This was a good story that ended in a place I didn’t see coming but also feels authentic to the main character. It’s less cozy fantasy than the previous two books, but still relatively low stakes fantasy that was fun and easy to read.

One of the best strengths of this series is that Baldree does narration as well as he writes. Of course I read everything by him and I listen to all of his audiobooks, because he's just so talented. And this book has the same heart that made Legends and Lattes so great.
It felt a little more high stakes -- I didn't even realize I was holding my breath during one particular action scene -- but again it's the characters that make this fantasy series so warm, cozy, and human.
I especially loved how the story starts at Legends and Lattes and then circles back around. I was so satisfied and happy when I was done, and I already plan to read it again soon. Thanks so very much to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this wonderful audiobook in exchange for an honest review

This sequel was everything I wanted it to be. The story was an adventure mostly for Fern and Viv is only in the very beginning and very end of the story.

The meat of the book is so comforting and atmospheric, it absolutely transported me to the world of Legends and Lattes. I adore the world-building in this series; it feels like a real place where I would love to go.

We meet a couple of interesting new characters in this tale and Fern gets to explore her inner self a bit along the way. The action is very high in this story but not at the expense of the cozy feel; however, it’s definitely enough to keep the pacing fast and the plot moving.

Thanks to Tor, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley, I was able to get copies of the ebook and audiobook versions and I enjoyed reading this in full immersion. Travis Baldree is a skilled audiobook narrator, with perfect diction and a wide range of distinct character voices. This will absolutely be a comfort re-read for me in the future, I can tell already. I will be purchasing this for myself and for my library’s collection, and will be recommending it to many patrons.

There aren’t same-sex relationships highlighted in this volume, but there’s more cussing in this one, as that is a peculiarity of Fern’s character, so keep that in mind when suggesting this to very conservative patrons and friends.

I would recommend this title to fans of cozy fantasy and folks who like tales of adventure and self-exploration.

Brigands & Breadknives is the 3rd book in the Legends & Lattes series by Travis Baldree. It features characters from both of the previous books, and follows Fern, who has reclocated to Thune to open her bookshop. One night, she finds herself in the middle of a full blown existential crisis and has too much to drink. She sits down in the back of a wagon, and promptly passes out, only to wake up the following day as an accidental stowaway. Here we meet her travel companions, the elf maiden Asterix (who is a warrior of legendary proportions) and the goblin Zil (who Asterix is bringing in to collect a bounty). After a huge adventure, Fern figures out the direction she wants to take her life, even if it doesn't include selling books.

I loved this book. Travis Baldree is a fantastic narrator, and he brought so much life to his characters. It felt like a warm hug for people who need some direction, and a little push to take a chance on something they normally wouldn't have tried. All of the characters were so fun, and I loved all of the new additions. I was, however, a little confused at the resolution. We meet an antagonist who really has it out for Zil, as in she literally says "She fucked my life." We never really find out what Zil has done to her, though. That's the only part of the story I struggled with. Everything else was great.

Netgalley and Macmillan audio provided me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions mentioned above are my own.

I loved returning to this world and getting to know a past character better. It has the same cozy vibes and found quirky family as the rest of the series.

I just finished Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldtree, and it wasn’t quite the cozy escape I was hoping for. The story didn’t pull me in, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged and connect with the plot.

That said, I did resonate with the underlying themes: the quiet ache of a midlife crisis, the feeling of being stuck in a career you no longer fit, and the yearning to turn your life upside down to find your bliss. Fern’s metaphorical journey through those emotions felt meaningful and gave the story a weight I appreciated.

I would like to add that Travis Baldtree is an amazing narrator. He does such a phenomenal job bringing his characters to life, nuanced performance and the technical skill of flipping through accents with enviable ease.

3.5 cheerful suns 🌞🌞🌞

Thank you so, so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for proving an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It was so wonderful to get to see Fern again. To get touch of her backstory and get to see her new story and develoment was so fun.

This story was less cozy than the first 2 books. but was still a warm hug of a story. Its such a wonderful quest of adventure and self discovery. Fern's struggles to find her path were so relateable.

Zil was absolute perfection, this chaotic goblin who always leaves you questioning made the story so funny. Pair her against the stoic Astryx who doesn't know what a similar path to Fern just so good! Seeing Astryx begin to open herself up was such a rewarding part of the story arc.

As always Travis Baldree as the audiobook reader is always a treat and I feel gives an even better feel in how intimately he knows the story.

A huge thank you to Macmillan audio for this audiobook ARC!

4.25
First of all, if you read this, you absolutely have to read the audiobook version as Travis Baldree narrates it himself and does an excellent job with voicing the various characters. His narration adds a lot of whimsy and humor to an already delightful tale. I was a bit worried at first that this was going to be the same old fixing up an old building to run a business but it isn't! Fern ends up on an unexpected adventure with a legendary elf warrior (with a talking sword) and a mysterious goblin. It was so fun to see more of this world and I loved the way Travis described the various places they visited. Fern has an existential crisis about actually wanting to be a bookseller or not and there is more action than his other novels.

I missed out on the earlier entries in the Legends and Lattes series, which may have impacted my enjoyment of Brigands & Breadknives, the latest in Travis Baldree’s cozy fantasy world. Full disclosure: I had to look up what cozy fantasy even was.

Here’s what ChatGPT had to say:

———————————————
Cozy Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction focused on low-stakes adventures, character-driven plots, and heartwarming themes.

Instead of epic wars or dark prophecies, these books center on:
• Found family
• Personal growth
• Small-town charm
• Gentle magic
• Everyday struggles (like running a business)

Think: Fantasy slice-of-life with heart—Ted Lasso meets The Lord of the Rings.

———————————————

That sounded promising! The book definitely delivered on the slice-of-life fantasy, but it didn’t feel especially cozy to me. The foul language felt out of place in a story that was supposed to be comforting.

Ultimately, I think I might have enjoyed it more if I’d known what to expect—or if I’d read the first book. This is very much a quirky, character-driven series, and I suspect some of the charm comes from following the relationships as they develop. I found my mind wandering and struggled to stay engaged or even care much about what was happening.

Travis Baldree does a fine job voicing the different characters. The performance was perfectly OK: not distracting, not amazing.

Text: ⭐️⭐️
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️½

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. These opinions are my own.

I received an ALC of Brigands & Breadknives from NetGalley and Tor/Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own.

Legends and Lattes continues to be one of my most favorite cozy fantasy series and I was happy to follow Fern’s story in book 3 after learning about her in Bookshops & Bonedust. Brigands & Breadknives definitely feels like it has more action than the previous two books but is still stuffed to the brim with found family and all the coziness you've come to enjoy and expect from the story and our main characters. I think we can all relate to the recurring themes within the series of self exploration and betterment, wanting something more than you have and finding your own happiness. Viv and Tandri are already living their happily ever after and now it is time for Fern to find hers with the support of her friends. Fern’s foul-mouth and sarcasm are front and center from page 1 and it sets the tone throughout the entire story as she stumbles from one shenanigan to the next. Baldree’s narration of the story also brings a familiar cohesiveness which just pulls you back in like you never left. I personally loved how he wrapped the series up and look forward to additional projects he may have.

Travis Baldree really knows the perfect recipe for a story filled with found family, finding your calling, and listening to your heart. This series is absolutely brimming with heartfelt moments, gentle adventure, and loveable characters that speak to my soul. I initially had a hard time getting into this story, but only because I was used to Viv's voice rather than Fern's. Once I was started, though, I couldn't put it down. Fern is such a wonderful character, especially for those questioning their own place in the world and their own need for belonging while not setting themselves aside for the needs and wants of others. This was a really special and delightful book and I'm so glad that I got a chance to read it.

I loved both Legends & Lattes & Bookshops & Bonedust so much, so I was absolutely thrilled to get an audio ARC of Brigands & Breadknives. We follow foul-mouthed rattkin Fern of Bookshops & Bonedust. as her & pet griffit Potroast move to Thune to open a bookshop next door to Viv’s coffee shop, but of course things don’t go quite to plan! I was initially a little disappointed to find that Viv doesn’t feature as heavily in this instalment, but we get some wonderful new characters that make up for it, particularly legendary elf warrior Asterix One-Ear, & my absolute favourite, goblin Zyll (previously seen in the short story Goblins & Greatcoats). I loved every minute of this, & will never, ever get bored of this series. Perfect cosy fantasy vibes with just the right amount of peril to keep you on your toes!

I jumped back into this world thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing! I read the prior two books in 2024, so I was excited to see where Baldree would take his universe next. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!

The story follows Fern, a bookseller who is going through a mid-life crisis. She thinks moving to a new town with old friends will help—but one drunken night’s escapades lead to a potential new path for her: adventures outside of the pages.

While the first two books follow protagonists who want a calmer life away from quests, this protagonist finds herself right in the middle of one. Personally, Fern is my favorite character and protagonist of the series. She is blunt, curses like a sailor, and shows the courage to never settle, no matter where you are in life. Her inability to censor her sailor mouth was so relatable—it had me falling in love with her even more. I, personally, have gotten better (I hope).
The side characters do not fail to bring humor, chaos, and enlightenment. We see the relationship between Asteryx and Fern grow over time as they traverse through each village. These starkly different adventurers may not share the same history, but their similarities and insecurities are unearthed, helping to nurture their friendship.

Zyll, a thieving and goofy hooligan, along with some of the STABBY things, amplifies the humor in this cozy fantasy. Fern and her gang go on many small quests, learning more about themselves and each other. These are some of the healthiest relationships I’ve seen in a novel, showing how the work on yourself is where it needs to begin in order to have these types of relationships and know your value.

The ending surprised me—in the sense that Fern truly chooses the path she feels is right for her. She can choose it at the end and declare it unapologetically and without doubt.

Narration by the author was so good! I read the physical books for the first two books so it was a fun ride as a first time listener to this world! His vocal variety and characterization adds further personality to our wily crew. (4.5 stars rounded up to 5)

Another fantastic tale from Travis Baldree. It's a little less cozy than the first story, but still cozy enough to qualify. I like that it didn't centre Viv this time and a travel tale is a nice change. I was looking forward to another tale set in a bookshop, but it's nice that Baldree isn't just rehashing his previous stories. I hope that he has more stories from this world to tell us.

While I do find Baldree to be an excellent narrator, it feels a little odd to hear these stories in a man's voice when the leads are all female. It wasn't a problem in the previous two stories because Viv being an orc makes the more masculine voice work, but this go around it just felt a little off to me. The narration was still great, and the bonus is that he clearly knows how he wants the names to sound, but there were a few points where it just wasn't working quite right for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book doesn’t publish until November, but I was too excited to wait when I saw that I was approved for the audio. Travis Baldree did a great job narrating and I loved his voice acting skills.

Such a cute, fun, exciting, cozy tale with a few twists and turns mixed in. I would have assumed that a sequel would have followed Viv, but Fern is such a sassy lil rat-lady that I didn’t mind one bit having her be our main character. She would make an amazing squire when she retires from adventure writing and I hope that comes into play in later books - maybe squiring for Viv 😉

CW/TW: violence, death

Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree is a heartwarming story about Fern, a sassy mouthed bookseller. She’s going through a midlife crisis and existential breakdown on a road trip. It’s a great addition to the series and a fantastic follow up to the Legends & Lattes series. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author who did a fantastic job.

Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree


Can you capture lightning in a bottle twice? Yes. Three times? That’s iffier.

I first heard about Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes from Seanan McGuire’s Twitter account. She often will talk about upcoming books that she loves, and she described it in such a way that I was very much looking forward to reading it.

It didn’t disappoint- it was a very nice, sweet, cozy story, and I really enjoyed it. It might have bordered on being too twee, and the inventions of cinnamon rolls and other coffee shop staples felt a tad too convenient at times, but that didn’t detract from the joys of the book.

So I was overjoyed when Tor and NetGalley gave me an eARC of the prequel, Bookshops and Bonedust. Set years before L&L, this book focused on a Viv who was just starting out in the mercenary business when she gets injured and stuck in a seaside town to recuperate. The cast of characters was even more fun than the last book, and Viv seemed either to be more well rounded or just better written in this volume.

Fast forward two years later and this new book, Brigands and Breadknives, which is a sequel to both! I received an audio eARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book focused on Fern, the ratkin bookseller from the last volume. It is now a few years since Viv opened up her coffee shop and Viv has convinced Fern to move to her city and open a new bookstore there. I loved revisiting this world and I mostly enjoyed the main chunk of this narrative. But the story begins with Fern disaffected with book selling for no discernible reason and being too afraid and/or embarrassed to tell Viv, and then accidentally running away.

I understand the author wanted Fern to go on an adventure. The problem is how he got her into it. It made Fern into both a moron and an asshole. She ends up just disappearing from her friends (and her pet!) with zero notice. And she acts very unlikable throughout much of the story. There are alot of wonderful things about this book, particularly the titular bread knife, but the author didn’t think enough about how much I would hate the protagonist for her choices in this book.

I listened to the audiobook of this novel at 1.75.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to listen to this 3rd book in the series. It was just as funny, adventurous and addictive as I’d hoped it would be.

Fern and her foul mouth crack me up and I’m so glad she got her own story. All of her travel companions were a blast too.

It’s a rare occasion when I feel like the author should narrate their own books, but I couldn’t imagine anyone better than Travis Baldree. In fact, I’d like him to read all my books from now on!

This cozy fantasy adventure series is one of my favorites.

This was a fun, emotional adventure, but not as good as the previous two books.

Fern, who we met, in Bookshops and Bonedust, has moved to Thune to open a bookshop next door to Legends and Lattes. This, however, doesn't fix her dissatisfaction with her life. After a night of trying to drink away her guilt and feeling lost in her life, she falls asleep in the back of a wagon belonging to Astrix One-Ear, a famed adventurer on a journey to collect a bounty on the delightfully chaotic goblin, Zyl. The ensuing adventure is lengthy, chaotic, and, at some points, a bit slow.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, as always. I find that Travis Baldree is really a master at character development. Even characters with minimal page time walk into the story feeling like full fledged individuals with their own quirks and histories. I think Zyl was my favorite in the book, but Astrix and Fern, and the friendship they developed, were also really great. I relate a lot to the way Fern felt lost and like she was living a life other people had chosen for her.

My only complaint is that the story did drag a little in places and it wasn't quite as engaging as the previous books. There were points where I stopped listening to the audiobook for days at a time and didn't feel compelled to pick it back up.

All in all though I really enjoyed it. And Baldree's narration was as fantastic as ever.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Baldree delivers another wonderfully crafted cozy fantasy. Thank you for the early audio! Baldree knows how to perfectly write and narrate these great tales. Perfect if you were a fan of either of the first two novels.

In Brigands and Breadknives we take a break from Viv’s story as she is still happily running her coffee shop, and instead turn our story on Fern. While Fern has always loved her job, it’s feeling a little monotonous and while getting away and trying to fix that, she ends up in a slightly higher stakes adventure.