4.75

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Travis Baldree for the advanced listener copy. All opinions are my own.

Brigands and Breadknives follows Fern, the grumpy bookseller we first met in Bookshops and Bonedust, as she goes on a reluctant road trip with a group of chaotic strangers. There are goblins, bad decisions, and emotional avoidance. Beneath all the chaos, it is a wholesome story.

Don’t go into this expecting slice-of-life cozy. This leans more into cozy adventure. It doesn’t have the same warm fuzzy feelings, at least for me, that Legends and Lattes did. It’s a little more chaotic and on the move. Not a bad thing, just different. Once I adjusted, I was into it.

Fern is having a full mid-something akin to a midlife crisis, and as someone in my 40s, same Fern, same. I loved her potty mouth.

I was a little bummed that Viv doesn’t play much of a role in this one, but the new characters more than make up for it. Zyll the goblin was a standout. The two sentient swords, including one turned bread knife, were chaotic in the best way. Asterix One-Ear and Bucket both deserve their own spin-offs.

The pacing took a bit to hook me. There is a lot of bouncing from place to place, and at times it felt like the story didn’t quite know where it was going. The ending felt a little rushed and definitely didn’t go the way I had imagined it in my head.

I was surprised to hear Travis Baldree did the narration himself. Overall, he did a great job but it’s always going to be a pet peeve of mine when male narrators do female voices, or vice versa. Even when it’s done well, it pulls me out of the story. It never quite works for me.

It’s a different kind of cozy, less peaceful café vibes and more emotional chaos with sword fights, but it still has a lot of heart.

This was such a perfect continuation of this series. I loved Fern coming back into narrative. I enjoyed that this was different than the other two - since it's more focused on a D&D style adventure vs a shop in town.

Sigh. Unfortunately, this one was not for me.

This is my third book in this series, and once again, I am extremely disappointed, beginning to think that the first one was just an anomaly, as the following two novels have both received two stars from me.

The setting and storyline are honestly quite similar to the first two novels, which is great, but we do venture out in this one, which was nice. I did enjoy the new characters and learning all about them; this novel also had a lot of little quirky charm. However, my complaints from the second novel remain true here as well.

I just could not find it in me to care even the slightest bit about this plot. I finished it super quickly, and it is a nice little short read, but even so, I found it dragging because nothing was keeping my interest.

The language here is insane, honestly. I spoke about this in my book 2 review as well, but the explicit language is so unnecessary here. It takes you out of the setting too much. I think it is trying to add comedy, but it just comes off forced and juvenile. I do not mind language at all and use a lot of it lol, but it really was way way way too much here and super distracting.

Unfortunately, I think this will be my last attempt at this series if more is written. I just was too bored, and I think the shiny fun newness of cozy fantasy wore off after the first book for me.

If you did like his previous two books, then please do pick this up, I think you would continue to enjoy them! This was just not my cup of tea or my cinnamon roll.

I have been so excited to get back into the world of Legends and Lattes and this did not disappoint!
Fern is a rattkin who is going through a crisis of identity. She is looking for something more but doesn’t seem to know what more is. She goes on a very relatable journey while on an unexpected adventure with a great cast of side characters (elf, goblin, and sentient knives!).
Worth noting that the adventureness of this book jumps up a little from Legends and Lattes. I think it worked really well for Fern who has been needing something like this.
I listened to this book and in case you didn’t know, Travis Baldree (the author), is the narrator. He does a wonderful job and really brings the story to life. It is worth noting he can be listened to comfortably at many speeds, but this is the kind of story you will really want to slow down and savor the performance.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced audio copy.

Brigands & Breadknives is the least cozy book in this series so far. There was definitely more action and higher stakes in this one. I struggled a bit with the pacing and had some trouble in the middle of it. I liked how past characters showed up! I also really enjoyed the expansion on the world building. The ending was super rushed and I felt a little unsatisfied. However, I did love the theme of job anxiety lol. I related to that quite a bit!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so good! The atmosphere was so cozy and the characters were hilarious. I really enjoyed the adventure/quest and overall how heartfelt this story was.

Plot: 9/10
Pace: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyability: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character: Fern

Favorite Quote: ❝ “Look, I didn’t murder anybody. I was barely involved except for the stabbing part.” ❞

Fern finds herself running the bookshop right across from Legends & lattes, but soon begins questioning if that is what she really wants out of life. She gets drunk, accidentally finds herself far from home, and a bunch of adventure ensues. This book was much less cozy than previous books in the series. It was more typical fantasy, which is great, but not what I was expecting or hoping for. It was fun and full of action, but I was hoping for a bit more character development, particularly for Fern.

I did an immersive read and the audio was really well done. I love that Travis Baldree narrates his own books and the story and characters were definitely brought to life.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance copies.

“You have made my road a stranger but I’m so grateful to find my way by starlight again.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cozy, fun adventure with the foul-mouthed bookseller, Fern! Fern moves to be closer to her friend Viv and thinks opening a bookstore there will invigorate her life. Sadly, it doesn’t. What’s a rattkin to do but get drunk and climb into a wagon! She awakens to find she’s in the presence of a legendary warrior, an imprisoned goblin and sentient weapons! Together they have to fend off others wanting the goblins bounty. The narration by the author is beyond amazing, phenomenal and superb!!! I need more to this series but will definitely re-visit these fabulous adventures again and again!

Book to be published November 10, 2025. Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Travis Baldree for the complimentary ARC. Review is based on my thoughts and opinions.

Received as an ARC for Netgalley:

This was an outstanding book that really hit at a time I needed it most.

Fern makes mistakes and does things that aren't great, but the book balances her story with a real heart. It showcases that sometimes mistakes and being rash can lead you to the place you finally need to be.

A book with real heart to it. Hope Baldree never stops telling these stories as they are so important.

Absolutely delightful! Baldree is not only a wonderful narrator, but also a great storyteller! I liked this story ties into the Legends & Latte series, but it's expanding the world and cast of characters. Excellent book!

Returning to the world Travis Baldree built in Legends & Lattes is like any of the metaphors having to do with coziness - being wrapped in a warm blanket, having a cup of tea or cocoa or mulled wine or brandy, enjoying an evening by the fire in the company of friends.

Brigands & Breadknives takes us back to the time of Legends & Lattes but brings Fern, the bookseller Viv encounters in the prequel Bookshops & Bonedust, to Thune. By accident? after a night of overindulgence, Fern finds herself on an unexpected adventure instead of settling into the new bookshop next to her old friend’s coffee shop.

Brigands & Breadknives is full of excitement, danger, and humor, but also questions of fate, religion, ethics, and finding meaning and purpose in life - wrapped in a cozy fantasy adventure where new friendships are forged and old ones are cemented.

This third entry in Baldree’s series stands up to its sisters, and it’s a joy to return to his world.

A note on the audiobook: this is the first of these I’ve listened to, and, no surprise as he is an acclaimed audiobook narrator, it is excellently performed by the author himself and with high-quality production.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⸻

Audiobook Review – Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree
🎧 Narrated by the author
🗓️ Pub Date: November 11, 2025 | Publisher: Macmillan Audio
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

There’s something incredibly comforting about stepping back into a world like the one Travis Baldree has created with his Legends & Lattes series. This latest installment, Brigands & Breadknives, manages to be both familiar and fresh—cozy but also chaotic, heartwarming but with sharper edges than the previous books. And once again, I find myself swept up, this time not by a retired orc or a young Viv, but by Fern—the foul-mouthed, cynical, book-loving rattkin who finally gets to be the protagonist of her own story.

From the opening chapters, the story sets a different tone. While previous entries leaned into the low-stakes warmth of shopkeeping and small-town charm, this one flips it: Fern’s life starts out quiet, even stagnant, and spirals quickly into unexpected adventure. After uprooting her life to open a bookstore near Viv’s coffee shop, she’s hit with a wave of existential dread. That sense of “is this all there is?” is painfully relatable—especially for anyone who’s reached a milestone only to find that it doesn’t fulfill them the way they thought it would.

So what does Fern do? She drinks too much, stumbles into the back of a wagon, and wakes up in the middle of nowhere—hungover, disoriented, and now accidentally caught up in a bounty hunt led by a legendary elven warrior named Astryx. Along for the ride is Zyll, a chaos goblin with a coat full of mysterious objects and a deeply lovable weirdness. There’s also a sentient breadknife named Breadley, who speaks like a Victorian duelist and completely steals every scene he’s in.

The audiobook format brings all of this chaos vividly to life, and that’s entirely thanks to Travis Baldree’s performance as narrator. Baldree has a voice built for storytelling—warm, expressive, and perfectly tuned to every character. What really makes his narration shine is the way he modulates tone and energy. Fern’s sarcasm, Astryx’s calm stoicism, Zyll’s unpredictable ramblings, and even Breadley’s refined dramatics—all distinct, all believable, and all bursting with personality.

This is one of those rare cases where the author-as-narrator isn’t just good—it’s essential. Because Baldree knows his characters so well, he gives them depth even in their wildest moments. It’s not just about changing voices—it’s about making each one feel human (or goblin, or ratkin, or sentient cutlery) and emotionally real.

What surprised me most about Brigands & Breadknives was how introspective it is beneath all the humor and hijinks. Yes, it’s a fun road trip fantasy, complete with tavern brawls, magical mayhem, and unexpected alliances. But it’s also a story about purpose and identity. Fern isn’t on a traditional hero’s journey—she’s having a midlife unraveling. And I loved that. The book doesn’t treat her discontent like something shameful or easily fixed. Instead, it embraces the mess. One line that hit particularly hard was:
“Fixing your life isn’t a one-time prospect.”
That quote lingers. It feels honest, especially for readers (like me) who have reinvented themselves a few times and still aren’t sure they’ve landed.

There’s also a beautiful found-family thread running through the story. As Fern, Astryx, and Zyll are forced to travel together and fend off enemies trying to claim the bounty on Zyll’s head, they grow into something resembling a team—though never in the conventional sense. It’s awkward. It’s bumpy. But it’s real. Zyll in particular is a standout: mischievous, slightly unhinged, and sneakily wise. Her oddball energy balances Fern’s cynicism perfectly.

From a pacing perspective, the audiobook moves quickly but doesn’t feel rushed. The road-trip structure allows for episodic moments of danger, connection, and self-reflection. There are cozy interludes (one in a monastery, in particular, that adds unexpected emotional weight), and scenes of pure chaos, like a high-stakes tavern standoff where Breadley saves the day in the most absurd way possible. It’s this balance that makes the book work so well: it’s funny, but not shallow. It’s adventurous, but not aimless.

If I had one minor quibble, it’s that I wanted just a bit more resolution for Fern’s arc at the end. The epilogue hints at her next steps, but they felt slightly rushed compared to the emotional depth of the journey that led there. That said, I suspect this might be intentional—because life, after all, doesn’t wrap up in neat little chapters. Especially not in this universe.

Overall, Brigands & Breadknives is another win from Travis Baldree. It’s a slightly rowdier, more introspective entry in the cozy fantasy world he’s built, and the audiobook format only enhances its charm. Whether you’re already a fan of the series or new to the genre, this story is worth your time—especially if you enjoy character-driven adventures with heart, humor, and a dash of chaos.

If you’re looking for a story that reminds you it’s okay to be lost, okay to change direction, and okay to curse your way through the hard parts—this audiobook is it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me a copy of this ALC.

I thought this story was very well done, and an excellent addition to this fantasy series.

I was a big fan of the first book, Legends & Lattes, and how it tackled the idea of an Adventurer wanting to hang up their weapons and settling down into a quiet life.

Brigades And Breakknives takes that idea and flips it, because our MC Fearn has always lived the relatively quiet life of a bookshop owner. She’s someone who’s read about grand adventures and the heroes in them, but has never experienced such a life for herself. This story is more or less about what happens when someone stumbles into the opportunity of having a grand adventure with a legendary hero and along the way they learn what it is that they really want out of life and finally get the courage to go for it.

The characters in this one are the perfect assemble of unlikely friends and unlikely heroes. Fearn’s sassy behavior and foul mouth is the perfect balance to our hero’s stoic demeanor. Throw in a literal chaos goblin and talking weapons and this story becomes the best Dungeons and Dragons session ever.

The audiobook is very well done and very captivating. The narration is done by the author, which I think really helps in letting you feel who these characters are. Each one has a distinct voice and vibe to them, which helps pull you into the story.

If you like cozy, easy to read fantasies, and stories where heroes come out on top, then I think this is a fun one to pick up for a read or a listen.

I loved getting to revisit the whimsy and endearing characters in Baldree’s next L&L book installment.

Having a character explore what it is to be unsatisfied when your dreams change and you are desperate to find out what you need in your life was so relatable. I loved the introduction of a new cast of characters that engage with this world and the drift between lighthearted banter and high stakes battle that Baldree balances in his novels.

The ending took me by surprise! I can tell how intentional it was for the author to write and also believe it will likely divide readers. I was impressed with the direction it took and it made me want to invest even more time into the series in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Like the other books in this series this book is full of characters we already know and characters we are excited to get to know. Full of adventure and, if listening to the audio version- the author narrates it and does so amazingly

An epic yet cozy adventure! A story of a Bookseller who wakes up far from their new home, on an exciting yet cozy adventure meeting new and intriguing characters.

Travis Baldree does it again!

I unexpectedly loved Legends and Lattes and Bookshops and Bonedust, so when I saw there was a new story, I couldn't wait. Listening to Travis Baldree narrate his stories adds a depth to the tales that may be missed with another narrator. I loved Fern's journey and thought this crew of characters was delightful. I did want a bit more to the beginning of the tale and missed Cal and Viv. I cannot wait for this to be released to add to both my personal and my library's shelves.

There is something so comforting about the stories that Travis Baldree creates. Brigands & Breadknives focuses on Fern from Bookshops & Bonedust as she moves to the town of Thune to begin a new chapter of her life. Naturally, the journey she thinks she is about to embark upon is far different than what is actually waiting for her.

It took me a few chapters to become invested in this one, but, as always, the side characters pulled me into the story. I don't think this one tops the previous two books in the series, but it is a great addition that fans are sure to enjoy. I really hope there are more books to come in this series, or even a prequel that follows Satchel? I will happily read anything that Baldree publishes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

i LOVE LOVE LOVED legends and lattes but, to be honest, i was really looking forward to a cozy little story about a bunch of quirky little animals and sentient magical objects in a quaint little location. but this one was a less cozy little story in a bunch of not so quaint locations, though admittedly still with quirky little animals and sentient magical objects.

i think had this been a standalone book with standalone characters and less expectations of coziness, i would have rated this far higher. as it stands, with it being #3 (technically) in a book series of existing characters, it hits a little less hard. the prequel was so good because it contained viv and we learned more about her backstory. but after we have viv as a main character in 2 of the books, i did expect her to be at least a major side character in this one. i think part of why i loved fern so much in bookshops was partially because of how almost every interaction with her had potroast and the skeleton whos name i forget. also because of how much they Loved Books, but this story is almost entirely devoid of that

i dunno exactly, i just really feel like i would've liked this a lot better if it didn't have characters i knew and loved for other reasons that were either sidelined or changed. also, i didn't like the ending and fern's story and character arc didn't actually feel wrapped up. it felt like saving some action for another sequel which is disappointing in a series that has so far been full of cozy books that contain full stories

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book.

This was so cozy! It felt like I was hanging out with old friends. It's a nice adventure with some new characters, and familiar faces. I enjoyed learning more about Fern, and Zyll and her many pockets coat just being adorable and removing her shackles to just put them back on, like she just wanted friendship and an adventure too! Astryx's sentient sword reminded me of something out of Monty Python, it was wild and hilarious.
Found family is one of my favorite tropes, and this book is a perfect example of it. I was laughing out loud with this one. Travis Baldree is a cozy fantasy genius, his descriptive settings and the way the story flows just swept me away. I didn’t want it to end. I loved listening to it, and I will definitely be getting a hardcopy for my shelf when it's out.

Notes about Narration:
Absolutely nailed it! I loved it. It was engaging, and how Travis does all those voices is beyond me! I'm obsessed. Every character felt alive, and I was hooked. I appreciate a good audio book, and this one was fantastic.