Audiobook review: Legends and Lattes by Travis Balder
An orc mercenary knows the score and has no desire to end her days in blood and war so she walks away from her old life for a curious, odd new one. Long has this book been on my radar and it was a matter of when not if. Great was my excitement to try a cozy fantasy with a female orc protagonist on a quest to open Thune’s first coffee shop. I found it rich and full of flavor from start to finish.
Legends and Lattes introduces a softly lit Gaslamp fantasy in a high fantasy world setting. The protagonist, Viv the orc has been a mercenary as is common among her large, strong race, but Viv caught a whiff of coffee at a time she was looking for a new direction in life. I enjoyed her new adventure starting over with starting from scratch building her shop, building her new friend group of workers alongside her, and, yes facing off against the local organized crime group and an old enemy who hopes to take her magic stone that brings luck and success.
I’m not one for high fantasies with all the bloody, gory details and stories involving orcs tend to go that direction so I was tickled Legends and Lattes is cozy fantasy because Viv has hung up her sword and is forging a less bloody, arm-ripping past. The surrounding cast of Cal a hob jack of all trades, Tandree an artistic, skilled marketer succubus looking for a new chance, and Thimble a rat baker who has the whole neighborhood under his spell when he launches his first bake goods at Viv’s coffee shop.
The story is loaded with friendship, wit, and enough tension to make for a good tale. There is a slow burn sweet romance building in the background and there’s a tense and emotional climax with a satisfying resolve.
Narration: Travis Baldree did his own narration work- logical since he is already a well-liked established narrator. I’d not heard his work before, but I can see why his work is really enjoyed.
Now that I’ve had my first sip of the Legends and Lattes’ world, I can’t wait to sample the rest of the flavorful menu as the series comes out. Definitely recommend!
My Ratings
Story: A-
Narration: A+
Sophia Rose
About the Book:
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.
Author: Travis Baldree
Narrator: Travis Baldree
Series: Legends and Lattes #1
Genre: Fantasy, cozy
Audiobook Release Date: February 24, 2022
Publisher: Cryptid Audio
Length: 7 hours 19 minutes
Source: Library
Audio Speed: 1.2x
Reviewer: Sophia Rose
Purchase info:
Audible/Amazon (affilate link)
