Tales from the Territory

Legends & Lattes

by Travis Baldree (Author/Narrator)

Read by the author, Travis Baldree.

From international bestseller Travis Baldree, Tales from the Territory is a beautiful collection of cosy fantasy tales, set in the much-loved world of Legends & Lattes.

There are many tales yet untold . . .

'GOBLINS & GREATCOATS': Chaos goblin Zyll is involved in a case of mistaken identity, where she solves a murder at an inn whilst simultaneously stealing all the cutlery.

'JUST A THIMBLEFUL': The sweet rattkin baker Thimble finds a new home for his soon-to-be famous cinnamon rolls.

'PAGES TO FILL': An act of mercy leads to a life-changing discovery for warrior orc Viv.

In 'MIROGRAPH', young succubus Tandri assists a university professor on a mysterious project where art and science collide.

In 'CAVALIERS & COFFEES', Viv, now the owner of Legends & Lattes coffee shop, discovers that imitation is not the highest form of flattery.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Cozy, Cozy Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, LGBT

2 pages, Audible Audio

First published September 30, 2026

About the author

#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.

Reviews

[* A Reader Obsessed *]

4 Stars

It’s no secret that I highly enjoy this warm hug of a series that brings the fantasy element but only requires one to sit back and enjoy the journey, and this collection of short stories featuring beloved characters continues to deliver consistently.

Granted, I had already read from previous offerings about mischievous/mysterious goblin Zyll, as well as when Viv encountered her first cup of coffee solidifying her journey towards a nonviolent life, but the three additional stories were a comforting visit back to this world Baldree has created.

So if you’d like to see a glimpse into Tandri’s young life as an academic or how brilliant Thimble is with his yummy sweet creations then go no further! There’s also a story about how Viv and the gang are faring after Legends & Lattes where they face the challenge of competition!

Again, there is no huge flash and bang here (though the story Pages to Fill may argue that with), but this consistently delivers snippets of fun, action, poignancy, everyday life, and wonderful found family. Overall, this collection simply reinforces why fans, and I, love this world!

Thank you to the author and Subterranean Press via NetGalley for a copy to review honestly

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can*]

Goblins and Greatcoats 4 stars 🌟

Just a Thimbleful 4 stars 🌟

Pages to Fill 4 stars 🌟

Mirograph 4 stars 🌟

Cavaliers and Coffees 4 stars 🌟

Characters: 5 stars 🌟 as always ✨️
----

A wonderful collection 😍 Visiting these characters is a warm hug and a feeling like coming home ❤️.

[Melanie (meltotheany)]

.5) Bookshops & Bonedust ★★★★★
1.) Legends & Lattes ★★★★★
*.) 2.) Goblins & Greatcoats ★★★★
2.) Brigands & Breadknives ★★★★

ohhhhhh i am excited for this <3

[Lexie]

Just about choked on my diet coke when I got the ARC approval email

• "Goblins & Greatcoats" - 4 ⭐
Previously read 12/8/2025
Zyll is basically just Benoit Blanc with an affinity for cutlery and we love her for it

• “Just a Thimbleful” - 4 ⭐
This was such a cozy lil read for the first day of fall! Thimble's love for baking really shines, and it was so wonderful to finally see how he found himself at Legends & Lattes. Now I really want a cinnamon roll.

• "Pages to Fill" - 3 ⭐
Viv is such a softie

• "Mirograph" - 2 ⭐
Though we follow Legend & Latte's Tandri, this prequel short story feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the collection. Baldree was clearly trying to explore an AI-like scenario within a fantasy setting, but overall the effect didn't really add to the worldbuilding of the Territory or the character growth of Tandri. I wanted more from this one.

• "Cavaliers & Coffees" - 4 ⭐️
This is the exact kind of short story I was hoping for out of this collection. What a way to bring it all home in the end!


Overall Review:
This was a wonderful little dose of coziness. This world is so charming, and while I'm sad my fave Fern didn't make an appearance, it was lovely to return to Viv and the gang, as well as get some interesting tidbits about the pasts of some of our beloved side characters. Definitely not required reading for the series, but it was a delightful time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the ARC!

[Christiana Joy]

Thank you, Travis for writing this collection of stories. I love when authors do this as it feels like a love letter to the fans of the primary works.

Getting to see all of my favorite characters again was a joy, and getting backstories on some of my favorite minor characters was even sweeter.

[Kayla Brown]

Travis Baldree has created such a wonderful world, and Tales from the Territory does an excellent job of expanding it. I love how each story expands each character's story from the other books and fills in the gaps in their stories. By far my favorite story was Thimble's! Each story is perfectly cozy and perfectly encapsulates the happy feeling of reading Legends and Lattes for the first time. Thank you to Netgalleya and Subterranean Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[A Dreaming Bibliophile]

Thanks to NetGalley, Subterranean Press and Macmillan Audio for providing me with advanced copies.

Legends and Lattes was my first cozy fantasy. I've read a lot since then but it still has a special place in my heart. These stories were as wholesome as ever and it was nice to learn more about the characters' past, little snippets of their lives and origin stories. I would recommend reading this only after you've at least read the first book. I liked the last story the best, Cavaliers and Coffees where the full gang is now together and dealing with a copycat and our favorite cafe is here. I'll definitely be reading any upcoming books in this series.

The audiobook was great as always, narrated by the author. The voices are all well differentiable. Definitely added to my reading experience.

[Emily]

A lovely set of stories in the same tone and world of Legends and Lattes! Lots of familiar and fun characters here to follow.

My particular standouts were Goblins & Greatcoats, and Mirograph.

Travis Baldree’s narration is impeccable, as always. Zyll’s voice is particularly striking, though there’s great tone and variation across all characters.

Thanks to Travis Baldree, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the audio ARC!

[Mela]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I’m not a huge fan of anthologies, but when I saw that we were getting glimpses into the pasts of some of my favorite characters in this series I knew this was going to be for me. Granted I did enjoy some more than others, but this was stills great collection and it showed a bit for each of them as well as them coming on as a team to solve problems for their coffee shop at the end.
My two favorites were “just a thimbleful” because Thimble is my favorite character and I loved seeing how he got to be the baker and having a life and career he is loving. I also loved “cavalier and coffees” because again I loved seeing our crew back together! The other stories were quite good as well!

[Yuuto]

I received a digital review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Sometimes you read a book, and when you’re done, you just want to close it, sigh happily, and hold it to your chest. Well, this is one of those books. I love the Legends&Lattes universe…it’s just so darn cozy and feel-good, absolutely perfect to read when you’re sad or stressed or just existing in the tire fire that is the world.

I think the story featuring Thimble was my favorite, it gave me all sorts of emotions. The stories gave us a little bit of backstory on characters that we know and love.

If you’ve enjoyed the other books in this series, give this one some love in October! Treat yourself to the book and a nice hot beverage to enjoy with it.

EDIT: SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
I received a review copy of the audiobook version of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I always love listening to Travis Baldree’s narrations, he’s got a very calming way of reading his books that really adds to the overall charm of the series. This was no exception; it really made the book more enjoyable for my second “readthrough.”

[Mimi Schweid]

Give me the ISBN for the physical book dang it. Instagram is taunting me. https://www.instagram.com/p/DUtKkCtiuvK/

[Pujashree]

The world of Legends and Lattes is already a beloved one. So this was a lovely little collection of individual journeys of characters we love at an earlier point in their lives and how they found their way to the community they build in their coffeeshop. I love how each story has its own narrative tone appropriate to each character. Zyll's crime solving caper is subversive and hilarious. Thimble's journey towards rewarding work is one of inspiration and self-actualization. Viv's seems pretty much in the same tone as the rest of the series since she is the protagonist; this time it's the events immediately before she discovered coffee. Tandri's is kind of dark academia, and kind of my least favorite just by virtue of its jarring departure from the coziness of this series. But the final story is well after their HEA in L&L, and now it's about how to keep their coffeeshop romance going when shifty competitor comes into town. The collection is very well-constructed and amplifies the original novel by making us a bit more invested in the journeys of the individuals. I just wish there was a story about Cal as well who is so central to the creation of L&L. I needed a return to this world for a bit between heavy reads. Thanks to Netgalley for the ebook ARC.

[Ryan]

A cozy collection of short stories for those looking to return to the wolrd of Legends and Lattes. Each of the five stories has the charm and quaint nature that three books written by Travis Baldree contained. These short stories are perfect for those looking for more of the characters who we already fell in love with. Although the stories might not reach the emotional highs of the previous book, returning to the world of the Territories for a short amount of time is worth it.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced copy from Netgalley.

[Stacey Markle]

Travis Baldree can do no wrong in my eyes!
I absolutely needed these 5 new tales in the Legends & Lattes world.

Goblins & Greatcoats - a story from Zyll's POV, you had me at stealing cutlery...I may also have done that a time or two (good spoons are hard to find!) adorable

Just a Thimbleful - my fav of all the stories, Thimble isn't treated very well where he works and his talents are wasted...until a random walk brings him home.

Pages to Fill - Viv at her finest

Mirograph - a more serious story with Tandri, a lot of very cool tech and a sad, but needed ending

Cavaliers & Coffees - We are back with Viv and some competition that doesn't play by the rules.

Back stories and a deeper understanding of our most loved characters. Of course, impeccable narration by the author himself. No one does his characters better.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this lovely group of stories. My thoughts are my own.

[Amela]

I love Travis Baldree's writing and the Legends & Lattes world and characters, so it was such a treat to delve back into this world and learn more about Zyll and Bradlee, Viv and Thimble's pasts, and the aftermath of Legends & Lattes. It was especially fun getting these little glimpses into characters and moments we didn't get to see in the previous books, and it reminded me why I enjoy spending time in this world so much.

My only complaint is that I wish we could have gotten more! I would happily read so many more stories about these characters and their lives before, during, and after the events of the main books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the ARC!

[BookishKB]

☕ Tales from the Territory ☕

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy
• Slice of Life
• Found Family
• Cozy Café
• Low Stakes Fantasy
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: September 30, 2026
Thank you to Subterranean Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter]

I’ve had the complimentary eARC of Tales from the Territory from Subterranean Press via NetGalley sitting on my Kindle for months, and I kept pushing it off. Not because I didn’t want to read it, but because, well… ARCs happen. 😂 And honestly, I’m so glad I waited because in the meantime I received the ALC from Macmillan Audio, which meant I could immersion read this one. And that turned out to be the absolute best way for me to experience it.

Usually, with the exception of memoirs, I’m not a huge fan of authors narrating their own books. There are very few exceptions to that rule, even when the author is a narrator themselves. Travis Baldree is absolutely one of those exceptions. He knows these characters inside and out, and that familiarity really comes through in the narration. He did a fantastic job bringing all five of these very different stories to life, and the audio added an extra layer of charm to an already cozy collection.

And speaking of the stories, this format worked ridiculously well for me.

I love playing D&D, but sometimes when I’m reading LitRPG or other stories that feel heavily influenced by role-playing games, I find myself getting a little disconnected. My brain wants to take over. I want the adventure to go the way I think it should go, or I want to roll for the outcome instead of simply watching the characters make their choices. 😂 With Tales from the Territory, though, the short-story format gave me just enough of that role-playing-game feeling without giving my brain time to wander off and start trying to run the campaign itself.

Each story is its own little adventure, and because they’re short, I stayed completely engaged while still having plenty of room for my imagination to fill in the edges. It felt a little like getting to sit down for a handful of quick D&D side quests with characters I already knew and enjoyed.

And there really is something for everyone here. The stories are all quite different, even though they share the same world and that unmistakable Baldree coziness. We get glimpses into familiar characters and their histories, including Zyll, Thimble, Viv, and Tandri, while also seeing different corners of the Legends & Lattes universe. There’s humor, mystery, adventure, friendship, magic, and of course plenty of that low-stakes, character-driven storytelling that makes this world so easy to settle into.

If you love Legends & Lattes, this feels like getting a little more time with characters you already know without needing another full-length adventure. But I also appreciated that these stories can stand on their own. They’re connected to the Legends & Lattes universe, but you don’t need to have every piece of the series memorized to enjoy what’s happening. That said, if you already love the series, there’s an added layer of fun in recognizing the characters and getting those little pieces of their stories that you didn’t necessarily know before.

For me, this was exactly the right kind of return to this world. It’s cozy without being boring, whimsical without being overly sweet, and varied enough that the collection never felt repetitive. And experiencing it through Travis Baldree’s narration made the whole thing even better.

Sometimes you don’t need a huge new adventure. Sometimes you just want a few more stories from a world you already love, a little more time with familiar characters, and an author who knows exactly how to make you want to stay awhile longer. Tales from the Territory gave me all of that, and the immersion read made it even more enjoyable. Four stars from me, and now I’m perfectly happy to spend a little more time in the Territory whenever Baldree decides to invite us back.

[Aisling]

This is a collection of short stories set in the same world as Legends and Lattes, Bookshops and Bonedust and the most recent Brigands and Breadknives. If you've already read and loved the other books in this universe, this really does feel like a little love letter to that readership. A lot of the stories feature characters that we already know and love, so there is something really comforting about getting to spend more time with them.

And as you'd probably expect from Travis Baldree, it's incredibly cosy. There is that same sense of warmth and community that makes his books so appealing.

For me though, the fact that it's a short story collection held it back a little. I'm just not a huge short story person. I inevitably find that some stories work much better for me than others, and when I find one that I really love, I usually end up wishing it was a full length book.

I also think I'm experiencing a little bit of cosy fantasy burnout at the moment, which probably affected my reading experience. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this collection. If you've loved the other books, I think it's a really lovely addition to what has come before.

For me, it was a solid three stars.

[Olga Godim]

3.5 stars
A nice collection of 5 short stories, all set in the same fantasy world as Legends & Lattes. I've read a couple of these stories before, published elsewhere, but three others were new to me, and all share Baldree's signature faint humor and his complex, multi-species world. Light and graceful. I enjoyed all the stories.

[Rebecca Turk]

Thank you netgalley for the arc!

Ill be so perfectly honest, I dont think there was any chance I wouldn't love this book. I get short stories about characters from one of my favorite books? Sign me up!

This could have been nothing but the story showing how Thimble ended up at Legends and Lattes and I would call it perfect.

Its an absolute joy to see more of the characters from Legends and Lattes.

Man I really just wanna say 5 stars made me cry, perfect book.

Theres a short story in here thats not new. Its been printed as an bonus story in copies of Legends and Lattes, but it belongs in this collection.

[Tristan]

Great collection of short stories, most of which look into the past of the characters you already know from the series. Anyone who has enjoyed the other three books should read this as well. The pacing was great and no time was wasted getting to the meat of why you like the books in the first place. I would say that this is a return to the cozy-fantasy form that I think Brigands and Breadknives deviated from, with the exception of Tandri's story that was almost more a sad/horror story. (Not scary, but you'll know once you read it)

[Cheryl]

I’m not a big short story gal, but I could live in this world forever. We get some origin stories and we get an update on the Legends & Lattes cafe. I loved it and I always love Travis Baldree’s narration.

[Alex Z (azeebooks)]

Full of the classic Legends & Lattes charm! It was nice revisiting old characters and glimpsing into their lives a little more. My only complaint is - why isn't there mooooreeeeeeeee!!

Everything about this series is a warm hug.

[Catherine]

Read it. You’ll love it.

[Madeline Newman]

—Thank you NetGalley.com for the ARC—

These stories were such a treat! The collection includes five short stories from the perspectives of Zyll, Thimble, Viv, and Tandri. I’m a huge fan of these types of lore-expanding narratives—little snippets from the lives of much loved characters after their main story has been told. My favorites were “Just a Thimbleful” (a peak into Thimble’s life before he joined up with our fave coffee crew) and “Mirograph” (a surprisingly eerie glimpse into Tandri’s past at school, which distinctly reminded me of the ickiness of artificially generated art). Per usual, in this newest addition to the world of Legends & Lattes, Baldree has created stories that I will be returning to again and again.

[Here_Lies_the_Bookdragon]

It's good to be back!

Tales from the Territory is a collection of short stories set in the world of Legends and Lattes, and it is delightful.

In Goblins and Greatcoats, we meet goblin Zyll (from Brigands and Breadknives) as she arrives at an inn where someone has just been murdered. She gets mistaken for someone else, feels no need to correct anyone, and ends up investigating the murder while stealing what seems like every piece of cutlery in the inn (including a brief cameo by book #3's titular breadknife).

In Just a Thimbleful, we meet Thimble the Rattkin in his life before he joins the cast of Legends and Lattes. He's taken over his dad's job baking for a rich family that really doesn't value his talents as they should. But he keeps finding ways to use his creativity anyway!

In Pages to Fill, we meet Viv before Legends and Lattes, on the job during which she first discovers coffee...

In Mirograph, we meet Tandri as a student, as she takes a job working for professor Almeda. She's researching a mirograph, and hires Tandri to help with recording her observations - drawing them, to be precise. But the mirograph is an odd thing, and Tandri gets increasingly concerned about the old woman.

The last story, Cavaliers and Coffee, is the only story that doesn't take place before the novels in which we meet the characters. Viv & Co notice a decrease in customers after someone sets up a competing coffee shop in town. It does seem suspiciously like a cheap copy of Legends and Lattes though. This story is perhaps best described as an ode to the locally owned independent shops, and I loved it.

This was a great selection of short stories, and I really enjoyed being back in one of my favourite fictional worlds. It's nice to go somewhere cosy in the midst of *gestures vaguely at everything*. It gave very good insight into some favourite characters, who remain delightfully themselves. I enjoyed seeing more of Viv and Tandri's backgrounds, and was especially pleased to learn more about Thimble and Zyll! While the stories can stand on their own, I would strongly recommend reading the full-length novels first. They will seem a lot less random that way, and you'll be able to spot and enjoy the Easter Eggs.

Anyway, this remains one of my favourite worlds to escape to. Every book has been a warm bath amidst the horrors, and this is no exception.

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for letting me read an eARC of this via Netgalley. All opinions are of course my own!

[Mark Redman]

A Cosy, Character-Driven Fantasy Read

I really enjoyed Tales from the Territory. Travis Baldree has such a talent for writing fantasy that feels incredibly easy to sink into, and this collection was no exception.

What I liked most was how much the stories focus on characters and small, meaningful moments rather than constantly trying to raise the stakes. The collection has real warmth, and I enjoyed spending time with characters like Viv, Tandri, and Cal as they navigate the wider world beyond Legends & Lattes.

My favourite story was the last Cavaliers and Coffee, about a rival coffee shop. I loved seeing more of Viv and Tandri their relationship and getting a glimpse of their life together outside the main events of the novel. It had the same cosy, heartfelt feeling that made Legends & Lattes so enjoyable, while still adding more depth to both characters.

The other stories were fun too, expanding the world and introducing different people and places. Baldree makes even brief appearances feel memorable, and I liked how each story had its own little personality.

It’s funny in places, wholesome without being overly sweet, and has that cosy Baldree feeling that makes his books so easy to pick up when you want something comforting. This isn’t a collection I’d recommend if you’re looking for nonstop action or a hugely complicated plot, but that’s not really what I wanted from it. I wanted something fun, relaxing, and character-driven, and it delivered.

Definitely one for anyone who enjoys cosy fantasy and Baldree’s particular brand of storytelling. I’d happily spend more time with Viv, Tandri, and the rest of these characters.
My thanks to both the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC and an honest opinion.

[MagicalBookShelbs]

what a sweet cozy return to this world!

I love when authors write novellas or short stories as a way to revisit or create more of a backstory for characters and it was so fun to see some of my fave characters in this collection of stories!

Goblins and Greatcoats shows a hilarious glimpse into Zyll's troublemaking ways.

Just a Thimbleful was my favorite and follows the sweet and quiet Thimble before he joins the Legends & Lattes crew.

Pages to Fill revealed Viv's first experience of coffee as well as more insight into her previous mercenary work.

Mirograph was one of Tandri's stories while she was in university and I thought a very pointed and true look into AI. Even though this is a medieval-esque world, there's no denying the author was targeting the rise of AI in this world and I loved that he did so.

Cavaliers and Coffees was unique as it comes after Legends and Lattes instead of before. I loved seeing all our faves now dealing with new problems and finding lovely solutions once again. The ending, similar to the first book, was a sweet wrap-up that also left the ability to expand the story if wanted.

My only con is where is Fern!!!! I'm guessing since the last book was all Fern, that's why she didn't show up in this one. But she's one of my absolute fave characters and isn't even mentioned in any of these stories which was super sad for me. I still had a cozy fun time with this one and highly recommend having a cup of coffee and a pastry while reading!

[Ali]

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me access to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

You know that feeling, when you catch up with an old friend you haven’t talked to in awhile, and you feel instantly in sync? As you reminisce, you get a warm cozy feeling, and forget how much time has passed? That’s what it was like for me listening to Tales from the Territory. I am catching up with old friends, hearing about their lives, struggles, loves, and dreams. I think readers who have already been introduced to the Legends & Lattes world will have a stronger connection to this book, because it’s characters we know. But it is also a cute, comfy fantasy story that can draw readers in who are looking for a low stakes story, where you know who to cheer for. I love returning to this world and imagine breathing in the coffee and tasting all of Thimble’s delicious treats. Well done, Travis Baldree.
Story: Like Olaf, I like warm hugs and these stories are warm hugs. Even with Viv and Tandri dealing with unethical competition to their business and other daily nuances, it feels real but manageable. It’s great to be back in this world.
Narration: Travis does a great job narrating his stories, doing all of the voices and accents. I stayed fully engaged in the story.
Audiobook Flow: The flow was great. This is a collection of stories, with the longest being the last. They’re all connected and in the same world so they flowed well. Good chapter transitions and pacing.
Recommendation: 5 stars, especially if you’ve read the other books in the series.

[Carrie Griffin]

I'm glad to be getting back into the world of Legends & Lattes again. It is such a cozy little series that feels absolutely perfect for fall. I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Travis Baldree, who is a great narrator. One of my favorite things is when an author narrates their own book and Travis always does a wonderful job doing so. If you are a fan of this world you definitely should pick up this short story collection. Below, I'll give a short review for each of the stories.

"Goblins and Greatcoats" - 4 stars
- Loved this mystery and Zyll as a character. Would love more cozy mysteries with her.

"Just a Thimbleful"- 5 stars
- A cute story that shows how Thimble found his way to Legends & Lattes to begin with. Such a sweet tale and I absolute adore Thimble.

"Pages to Fill"- 4 stars
- This story follows Viv on one of her many jobs and shows how she first came upon coffee. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

"Mirograph"- 4.5 stars
- We get to see Tandri as an art student at college as she tries to find her way. I loved getting more about her art and backstory.

"Cavaliers and Coffees"- 4.5 stars
- This one takes place after the events of Legends & Lattes with a rival coffee business opening up that is stealing Viv, Tandri, and Thimble's ideas. I enjoyed getting more of Viv, Tandri, Thimble, Cal, and many of the other characters.

Getting to visit these characters again felt like a warm hug. Absolutely wonderful collection!

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Travis Baldree, and NetGalley for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*