Legends & Lattes
Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes is a stand-alone cozy fantasy about a half-orc named Viv, who is hanging up her sword to embark on a new adventure: opening a coffee shop in Thune, a place where no one has ever heard of coffee. In this character-driven story, Viv will embark on her most interesting journey yet, and with the help of a magic stone and her newfound community, she just might learn that it doesn’t take an epic quest to prove her worth.
Right off the bat, I love the idea of a bloodthirsty half-orc with wanderlust giving up adventuring to pursue her dream. Viv is a complex character from the start, as seen when she explains her reason for wanting more out of life than blood and glory:
“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” (Baldree, 57).
Receiving countless quizzical looks and many hilarious exclamations in response to the mere concept of coffee, Viv has to convince the townspeople of Thune that the gnomish beverage is worth a try. Of all the quirky and endearing characters that Viv meets, I think Cal, the cantankerous old hob, and Thimble, the soft-spoken rattkin, are two of my favorites. From Cal’s referral to coffee as “bean water,” to Thimble’s frantic declaration-slash-apology over a kitchen stove, these two always offer some comic relief and heartwarming moments (Baldree, 46).
I also love the variety of customers that frequent the coffee shop: there’s Tandri, the guarded, hard-working, and intelligent succubus that Viv hires early on; there’s Durias, the elderly gnome that seemingly plays chess with himself; there’s Hemington, the academy student with an aversion to hot beverages and a gluten intolerance; there’s Pendry, the nervous bard who, in his embarrassment at shocking the patrons with an original song, flees the scene mid-performance; there’s even a crazy ex and some acquaintances from Viv’s adventuring days that pass through. Needless to say, there’s plenty of confusion, problematic behaviour, and hilarious moments that make me laugh and keep me turning the pages.
Despite the low-stakes themes, there are still some trials and tribulations along the way—and some unsavory characters as well. But unlike epic fantasy, this doesn’t rob the book of its cozy plot. The story never loses its character-focused narrative, and there’s plenty of leisurely things going on for the reader to enjoy. From furniture shopping to Thimble’s latest baking creation, I find myself along for the laid-back ride every time.
I enjoyed seeing how Viv and Tandri navigate daily challenges together, whether it’s a problem with menu variety or a newfound demand for pastries. These things happen in a natural and interesting way as the story progresses, and the descriptions of the coffee shop, the ins and outs of the business, and the brewing process always make me feel immersed in the goings on. I love the way Viv settles into herself when she enters her establishment and her workday begins:
“. . . [I]t was empty and quiet, the smell of wood stain and lacquer still strong. The autumn chill had deepened, so she started a fire in one of the stoves and idly watched the auto-circulators begin their slow revolutions. The old coffee machine gleamed on the counter top . . . Then she pulled a fresh sack of beans from the pantry and one of the new ceramic mugs. She lost herself in the meditative act of priming the machine and grinding and brewing” (Baldree, 238-239).
At the end of the day, it’s not about grand quests or magic stones; it’s all about the people we meet and the coffee we drink. I adore every word, every character, and every event in Baldree’s beautifully quaint world; I could read about Viv’s not-so-epic adventures all day long, and I could spend a lifetime in her coffee shop, meeting new people over iced lattes and thimblets.
It’s important to note that Baldree has two more books that center around beloved characters from this story, but you can read them in any order. I personally enjoyed reading them in publication order, but it’s not mandatory! If you like books about what happens after the epic quests, and all the quiet moments in between, you’ll love this book.
Reference
Baldree, Travis. Legends & Lattes. Tor Publishing Group, 2022.