Winner of the 2023 Hugo Award for Best New Writer.
High fantasy, low stakes - with a double-shot of coffee.
After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream - for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.
If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can't go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters. Yet old rivals and new stand in the way of success. And Thune's shady underbelly could make it all too easy for Viv to take up the blade once more.
But the true reward of the uncharted path is the travellers you meet along the way. Whether bound by ancient magic, delicious pastries or a freshly brewed cup, they may become something deeper than Viv ever could have imagined.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is a cosy, heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy about found families and fresh starts - perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Katherine Addison and T. Kingfisher.
Staff Choice: Bella
If Dungeons & Dragons had a baby with Animal Crossing, this is what you would get. An orc decides to put down her sword to open up a cute coffee shop in a world where no one except dwarfs know what coffee is. Viv is joined by friends and neighbors helping her with this endeavor. Contains very vivid descriptions of roasting coffee beans, steaming milk & delicious pastries that'll make you drool. Will comfort you to the bone.
Staff Choice: Iris
"High fantasy, low stakes" - if that isn't exactly what everyone needs right about now, I don't know what is. This story is fluffy, adorable, slightly bittersweet and filled with absolutely mouthwatering pastry descriptions (seriously, make sure you stock up on snacks before you dive in). I loved it!
While this is obviously a fantasy novel, I think it would work really well for readers who tend to gravitate towards other genres; romance readers who don't mind a bit of magic alongside their sapphic swooning, for example, or YA readers who are looking for some more mature characters. It would also be great for ttrpg players who want to get (back) into reading. Whatever your reading background, I'd love you to give this a try!