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booksoversecondbreakfast's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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
I just loved this book so much!! It's definitely a cozy fantasy, so don't expect something fast-paced and thrilling, but it's just so sweet and full of so much well thought out lore and intrigue.
It's a story of a retired mercenary & adventure orc, Viv, and her journey building a business and a community. There's a secondary plot that features a romance between Viv and one of the other characters, but it's not as central as the community-building plot of the book. I had hoped that there would be more romance to this book, because I really enjoyed it, but I can't penalize the book for not having as much of as I'd have preferred, especially because it was so tastefully written and the rest of the plot was so interesting otherwise.
All in all, this was totally a 5-star book! Especially for fantasy! The characters were all so interesting and loveable, the setting left me wanting to explore the world and visit Viv's coffee shop, and the magic system seemed well thought out and interesting. It was such a wonderful found-family story, which I'm a total sucker for, and I loved how this author made that work in such an interesting and well-written fantasy world. We totally need more books like these! I borrowed this book via ebook from the library, but I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this book for my library, because I expect to comfort-reread this several times throughout my lifetime.
It's a story of a retired mercenary & adventure orc, Viv, and her journey building a business and a community. There's a secondary plot that features a romance between Viv and one of the other characters, but it's not as central as the community-building plot of the book. I had hoped that there would be more romance to this book, because I really enjoyed it, but I can't penalize the book for not having as much of as I'd have preferred, especially because it was so tastefully written and the rest of the plot was so interesting otherwise.
All in all, this was totally a 5-star book! Especially for fantasy! The characters were all so interesting and loveable, the setting left me wanting to explore the world and visit Viv's coffee shop, and the magic system seemed well thought out and interesting. It was such a wonderful found-family story, which I'm a total sucker for, and I loved how this author made that work in such an interesting and well-written fantasy world. We totally need more books like these! I borrowed this book via ebook from the library, but I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this book for my library, because I expect to comfort-reread this several times throughout my lifetime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Genocide, Gore, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Gaslighting
technobabbletime's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book. The characters are really well written and I love all of the allusions to D&D. It makes me think a lot more about my D&D characters and what they want. -0.5 because I would have loved a little more about Viv's relationship with some of the characters, especially her old adventuring party.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual harassment
tigerproofrock's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Lives up to its reputation.
The romance is incredibly organic, zero-drama, natural friends to lovers. It’s an important part of the story but takes up almost no airtime.
A few F bombs but otherwise very PG.
Audiobook is incredibly well done.
The romance is incredibly organic, zero-drama, natural friends to lovers. It’s an important part of the story but takes up almost no airtime.
A few F bombs but otherwise very PG.
Audiobook is incredibly well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Transphobia, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
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: Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
creativechaos's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Lovely book for folks who have played or enjoyed Dungeons & Dragons. With a twist of modern thanks to the whole concept of a cafe with its lattes and treats, the story comes together naturally, the characters are lovable and impossible to forget, and the story is simple but incredibly well written. A story of found family, as D&D usually is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cursing, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
qraveline's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny, Violence, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship