Book 1 is rated 4.05 on Goodreads almost 317k ratings and 57k reviews
Book 0 is rated 4.12 on Goodreads with almost 106k ratings and 18k reviews, 336 pages
Book 2 has barely been released since this post, and is on my read list.
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, TOR Publishing, though originally self-published
$11 Amazon, Not KU supported
Genre: Cozy Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ
1 in 3 currently announced in series
My Ratings:
Book 1:
Book 0:
Spoiler-free Plotline
Viv, an orc who has seen many battles, decides she is done on her barbaric journey and wants to introduce coffee to the city of Thune. However, not everyone is happy about the introduction and does not make it easy for Viv to succeed. Some members of Thune are wary of what coffee truly is, especially from an orc with a scary background, however Viv is insistent she truly wants to put the past behind her.
In the process of opening, remodeling, and serving up coffee, she makes some friends along the way. She is able to introduce more than just coffee to Thune, and she makes some deeper connections along the way.
Although there are hardships, and high tension moments, this cozy fantasy is guaranteed to have you kicking your feet and giggling though it. This is a low-stake but high fantasy series, one that really set the bar on a new level for the Cozy Fantasy genre.
Book two is really book zero, a prequel to Legends and Lattes, called Bookshops and Bonedust.
Bookshops and Bonedust is a prequel on Viv with different characters and a whole new setting in a bookshop that is struggling to keep the doors open, however Viv promises the owner: Fern, to help find ways to keep the doors open and help her bookstore thrive.
My Takes
I absolutely adored this series. This has to be one of my favorite series out there. However, my opinions are not made to sway anyone into reading a book, but to provide informative feedback on the storyline to allow you as a reader to decide if this is a good story for you.
His book has a simple magic system, nothing that is too complicated to understand or one that drives the plotline. Most if not all of the characters in the books are based off of fantasy creatures such as orcs, succubus, mice, rats, skeletons, dwarfs, etc. I find these fantasy creatures are well described but allow you to create a good image in your imagination for interpretation. Baldree does a great job in balancing descriptive features while not over-explaining characters or backgrounds. It is truly a high fantasy world, condensed into less than 300 pages with a story that is so sweet it’s like candy.
Baldree has created an LGBTQ story line that does not feel overbearing or forced, and flows very well into the plotline. Baldree has not publicly come out as someone in the LGBTQ community, however his writing within the story does not fall short on inclusion. Both published books involve lesbian romance, however I cannot go into much detail without spoiling either interests in the books. I have yet to read book three in the series, however I can confirm it does not follow our previous main character: Viv. Instead we will be following Fern, the owner of the bookshop in the prequel series.
The writing in the series is very easy to understand and follow. You come along with the characters as if you are there with them. It is not overcomplicated or full of twists to keep straight. The series is not made to confuse you or have you wondering as a reader, but to bring you along a heartfelt journey with the characters.
The Turn Off
I personally didn’t find any turn offs in this series, and I have very high expectations for book 3. I am a big fan of the simple writing, easy magic systems, fantasy characters, this series for me was a breath of fresh air. I see the series as something to cleanse your pallet with and take a break from other heavy series such as horrors, thrillers, epic fantasies, complicated sci-fi, etc.
Enjoy the ride.
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