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moodles's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual harassment
keegan_leech's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
To use a coffee metaphor, Legends & Lattes is like a cortado. It's light, simple, warm, goes down quickly, and doesn't have the bite or bitterness that you might find in another drink. I really blazed through it, and enjoyed myself the whole time. My edition even had a delightful short story in the back which, in this analogy, could be thought of as the complimentary biscuit that came with the drink (and that's as far as I'll be stretching that metaphor).
The book really delivers on the cosy coffee shop fantasy that it advertises. The stakes are low, the characters are charming, and everything works out just as you'd hope by the end. It has the feel of a fluffy, lighthearted one-shot your dungeon master threw together to give the party a break between more weighty, involved campaign arcs.
Which is all fantastic. But there's not much more to the book than it appears at first glance. The plot beats are all very conventional and while it's very thematically cohesive, there isn't much depth to that thematic content. From very early in the novel, its clear that this is a book about being able to change, or be something other than what is expected of you. Some very light (and very early) spoilers to give some examples:The main character is a muscular orc brawler, but she's intelligent and caring and dreams of settling down to open a coffee shop. When she does, she builds the cosy, picturesque café in a building converted from a filthy, run down livery. The first employee is an academic, driven succubus who actively fights against an in-universe perception that all succubi are deceitful nymphomaniacs. This pattern crops up so often that the book begins to feel a little one-note, but at least it's a pleasant note to listen to.
In fact, I rather appreciated the winking in-fiction explanation for why this was the case (this one's a real big spoiler for the end of the book):They were magically drawn together because of a kind of empathetic connection with the feeling of being more than what's expected of them. I thought this was cute, especially the way that it frames empathy and community as a kind of magic or good-fortune. Although it's only one step removed from "The real treasure was the friends we made along the way."
All-in-all, this is a good book, and I'm looking forward to the sequel, but don't go in expecting it to surprise you. Ironically, considering its themes, this book is pretty much exactly what it seems to be.
The book really delivers on the cosy coffee shop fantasy that it advertises. The stakes are low, the characters are charming, and everything works out just as you'd hope by the end. It has the feel of a fluffy, lighthearted one-shot your dungeon master threw together to give the party a break between more weighty, involved campaign arcs.
Which is all fantastic. But there's not much more to the book than it appears at first glance. The plot beats are all very conventional and while it's very thematically cohesive, there isn't much depth to that thematic content. From very early in the novel, its clear that this is a book about being able to change, or be something other than what is expected of you. Some very light (and very early) spoilers to give some examples:
In fact, I rather appreciated the winking in-fiction explanation for why this was the case (this one's a real big spoiler for the end of the book):
All-in-all, this is a good book, and I'm looking forward to the sequel, but don't go in expecting it to surprise you. Ironically, considering its themes, this book is pretty much exactly what it seems to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Violence, Stalking, and Alcohol
shellanor_rigby's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was the sweetest book that I've read in ages! I found myself smiling at little things in almost every chapter. If you need something cozy, relaxing and happy, this is your book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
purplatypus's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence and Alcohol
kappafrog'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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cursing, Blood, Stalking, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
ava_jpg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.5
i read this in one night curled up in my bed with my cat by my feet and snow falling outside. it was genuinely so good and lived up to its expectations. chefs KISS
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol
augustar14's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Come right in to Legends and Lattes! Learn what coffee is, have a tasty treat baked by the best baker in town, and settle in for a while. Who knows what friends you might make or interesting things you might see?
Delightfully peaceful without ever being boring. Wonderfully full characters that will have you wishing for more time with them by the time the book is through.
Delightfully peaceful without ever being boring. Wonderfully full characters that will have you wishing for more time with them by the time the book is through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Racism, Sexism, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
kaitlinnoodles's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
bzliz's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A charming, lighthearted story of an orc settling in to life after adventure. Perfect if you’re looking for something calm and cozy to enjoy, especially if you’re a fan of coffee shop AUs and found family.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lidia7's review
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Murder and Alcohol