Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

August 28, 2023

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

When retired orc warrior Viv decides to open a coffeehouse in the city of Thune, she has no idea of the challenges she will face. But in her last job as a fighting orc, she secured a magic stone known as the Scalvert's Stone which she believes will bring her good luck and guarantee success. She hires a talented young succubus as a shop assistant (and is somewhat distracting) and a rattkin baker who is a genius when it comes to pastry. The shop gains a regular clientele, which attracts the attention of the local gang, who come around to shake Viv down for protection money. There is a dire-cat (a creature that looks like a house cat but is bigger than a wolf) that shows up at unexpected times. Plus old acquaintances from Viv's fighting days keep popping up, some welcome, others not so much. Viv has to figure out how to deal with all of it, while still serving coffee and pastries to the working folk of Thune.

Fun creative fantasy with good characters and a little LGBTQ thrown in. Who would ever think to write a cheerful fantasy novel with a rather charming orc protagonist? Amity the dire-cat and Thimble the rattkin are wonderful creations. Looking forward to the next book to find out more about Viv and her friends. Recommended for anyone who enjoys fantasy or is looking for a fantasy that isn't about a quest or saving a fantasy kingdom.

A female orc