters and the overwhelming politics and the even more overwhelming world-building, and it gives you a damn good story instead.

The simplicity of the plot is what really makes it shine. You’ve got an interesting enough character who’s leaving behind a veeerrry interesting life to turn over a new leaf. There’s this rose-tinted perspective you almost get from reading the book, of how wondrous new beginnings can be (rather than just oh-my-god stressful) as Viv takes (nearly) everything in her stride and keeps on going until she’s where she wants to be.

I love the way that her being an orc makes her stand out just a little, and sees her receiving just a little bit of a prejudice, because it gives her character a point of interest, a challenge to overcome and a reason to offer more insight into the (simple) structure of this world without it feeling like the author is force-feeding you an almanac.

I could read this again and again, just for the joy of disappearing into Viv’s world of cosy fantasy that revels in being a good story without fanfair. And it even offers the added boon of a good queer storyline, just to really sell you on it.

There is nothing not to like in this, so all I say is that you need this cosy fantasy in your life (and then probably the other books in the series too!! It’s addictive!!)

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Title: Legends and Lattes
Series: Legends and Lattes
Author: Travis Baldree
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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.