Book Review – Legends & Lattes
Book Review Bottom Line: I can definitely say Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes, is best described as the book equivalent of curling up with your favorite latte, under a cozy blanket on a rainy day. It’s warm, and cozy, and makes you feel good about life.
Full Title: Legends and Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes
Author: Travis Baldree (On Twitter and GoodReads)
ISBN: 979-8985663235
Purchase link: paperback, Kindle, Want your own copy in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and of course audiobook because Travis Baldree is an amazing voice actor!
Synopsis:
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.
Review:
As a D&D nerd, avid reader, and author, this book was right up my alley. The review that pointed me to “Legends & Lattes” said it “reads like a cozy cup of coffee,” and I found that description 100% accurate with a twist of high fantasy.
Basically, the plot is what would happen if your barbarian orc decided to retire from combat and open a coffee house. From a reader standpoint, I found it light and engaging, I loved the characters, and found the setting charming. It includes fun new phrases like “an insufferable shitweasel” and delicately balances a few other creative curses without being obscene.
From an author’s perspective, I considered it well written, with a plot that follows the standard American plot arc (which keeps things moving), and good world building on a familiar high fantasy/D&D setting.
I read it while convalescing from surgery and tore through it in a day. You could chalk the quick read up to being mostly confined to my couch or the compelling plot, but I haven’t done that in a hot minute. Even the cat loved it!
Rating: 5 cups of tea (or lattes, as would be thematically appropriate)
NOTE: Like my race reports, this post does contain some affiliate links. If you purchase from that link, I may get a small commission. That said it doesn’t impact what you pay or the author receives in royalties!
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The author is a professional audiobook narrator (this was his first published work as an author), and his narration in the audiobook version is very good as well. I loved having Lock show up just for Baldtree’s Malcolm McDowell impersonation. Played the character smooth like a snake.
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I bought it based on your recommendation. I enjoyed it. Thanks for recommending it. I hope he writes more.