Reviews with content warning for Grief - Legends & Lattes

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!

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robin1010's review against another edition

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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.

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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.

Spoiler

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.

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justmys's review against another edition

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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.

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lynxpardinus's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing

4.25

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alexalily's review against another edition

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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

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msradiosilence's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

TLDR; 4.75 rating, loved the lesbians, and I very much enjoy cozy fantasy.
Content warnings at the bottom. :)

This book was described to me as a cozy fantasy, and after reading a bunch of high fantasy last year, I was glad this was so low stakes. Also, I usually have an issue with men writing lesbian couples, but Baldree did it in a way that didn’t give me an ick (unlike so many, many other men). While I am of the firm opinion that you shouldn’t write from a perspective you can never or will never experience, at least Baldree did it in a respectful way.

Anyway. I loved Viv and Tandri. The idea of an orc opening a coffee shop in a D&D-esque world where she’s constantly having to explain to folks what coffee is was delightful. I loved all of the characters, and the gradual build of Viv’s life. It was so sweet, and while the book was a quick read, the pacing was pretty great.

Honestly, I have no huge complaints about the book, except for maybe the language. It was a little awkward in a few places, but I suspect that’s because the author didn’t quite find his voice, or one that felt completely right in both understandability with low fantasy, and just the weird place D&D exists.

Rating: 4.75
Would I recommend? Yes, especially if you liked the D&D movie, you like cozy low fantasy, or you’re just looking for an enjoyable and easy read.

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stargazer_ley's review against another edition

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emotional 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

5.0

One of my qpps recommended this book to me and it hit the mark for me. It's not a high fantasy world saving book but it's fun and cozy like the coffee shop it centers around. The characters are loveable save maybe like 2

Spoiler

they are meant to be. Seriously screw Fennus

. And yes, there is a romance but it's not the main focus and I feel like it is sweet. One of them isn't stated to be ace but honestly I headcanon them (I don't want to spoil who) as ace. Ok I will

Spoiler

Tandri reads as ace. The way she reacts to Thimble's food just reads ace to me.

. Also spoiler for the end

Spoiler

who the hells is Darius really? Like it's hinted that he's a time traveler or a god or who is this mystery gnome!?

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