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Member Reviews
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Thankyou NetGallery and Pan Macmillan for providing me with a review copy via netgalley. This is such a perfect cozy fantasy! I Binge read it within a day (a few hours more like). The characters are incredibly likeable, and the vibes are perfect for this time of year. I love coffee and I love fantasy, so this really was the perfect book for me!
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Such a wholesome, heartwarming read! It was incredibly comforting and meaningful, with found family elements that are to die for. I loved how this focused on quiet moments in fantasy, set after the big adventure. There's a very intimate feeling, of belonging and caring and resting - if you need an escape from the horrendous world that we live in right now, this is the book to escape into.
The characters are easily one of the best, if not the best, part of this book. Viv, Cal, Tandri and Thimble all capture your heart - especially sweet Thimble, I just wanted him to burst from the pages of the book because he is so adorable! As well the giant dire-cat, Amity!
Would highly, highly recommend picking this up - I think it's one everyone should read at some point!
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I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Legends and Lattes is a fantasy story I did not know I needed. Orc-run coffee shop is one of the settings in fricking Discworld if you ask me. A very laid-back yet fun read that is just pleasant from beginning to end. Viv is such a sweet character and the romance was genuinely worth rooting for. No Wattpad cringe involved. I want to see more of this world!
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One fine day a she-orc named Viv packs her bags, takes her savings from years and years of adventuring and leaves her team. She settles in a little town and, after buying a horse-barn in ruins she renovates the place and opens a coffee shop in it. That’s it, that’s the plot of Travis Baldree’s “Legends and Lattes”.
But of course there’s more to it than just that because what Viv creates around her coffee shop is a community, when at the beginning people was reluctant to try that new beverage that she’s brought from faraway lands and it’s with the help of a business visionary succubus whose name is Tandri and a man with a talent for handicraft and all things bricolage that her place blooms. Soon enough all kinds of people gather in the cosy place looking for warmth, nice coffee, nice pastries and chat. It’s a world in which race, gender, sexuality or background don’t matter, even the local mob acknowledges that. But the best part, the most heartwarming aspect of the story is that when problems arise Viv realizes that she is no longer alone in life, and she will never be alone again.
This is a high fantasy story despite the cosy element that wraps around it. It is a story in which gnomes, orcs, dwarves, men, succubus and a cute dire cat (who said such creatures were scary and wild?) become friends and tell each other stories or they mind their own business in peace. And it’s all because of Viv and Tandri who are so welcoming and nice and always ready to listen to whomever needs to talk. Travis Baldree’s storytelling is beautiful and compelling, ageless because it’s for people of all ages, it can’t be classified. It’s legends and lattes, simple and wonderful as that.
Oh, and there’s magic. But perhaps not the kind of magic you would expect.
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If you don’t find yourself craving a warm cinnamon roll at some point while reading Legends and Lattes…I don’t know what to say to you, I got nothing. 🤷
This is a short, heartfelt low-stakes fantasy novel about finding your people and making the world a (slightly) better place. I wish there was a version of this story that went deeper into Viv’s psychology (because surely an orc mercenary who used violence to solve most her problems would have a harder time adjusting to coffeeshop management?)…but this book isn’t trying to be that, and it succeeds brilliantly as a simple comfort read of a book.
I received an advance review copy of this book (prior to its traditional publication debut), and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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I fully understand the hype for this book, it was SO wholesome! I adored all the characters, especially Thimble.
I just loved seeing all of them interact and be all lovely together. Super sweet.
Also; incredible job from the publishers for keeping the original self pub cover, i was incredibly happy about that!
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Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
This is a comfortable read filled with warm and cosy characters. I loved the whole concept of a warrior Orc selling coffee on a village where no one knows what coffee is. An awesome cosy and escape from reality kind of book.
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ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
Legends and Lattes is the wholesome and cozy fantasy you didn’t know you need.
For those of you who don’t know, Travis Baldree has been well known for his role as the audiobook narrator behind Will Wight’s Cradle series. And many other series, really. Legends and Lattes is his debut novel, and I do think Baldree should now be known for his fantasy novel, too. I wouldn’t have known about Legends and Lattes if it weren’t for Twitter. Most of you probably know already, almost all of my favorite novels and stories are intense, emotional, dark, and serious in tone. But I do love slice-of-life as a genre as well. When I saw the cover art—illustrated by Carson Lowmiller—to Legends and Lattes on Twitter, with the premise indicating this is a high fantasy novel with low stakes, I knew I couldn’t go wrong with my expectations entering this book. I knew immediately I should read this when I’m in the mood for something short, cozy, and wholesome. Despite loving slice-of-life in other storytelling mediums such as manga, anime, and TV shows, I seem to struggle to find a terrific slice-of-life fantasy novel. But I got what I wanted here. Legends and Lattes is the slice-of-life fantasy novel I craved and received.
“I told you I came across it in Azimuth, and I remember following the smell to the shop. They called it a café. People just sat around drinking it from these little ceramic cups, and I had to try it, and… 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.”
The story in Legends and Lattes is centered on Viv. 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 making coffees 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. At a glance, it's easy to advertise this as a fantasy novel about building a new coffee shop in a fantasy world, and yes, it indeed is. But beyond the surface, there were a lot of relatably resonating themes that made Legends and Lattes so precious. Through this premise and the narrative, Baldree highlighted the importance of friendship, found family, love, community, and how good food and beverages never fail. And at its core, I think Legends and Lattes is a story about starting something new. It's never too late to start something new. Will it be easy? No, it will be difficult. But it's not impossible. Growing out of your comfort zone is never easy, but good things just might come out of it. Booktube was something I was too afraid to try. For years I contemplated it, and I won't lie, I still struggle with it at times. But after more than a year, I can say that this new venture has all been so worth it.
“I apologize. Look, I am very bad at this. I don’t really know what I’m doing… This is what I know, what I’ve always known. I just want to know something else, now. To be something else. Everything I said was stupid. I, of all people, ought to know better than to assume anything based on what you were born as. Before you walk out, do you mind if I start over?”
The novel doesn't feature multiple POV characters. The entire story in Legends and Lattes is told exclusively through the perspective of Viv. There isn't a lot of characters here, but Baldree focused on quality rather than quantity. Viv started the coffee shop business alone, and soon she will befriend new acquaintances and friends that became irreplaceable to her. It's never too late to do something new, but starting a coffee shop business on your own without anyone's help is a task that may be too difficult to execute. Cal, Tandri, and Thimble taught Viv and us readers that it is okay to believe in the kindness of strangers. As improbable as it sounds sometimes, especially to us who tasted adulthood already, not every stranger is out to get us. And Legends and Lattes remind us that there is goodness and kindness in this world. I loved reading the character development of Viv, Tandri, Cal, and Thimble. Thimble needs to be protected at all costs.
“Right… and one thing I remember particularly well from our little chat was how much she hated assholes. You know, some people might consider any of her crew to be assholes, just because of the nature of the business. But I don’t think that way… I’ve got respect for people who have to get their hands dirty to get things done. That’s just work. No, it takes something special to be a real asshole, and I think she and I are of the same mind.”
It's not only the characters, too. Even seeing their friendship and hard work bringing results in the form of a new menu genuinely made me smile. Oh my god, the description of the drinks and the food in this book is irresistible. I actually can't recommend this book to you if you're on a diet. I want to taste the coffee, the latte, Thimblet's cinnamon roll, Midnight Crescents, and more. If you're in the mood for an epic fantasy novel with warfare, battle scenes, and an expansive world-building, then this may not be the novel for you right now. But even then, I still would recommend Legends and Lattes to every fantasy reader. I am, after all, a fan of epic fantasy and grimdark fantasy, too, and I still end up loving this thoroughly. Slice-of-life does not mean that the story lacks tension, the conflicts the characters encounter are just different than the ones we often read in epic fantasy. I mean, if you know life, you know just how stressful life can get sometimes. And the narrative never takes a pause. Baldree made sure the progressions in character development and business making always happen with each chapter. Additionally, the 31 chapters in this novel are filled with their own unique chapter icon. All of these, with the combination of Baldree's accessible prose, transformed Legends and Lattes into a page-turning—and cozy—reading experience.
“I was just thinking that you don’t have to forget who you were… because that’s what brought you here.”
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is a serendipitous novel. I didn't search for it, its existence came out of nowhere, and it instantly became one of my favorite books of the year. I have a strong instinct this book will be incredibly famous one day, sooner than later. I absolutely enjoyed it. A great book and delicious food are things in this world that never fail to make me feel happy and alive. I can't live without them. If you feel the same way, how about trying this relaxing book? Legends and Lattes is truly a feel-good fantasy novel at its finest. I eagerly wait for the next book by Baldree. I want more out of this world, and I've asked the author about his plan. Fortunately, Baldree plans to make this a series of standalone novels/series similar to Discworld by Terry Pratchett. This is most likely the best direction for the series, and I couldn't be more pleased. Pick up this book as soon as possible, and have a refreshing taste of Legends and Lattes.
“WHAT FLAMES COULD NOT CONSUME, NEVER SHALL BE EXTINGUISHED”
You can order this book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
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Legends and Lattes was heaps of good old-fashioned fun. There's no perilous journey, distraught damsel in distress or bloody battle in this fantasy-based romp. Instead, Travis Baldree crafts a magical yet light-hearted tale of an Orc and her dreams to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune.
It's a surprisingly heart-warming tale, full of delightful characters (Thimble must be protected at all costs), hope, friendship and baked goods.
If you're looking for a cosy fantasy read with a big heart and low stakes, I definitely recommend Legend and Lattes. It was a gentle yet curious read and one that I absolutely adored.
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Yes. Another one please. After reading three science fiction novels at once this sweet and cozy fantasy adventure was the perfect palette cleanser.
Legends & Lattes is the story of Viv, an Orc who gives up on her mercenary life to open a coffee shop, assembling a group of loyal friends in the process.
If you enjoy reading high fantasy, especially if you enjoy the quiet parts, not just the battles, you will love this book. Even though there is no world-destroying threat or evil King, the charm and feeling of high fantasy is definitely still there. And you would be surprised how exciting adding a new menu item can be if it's written well.
The story itself is pretty basic, following the classic three-act-structure to a t. But I've always been of the opinion that the classics done well make for the best stories.
There is a Lovestory in this book to, but thankfully one of the kind that I like. Asin: it starts late in the book when the characters already know each other, it's slow and sweet and subtle.
If I have one criticism it's that I would say the antagonist is preheat and ot well fleshed out.
Oh and, this is not a real criticism but: As someone who works in public administration, I have so many questions and concerns.
Did Viv register the changing ownership of the shop with the city? I'm sure they have ledgers. Is she paying taxes? Who is doing her bookkeeping? Is there no Gild she has to worry about? Not one for coffe shop owners sure, but I'm sure the bakers would like a word.
In conclusion: Absolutely lovely book, can this style please become a new trend?
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Questo libro è uno slice of life, fantasy ed è la prima volta che leggo una combinazione del genere!
Devo dire che mi ha sorpreso piacevolmente e gli ultimi capitoli mi hanno commossa particolarmente.
Viv, la protagonista di questo libro, è una guerriera orchesca che vuole abbandonare la vita dell'avventuriera per aprire un coffee shop, in una città dove non sanno minimamente cosa sia il caffè.
Una volta in città andrà alla ricerca del locale adatto e delle persone che l'aiuteranno a dare vita al suo sogno.
Ovviamente non tutto andrà liscio come l'olio e tra la mafia della città e ex compagni invidiosi del suo successo, Viv deve superare l'ansia e la paura di perdere i suoi nuovi amici e tutto quello che ha costruito.
Sebbene la storia non sia epica e non ci sono colpi di scena eclatanti, ho trovato questo libro una lettura davvero piacevole, perfetto da leggere in una giornata autunnale, con la propria bevanda preferita accanto e qualcosa di dolce da sgranocchiare. Perchè si, coi dolci che vengono serviti all'interno della storia, avrete assolutamente bisogno di andare in pasticceria e soddisfare le vostre voglie di dolcezza.
Grazie Netgalley e all'editore Pan Macmillan per avermi permesso di leggere in anteprima questo libro!!!
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This is a slice of life, fantasy book and it's the first time I've read such a combination!
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and the last few chapters moved me particularly.
Viv, the protagonist of this book, is an orc warrior who wants to leave the adventurer's life to open a coffee shop in a city where they don't have any clue what coffee is.
Once in the city she will go in search of the right place and the people who will help her to make her dream come true.
Obviously not everything will go smoothly and between the city mafia and a former comrade envious of her success, Viv must overcome the anxiety and fear of losing her new friends and everything she has built.
While the story is not epic and there are no striking twists, I found this book to be a truly enjoyable read, perfect for reading on an autumn day, with your favorite drink next to you and something sweet to munch on. Because of course, with the desserts that are served within the story, you will absolutely need to go to the pastry shop and satisfy your cravings for sweetness.
Thanks Netgalley and publisher Pan Macmillan for allowing me to read this book !!!
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Just what category or genre one could fit this in is still puzzling me. It's part fantasy, part adult fiction, part romance and, even though we don't travel more than a mile or two, part action/adventure. What I can say is it's a beautiful story of growth and found family. An absolute warm hug of a read, one that wraps you up and leaves such a sense of feelgood-ness behind. The writing flows smoothly so that you are quickly absorbed into the tale and don't really want to put it down.
It didn't take long before I quickly found myself warming to Viv and the misfit collection of friends she drew around her. I do wish we'd learnt a little more about each of them, for me it would have added a little more depth and colour to this otherwise brilliant masterpiece. It is very much a character driven story and could have withstood developing several of the characters in depth.
Who knew how much I needed a tired-with-life ogress, a succubus, a rat-like creature and a hob in my life?
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Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is a low stakes fantasy book, based a bit on the world of DnD. We follow Viv, an orc, who’s had enough of adventuring and wants to open up a coffee shop. Which might be a tiny bit problematic when no one’s even heard of coffee. It might be even more problematic when the building you buy is crumbling down and a criminal organization is trying to get you to pay monthly “protection” fees.
I absolutely adored this book! It’s just so wholesome. This is a very character based story, aka my favorite type. The characters are amazing, as you slowly are introduced to very wonderful and colorful people. I loved the diversity and acceptance, it’s an important theme to the book and to me. It’s so hard to write a book with low stakes yet keep it interesting, and honestly I wasn’t bored for a minute, I just wanted to keep reading. We have a word in Dutch, “kabbelen”, that means to move peacefully yet bubbly like rippling water, and that’s exactly what this book embodies. Of course there is some conflict, as no story is complete without that, but I loved how it was all about the characters and their hopes and fears. There is also a lot of humor for me, in the modern inventions (like a gnomish sorta air conditioning), and a slowburn queer romance. I do wish we saw a bit more of that. The revelation in the end was perfection though. The world is one of the things I loved a lot, it felt like I was walking in a DnD world, but it also had it’s own quirks and felt very rich and elaborate.
This book is perfect when you feel a little disheartened. When you lose faith in humanity once again. When you just want to have a quiet time with a mug of coffee and a good book. To be honest I really wish Legends & Lattes was a real coffee shop, it sounds like the best.
Many thanks to the publisher for granting me an e-arc of this book. It hasn’t influenced my opinions. I also want to mention the new cover is so epic, love it!
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I read this when it first came out as a self published book but I picked it up here because I was curious to see any changes that might have happened. All I could see was that is was just as brilliant the second time around and I will be rereading this every time I want to feel safe and cozy. This is just a warm hug in book form. All the characters are so wonderful and sensitive. I love how they don't fall into the fantasy stereotypes you see so often in the genre.
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I loved this! Original and funny, heart-warming and cute. I tried to explain the plot to my daughter who looked at me like I was indeed a dire cat, so hopefully I'll do better now.
Viv is a vicious orc, who has dreams of leaving her old life and comrades behind to set up a ye olde coffee shop. She finds the perfect spot and builds up her dream and more besides with the ragtaggle group of friends that are drawn to the shop. But are they drawn to Viv or to the stone buried beneath their feet that Viv believes brings them luck?
The characters are what makes this unique story. Baldree has taken a cast from high fantasy and turned them into lovable group of characters. Viv is an orc with a heart who yearns for more than a life of battle and killing. She's joined by a wonderful group of fantasy characters, all unique and funny. I truly found myself laughing frequently through this book.
This is a lovely story. I really enjoyed it. This would be a great book for those who like fantasy and those who have maybe never even tried it.
Thank you so much to the publishers and netgalley for an arc in return for an honest review.
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This isn’t my usual read but I wasn’t disappointed.
Cosy fantasy which was a easy read
Loved it
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I've seen a lot of people rave about this book, but I was a tiny bit skeptical – sure, cozy fantasy sounds good, but fantasy without all the action? Isn't that... boring?
No. Absolutely not. This book was such a delight, I was sucked in from the first page. I really loved how this book was the "after", after the big (in this case nonexistent) series finale, after the characters fought and lost and struggled, where you just think "finally they can have peace and live the life they deserve".
And in this case, this means we have an orc laying down her weapons to open a café in a city that hasn't heard of coffee – what a fun concept.
I truly did not expect to be so invested in everything. The characters are everything, Viv is such a poor trauma baby who deserves all the happiness, Tandri showed up to help and ended up pouring so much of her heart into it, Amity the dire-cat and of course everyone's favorite baker Thimble the rat. He was so cute, I didn't think I would ever cry about literal cinnamon rolls in a book, but well, here we are.
I also really loved the worldbuilding. It felt like a rich fantasy world with its own lore and magic without ever overpowering the plot and characters.
The added-in drama was also so well done, we obviously need a bit of tension, but it was so nice reading it while knowing you're going to get a happy ending.
And then we have the hints of romance, which was so soft and pure and ugh.
I truly loved everything about this book and cannot recommend it enough! An absolute must-read this winter, ideally on a cold day, when it's maybe snowing or raining, and you curl up in bed or on your couch with a nice warm mug of coffee (or latte).
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This book was exactly as described, high fantasy, low stakes. This is exactly what I needed. It was such a joy to read a book with that "slice of life" feel that we all want from our favourites. This is not a book to be picked up if you want fast pace and lots of action.
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Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
As you may have noticed, there’s quite a bit of buzz around this book. Perhaps you were instantly sold by the “High Fantasy with low stakes” tagline, I was mostly curious, which was the main reason why I requested this book.
Let me tell you, the tagline is highly accurate, and wow, this book was a delight.
We follow Viv, an orc who abandons the warrior life to start something entirely new - a coffee shop. Armed only with a fabled artefact, she sets out to a new city where no one’s heard about coffee, so it’ll take a lot of effort to get her business up and running.
This is a story about new starts, going out of your comfort zone and the importance of friendship and community. The characters are endearing and I loved their development, and how each of them added to the story. Towards the end, their interactions left me sitting with a big smile and yes you should definitely read this, please? Thanks.
I read through this book in one sitting, and reading it felt like being huddled on your couch while sipping your favourite hot beverage. It’s short, cosy and wholesome, and perfect for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea.
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Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for this advanced copy.
I adore this UK edition so much. The cover is pretty simple but showing us the cozy aura from this book.
As a fantasy fan, and a manga reader, I've seen many books or manga with Orc and Succubus as the characters. And... yes... somehow the story which related to these characters is a little bit "wild", especially because Succubus well known as the sex-obsessed creature. And Orc in manga sometimes is a r*pist. (Please don't ask me what kind of manga I've read)
But Then...
Legends & Lattes comes with a story of a female barbarian orc and succubus and talking mouse guy in a caffe. Even though the plot is simple and like the book said, there is high stake in this book, but Legends & Lattes keep me enjoying this story.