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Rate: 4/5

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Medium: Audiobook

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Overview (No Spoilers):

Viv is an orc who has dreamed of leaving mercenary work behind before the danger of her violent profession ultimately catches up with her. After an especially successful job, Viv sets out to fulfill her dreams. Along the way she gathers a random assortment of gnomes, elves, dwarves, dire cats and more to help her, usually in unexpected ways. When her old life isn’t ready to let her go, will Viv lose both her new business and friends in the aftermath?

Legends & Lattes is a title that immediately piques curiosity and has been garnering lots of love by fellow bloggers. While the large bulk of this novel is rather cozy, I have to add in the caveat the opening scene involves Viv killing a queen and plucking something from inside her skull. Brutal, right? Honestly, that initial scene and the subsequent hard pivot in tone to something softer worked well to efficiently define up Viv’s former life and the new path she wanted to forge. 

I enjoyed the overall premise of Legends & Lattes, which is refreshingly unique compared to the typical dense epic fantasies I’m drawn to. Baldree tells a story in which there is no epic quest, instead the mostly mundane challenges of opening a coffee shop in a location that is not familiar with this decadent beverage. And while this story is set in a fantasy world, it certainly could have been adapted to a realistic fiction genre as well. 

While the worldbuilding in Legends & Lattes is rich and detailed, the characters lack the development needed to fully flesh out their backstories and motivations. Even Viv fell prey to this rather one dimensional casting as we know very little of her history. Despite this lack of depth, the supporting cast is delightful, especially as Viv uncovers their hidden talents. That said, their past prior to walking through Viv’s doors remains fodder for the next installment. 

Overall, Legends & Lattes is a fun, low stakes read that any fantasy, coffee loving reader will positively savor.  

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Additional Insights (Spoilers Abound): 

• Will Fennus continue to draw unsavory characters to him?
• How will the shop change now that the Scalvert Stone is gone?
• How did Thimble become such a good baker? Why doesn’t he have his own shop? I’ve been craving a cinnamon roll ever since reading this book. 
• Why did Vic pick Thune?
• What is Tandri’s backstory? Or Cal’s?
• Where did Amity come from and why does she like Durias so much? How does he time travel?  
• Hemmington’s character is such a fun one. I love seeing academic types having to evolve. 
• Pandry is another great addition. What does his family think of his musical hobby?