Travis Baldree

High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.

A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth.

Legends & Lattes

Victoria Sutton

She was smiling, and for the first time, the building, the city, this place... felt like hers. A place she’d still be tomorrow, the week after, next season, next year … Home.

"You're a good girl, aren't you? You know a dickhead when you see one."

The rattkin shifted from foot to foot and stared longingly at the coffee machine. "Coffee first?" he pleaded.

The combined aromas of hot cinnamon, ground coffee, and sweet cardamom intoxicated her, and as she brewed and smiled and served and chatted, a deep contentment welled up.

She caught Tandri slipping into a smile beside her. 

Megan BV

After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc’s life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end—but she’d be damned if she’d let hers finish that way.

Novel Ideas

“… it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful.”

Holly 

“At least, I expect it is. I don't know much about boats." she admitted. 

“I expect that dulls the compliment a touch, then" he replied, his voice dry and deeper than she'd expected. 

"So,” she said. "You can also make these with milk. You might like it." 

“Better than it sounds. You'll have to try it once I have the machine. The gnomes called it a latte." 

"Named after the gnomish barista who invented them, I think - Latte Diameter." 

Cal gave her a long-suffering look. “Can’t explain what one word means with another word nobody knows. What's a barista?" 

“Folks gonna need a new education just to buy some bean W--some coffee."

 "I don't know. I kind of like it. It's more exotic that way."

 "Ladies' stockin's and exotic bean water. Gods help us." 

As they ate, Viv continued. “I think ld been looking for a way out for years. Adventuring, fighting, hunting bounties- you're either bleeding yourself slow from a hundred wounds or waiting on one deathblow. But you get numb to the possibility of anything different. This was the first time something else made me feel a way I wanted to keep feeling. So, here I am, and with some blood still in me."

Tandri nodded thoughtfully. “Very memorable. What's a latte?" 

“Bean water with milk," said Cal in a stage whisper, peering around the edge. 

"Before, you could have picked it up and swung it at any moment," said Tandri. "It was a weapon." She gave Viv a thoughtful look. "Now, it's a relic. A decoration. Something from before"

Emma Miller

The deeper she ventured, the more stone prevailed, as though the city had calcified as it aged.  

“Things don’t always have to stay as what they started out as.”

Jazelle H

"Things don't have to stay as what they started out as."

"I think I've been looking for a way out for years. Adventuring, fighting, hunting bounties--you're either bleeding yourself slow from a hundred wounds or waiting on one deathblow. But you get numb to the possibility of anything different. This was the first time something else made me feel a way I wanted to keep feeling. So, here I am, and with some blood still in me."

Viv leaned on the counter, studying their faces, and saw, at last, what she’d been too nervous to hope for. She found it in half-lidded eyes and a slow, deliberate swallow. In cupped hands around the warmth of a mug and the lingering enjoyment of the last taste. It was the echo of her own experience, and a pleasant flush of recognition washed over her.

Viv held her sword in both hands, head bowed. She’d forsworn her old life, crossing a bridge to a new land, and now knelt in its ruin. This was the bridge burning away behind her, leaving her in a desolation. She tossed the blade back into the ash and took the only path that remained.

“I was just thinking that you don’t have to forget who you were … because that’s what brought you here.”

WHAT FLAMES COULD NOT CONSUME, NEVER SHALL BE EXTINGUISHED

Orc barbarian Viv is ready to hang up her sword and pursue a more peaceful passion: opening a coffee shop. But her past isn't ready to leave her behind - or the fabled piece of loot she took with her.

Legends and Lattes

A mistura de tudo que eu mais amo em uma unidade de livro, com a sensação que voltei a ter sentido ler. 

Taina Castro

It's a very cozy story. It makes you want to snuggle in a soft blanket with a warm mug of coffee in your hands.

Naomi P

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee. After decades of raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – one that involves pulling more shots than punches. Armed with hope and a hard-earned secret, she plans to open the first coffee shop in Thune. To build something that will last, Viv needs a new crew. She enlists a gruff hob builder shunned by humans, and a shy baker whose cinnamon rolls are to die for. Then there’s Tandri, a charming succubus who’s determined not to let anyone assume anything about her. But Thune has a shady underbelly that keeps goading Viv to take up her sword once more. New enemies threaten her beloved coffee shop and rag-tag team. And Viv’s adventuring past isn’t so eager to leave her behind – or the fabled piece of loot she took with her. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is a cosy, heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy about found families and fresh starts – perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Katherine Addison and T. Kingfisher.

Laoise Giblin

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee. After decades of raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good.

A nice easy read. Atmospheric and warm with a touch of foreboding. Very enjoyable.

Jessie Amber

This was a really nice cozy book, makes me wish I was by a fire reading it

Hans

Betty

Emily Richards

High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior's life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune's shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve. A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth.

A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes

I liked this book so much I read it twice in less than a month. It was the cozy, slightly domestic, food/warm beverage-centric found-family and gay friendship story I needed. 

Also, the audiobook narration is beautifully done by the author.

Niza Contreras

I liked this book so much I read it twice in less than a month. It was the cozy, slightly domestic, food/warm beverage-centric found-family and gay friendship story I needed. 

Also, the audiobook narration is beautifully done by the author.

Who would have thought a book about a fighting Orc turned barista would warm my heart as much as it did?

Not only did this remind me so heavily of Coffee Talk, or it's DnD sibling Tavern Talk, but the underlying story telling was unbelievable. 

To think your lucky by coming across a magical device, but in reality all it did was put you on the right path to meet the right people, it's so wonderful. 

Megan McMillan

Who would have thought a book about a fighting Orc turned barista would warm my heart as much as it did?

Not only did this remind me so heavily of Coffee Talk, or it's DnD sibling Tavern Talk, but the underlying story telling was unbelievable. 

To think your lucky by coming across a magical device, but in reality all it did was put you on the right path to meet the right people, it's so wonderful. 

Loved this book 

Absolutely one of the best books I've read in a long time. I received this as a gift for Jolabokaflod (Icelandic book exchange on December 24) and I was excited but worried. Everyone said this book was good. Hype usually disappoints me. I hate to say it but it lives up to the hype. The epitome of cozy fantasy. So excited for the prequel

Stephanie Boisvert

Bg3 has led me to places I wouldn't even go with a gun... honestly not bad, but very one-dimensional? It's "cozy," sure, but there's not much fantasy aside from like gnomes and rats that bake cinnamon rolls. I also wanted more from the romance... like these are just friends that ended up kissing. #NOTMYYURI. IDK. It was a cute and fun read, but nothing to write home about.

lena

Julia 

opowieść heroiczna o sprawach przyziemnych

Legendy i latte

natalka

Anna 

2,5*

well, this was kind of disappointing. there is nothing wrong with the story, it was just so.... why was it 300 pages?

some notes I took while reading:
- nobody knows what coffee is in this town yet the main characters literally visit 'a kafé' and dine there?

-author highlights what kind of animals/creatures visit the coffee shop yet forgets to tell us when a human appears (for example he says there is a gnome sitting by the table // a lute player often visits the shop = does not mention that the lute player is a human)

- the main characters call everyone 'a kid' which was really annoying me

- the whole book has that sort of millennial esque type of humour that I honestly cringe at

- it was repetitive - a new recipe, mc can't help but moan every single time because of how good it tastes, everybody loves it, a new customer appears, trouble in paradise, repeat.

- the mc also gives literally everyone who smiles at her things for free lol no wonders she soon loses the money

.
so yeah this was my second cozy fantasy and the second one I didn't enjoy. I do like cozy movies but cozy books just aren't my cup of tea.

Katelyn O

What a delight to listen to while walking, cooking and sitting inside during winter. Every character was so charming, I wish I could stay in the world!

I feel as though I’m slightly late to the party with this one, however I’m so glad that I read it! ‘Legends & Lattes’ by Travis Baldree will now forever be my definition of a cosy read. He has crafted such an amazing fantasy world and such warm and loveable characters that this book cannot help but leave you feeling warm and fuzzy long after the pages have stopped turning!

Viv is an Orc who after years of adventuring has decided she wants to slow life down and own something special of her own, in this instance a coffee shop. The trouble is, not many people know what “coffee” is. Cue the long list of characters that inhabit the world as Viv builds her coffee shop venture from the literal ruins of a livery and stables.

The first part of the book sees Viv hire Cal (a hob who works as a carpenter) to build her shop and the rich detail of writing in Baldree’s chapters really helps to see the shop take shape in you head. Afterwards Viv employs artistic succubus Tandri as a work-mate with whom to open and run the business. Subsequent recruits include ratkin Thimble, a genius baker, hesitant would-be bard Pendry, who blossoms into an entertainer, and volunteer watch beast Amity the dire-cat. At each stage you’re willing for Viv and company to succeed, whether it be the way they invent new drinks or baked goods or simply to have her business flourish.

Of course it isn’t just an easy ride for our Orc, but I don’t want to delve too far into plot twists and revelations as you need to experience them yourselves. The pacing is superb, as is the length of chapters which can be absorbed steadily or absolutely devoured.

I feel as though I’m slightly late to the party with this one, however I’m so glad that I read it! ‘Legends & Lattes’ by Travis Baldree will now forever be my definition of a cosy read. He has crafted such an amazing fantasy world and such warm and loveable characters that this book cannot help but leave you feeling warm and fuzzy long after the pages have stopped turning!

Viv is an Orc who after years of adventuring has decided she wants to slow life down and own something special of her own, in this instance a coffee shop. The trouble is, not many people know what “coffee” is. Cue the long list of characters that inhabit the world as Viv builds her coffee shop venture from the literal ruins of a livery and stables.

The first part of the book sees Viv hire Cal (a hob who works as a carpenter) to build her shop and the rich detail of writing in Baldree’s chapters really helps to see the shop take shape in you head. Afterwards Viv employs artistic succubus Tandri as a work-mate with whom to open and run the business. Subsequent recruits include ratkin Thimble, a genius baker, hesitant would-be bard Pendry, who blossoms into an entertainer, and volunteer watch beast Amity the dire-cat. At each stage you’re willing for Viv and company to succeed, whether it be the way they invent new drinks or baked goods or simply to have her business flourish.

Of course it isn’t just an easy ride for our Orc, but I don’t want to delve too far into plot twists and revelations as you need to experience them yourselves. The pacing is superb, as is the length of chapters which can be absorbed steadily or absolutely devoured.

I’ve seen a few reviews of this book that called it “cozy fantasy” and I totally agree. Don’t discard it if you aren’t into fantasy, it is very basic fantasy with not a lot of world building. It was really cute, easy to follow and easy to put down and pick back up again. A story about breaking molds and finding friendships and love 🫶🏻

Kass

anya

Amanda

** spoiler alert **
           This book is so cozy and the characters are well written. A cozy slice of life that is like D&D and studio ghibli had a mash up in a book. "To what the flames could not consume" ❤

This whole story was so cute and sweet. Viv and Tandri are adorable, and the found family element is so comforting, especially the ending. 

Katheryn

Enjoyed a lot! It was nice to read a low stakes story!

Samantha Cummings

This was a delightful read. In between some of the heavier media/literature I consume, this was lovely. Not as much of a romance as I thought it would be, so that was good (for me!).

Kiersten

: It was cute. I definitely see why it's been embraced as a cozy fantasy, because it is, but it was a bit too 

 and saccharine for me, so much that it was strange to see actual conflict happen, and it felt random and out of place. The villains seem to be pretending to be villains or playing the role of bullies lol, because they actually turned out to be Very Nice People.

: I really love this setting, but it feels a bit too contemporary for me given the other fantasy elements in the story. I do like how the author is handling the strangeness of coffee and machinery. 

: I wish that the author had spent more time developing the romance because while there were intimate moments, I didn't really sense much romantic chemistry between Viv and Tandri. I really love the friendships in this book.

I loved the flip of the rhyme surrounding the Stalvert's Stone, that's a really nice way of thinking about ring of fortune, that it's not luck, but friendship. 

This book is absolutely beautifully written, Travis Baldree's prose really shines in a refreshing way. It's sad that good writing seems like a surprise nowadays with popular fiction because first drafts are getting published and that seems to be the standard. Good writing IS accessible. 

Bella Baxter

Overall: It was cute. I definitely see why it's been embraced as a cozy fantasy, because it is, but it was a bit too perfect and saccharine for me, so much that it was strange to see actual conflict happen, and it felt random and out of place. The villains seem to be pretending to be villains or playing the role of bullies lol, because they actually turned out to be Very Nice People.

Setting: I really love this setting, but it feels a bit too contemporary for me given the other fantasy elements in the story. I do like how the author is handling the strangeness of coffee and machinery. 

Relationships: I wish that the author had spent more time developing the romance because while there were intimate moments, I didn't really sense much romantic chemistry between Viv and Tandri. I really love the friendships in this book.

Characters: 

I think it would have been interesting if it was a bigger deal that Viv had been an actual legend who settled down. Again, just too perfect for me. 

Tandri, I think was a good example of complex. 

I really enjoyed Cal, I think his characterization was very distinct, as well as Thimble. 

It would have been nice to understand more about Hemington's studies, because I really just got "random Hogwarts student" vibes out of him. 

I actually thought Pendry's nervous energy was really cute. Would have liked to see more about that conflict between wanting to be a bard and working the family business. 

I hate to say it, but Laney was just kind of a persistently annoying old woman? I think she and Thimble would have worked well together. Maybe that'll be explored in a future book?

I loved the flip of the rhyme surrounding the Stalvert's Stone, that's a really nice way of thinking about ring of fortune, that it's not luck, but friendship. 

This book is absolutely beautifully written, Travis Baldree's prose really shines in a refreshing way. It's sad that good writing seems like a surprise nowadays with popular fiction because first drafts are getting published and that seems to be the standard. Good writing IS accessible. 