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A review by tinkeringcheck
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So I really liked the characters, especially Viv - our kind and determined fish-out-of-water protag. I also liked the community of odd ducks that gather around her, the little corner of the city we see, the retired DND character settling down and starting over vibes, and the chill fantasy atmosphere where pressing issues include generating word-of-mouth-advertising. I read it all in one sitting and can't remember the last time I had such a relaxed and easy time with a book.
... But (and I hate that there's a but) the flip side of that was... the plot. Or lack thereof. For a story set in a fantasy captial-A adventure world, the plot is pretty non-existent. Literally the only plot beats are inventing the elements of a Hip Modern Coffee Shop. It was cute at first in a wink-wink nudge-nudge way, but when it became the entire plot it just felt... boring. These characters are deeply amazed by modern things like *checks notes*a range hood , and when it happens for the nth time with very little fantasy veneer it becomes hard to care all that much. I really think the story could've hinged on one of the mysterious and too easily hand-waved B plots and felt much more cohesive.
Honestly, I think the plotting might have fallen victim to the low stakes promise, which I think that can work if woven into a bigger story. But here it's like the bigger story was relegated to the background to keep the stakes low, but the mountain of consequences from it suddenly fall on the characters anyway. Agency? No ser. Only chalk boards and long discussions about menu options over here.
So I'd argue the story doesn't even stick to its low stakes claim in the first place. It's more like 90% 'boring shopping trip' and 10% 'air-dropped consequences from the more interesting, higher stakes plot happening in the wings.'
... But (and I hate that there's a but) the flip side of that was... the plot. Or lack thereof. For a story set in a fantasy captial-A adventure world, the plot is pretty non-existent. Literally the only plot beats are inventing the elements of a Hip Modern Coffee Shop. It was cute at first in a wink-wink nudge-nudge way, but when it became the entire plot it just felt... boring. These characters are deeply amazed by modern things like *checks notes*
Honestly, I think the plotting might have fallen victim to the low stakes promise, which I think that can work if woven into a bigger story. But here it's like the bigger story was relegated to the background to keep the stakes low, but the mountain of consequences from it suddenly fall on the characters anyway. Agency? No ser. Only chalk boards and long discussions about menu options over here.
So I'd argue the story doesn't even stick to its low stakes claim in the first place. It's more like 90% 'boring shopping trip' and 10% 'air-dropped consequences from the more interesting, higher stakes plot happening in the wings.'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence and Alcohol