The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
melodyseestrees'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Stalking, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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
Writing: 4.25⭐️/5
I think the writing serves the story extremely well. At moments, Baldree chooses to include extraneous details, which sometimes feel interesting and sometimes feel unnecessary, but these moments are short-lived and do not get in the way of the story. I really liked how he combined the lightness of the story with the starkness of the world, and I found really vibrant moments of beautiful prose.
Characters: 4.5⭐️/5
I really loved the dynamics of the characters. An orc who wants to give up adventuring and open a cafe, but is still bound by her need to keep to herself? A brilliant character. I loved our love interest, and her dynamic with the MC. Where I wanted a bit more from the characters was with Viv’s old crew. I felt a distinct lack of understanding of what drove them, other than their need for adventure. For a group of people who spent a lot of time together, they were relegated to a small role and little screen time.
Plot: 4.75⭐️/5
I really loved the plot. While I wanted a bit more from our adventuring party to fully understand their connection with Viv, I loved the cute way this story progressed. I really enjoyed how the story started with the end of a final adventure, how we slowly uncovered her plans, and how we saw her work hard towards her goals. I thoroughly enjoyed the choice to go against the grain with this work of high fantasy as well. Normally, we see the epic adventure, but I enjoyed the chiller story and plot, the after-the-adventure story. Well done.
World 4.75⭐️/5
The world is well understood and conveyed. It felt big and bright, without being overwhelming with its detail. I really loved how Baldree chose to introduce us to the world, jumping right in while adding a little detail when necessary. I think it’s a cool world that I enjoyed reading about.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of D&D
- Fans of high fantasy novels looking for a change of pace
- Someone looking for a chill, cozy read with a cute romance
Content Warnings?
Fire, fire injury, blood, violence, injury, injury detail, grief, sexual harassment, bullying, stalking, emotional abuse, toxic friendship,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Aw. Cute. Love Viv and Tandri. <3
Final Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Grief, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Stalking, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
claire_leibovitz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
3.75
If fire triggers you, please don’t read this. It has a very intense fire scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Alcohol
tamara_joy's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief
caitlinemccann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual harassment
dhiyanah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
An easeful, thoughtfully-paced cozy adventure set in a high fantasy world with great characters, dialogues, and heart-warming growth edges. I read this mostly as a way to unwind during bedtime - ended up going to sleep craving warm drinks and pastries a lot! I was expecting to get bored by the feeling of 'nothing's happening,' but the pacing was set just right for the book to feel like a lullaby at times, and a casual adventure at others.
There is some suspense and conflict that build up in the book, keeping the readers ever so slightly on their toes. After all, how familiar are we with that feeling of looking over our shoulder when things are going well, waiting for the other shoe to drop - because it somehow seemingly always does?
The author does a wonderful job at representing grief in the aftermath of conflict - it was visceral, it was relatable, it had enough space to feel real without weighing on the readers too heavily. I really appreciate how this was done. And how the characters moved together through it. As someone who's invested right now in books and works of art that relax the nervous system, I can highly recommend this if you're looking for a restful book companion to have while you're healing, recovering, or in need of hopeful encouragement around themes of friendship, belonging, and chosen family. Best read during tea time or over a pastry-filled brekkie, enjoy!
There is some suspense and conflict that build up in the book, keeping the readers ever so slightly on their toes. After all, how familiar are we with that feeling of looking over our shoulder when things are going well, waiting for the other shoe to drop - because it somehow seemingly always does?
The author does a wonderful job at representing grief in the aftermath of conflict - it was visceral, it was relatable, it had enough space to feel real without weighing on the readers too heavily. I really appreciate how this was done. And how the characters moved together through it. As someone who's invested right now in books and works of art that relax the nervous system, I can highly recommend this if you're looking for a restful book companion to have while you're healing, recovering, or in need of hopeful encouragement around themes of friendship, belonging, and chosen family. Best read during tea time or over a pastry-filled brekkie, enjoy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Xenophobia
robin1010's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
I adored this book. It does cosy fantasy excellently, without losing the sense of being immerse in a different world.
First and foremost the writing was very enjoyable. It wasn't particularly dense, but still descriptive and rich, and appropriately humorous where it was needed. I definitely got strong DnD vibes, though I think the author has mentioned that they themself have not played much DnD, just helped design games in similar worlds. I was a bit nervous reading a book about sapphic women written by a man, as historically thats had some issues, but I had no issues with Baldree's writing of women. I know someone I was buddy reading this with mentioned he excessively uses 'the woman' when referring to Tandri, to the point that it felt a bit out of place.
The characters were heartwarming, I genuinely adored them and was rooting for them every step of the way. All had distinct voices and motivations that were similar enough that you can see why they were brought together. The only place this falls a bit flat is with the antagonists. The threat of the madrigal dissipates far too quickly and easily, and for the rest of the book shes a staunch ally. I understand the intention and the bounds of cozy fantasy, but it left tension hanging and no way to deal with it. It felt strange. Fennus fared a lot better, until the epilogue. Tandri's message of nonviolent resolution and finding a way to live without permanently ridding the world of your enemy is immediately thrown out the window for a comedic scene of Fennus getting his butt handed to him by a dire cat. Making it so light hearted also undermined him as a villain - the damage he did to Viv and her dream feels less weighty, somehow. I much preferred the vague, ominous sense the Scalvert's stone brought that he would reap what he sowed in a more subtler sense.
The romance wasn't as much of a focus as I thought it was going into it, but that's not a bad thing. It was sweet, and there were some really beautiful moments between the main couple. I would have preferred if there was more lead up, and some fluffy padding, as it seems to happen rather suddenly. But 'dollop of romantic froth' on top does seem to describe the romance well.
I liked the way the plot unfolded and the mystery of the Scalvert's stone unravelled. Each bit felt progressive, and yet there was a tension to it because of its rocky foundations. The pay off was excellent. Viv carrying the coffee machine out through the fire is a scene that really stuck with me, and felt very powerful. And up to the loss of the stone, Viv's constant fear and imposter syndrome regarding her success and her friends carry over to the reader - you are genuinely worried she will lose it all and more as soon as that stone is gone. The later discovery of what the Scalvert's stone actually does is well done, I feel, and the ominous fate left to Fennus (Despite later being undermined) was a great way to end a villain.
Overall, I am very glad I bought a hard copy, as this is now one of my favourites and one I believe I will reread when I want to feel the cosiness of Viv's coffee shop again.
First and foremost the writing was very enjoyable. It wasn't particularly dense, but still descriptive and rich, and appropriately humorous where it was needed. I definitely got strong DnD vibes, though I think the author has mentioned that they themself have not played much DnD, just helped design games in similar worlds. I was a bit nervous reading a book about sapphic women written by a man, as historically thats had some issues, but I had no issues with Baldree's writing of women. I know someone I was buddy reading this with mentioned he excessively uses 'the woman' when referring to Tandri, to the point that it felt a bit out of place.
The characters were heartwarming, I genuinely adored them and was rooting for them every step of the way. All had distinct voices and motivations that were similar enough that you can see why they were brought together. The only place this falls a bit flat is with the antagonists.
The romance wasn't as much of a focus as I thought it was going into it, but that's not a bad thing. It was sweet, and there were some really beautiful moments between the main couple. I would have preferred if there was more lead up, and some fluffy padding, as it seems to happen rather suddenly. But 'dollop of romantic froth' on top does seem to describe the romance well.
I liked the way the plot unfolded and the mystery of
Overall, I am very glad I bought a hard copy, as this is now one of my favourites and one I believe I will reread when I want to feel the cosiness of Viv's coffee shop again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Violence, and Stalking
justmys's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
If you're looking for a very cosy adventure then this is it.
It's soft and warm and is the perfect read for curling up in a blanket with a hot drink and a snack.
The characters are all so thoughtfully written, the conflicts handled with grace and the world building (although the world is small) is full of mystery and friendship and branching stories that you just want to visit Thune, snuggle into a booth with a latte and a cinnamon roll and people watch the day away.
It's soft and warm and is the perfect read for curling up in a blanket with a hot drink and a snack.
The characters are all so thoughtfully written, the conflicts handled with grace and the world building (although the world is small) is full of mystery and friendship and branching stories that you just want to visit Thune, snuggle into a booth with a latte and a cinnamon roll and people watch the day away.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Xenophobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Grief
Minor: Toxic friendship, Excrement, and Sexual harassment
alexalily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol