Legends & Lattes

A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes

by Travis Baldree

eBook, 296 pages

English language

Published April 26, 2022 by Cryptid Press.

ISBN:: 979-8-9856632-0-4

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.

17 editions

Flip reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

It was kind of fine

3 stars

Content warning Disappointing trope confirmation

I read this for Romance Book Club because I figured a fantasy book was my excuse to see what happens at a romance book club. It's not what I usually read.

It had some nice themes, but the characters felt very shallow and uh... where was the romance? It read like fantasy written for dog people.

And I was thinking "at least the lesbians don't immediately move in together"... it was too much to hope for.

Leyssandra reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

Cozy, but...

2 stars

This book is like a nice warm cup of coffee.

But do you really want to read a book like a cup of coffee?

Its cozy, but there is virtually no plot or drama. (Almost) all of the characters are really nice, so there isn't even really any struggle to create anything. There's a sense of inevitability; Viv's cafe just sort of falls into place in line with what a modern cafe in our world looks like. That's actually baffling, as anyone who knows even a little of the history of coffee knows. The fantasy setting is also very shallow. Make all the characters human and change the color of the fire, and this could easily be written in our world.

The premise reminds me of some of the Discworld novels where roundworld things spontaneously develop, but in that case its a satirical commentary on our world …

This book is like a nice warm cup of coffee.

But do you really want to read a book like a cup of coffee?

The premise reminds me of some of the Discworld novels where roundworld things spontaneously develop, but in that case its a satirical commentary on our world and part of the humor. Without whimsy or humor here, this story just feels out of place.

Read for the cozy vibes, but don't expect much substance.

Flauschbuch reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Nice

5 stars

I read the prequel - Bookshops and Bonedust - before this one and loved it. You can tell that this one is the earlier one because it's not quite as intricate. It was more dramatic than I anticipated given the "cozy" label but it does have a cozy vibe apart from that. I especially loved how Viv built a web of connections and ultimately, community, without really noticing at first. I'm normally not into the romance part of fantasy books but this one was handled well and in a realistic way.

Ho'nehe reviewed Magie und Milchschaum by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes #1)

Total schön.

5 stars

Das ist mein zweiter cozy Fantasy Roman und ich merke, dass mir das Genre gefällt. Hier wird aber nicht nur eine schöne Geschichte von einem Café erzählt sondern auch eine spannende Geschichte im Hintergrund. Und das Ende war auch wirklich, wirklich toll.

Jessica Alter reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

When you just need a break from the world.

5 stars

Wonderful vacation from stress. A charming, low-stakes read.

Dav reviewed Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

None

3 stars

Cosy, in the very truest sense of the word. Not a taxing novel, but cute - an easily loveable cast.

BrittReads reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

I don't have a title for this review.

5 stars

Absolute comfort read in the best possible way. I want to spend more time here in the coffee shop.

Jessica reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

None

4 stars

Not as good as the prequel, but still pretty fun to read.

Muse reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Exactly what it says on the cover

4 stars

It’s nice to be reminded that fantasy stories don’t have to have world-ending stakes to be just as engaging. Despite being exactly what it says on its cover - a low stakes novel about a former adventurer opening a coffee shop - I could not anticipate how appealing it would be. I blew through this novel in two days despite its simplicity thanks to continuing to say to myself ‘one more chapter couldn’t hurt.’ I loved the slowly building romance in the subplot, and the dual themes in the story of the power of change and finding people who see you for who you really are tugged on my heartstrings.

I do have a few complaints - some of the early problems set up in the story just kind of vanish thanks to the power of baked goods, and I was a bit sad that the stone ended up …

I do have a few complaints - some of the early problems set up in the story just kind of vanish thanks to the power of baked goods, and I was a bit sad that the stone ended up being some kind of magic after all. I think it would’ve made the points the story was trying to get across hit harder if the store’s initial success really had been a combination of luck and friendship the whole time.

But even with that said, I can’t recommend this book enough. I think the word “cozy” has gotten a bit diluted thanks to marketing forces being what they are, but this book is exactly that. It reads like a warm blanket on a cold day, the perfect way to unwind.

Chris he/they reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

Want a cozy fantasy book that leaves you bawling?

5 stars

I don't think I've cried this much at a book in a long time, which is surprising when this book mostly concerns the development of a coffee shop. This book is an easy read, with concise chapters and endearing characters. You really get invested in the characters, whether it's Cal the hob (goblin?) sighing contentedly over his mug of coffee or Thimble the rattkin developing chocolate croissants and dreaming of a bigger kitchen.

The crying came in the last 1/4 of the book, as the protagonist Viv recovers from a tragedy with the help and support of her friends and community. The simple depictions of a community coming together in the wake of tragedy was beautifully handled and finished with a satisfying conclusion.

Go on, give it a read! The time flies by when you're reading. Just be sure to have some coffee on hand to enjoy as …

Go on, give it a read! The time flies by when you're reading. Just be sure to have some coffee on hand to enjoy as you flip through.

Wild Woila reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

Discworld with hygge instead of satire

4 stars

A lovely little story about an ex-adventurer who turns her orcish hand to opening a coffee shop. Everyone is nice except for the odd dickhead who provides narrative tension. Imagine the Discworld with hygge instead of satire.

ToadyNerd reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

I love coffee, books, and fantasy... so this hit the sweet spot

4 stars

The book about a coffee shop in a fantasy world had the feeling of a coffee shop. Most of the characters were very likable, and just felt like somewhere I would like to visit.

MJR_Librarian reviewed Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Exactly what I wanted

5 stars

This book was exactly what I wanted. It was cozy and adventurous and just a whole lot of fun. No notes.

Tilde Lowengrimm reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

Cozy fanfiction energy

5 stars

What a joy. This novel is a warm cup of coffee on a rainy day. It's a comfortable shirt with too many holes in it to keep, but which is just too soft to throw out. It's queer coffeshop AU fanfiction for characters you've never heard of before yet immediately feel utterly at home with. Just a fantastic delicious cinnamon roll of a book.

Alex Cabe reviewed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #1)

Surprisingly Engaging for Such a Low-Key Book

4 stars

This book did a great job of being relaxed and low-stakes, but still had that special magic where I couldn't wait for the next chapter, and I blew through this in two days. So far as being a chill-out book, it hit the target exactly.

I wish the author had committed to the romance a little more if it was going to be a part of the book, but maybe in the sequel.

Looking forward to the prequel story and prequel novel for a little more world-building.

I wish the author had committed to the romance a little more if it was going to be a part of the book, but maybe in the sequel.

Looking forward to the prequel story and prequel novel for a little more world-building.