Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes by Travis Baldree
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Web ID: 15322243Definition of Cozy
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is the definition of cozy. On the surface, it’s a simple tale about an orc named Viv who is taking a chance on herself by opening a coffee shop in the city of Thune. However, coffee is a rare commodity—outside of a gnomish city where Viv discovered it—and orcs don't run shops; they fight. As Viv battles her own insecurities, she forms new friendships, finds love, and learns what it means to call someplace home. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. At first, I was nervous I’d find the story dull, but instead, it offered a sense of comfort. In many ways, it felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket. The characters are incredibly likable and familiar, like old friends you haven’t seen in a while. Their personal struggles—like dealing with imposter syndrome or feeling out of their depth when embarking on a new venture—are things most of us can relate to. I was also impressed by how Baldree vividly describes the process of making, drinking, and experiencing coffee and pastries—something many readers will be familiar with. He takes these everyday elements and transforms them into a novel experience for the characters, making the mundane feel magical. More than once, I found myself wishing there was a café like this I could visit in real life. Another reason why I’d call this book cozy is that while the stakes are real, they’re low. I felt safe and comforted while reading, knowing that the characters I was falling in love with were in relatively little danger. As an occasional Dungeons & Dragons player and someone who loves Baldur’s Gate 3, I started this book with a heightened sense of danger, but as the story unfolded, I found myself relaxing into the gentle pacing. That said, this isn’t a book for everyone. If you're looking for fast-paced, high-stakes adventure, this isn't it. But if you’ve ever wondered what your Dungeons & Dragons character might do after the campaign ends—and you love coffee—you might be pleasantly surprised.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fascinating
I’m terrible with fantasy because I lack imagination and I can never picture worlds or characters that are created. Still, I saw this book everywhere and had read such fabulous reviews that I decided to try it and I am glad I did. Once I got away from the various character descriptions, I found a wonderful story about rebuilding and creating a place for yourself in a new location, all the while starting a new business and making new friends. I loved the characters and the story itself. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I Love It
The exact kind of high fantasy I enjoy: low stakes and also there's a coffee shop involved.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Curl Up.
A cozy fantasy that you won't want to put down. The perfect comfort book and heartwarming story. Even if you aren't a Dnd fan, you'll love this book. If you are a Dnd fan, you have to read it!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Magical, Heartwarming & Delicious
A friend recommended this, and I was so excited to pick it up! The story envelops you and keeps you in a warm, soothing hug that makes dreams feel possible and personal growth feel like it can be more magical than ever deemed possible. I restarted it immediately after completing it. So good!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Cozy & Sweet
Legends & Lattes takes place in the magical city of Thune, where the population has never seen, smelled, or heard of "coffee". Viv is an orc looking to retire from her battle-fighting lifestyle and live the simple life of running her own café. She even has a lucky charm on her side. But some folks don't want to see her succeed and it takes Viv's ragtag group of colleagues to overcome the challenges thrown their way. Listening to L&L feels a bit like playing Diner Dash, if the characters were magical creatures. I'm usually a cozy fantasy hater, but the characters were so tender here that I HAD to know how they resolved their issues. The plot started to follow a formula in which a side character would have an issue with something, Viv would think for a bit, then there'd be a moden solution (like air conditioning or iced coffee) and I wanted a little bit more from the story then, but overall I loved this story.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Amazing book!
This book is a beautiful, wonderful, fun cozy fantasy that I flew through and never wanted to have end. So wonderful!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A great, feel-good story
What's an orc to do when she tires of the mercenary life? Start a coffee shop, of course! It may be a crazy dream since she doesn't know anyone in the city she has selected for her enterprise, and hardly anyone even knows what coffee it. But Viv has her good luck charm and her life savings, and she's willing to gamble that once people get a taste of coffee it will be a success. This is a feel-good story about creating a community out of the people that seemingly randomly are drawn to Viv and her project. A talented carpenter, a girl gifted with artistic talent and a knack for advertising, a fabulous baker, a university student/mage, a shy bard, and even a nosy neighbor and many others come together to make this an unexpectedly sweet tale of going for one's dreams and accepting help when it is offered.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com