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glund_01's review against another edition
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
teabrewer's review against another edition
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
4.0
It's nor nescessarily my usual kind of book (I tend to prefer the more emotional kind) but it is a impecable execution of the kind of book it is. What I loved the most was the cozy vibes, like the pages were made of cinnamon rolls. What I thought could have been better:
This book is not a romance, I know, and I absolutely agree it shouldn't be one. Even then, I think the romantic side o Viv and Tandri's relationship was given too little attention. In my opinion, they either should have stayed ambiguos friends or their romance should have occupied a little more of the story's time. -
I didn't like that Tandri became useless during the fire scene while Viv apparently became Superman
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Xenophobia
dymonlikestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Book Review
Legends and Lattes
Author: Travis Baldree
Rating: 4.5/5
Synopsis: After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv, an Orc, is hanging up her sword for the last time. Viv hopes for a fresh start by creating Thune's first-ever coffee shop. To make her dreams a reality, she will have to make new friends along the way.
This book is such a breath of fresh air. It is incredibly cozy, and the characters are each so loveable. Viv has a simple dream of starting a coffee shop and, for the first time, settling down to start a permanent home. We get to read the progress of Viv's journey step by step. While the beginning was slow, it picked up after the shop was in full swing. The book was funny and heartwarming. Thimble and Pendry were my favorite characters. If you enjoy Slice of Life Anime or looking for a comforting book. I would highly recommend this book.
Legends and Lattes
Author: Travis Baldree
Rating: 4.5/5
Synopsis: After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv, an Orc, is hanging up her sword for the last time. Viv hopes for a fresh start by creating Thune's first-ever coffee shop. To make her dreams a reality, she will have to make new friends along the way.
This book is such a breath of fresh air. It is incredibly cozy, and the characters are each so loveable. Viv has a simple dream of starting a coffee shop and, for the first time, settling down to start a permanent home. We get to read the progress of Viv's journey step by step. While the beginning was slow, it picked up after the shop was in full swing. The book was funny and heartwarming. Thimble and Pendry were my favorite characters. If you enjoy Slice of Life Anime or looking for a comforting book. I would highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol and Fire/Fire injury
polemos's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
My first "cozy" fantasy book. Silly and light, with the exception of the events at the climax which were serious for some reason. The story flowed well enough. The writing was mediocre throughout, with numerous, but not too numerous, low points involving the overuse of adverbs, lack of subtext, and similar sins. All in all, not my genre and, I would hope, not a good example of the cozy genre.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
strawb3rrysugar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
I picked up this book in the middle of a weekend-long power outage and ended up finishing it in two days. Do not be deceived by the blurb's promise of low stakes - there is still enough conflict and stakes in this story to keep it interesting and engaging.
My only nitpick is that I wish the setting had been a little more developed. It might be a bit difficult to follow if you're not familiar with fantasy races/tropes, but if you have even a little bit of knowledge of them, then this book won't be hard to follow. It's a quick, fun, enjoyable read, and I enjoyed having a break from the multiple 500+ page books on my TBR.
My only nitpick is that I wish the setting had been a little more developed. It might be a bit difficult to follow if you're not familiar with fantasy races/tropes, but if you have even a little bit of knowledge of them, then this book won't be hard to follow. It's a quick, fun, enjoyable read, and I enjoyed having a break from the multiple 500+ page books on my TBR.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
The prologue depicts a scene of Viv killing a creature in a slightly gory way.paigehf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Cursing
chainsawmochi's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Cozy fantasy. Those are two words not often associated with each other, especially not when it comes to novels. At least, if it is, it isn't associated enough. "Legends & Lattes" offers up something unique and beautiful--the what comes after.
Main character Viv, a battle worn Orc, hangs up her sword in order to open up a cafe in a bustling riverside city. This is after years and years of fighting, of adventuring and questing. One might think of her as a Dungeons and Dragons playable character--one that has seen enough blood and bone for multiple lifetimes. Now, she is looking for more; she is looking for an actual life for herself. Something she had own, and hold, and love without having to fight off monsters and mages.
Within the pages of "Legends & Lattes" lies the story of Viv's happily ever after. It isn't so easy as that, however; soon she finds herself entangled with foes old and new. Yet, through it all, she begins to collect a loving found family around herself--and discovers that some things are really worth fighting for.
Travis Baldree is a master of storytelling. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every moment of this novel. It had moments of being perfectly raw and loving, along with moments of pulse-pounding intrigue. Viv's journey becomes more than just opening a coffee shop; it becomes a testament to discovering what makes you feel good, feel purposeful and fulfilled. There are beautiful moments of calm within the narrative. These reflective moments are nothing to skip over; they are just as important to the story as the parts with action and tension. There is an ebb and flow that reminds me very much of cozy mystery novels.
"Legends & Lattes" has opened up a whole new world of fantasy to me. I am already craving more cozy fantasy. Hopefully I will be able to find something that is as decadent as this splendid, coffee-flavored story.
Main character Viv, a battle worn Orc, hangs up her sword in order to open up a cafe in a bustling riverside city. This is after years and years of fighting, of adventuring and questing. One might think of her as a Dungeons and Dragons playable character--one that has seen enough blood and bone for multiple lifetimes. Now, she is looking for more; she is looking for an actual life for herself. Something she had own, and hold, and love without having to fight off monsters and mages.
Within the pages of "Legends & Lattes" lies the story of Viv's happily ever after. It isn't so easy as that, however; soon she finds herself entangled with foes old and new. Yet, through it all, she begins to collect a loving found family around herself--and discovers that some things are really worth fighting for.
Travis Baldree is a master of storytelling. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every moment of this novel. It had moments of being perfectly raw and loving, along with moments of pulse-pounding intrigue. Viv's journey becomes more than just opening a coffee shop; it becomes a testament to discovering what makes you feel good, feel purposeful and fulfilled. There are beautiful moments of calm within the narrative. These reflective moments are nothing to skip over; they are just as important to the story as the parts with action and tension. There is an ebb and flow that reminds me very much of cozy mystery novels.
"Legends & Lattes" has opened up a whole new world of fantasy to me. I am already craving more cozy fantasy. Hopefully I will be able to find something that is as decadent as this splendid, coffee-flavored story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Stalking, and Violence
boba_n_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Spice Rating: 🫑 / 5 🌶️
Legends & Lattes was such a cute and fluffy cozy fantasy novel that helped me escape the world for a little bit.
Viv is a retired warrior looking to settle down and start a coffee shop. The only problem is that no one knows what coffee is and she's relying on a potentially fortuitous stone to help her through. Things seem to fall into place as Viv meets Cal, who helps her build up the shop; Tandri, who helps her advertise and serve the customers; and Thimble, who is constantly creating delicious new baked goods. Together, this band of four just might be able to create something so special it can succeed.
Going into this novel, I expected no plot and just vibes. There were definitely a lot of good vibes, found family, and friendship; but there was a bit of a plot with getting the coffee shop up and running as well as Viv's old gang coming back to town. The sapphic romance was a huge slow burn, but it was so sweet and worth the wait. I loved the vibes and the way the story showed how you can start over without forgetting your past.
Legends & Lattes was such a cute and fluffy cozy fantasy novel that helped me escape the world for a little bit.
Viv is a retired warrior looking to settle down and start a coffee shop. The only problem is that no one knows what coffee is and she's relying on a potentially fortuitous stone to help her through. Things seem to fall into place as Viv meets Cal, who helps her build up the shop; Tandri, who helps her advertise and serve the customers; and Thimble, who is constantly creating delicious new baked goods. Together, this band of four just might be able to create something so special it can succeed.
Going into this novel, I expected no plot and just vibes. There were definitely a lot of good vibes, found family, and friendship; but there was a bit of a plot with getting the coffee shop up and running as well as Viv's old gang coming back to town. The sapphic romance was a huge slow burn, but it was so sweet and worth the wait. I loved the vibes and the way the story showed how you can start over without forgetting your past.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence and Sexual harassment
j_davis0322's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
neens_m's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury