Aimee Reviews: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

I can’t imagine a world without coffee, and frankly I don’t usually want to. This book is different.

If you can spare the momentary horror of it all, imagine you are in this coffee-less world. Perhaps I should also mention this world is one of dwarves, orcs, and elves. Viv, a formidable and powerful orc barbarian, has given up her warrior’s life of adventuring and dungeon-crawling to establish the colourful city of Thune’s first ever coffee shop.

“I told you I came across it in Azimuth, and I remember following the smell to the shop. They called it a café. People just sat around drinking it from these little ceramic cups, and I had to try it, and… it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it’s something else.”

Equipped with nothing but the mysterious Scalvert Stone, her sword, and a knap-sack of cash, Viv embarks on the seemingly foolish task of creating a business she has no experience in, but a heart full of passion. The world building and lore-creation of this world is gently vibrant, with a very real and bustling city being formed on each page, but without ‘info-dumping’ unfamiliar terms and geography. It is very easy to be immersed in this world without feeling overwhelmed. It is like gentle being enveloped in a warm, fuzzy blanket.

The smell of freshly-brewed coffee is certainly a tempting one, and Viv soon finds a host of new friends. Tapping into one of my favourite fantasy tropes, Viv forms her own ‘found-family’ of misfit coffee-lovers, Thune locals, and people who just want to help her succeed. Each of the are sweet, funny, charming, frustrating, and brilliant in their own way. Each of them value each other’s strengths, are actively and consciously good and kind to each other, and together they work better than, well… coffee beans and hot water.

But all is not as it seems. When figures from her past, the meddlesome Fennus, and the mafia-like Madrigals, all begin sniffing about the newly-open coffee shop, it isn’t all sweet coffee and cake. But, as promised on the cover, this is a book of high fantasy and low stakes. If you’re anything like me (Dungeons and Dragon loving, but Lord of The Rings adverse…) the fantasy elements will charm you, without any of the overwhelming battles and complex world building politics and lore. There is something deeply comforting and familiar about this novel, a page-turner without worrying about too much violence or threat.

This novel is so full of love and heart, with a gorgeous slow-burn will-they-won’t-they romance which feels so organic and real. The relationship that grows (no spoilers!) feels so pure and believable, without being over the top or dramatic. There are no princesses trapped in towers, no death-filled battles to fight to win over the beloved, no quest to fulfil to finally become worthy – just two people slowly and softly opening their hearts.

This book really is the perfect read for these cold, winter nights. Every page feels like taking a warming sip of hot coffee, sprinkled with cinnamon too! Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett, T. J. Klune and 90s Rom-Coms, this is the feel-good equivalent of a winter beach-read. Snuggle up with a cup of something hot, a brownie, and enter the world of Thune. Are you ready for your next cosy adventure?

Purchase a copy here.