lacrimaeignis's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
If you want a relaxing slice-of-life style fantasy novel about someone who decides to completely change their life's path then give this book a try. The main character Viv is an orc who decides to retire her sword and mercenary lifestyle and decides to open up a coffee shop in a city. The only problem is that no one knows what coffee is where she decides to set up shop. The novel is mainly about building the shop from the ground up (literally) and the connections Viv makes along the way and how she learns to expand her business.
The story was cute and I enjoyed my time at Legends and Lattes with the cast but the story was way too low stakes for me. As such, it took me quite a while to read because it wasn't an attention grabber but I couldn't stop smiling every time I picked up the book (and I carved coffee/pastries every time I picked this up so yes, I did actually end up reading portions of this at a cafe definitely recommend trying that to add to the ambience of the novel).
I wish we had been given more about Viv's life when she was working as a mercenary and what led her up to deciding to open the shop. I was thankful for the extra story about her adventures before but I felt like it would have been better as a lead up to the events in the novel rather than as a bonus. But still, the novel was well written and it is such a rarity to find a book where the characters actually talk things out and strive to understand where others are coming from instead of drawing their own (often wrong and/or biased) conclusions. It was quite refreshing and I can't wait to read the next installment!
The story was cute and I enjoyed my time at Legends and Lattes with the cast but the story was way too low stakes for me. As such, it took me quite a while to read because it wasn't an attention grabber but I couldn't stop smiling every time I picked up the book (and I carved coffee/pastries every time I picked this up so yes, I did actually end up reading portions of this at a cafe definitely recommend trying that to add to the ambience of the novel).
I wish we had been given more about Viv's life when she was working as a mercenary and what led her up to deciding to open the shop. I was thankful for the extra story about her adventures before but I felt like it would have been better as a lead up to the events in the novel rather than as a bonus. But still, the novel was well written and it is such a rarity to find a book where the characters actually talk things out and strive to understand where others are coming from instead of drawing their own (often wrong and/or biased) conclusions. It was quite refreshing and I can't wait to read the next installment!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Death
shipqueen394's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Violence
Minor: Blood, Gore, and Death
My new favourite book! And I don’t say that lightly! Content warnings of blood, death, and gore are fantasy setting and for first chapter/preface only.erebus53's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
I didn't know what to think going into this title. It was one of the most read books in my book club so I assumed it was an easy read and was not disappointed.
This is a cosy novel. It's fairly short and is aimed at modern nerds. The main character is an orc fighter who is used to being the brawn of her adventuring party. During her travels she recently encountered, and was won over by, a strange gnomish beverage.. a stimulating bean water called "coffee".
Having saved up her plunder, and a magical stone rumoured to have fortune enhancing properties, she heads to the city to set up a shop.. but who will she sell to, considering nobody has even heard of her product?
Much of this story is the building of the shop, finding employees, making friends, designing a menu, and getting rid of people who want to intimidate, extort or stalk them.
As a result the aim of the game seems to be, leaning into friendships, and using your words, when your sword could be doing the talking.. if you wanted it to.. nothing says "not interested" like a couple of feet of steel.. I mean...
This story leans hard into the sort of personal loves and anachronism that roleplayers typically bring to a game. Mashing things into a high fantasy setting, like coffee machines, cinnamon pinwheels, electric- er.. "thaumic" lute, ceiling fans, and a pet interdimensional hell cat, make it a lighthearted adventure in.. interior decorating and urban marketing(?).
Not.. ultra-engaging, but exactly what I was in the mood for at the time.
This is a cosy novel. It's fairly short and is aimed at modern nerds. The main character is an orc fighter who is used to being the brawn of her adventuring party. During her travels she recently encountered, and was won over by, a strange gnomish beverage.. a stimulating bean water called "coffee".
Having saved up her plunder, and a magical stone rumoured to have fortune enhancing properties, she heads to the city to set up a shop.. but who will she sell to, considering nobody has even heard of her product?
Much of this story is the building of the shop, finding employees, making friends, designing a menu, and getting rid of people who want to intimidate, extort or stalk them.
As a result the aim of the game seems to be, leaning into friendships, and using your words, when your sword could be doing the talking.. if you wanted it to.. nothing says "not interested" like a couple of feet of steel.. I mean...
This story leans hard into the sort of personal loves and anachronism that roleplayers typically bring to a game. Mashing things into a high fantasy setting, like coffee machines, cinnamon pinwheels, electric- er.. "thaumic" lute, ceiling fans, and a pet interdimensional hell cat, make it a lighthearted adventure in.. interior decorating and urban marketing(?).
Not.. ultra-engaging, but exactly what I was in the mood for at the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Death, Violence, and Gore
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence and Death
verinvaldez's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Utterly brilliant! I knew this book had been hyped up a lot and I was shocked at how well it lived up to that hype, I never expected to be so invested in a fictional coffee shop ran by an orc but here we are.
Even the side characters are completely loveable, the romance develops beautifully and I can't wait for the sequel.
Even the side characters are completely loveable, the romance develops beautifully and I can't wait for the sequel.
Spoiler
I did not expect Durias to be a time traveller!!! It's such a small thing that doesn't need to be there but the fact that it is makes me love this world even more
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Gore, and Death
traa's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence, Death, Xenophobia, and Bullying
cturn'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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Minor: Sexual harassment
jhbandcats's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
This book was absolutely charming, sweet without being treacly, funny but with some serious themes. It’s also a clever, unique idea - a battle-weary orc lays down her sword to open a coffee shop in a land where no one has ever heard of coffee!
Viv, the aforementioned orc, believes her good luck with her new coffee shop is due to the magic stone she keeps nearby. It’s really her warmth and enthusiasm and friendship that creates goodness and success around her. The story is simple with few plot twists or complexities, but it’s just such an easy read - I sank into the story and never wanted it to end. I just wanted a latte and lots of cinnamon rolls and croissants.
After all, how could I *not* like this? There’s a hero cat!
Viv, the aforementioned orc, believes her good luck with her new coffee shop is due to the magic stone she keeps nearby. It’s really her warmth and enthusiasm and friendship that creates goodness and success around her. The story is simple with few plot twists or complexities, but it’s just such an easy read - I sank into the story and never wanted it to end. I just wanted a latte and lots of cinnamon rolls and croissants.
After all, how could I *not* like this? There’s a hero cat!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, and Violence
_alyssar_'s review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Death, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Murder and Death