Travis Baldtree
“So. I might not deserve you. And you might forgive too much. But I’m damned glad to have you.”
8.3
Tired of the adventuring life, battle-worn orc Viv trades her sword for a steaming cup of ambition—opening the first-ever coffee shop in the bustling city of Thune. With the scent of fresh pastries in the air and the warmth of new friendships brewing, Viv is determined to build something truly special. But old rivalries and the whispers of a little magic threaten to upend her fresh start. Legends & Lattes is a delightfully cosy, low-stakes fantasy about found family, new beginnings, and the simple joys of a well-made cup of coffee.
Judging The Book By It’s Cover
The copy being discussed in this review is the 2023, Tor paperback edition with cover design by Leo Nickolls.
We like this cover, after reading the book. It wasn’t a cover that immediately drew us in and had this been our first impression of Legends & Lattes we may not have looked into it further. That being said, the cover is nice. It has a warm inviting feel and expresses the cosy, low-stakes themes of the book well. The colours aren’t flashy but have a complimentary effect to the book's tone and fantasy time-period setting. After reading the book, the context of the chalkboard appearance makes more sense of the designer's choice.
The blurb is well worded, giving enough detail to hook you without revealing too much of the story inside.
Closing the Book
We loved Legends & Lattes. The low-stakes, cosy vibes make it a perfect refresher book—ideal for when you want something comforting and warm.
The story focuses primarily on Viv, which makes sense as she’s the main character. However, we would have liked to explore the supporting cast more. Each side character felt uniquely interesting, and we’re hoping Travis Baldree writes future novels featuring them.
That said, the characters we do get to know feel wonderfully distinct, making the cast feel like a real group of people—ones you can find facets of yourself in. We were both rooting for Viv; her passion for what she’s trying to build is inspiring, and neither of us even likes coffee!
Legends & Lattes is a wonderful execution of the found family trope.
Baldree does a great job of giving just enough insight into the world to keep you wanting more, without overwhelming you with lore or exposition. It’s a rich setting, but one that never feels dense or difficult to sink into.
We read Legends & Lattes as part of our family book club, and while we loved it, Rob’s sister found it dissatisfying. She kept waiting for something bigger to happen and felt like the story never truly took off. So, this book may not be for everyone—if you’re looking for a meaty, high-stakes fantasy adventure, you may need to look elsewhere. But if you’re after an easy, heartwarming read that feels like a warm hug, this one’s for you.
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