If you are familiar with the Fantasy book community on social media, you may have already come across the novel “Legends & Lattes” a New York Times bestseller written and self-published by renowned audiobook narrator, Travis Baldree in February 2022. The author sets this slice-of-life story in a world that resembles that of the popular role-playing game, “Dungeons and Dragons”.
The narrative centers around Viv, a retired adventurer who, after a lifetime of battles, has decided to open a unique business venture – a coffee shop in a bustling town. Despite the novelty of this idea in this part of the world, where coffee is a rare commodity that virtually nobody is aware of, Viv has a secret that could give her an edge in her endeavor.
“Legends and Lattes” is a cozy and easy-going read. The story’s conflicts are not intense and are resolved in a pleasant manner on the following pages. Although I have not read many slice-of-life fantasy novels, manga and anime offer a good representation of this genre. I hope that the success of “Legends and Lattes” encourages the publication of more slice-of-life fantasy novels or at least draws attention to novels I may have missed.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel was the “found family” trope, which holds a special place in my heart. The protagonist, Viv, forms deep connections with a diverse cast of characters, and I found myself invested in these relationships. Baldree does an excellent job of making the reader care about Viv’s new best friends and the connections they form.
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