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scifi_rat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
tinkeringcheck's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So I really loved the characters, especially Viv - our kind and determined fish-out-of-water protag. I also liked the community of odd ducks that gather around her, the little corner of the city we see, the retired DND character settling down and starting over vibes, and the chill fantasy atmosphere where pressing issues include generating word-of-mouth-advertising. I read it all in one sitting and can't remember the last time I had such a relaxed and easy time with a book.
... But (and I hate that there's a but) the flip side of that was... the plot. Or lack thereof. For a story set in a fantasy captial-A adventure world, the plot is pretty non-existent. Literally the only plot beats are inventing the elements of a Hip Modern Coffee Shop. It was cute at first in a wink-wink nudge-nudge way, but when it became the entire plot it just felt... boring. These characters are deeply amazed by modern things like *checks notes*a range hood , and when it happens for the nth time with very little fantasy veneer it becomes hard to care all that much. I really think the story could've hinged on one of the mysterious and too easily hand-waved B plots and felt much more cohesive.
Honestly, I think the plotting might have fallen victim to the low stakes promise, which I think that can work if woven into a bigger story. But here it's like the bigger story was relegated to the background to keep the stakes low, but the mountain of consequences from it suddenly fall on the characters anyway. Agency? No ser. Only chalk boards and long discussions about menu options over here.
So I'd argue the story doesn't even stick to its low stakes claim in the first place. It's more like 90% 'boring shopping trip' and 10% 'air-dropped consequences from the more interesting, higher stakes plot happening in the wings.'
... But (and I hate that there's a but) the flip side of that was... the plot. Or lack thereof. For a story set in a fantasy captial-A adventure world, the plot is pretty non-existent. Literally the only plot beats are inventing the elements of a Hip Modern Coffee Shop. It was cute at first in a wink-wink nudge-nudge way, but when it became the entire plot it just felt... boring. These characters are deeply amazed by modern things like *checks notes*
Honestly, I think the plotting might have fallen victim to the low stakes promise, which I think that can work if woven into a bigger story. But here it's like the bigger story was relegated to the background to keep the stakes low, but the mountain of consequences from it suddenly fall on the characters anyway. Agency? No ser. Only chalk boards and long discussions about menu options over here.
So I'd argue the story doesn't even stick to its low stakes claim in the first place. It's more like 90% 'boring shopping trip' and 10% 'air-dropped consequences from the more interesting, higher stakes plot happening in the wings.'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcohol and Violence
abby_can_read's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was an adorable read. I can understand why it's popular and I can see the appeal of the cozy fantasy genre. I liked how simple the plot was -- there weren't any big plot twists like I'm used to. The characters were fun and I loved reading about their relationship develop. The pacing was good. While I liked the ending, I would love to read more about these characters and their futures together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence and Sexual harassment
Minor: Xenophobia
msgslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
lucystolethesky's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Violence
dragonaion's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was unsure what to expect when I saw this book, but kind-hearted fantasy was just the thing I was looking for. Halfway through the book, I found that I couldn't put it down.
This reads exactly like a one-on-one D&D campaign, whose main adventurer reached the end of the main campaign, maxed leveling, and said to their DM, "I don't want to stop playing... But I don't wanna adventure anymore."
This book is the DM smiling, leaning forward against their screen and saying, "Do you remember the coffee you found in that last city?"
This reads exactly like a one-on-one D&D campaign, whose main adventurer reached the end of the main campaign, maxed leveling, and said to their DM, "I don't want to stop playing... But I don't wanna adventure anymore."
This book is the DM smiling, leaning forward against their screen and saying, "Do you remember the coffee you found in that last city?"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Sexual content
shellbow's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Could this book have had more conflicts? Yes. Over all it was incredibly low-stakes and not all that challenging. But it wasn't without things to say.
Viv struggles to contend with who she was vs what she wants to become. If she's deserving of the change, and if what she built was really of her own making. She has the confidence of a seasoned adventurer, but it doesn't always serve her in he new ventues, so we also get to see a vulnerable uncertainty when she approaches all the different things needed to open a coffee shop.
The minor characters she meets along the way are all stand outs. Each one is unique, and you get the impression there are histories and back stories that affect their motivations without being fully revealed to Viv. In a way that made them more realistic, giving the impression of friendly strangers you might recognize in your local coffee shop, without actually knowing.
The writing was pleasant and easy to digest. If you're a fan of the outline we've come to expect of fantasy worlds, but looking for a lighter or more gentle filling, this is the book for you. I'm really looking forward to reading the next one!
Viv struggles to contend with who she was vs what she wants to become. If she's deserving of the change, and if what she built was really of her own making. She has the confidence of a seasoned adventurer, but it doesn't always serve her in he new ventues, so we also get to see a vulnerable uncertainty when she approaches all the different things needed to open a coffee shop.
The minor characters she meets along the way are all stand outs. Each one is unique, and you get the impression there are histories and back stories that affect their motivations without being fully revealed to Viv. In a way that made them more realistic, giving the impression of friendly strangers you might recognize in your local coffee shop, without actually knowing.
The writing was pleasant and easy to digest. If you're a fan of the outline we've come to expect of fantasy worlds, but looking for a lighter or more gentle filling, this is the book for you. I'm really looking forward to reading the next one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
virtuadoll's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
the fucking comfort book ever
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Violence and Sexual harassment
chelseazhao's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
This was exactly what I wanted it to be!
I really loved that this was set in a very high fantasy world, but really just centered around Viv and the creation of her cafe. I loved her and so many of the other characters. I can't say that I needed anything more from this than what it was.
I really loved that this was set in a very high fantasy world, but really just centered around Viv and the creation of her cafe. I loved her and so many of the other characters. I can't say that I needed anything more from this than what it was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
refrejarator's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Very sweet - a nice, low-stakes read for quiet days with a cuppa.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Blood, Racism, and Xenophobia
Racism/xenophobia is for fantasy characters and races, and not focused on heavily.