Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - Legends & Lattes

Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

423 reviews

theaceofpages's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

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

1.0

I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I just don't get it. I have heard so many good things about this book (everyone seems to love it) so when I saw that my library got it I decided to give it a shot. And I was disappointed. I mean, this pretty much reads like an instruction manual as to how to open a coffee shop if you have lots of savings and wonderful luck (oh, and no competition since no one has even heard about coffee and it becomes popular quickly). There's building, then adding a drink, then another drink, then a pastry, then another pastry, then another drink, etc. And not all that much in between beyond serving customers (in what seems to be a simultaneously low stress and busy/profitable coffee shop). I guess there is a major setback around 80% into the story, but everything is fixed easily and back to normal by the end.

I didn't find myself really caring about any of the characters (although Thimble could be interesting had we been given more information - I feel like there could be an interesting back story there. Honestly, Viv's (and everyone else actually) lack of interest was a little upsetting). It feels like one of those fanfics aimed at people who love certain characters, but you don't know them before hand so just get bored. The world is also not that interesting. It's a pretty bland and generic fantasy world (which can definitely work with the right author and/or story, don't get me wrong) with nothing much fleshed out. I would have loved an actual fantasy coffee shop (think fantasy drinks instead of/ in addition to "gnomish beans" (just coffee assigned to a fantasy race) - think foods and drinks made with fantasy ingredients)

I considered giving up many times (I often found myself reaching the end of a chapter, realising I had taken nothing in and going back and re-reading only to discover that there was noting there) but since it's short I decided to see where it goes. I know this is low stakes, but I was still expecting something more. When I found out this book was written for NaNoWriMo it made a lot more sense - a lot of it feels like words for the sake of words. I recently read a cozy SciFi book that I loved and looking back, it's because there was actually a mystery in the background as well as well fleshed out characters and intriguing setting, and the writing quality was far higher than it was for this book.

I am happy for those who enjoyed it, of course, but I guess this is yet more proof of how different my reading tastes are from what is considered to be popular by the broader online world.

Content Warnings

evebananas's review against another edition

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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? Yes

5.0

Cozy fantasy is the genre I didn’t know I needed. All the characters are lovable and interesting and I feel like I understand them and why they do what they do. It was so lovely to watch as Viv worked so hard for her dream coffee shop, even when it was tough.

This is a story about the power of friendship, kindness, and coffee, and I loved it the whole way through.

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kaylameaux's review

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

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ilana_pop's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

POV: you're watching someone play a cozy game

Content Warnings

muchadoaboutliz's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

4.75

I’d love more cozy D&D based books like this one. It was warm and delightful in all the right ways. I just kind of wished I had waited until the fall to read as it would be perfect on a chilly day with a warm sweater and a hot drink.

The characters were all delightful and the story of the shop was a good one. It took a while to get going but once it was there, it was wonderful. Also the food descriptions were immaculate. I could pretty much taste everything that the shop served, which was both great and terrible at the same time haha.

I’d highly recommend this as a cozy fantasy read, perfect for the fall and early winter.

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apolloann's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

5.0

Oh man. This book was everything I wanted it to be. I have never read anything that could be considered overly "cozy" before, and have to admit I was a bit skeptical, but Legends and Lattes left me feeling like I'd just spent a winter evening, curled up in front of a fire with a cup of hot chocolate. The characters were introduced and developed beautifully, building a lovely found family for Viv, the main character. I can't wait to read more by this author, and see how else he is able to create such a warm and inviting story, while still giving the reader plenty of plot. I will definitely be looking for more cozy fantasies in the future.

Content Warnings