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Legends & Lattes #2
Brigands & Breadknives
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fantasy (2025)Return to the cosy fantasy world of the No. 1
New York Times
bestselling Legends & Lattes series with
Brigands & Breadknives
by Travis Baldree, an adventure featuring fan-favorite, foul-mouthed bookseller Fern.
Fern has weathered the stillness and storms of a bookseller’s life for decades, but now, in the face of crippling ennui, transplants herself to the city of Thune to hang out her shingle beside a long-absent friend’s coffee shop. What could be a better pairing? Surely a charming renovation montage will cure what ails her!
If only things were so simple . . .
It turns out that fixing your life isn’t a one-time prospect, nor as easy as a change of scenery and a lick of paint.
A drunken and desperate night sees the rattkin waking far from home in the company of a legendary warrior surviving on inertia, an imprisoned chaos-goblin with a fondness for silverware, and an absolutely thumping hangover.
As together they fend off a rogue’s gallery of ne’er-do-wells trying to claim the bounty the goblin represents, Fern may finally reconnect with the person she actually is when there isn’t a job to get in the way.
Fern has weathered the stillness and storms of a bookseller’s life for decades, but now, in the face of crippling ennui, transplants herself to the city of Thune to hang out her shingle beside a long-absent friend’s coffee shop. What could be a better pairing? Surely a charming renovation montage will cure what ails her!
If only things were so simple . . .
It turns out that fixing your life isn’t a one-time prospect, nor as easy as a change of scenery and a lick of paint.
A drunken and desperate night sees the rattkin waking far from home in the company of a legendary warrior surviving on inertia, an imprisoned chaos-goblin with a fondness for silverware, and an absolutely thumping hangover.
As together they fend off a rogue’s gallery of ne’er-do-wells trying to claim the bounty the goblin represents, Fern may finally reconnect with the person she actually is when there isn’t a job to get in the way.
Audible Audio
First published November 11, 2025
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About the author
Travis Baldree
322 books12.4k followers#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Legends & Lattes, Bookshops & Bonedust, and Brigands & Breadknives. Audie-winning. Audiobook narrator. Erstwhile game developer. Made Fate, Torchlight & Rebel Galaxy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,311 reviews
November 7, 2025
Bless Travis Baldree for bringing us a third book set in the world of Legends & Lattes. And I mean it, wholeheartedly. He never fails to make me feel all warm and cozy in just around 300 pages and this book was no exception, even if I liked it a little less than the previous two.
Brigands & Breadknives is the first book that doesn't follow the orc Viv and instead her well-read rattkin friend Fern takes the lead. We previously met her in Bookshops & Bonedust as the owner of a shabby little bookshop in a cozy seaside town, but now she leaves that life behind and moves to the city of Thune, right next to a certain coffee shop. Plenty of characters from Legends & Lattes return and it was nice to catch up on their lives after their story has ended. The beginning is very similar to the previous books and connects to them in many lovely ways. Fans will surely appreciate it, but it doesn't make for a great introduction to the series as a whole and I wouldn't recommend to pick this new book up without having read the other two. I personally think that Brigands & Breadknives could have benefited from not being too closely connected to Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, because the story ultimately develops into a totally different direction than these two books that are very similar to each other. Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect Travis Baldree to write books about non-humans setting up cozy businesses in a fantasy world for the end of time, but maybe that's what I want anyway and this book is not delivering it. It's still a very pleasant read, but it's also way more adventurous and action-focused. You see, Fern has a bit of an identity crisis and is unsure if she really wants to be a bookseller anymore and so she drunkenly falls asleep on a horse cart and wakes far away from the city among a merry little band of strays. There's a legendary adventurer elf with her loyal and clever horse, a goblin girl with an impossible coat who might be chaos incarnate, and there's more than one talking weapon. All the characters were nice to read about and they made a group that I loved to follow around. They felt like a D&D party that starts traveling with a vague goal in mind, but that's always stumbling into the most random situations. From fighting chickens to risking the wrath of an evil cosmic deity. At the same time the book focuses on Fern's inner conflict and while I think that it found a good balance there, I must say that she could have reflected more on her life. I don't know a lot about her as a character and she often refers to the events of Bookshops & Bonedust, but these took place 20 years ago and I didn't get a good impression of what happened in the meantime. Her recurring dreams were also kinda unnecessary in my opinion. I don't think that she made a poor protagonist, because I also don't have super strong feelings about Viv as the main character. For me these books are more about the cozy vibes and about kind people finding each other and working together and I got that here too. And did I really ship a middle-aged rat lady with a thousand-year-old adventurer elf? Maybe.
I deeply love Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, but overall I'm glad that Travis Baldree dared to stray from his successful formula. While I didn't love Brigands & Breadknives as much, I think it's a necessary step in his author journey and it opens the door for many more different stories. This still was a pleasant and very enjoyable read for me and I would like 10 more, please. I think I would especially love a story about a bard, but I will continue to pick up literally everything he decides to write.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan / Tor for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Brigands & Breadknives is the first book that doesn't follow the orc Viv and instead her well-read rattkin friend Fern takes the lead. We previously met her in Bookshops & Bonedust as the owner of a shabby little bookshop in a cozy seaside town, but now she leaves that life behind and moves to the city of Thune, right next to a certain coffee shop. Plenty of characters from Legends & Lattes return and it was nice to catch up on their lives after their story has ended. The beginning is very similar to the previous books and connects to them in many lovely ways. Fans will surely appreciate it, but it doesn't make for a great introduction to the series as a whole and I wouldn't recommend to pick this new book up without having read the other two. I personally think that Brigands & Breadknives could have benefited from not being too closely connected to Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, because the story ultimately develops into a totally different direction than these two books that are very similar to each other. Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect Travis Baldree to write books about non-humans setting up cozy businesses in a fantasy world for the end of time, but maybe that's what I want anyway and this book is not delivering it. It's still a very pleasant read, but it's also way more adventurous and action-focused. You see, Fern has a bit of an identity crisis and is unsure if she really wants to be a bookseller anymore and so she drunkenly falls asleep on a horse cart and wakes far away from the city among a merry little band of strays. There's a legendary adventurer elf with her loyal and clever horse, a goblin girl with an impossible coat who might be chaos incarnate, and there's more than one talking weapon. All the characters were nice to read about and they made a group that I loved to follow around. They felt like a D&D party that starts traveling with a vague goal in mind, but that's always stumbling into the most random situations. From fighting chickens to risking the wrath of an evil cosmic deity. At the same time the book focuses on Fern's inner conflict and while I think that it found a good balance there, I must say that she could have reflected more on her life. I don't know a lot about her as a character and she often refers to the events of Bookshops & Bonedust, but these took place 20 years ago and I didn't get a good impression of what happened in the meantime. Her recurring dreams were also kinda unnecessary in my opinion. I don't think that she made a poor protagonist, because I also don't have super strong feelings about Viv as the main character. For me these books are more about the cozy vibes and about kind people finding each other and working together and I got that here too. And did I really ship a middle-aged rat lady with a thousand-year-old adventurer elf? Maybe.
I deeply love Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, but overall I'm glad that Travis Baldree dared to stray from his successful formula. While I didn't love Brigands & Breadknives as much, I think it's a necessary step in his author journey and it opens the door for many more different stories. This still was a pleasant and very enjoyable read for me and I would like 10 more, please. I think I would especially love a story about a bard, but I will continue to pick up literally everything he decides to write.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan / Tor for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2025
“Look, I didn’t murder anybody. I was barely involved except for the stabbing part.”
It’s no secret that I adore this series. Every time Travis Baldree drops a new instalment, I’m like a cat who’s heard a can opener. And this one? Couldn’t put it down. Truly. I sat down “just to start it” and suddenly I’d inhaled the whole thing like it was a fresh pastry straight out of the oven.
This is cosy fantasy at its best, warm, charming, gently chaotic, and packed with the kind of heart that sneaks up on you. The danger is never too sharp, the humour always lands, and the characters feel like old friends who remember your coffee order and don’t judge you for your life choices.
If you want a story that wraps you up like a blanket fresh from the dryer, hands you a snack, and says “let’s have a little adventure,” this series continues to be perfection. And now I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next one… again.
I Highly Recommend.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for my early readers copy.
Available Now!
It’s no secret that I adore this series. Every time Travis Baldree drops a new instalment, I’m like a cat who’s heard a can opener. And this one? Couldn’t put it down. Truly. I sat down “just to start it” and suddenly I’d inhaled the whole thing like it was a fresh pastry straight out of the oven.
This is cosy fantasy at its best, warm, charming, gently chaotic, and packed with the kind of heart that sneaks up on you. The danger is never too sharp, the humour always lands, and the characters feel like old friends who remember your coffee order and don’t judge you for your life choices.
If you want a story that wraps you up like a blanket fresh from the dryer, hands you a snack, and says “let’s have a little adventure,” this series continues to be perfection. And now I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next one… again.
I Highly Recommend.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for my early readers copy.
Available Now!
July 3, 2025
It's so perfect!
It's cozy, cute, so heartfelt and adventurous. There is a quest, humour, fun and colourful characters, and so much feelings.
I loved that it expanded a lot on the world of Legends & Lattes without compromising the excellent character work.
I also love the main character and her struggles to choose her own path, it felt so relatable.
I listened to the audiobook version and it adds even more to it. But I didn't expect any less from Travis Baldree, who has always been as much a great narrator as well as a writer.
Thank you so much Macmillan audio for this ARC!
It's cozy, cute, so heartfelt and adventurous. There is a quest, humour, fun and colourful characters, and so much feelings.
I loved that it expanded a lot on the world of Legends & Lattes without compromising the excellent character work.
I also love the main character and her struggles to choose her own path, it felt so relatable.
I listened to the audiobook version and it adds even more to it. But I didn't expect any less from Travis Baldree, who has always been as much a great narrator as well as a writer.
Thank you so much Macmillan audio for this ARC!
February 6, 2026
.5) Bookshops & Bonedust ★★★★★
1.) Legends & Lattes ★★★★★
*.) 2.) Goblins & Greatcoats ★★★★
sometimes you read a book at the wrong time, but sometimes you read a book at the right time, and i think i might have read this one at the right time. after i read the epilogue in bookshops & bonedust , i really thought i knew where this story was going, with the building of a comfy and safe feeling little bookshop! but sadly, that is life, some things go unexpectedly scary sometimes, especially when you just don’t know what you’re going to do to feel better.
in this new installment in this very beloved series, we get to watch fern want something different, because what she has doesn’t feel enough anymore. and she winds up traveling very unexpectedly with a legendary elf adventurer, and a familiar goblin thief! i just really enjoyed this, and i really appreciated the reminder that sometimes you don’t know everything that’s going to happen, and that’s okay.
trigger + content warnings: blood, drinking / inebriation, bad dreams, mental health discussions, captivity, battle, injury, gore, violence, animal abandonment (they are okay and cared for the entire time!)
blog | instagram | youtube | wishlist | spotify | amazon
1.) Legends & Lattes ★★★★★
*.) 2.) Goblins & Greatcoats ★★★★
sometimes you read a book at the wrong time, but sometimes you read a book at the right time, and i think i might have read this one at the right time. after i read the epilogue in bookshops & bonedust , i really thought i knew where this story was going, with the building of a comfy and safe feeling little bookshop! but sadly, that is life, some things go unexpectedly scary sometimes, especially when you just don’t know what you’re going to do to feel better.
in this new installment in this very beloved series, we get to watch fern want something different, because what she has doesn’t feel enough anymore. and she winds up traveling very unexpectedly with a legendary elf adventurer, and a familiar goblin thief! i just really enjoyed this, and i really appreciated the reminder that sometimes you don’t know everything that’s going to happen, and that’s okay.
trigger + content warnings: blood, drinking / inebriation, bad dreams, mental health discussions, captivity, battle, injury, gore, violence, animal abandonment (they are okay and cared for the entire time!)
blog | instagram | youtube | wishlist | spotify | amazon
July 1, 2025
I WOULD LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR BUCKET AND HER CREW OF STUPID EMOTIONALLY REPRESSED MORONS
November 16, 2025
A tale of self-discovery and second chances, Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree is another comfy-cozy dose of the warm fuzzies! Lessons are taught, coffee is still served, and friendships and futures will flourish. Fern will realize all she really needs to carve out her place in the world is her found family, a little pluck, and maybe a trusty breadknife too.
Fern is a rattkin that has grown dreadfully weary of a monotonous existence shelved in the safety and predictability of her bookstore. We follow her along a journey toward a very different future indeed, one rich with new friends, exciting adventure, and of course, profanities perfect for any occasion. After corresponding for some time with an old friend in Thune—one with an inexplicably lucrative coffee shop you might have heard of called Legends & Lattes—Fern puts all her books in one satchel and picks up her life to move to a new city. She is unknown and feeling adrift but hoping for a new start and a brand-new version of Fern. On arrival she receives a warm welcome, but not even time with her old friend nor a bookstore reno is enough to shake Fern from her funk. She’s restless and something is missing…it’s all too much yet not enough at the same time. Overwhelmed, Fern makes the same mistake many a young’un has: she gets toasted and passes out in an unfamiliar place. This fortuitous error sends her packing far away from Thune with a monster hangover (for she is no longer a young’un) and in the company of a strange band of brigands consisting of a feral but hilariously useful goblin imprisoned for a catastrophic penchant for mischief and a legendary warrior elf on the move with cold, mechanical efficiency to deliver her bounty and claim her sum. Together, they end up fighting off a trail of dishonorable vagabonds also trying to claim the bounty for themselves. This cozy fantasy has real peril and cutthroat adventure along the road to exploring life’s unexpected opportunities and finding intrinsic restfulness.
What an extraordinary story! I laughed out loud often between Fern’s colorful swearing and the goblin’s hilarious antics. Oh, and did I mention there is a giant chicken with teeth and a taste for flesh? Yup, there sure is! This book was such a fun and entertaining tale highlighting the magic of friendship and the difficulty that comes with life’s changing seasons and getting older. Fern’s personal growth towards finding self-value and who she is outside of life’s demands and responsibilities is so easily relatable. This is absolutely a must read this fall. It’s a breath of crisp autumnal air! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own.
Fern is a rattkin that has grown dreadfully weary of a monotonous existence shelved in the safety and predictability of her bookstore. We follow her along a journey toward a very different future indeed, one rich with new friends, exciting adventure, and of course, profanities perfect for any occasion. After corresponding for some time with an old friend in Thune—one with an inexplicably lucrative coffee shop you might have heard of called Legends & Lattes—Fern puts all her books in one satchel and picks up her life to move to a new city. She is unknown and feeling adrift but hoping for a new start and a brand-new version of Fern. On arrival she receives a warm welcome, but not even time with her old friend nor a bookstore reno is enough to shake Fern from her funk. She’s restless and something is missing…it’s all too much yet not enough at the same time. Overwhelmed, Fern makes the same mistake many a young’un has: she gets toasted and passes out in an unfamiliar place. This fortuitous error sends her packing far away from Thune with a monster hangover (for she is no longer a young’un) and in the company of a strange band of brigands consisting of a feral but hilariously useful goblin imprisoned for a catastrophic penchant for mischief and a legendary warrior elf on the move with cold, mechanical efficiency to deliver her bounty and claim her sum. Together, they end up fighting off a trail of dishonorable vagabonds also trying to claim the bounty for themselves. This cozy fantasy has real peril and cutthroat adventure along the road to exploring life’s unexpected opportunities and finding intrinsic restfulness.
What an extraordinary story! I laughed out loud often between Fern’s colorful swearing and the goblin’s hilarious antics. Oh, and did I mention there is a giant chicken with teeth and a taste for flesh? Yup, there sure is! This book was such a fun and entertaining tale highlighting the magic of friendship and the difficulty that comes with life’s changing seasons and getting older. Fern’s personal growth towards finding self-value and who she is outside of life’s demands and responsibilities is so easily relatable. This is absolutely a must read this fall. It’s a breath of crisp autumnal air! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own.
January 19, 2026
This book was so heartwarming and cozy! Brigands and Breadknives was a journey of self discovery, second chances, loyalty and friendship. I loved the blend of wholesome friendship with adventure and disagreements. I enjoyed the inclusion of fantasy creatures including elves, orcs, monsters, goblins, and unique creatures. The world building was lacking, but since it’s a cozy fantasy it didn’t deter my enjoyment too much. I was curious to learn about the history of the world and the differences in the places in the world. The writing was so witty, funny and engaging. The plot was chaotic at times, but also exciting and entertaining. I felt that reflection after important events was missing. Reading this book felt like a cozy blanket on a cold day. The characters were relatable, unique and complex. I loved Fern, she was very witty, sarcastic, brave, strong and sassy. Fern’s character development was great, at the beginning she was unsure of her future and not confident but by the end she found her next path. I really liked Astryx, she was loyal, strong, resilient and brave. I wanted to learn more about her past and how it shaped her present qualities. The side characters were wonderful especially Viv, Zyll, Cal and Tandri. The ending was heartwarming and I’m glad the conflict was resolved. I liked that Fern reflected on the past events at the end of the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who loved cozy fantasy, wonderful characters and engaging writing.
I recommend this book to anyone who loved cozy fantasy, wonderful characters and engaging writing.
December 24, 2025
will i ever stop reading cozy fantasy even tho i find it boring? no because i want to like it and clearly i never learn my lesson. in my defense this one sounded more up my alley and it lowkey was… somewhat
November 7, 2025
Decidedly less cozy than previous books, Brigands and Breadknives is still fun and charming. It follows Fern going through a mid-life crisis of sorts when she gets drunk and runs away from her bookshop. She joins up with an unexpected crew - a legendary warrior without much drive left and a captive goblin who is extremely chaotic. Along the way she unpacks what made her leave, what frightens her about change, and discovers what she wants now. This one is fairly action-heavy but as someone right around mid-life it felt kind of relatable with a comforting message- it's okay if a thing you used to love isn't your passion anymore. The audio narration is fantastic as always. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
July 13, 2025
I loved learning things about all the new characters we met but I couldn't care about anything else and I'm sad about it ):
October 12, 2025
I found this book to be enjoyable, but lacking some of the charm of the previous two books in the series that I had read. I think partly where it was lost for me was that there were so many fight scenes. Those tend to be my least favorite parts. I don't find them tense or engaging; I just want to skim over them and in this case I found my mind wandering at those times. The fight scenes were important to the story because you learned a lot about the characters and saw how their relationships grew and changed, but I just didn't find them very interesting.
We have new characters in this one and the return of Fern, who is going through a midlife crisis of sorts. The new characters were mostly wonderful, even if some had to grow on you. However, I missed Viv and wished we saw more of her in this one, in addition to a couple of other past characters.
Overall, this was a good read, just not quite as great as the previous books in the series for me. I did enjoy the character growth and the heartwarming story at the core of this one. However, it felt a bit repetitive in some parts. If you enjoy the series, I would definitely recommend it. If you are just started out, I would not recommend starting with this one. Definitely at least read the prequel first. This one can technically stand alone, but the prequel will give you some background on Fern.
I listened to the audio version narrated by the author, Travis Baldree. He does a wonderful job narrating. If you enjoy audiobooks, it is worth a listen.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series. 3★
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
We have new characters in this one and the return of Fern, who is going through a midlife crisis of sorts. The new characters were mostly wonderful, even if some had to grow on you. However, I missed Viv and wished we saw more of her in this one, in addition to a couple of other past characters.
Overall, this was a good read, just not quite as great as the previous books in the series for me. I did enjoy the character growth and the heartwarming story at the core of this one. However, it felt a bit repetitive in some parts. If you enjoy the series, I would definitely recommend it. If you are just started out, I would not recommend starting with this one. Definitely at least read the prequel first. This one can technically stand alone, but the prequel will give you some background on Fern.
I listened to the audio version narrated by the author, Travis Baldree. He does a wonderful job narrating. If you enjoy audiobooks, it is worth a listen.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series. 3★
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 20, 2025
Not enough Thimble for my tastes, but still a very fun and moving exploration of depression and letting go over things that no longer give you joy
November 8, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!
this was another fun, lowstakes but action packed cozy fantasy novel in this universe!
i love that fern stayed true to herself and did what she felt was best for her, but acknowledged that her actions may have hurt those she cares about — i feel that’s true growth in a character.
as for the audio, i loved that travis baldree narrated his own books! i think it’s such a special touch when authors narrator their audios because they know the work and characters better than anyone else.
——
beyond excited to return to this world, and honored to have received an arc and alc!!
this was another fun, lowstakes but action packed cozy fantasy novel in this universe!
i love that fern stayed true to herself and did what she felt was best for her, but acknowledged that her actions may have hurt those she cares about — i feel that’s true growth in a character.
as for the audio, i loved that travis baldree narrated his own books! i think it’s such a special touch when authors narrator their audios because they know the work and characters better than anyone else.
——
beyond excited to return to this world, and honored to have received an arc and alc!!
September 24, 2025
Slightly less cosy, still a middle-life crisis, where Viv takes the backseat to Fern - our bookseller from the prequel.
Fern arrives at Legends and Lattes only to run away, I mean get drunk and stow away, on the cart of legendary Astryx One-Ear, Blademistress and Oathmaiden who is delivering a strange goblin to collect the bounty.
Thus, Fern finds herself on a cart with a murder bird and a goblin with a mouth like a shark. Oh, and a talking sword called Nigel.
First things first, do you need to read Bookshops and Bonedust and/or Legends and Lattes to read this?
I would say, so far, each book kind of stands on its own. It would make a lot more sense to read the prequel to understand Fern’s background and the allusions she makes to her past. But Viv and the caffe are mostly just names and don’t play a part, so arguably you don’t need to have read Legends and Lattes.
This is travelling and a few battles, a few stays at inns and temples.
“I think for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t looking backward . . . or forward, either. So maybe I was looking at whatever is between those things.”
Fern is dissatisfied, but can’t understand by what or how to solve it. It took her a very roundabout way to find it out and I don’t really think it ties into the story arc of the series (if there is one), but we had a funny goblin and a horse called Bucket, so I was in for the ride.
Astryx was stoic and mostly silent and these seemed her only personality traits. Fern has a foul mouth, so her melancholy is covered by sass.
I like that this still remains low-stakes. Whilst there is more fighting, you always know the characters are safe. The goals are never world-altering and the characters' ambitions are normally personal or unknown even to them.
A cosy book to curl up with, narrated by the author himself.
My ranking:
1. Legends and Lattes
2. Bookshops and Bonedust
3. Brigands and Breadknives
Physical arc gifted by Tor.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Fern arrives at Legends and Lattes only to run away, I mean get drunk and stow away, on the cart of legendary Astryx One-Ear, Blademistress and Oathmaiden who is delivering a strange goblin to collect the bounty.
Thus, Fern finds herself on a cart with a murder bird and a goblin with a mouth like a shark. Oh, and a talking sword called Nigel.
First things first, do you need to read Bookshops and Bonedust and/or Legends and Lattes to read this?
I would say, so far, each book kind of stands on its own. It would make a lot more sense to read the prequel to understand Fern’s background and the allusions she makes to her past. But Viv and the caffe are mostly just names and don’t play a part, so arguably you don’t need to have read Legends and Lattes.
This is travelling and a few battles, a few stays at inns and temples.
“I think for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t looking backward . . . or forward, either. So maybe I was looking at whatever is between those things.”
Fern is dissatisfied, but can’t understand by what or how to solve it. It took her a very roundabout way to find it out and I don’t really think it ties into the story arc of the series (if there is one), but we had a funny goblin and a horse called Bucket, so I was in for the ride.
Astryx was stoic and mostly silent and these seemed her only personality traits. Fern has a foul mouth, so her melancholy is covered by sass.
I like that this still remains low-stakes. Whilst there is more fighting, you always know the characters are safe. The goals are never world-altering and the characters' ambitions are normally personal or unknown even to them.
A cosy book to curl up with, narrated by the author himself.
My ranking:
1. Legends and Lattes
2. Bookshops and Bonedust
3. Brigands and Breadknives
Physical arc gifted by Tor.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
dnf
January 6, 2026Zostawiam, bo nie mam przestrzeni w głowie, ale na pewno wrócę!
November 23, 2025
I went into this expecting something easy and light during a rough week and instead I got insta-coma. No joke, I picked this up four times in one afternoon and three of the four instances sent me off to dreamland. Worse, when I tried to get back into it two days later I had no idea what was going on and had to backtrack.. which just extended the pain further. But fueled by morning light and coffee, I finished it before it could finish me off again.
Whoops, let's sheathe those claws, sorry.
I've very much enjoyed this series up until this point but something, be it wrong time or the story itself or maybe both, just didn't align with this one. I was just so so bored and completely disconnected; but for those worried the boredom came from an overdose of cozy.. actually, no. This has more action and adventure than the rest. So, who can even say what the issue was but ultimately I just couldn't get invested.
If there's more to come, I will probably read on; but maybe with a little less enthusiasm and some lowered expectations.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Whoops, let's sheathe those claws, sorry.
I've very much enjoyed this series up until this point but something, be it wrong time or the story itself or maybe both, just didn't align with this one. I was just so so bored and completely disconnected; but for those worried the boredom came from an overdose of cozy.. actually, no. This has more action and adventure than the rest. So, who can even say what the issue was but ultimately I just couldn't get invested.
If there's more to come, I will probably read on; but maybe with a little less enthusiasm and some lowered expectations.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
November 19, 2025
Brigands & Breadknives
by Travis Baldree
This author had been one of my top narrators and is now one of my favorite authors! When I want something to read but am not really sure what to read, his books are the definite answer! Heartwarming, funny, soul-searching, adventure, witty, intelligent, great dialogue, unique characters, entertaining plot, and wonderful world-building. I really can't praise this book enough. A must-read! Read the first one too, just because it is awesome!
by Travis Baldree
This author had been one of my top narrators and is now one of my favorite authors! When I want something to read but am not really sure what to read, his books are the definite answer! Heartwarming, funny, soul-searching, adventure, witty, intelligent, great dialogue, unique characters, entertaining plot, and wonderful world-building. I really can't praise this book enough. A must-read! Read the first one too, just because it is awesome!
February 25, 2026
3.5 stars. reading vlog: https://youtu.be/SJY1WjjPKKU
so so sad about this one :(( one of my favourite series and I do think this book has some great stuff to say about not having to live a life that no longer fits you, and has Baldree's trademark wonderful writing and characters, but it felt a bit meandering and like nothing was really driving the plot forward. just didn't grab me like this series usually does
so so sad about this one :(( one of my favourite series and I do think this book has some great stuff to say about not having to live a life that no longer fits you, and has Baldree's trademark wonderful writing and characters, but it felt a bit meandering and like nothing was really driving the plot forward. just didn't grab me like this series usually does
November 14, 2025
Fern, the likeable, no-nonsense bookseller from Bookshops & Bonedust is back. She's been talked into setting up a new store right beside her pal Viv's coffee shop, but she soon realizes that she's tired of just selling stories about adventures. Perhaps . . . she'd rather have an exploit of her own.
And that she does, a doozy of an exploit, filled with excitement, and chills, and talking weaponry. AND, she gets to utter a phrase that I hope to work into a conversation as soon as possible - "feculent sack of shitweasels"
Fern is my hero and quite possibly my spirit animal as well.
This was another fine and funny entry in the series that must NEVER end.
Many, many thanks to the Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for sharing this.
And that she does, a doozy of an exploit, filled with excitement, and chills, and talking weaponry. AND, she gets to utter a phrase that I hope to work into a conversation as soon as possible - "feculent sack of shitweasels"
Fern is my hero and quite possibly my spirit animal as well.
This was another fine and funny entry in the series that must NEVER end.
Many, many thanks to the Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for sharing this.
December 12, 2025
“She was grossly inebriated… And suffered a crisis of purpose, which led her to climb into the wrong wagon, and my lady has graciously allowed her to travel with us.”
I mean, we’ve all been there, right?
This is an amusing addition to the Legends & Lattes world that demonstrates the type of fighting and journeys Viv retired from. Fern doesn’t know what she’s looking for but the right adventure and friends find her, and, in the end, Fern also finds herself.
I think you should accompany Fern on her discovery as well!
I mean, we’ve all been there, right?
This is an amusing addition to the Legends & Lattes world that demonstrates the type of fighting and journeys Viv retired from. Fern doesn’t know what she’s looking for but the right adventure and friends find her, and, in the end, Fern also finds herself.
I think you should accompany Fern on her discovery as well!
November 26, 2025
Good fun story. I found it the least enjoyable of the 3 books but still an entertaining read. Every hero needs a Nigel or Breadly as a companion! Recommended
November 17, 2025
Some hard truths: I expected/wanted some extremely low-stakes feel-good relax-time learning to get along with people and build relationships, all in a fantasy setting that seems suspiciously like our world. You know, like the first Legends and Lattes. That was its selling point and its emotional-satisfaction point.
This one, while continuing with at least one character from the original, the bookseller Fern, winds up being a series of misadventures and outright travel-adventure that is almost entirely a "standard" fantasy adventure. One, I might mention, could have been taken out of any cookie-cutter fantasy novel with a small group of adventurers from the last four decades of fantasy novels. D&D or otherwise.
Its selling point isn't the same as the original, alas. You have to be invested in the original character and have to want to see what running away from your emotions will get you. That's pretty much it.
Of course, that's not to say that the novel was bad. It isn't. But taken on its own merits, I have to say it's just average. Standard. And frankly, because I was wanting the cozy friendship-building mechanics of the first, I found myself sometimes getting downright annoyed by how much action and adventure was in THIS novel.
Isn't that odd? Downright strange?
Well, it is what it is. By losing the cozy edge, it moved into standard light fantasy fare, losing a bit of my trust in the series. I can only hope it comes back to the cozy-core later.
Wandering Inn, this is not.
This one, while continuing with at least one character from the original, the bookseller Fern, winds up being a series of misadventures and outright travel-adventure that is almost entirely a "standard" fantasy adventure. One, I might mention, could have been taken out of any cookie-cutter fantasy novel with a small group of adventurers from the last four decades of fantasy novels. D&D or otherwise.
Its selling point isn't the same as the original, alas. You have to be invested in the original character and have to want to see what running away from your emotions will get you. That's pretty much it.
Of course, that's not to say that the novel was bad. It isn't. But taken on its own merits, I have to say it's just average. Standard. And frankly, because I was wanting the cozy friendship-building mechanics of the first, I found myself sometimes getting downright annoyed by how much action and adventure was in THIS novel.
Isn't that odd? Downright strange?
Well, it is what it is. By losing the cozy edge, it moved into standard light fantasy fare, losing a bit of my trust in the series. I can only hope it comes back to the cozy-core later.
Wandering Inn, this is not.
February 22, 2026
3.5 stars!
This was a cute fantasy story—and just what I was in the mood for.
Fern was a lovely character to follow and the road trip element was fun, expanding the world a bit and adding more action to the story. The characters were, again, wonderful & relatable (always love a good found family trope), and the stakes low, yet the plot still engaging.
It was mostly what I expected going in, and it certainly delivered on the entertainment front, however, it didn’t give me the same cozy vibes as Legends & Lattes. I felt like something was missing, though it’s hard for me to pinpoint what exactly. I know, I would’ve loved to see more from Viv, but that’s, of course, not what this story was about. Still, I had a good time and certainly look forward to whatever else the author puts out.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute fantasy story—and just what I was in the mood for.
Fern was a lovely character to follow and the road trip element was fun, expanding the world a bit and adding more action to the story. The characters were, again, wonderful & relatable (always love a good found family trope), and the stakes low, yet the plot still engaging.
It was mostly what I expected going in, and it certainly delivered on the entertainment front, however, it didn’t give me the same cozy vibes as Legends & Lattes. I felt like something was missing, though it’s hard for me to pinpoint what exactly. I know, I would’ve loved to see more from Viv, but that’s, of course, not what this story was about. Still, I had a good time and certainly look forward to whatever else the author puts out.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2025
I am not exactly sure if I'm just over the whole cozy fantasy genre or if this book just wasn't my thing. I have read and loved the other two books in this series but this one was my least favorite of the three. Some will complain about the use of foul language and I will say I was surprised at first with the use of the "F" word. Foul language doesn't bother me but I was surprised to see it in cozy fantasy. I also felt the story didn't align with the other books in this series. This one is more high stakes than the others and I didn't really love Fern in this book. All this to say that this isn't a bad book, but this one sadly misses the 5 star mark for me.
The audio narration by the author is done well as always and I appreciate the work put into all of the voices.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 11/11/25
The audio narration by the author is done well as always and I appreciate the work put into all of the voices.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 11/11/25
December 24, 2025
4.5 stars. Heartwarming, utterly charming, and reminiscent of your favorite old-timey, D&D-esque fantasy adventures, Brigands & Breadknives is much more action-packed than its predecessors but no less cozy.
December 12, 2025
This was great! Fern is an absolute delight, as is the supporting cast. Less cozy than Legends and Lattes, but such a fun, heartwarming adventure!
November 12, 2025
I really wanted to love this book. As someone who’s been a big fan of the previous books in the series, it honestly pains me to say that this one just didn’t work for me.
I didn’t connect with the main character at all — her struggles felt unconvincing, and I was especially disappointed by the choices she made. What she did to Viv felt out of character and honestly kind of hurtful, and the fact that she left her pet behind? That was a major no for me.
Like others have mentioned, the tone of this book felt off. The series started as cosy, character-driven stories full of heart, but this one tried to balance that with a more mysterious, adventure-style plot and ended up somewhere in the middle — not cosy enough to comfort, not adventurous enough to thrill. The pacing felt flat, and the further I got into it, the more I struggled to stay engaged.
I didn’t connect with the main character at all — her struggles felt unconvincing, and I was especially disappointed by the choices she made. What she did to Viv felt out of character and honestly kind of hurtful, and the fact that she left her pet behind? That was a major no for me.
Like others have mentioned, the tone of this book felt off. The series started as cosy, character-driven stories full of heart, but this one tried to balance that with a more mysterious, adventure-style plot and ended up somewhere in the middle — not cosy enough to comfort, not adventurous enough to thrill. The pacing felt flat, and the further I got into it, the more I struggled to stay engaged.
November 23, 2025
Legends & Lattes ★★★★ 1/4
Bookshops & Bonedust ★★★★
Brigands & Breadknives ★★ 1/2
No one is as surprised as I am!!
Bookshops & Bonedust ★★★★
Brigands & Breadknives ★★ 1/2
No one is as surprised as I am!!
January 8, 2026
This book was incredibly disappointing and I'm struggling to figure out why. I think it might be because in a series that has so far been cozy stories about romance and found family, this book tried to keep that tone while telling an adventure story with stoic & mysterious characters. It was a fun story, but was too adventurous to be cozy and too cozy to have thrilling action sequences. Instead, the whole story just fell flat.
I also felt like Fern didn't have any major flaws. She was a cute little mouse having a midlife crisis but didn't have any real growth or conflict.
This book lacked all of the things that made the previous books a joy to read. The romance was subpar, the characters were so "mysterious" that they fell flat, and the story didn't feel like it went anywhere interesting.
I also felt like Fern didn't have any major flaws. She was a cute little mouse having a midlife crisis but didn't have any real growth or conflict.
This book lacked all of the things that made the previous books a joy to read. The romance was subpar, the characters were so "mysterious" that they fell flat, and the story didn't feel like it went anywhere interesting.
August 8, 2025
Fern has decided to relocate her bookstore near to where her friend Viv has established Tomes and Tea. Viv and her partner and the townspeople help Fern get set up, transforming an old building into a welcoming business, but despite a successful first day, Fern gets drunk and hides in the wagon of a legendary elf warrior, Astryx (I kept thinking of the French comic Asterix). Fern is a hard protagonist to like at the beginning: she not only leaves the kind townspeople and her friend in the lurch, but also abandons her gryphet, Potroast. Her main claim to fame seems to be what sentient bread knife Breadlee calls “a tart mouth;” a vocabulary replete with little else but curse words. Fern is on a journey to find herself, and it’s a long strange trip. Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC.
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