Experiencing this as an audiobook is truly magic. Having Travis Baldree narrate his own work is truly a privilege-he knows his characters better than anyone, and the way he brings them to life is just incredible.

The audiobook captures everything that makes this story shine. Fern’s hilarious dialogue, especially her witty profanities, is delivered with perfect timing. I found myself laughing out loud so many times!

The production of the audio itself is excellent. I’ve both read and listened to all of Baldree’s books, and while either format is wonderful, the audiobooks are my personal favorite. There’s just something about his narration style that makes the story hit differently-it feels like being told a tale directly by the person who dreamed it into being.

As for the story itself, Travis Baldree’s writing continues to impress me with its balance of cozy warmth and adventure. The story is filled with the heartwarming and immersive details I fell in love with in his earlier books, but this one also ramps up the action and adventure in a way that made it impossible to put down!

This was such a joyful and high-quality listening experience. If you’re debating whether to pick up the audiobook, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s cozy fantasy with humor, heart, and adventure at its best, told by the storyteller himself.

It was wonderful being back in the Legends & Lattes world. Loved following Fern her adventure with her new friends, Astryx, Zyll, and Breadlee. I liked that this was still cozy, but had a fun adventure with it. Also, Travis narrating the audiobook is never a bad choice. It just adds to the story he is telling. I like the direction Travis is going with the series and I can't wait for the next one.

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.

I was already an L&L series fan before, but this book proves that Baldree is only improving with practice. The plot is fast-paced straight through to the epilogue. The characters are engaging, and their emotional journeys are both believable and heartwrenching. The resolutions are satisfactory and left me eager for the next installment.

Not reviewing the plot of the first two books before reading will cause mild confusion for the first 2.5 chapters, and then the book takes off on its own journey. A simple review of the plot summaries should suffice.

Spice level: 0

Travis Baldree's Brigands and Breadknives returns us to the cozy, fantastical world of Legends and Lattes, featuring our favorite little foul-mouthed rattkin, Fern.

Fern is all of us, I think, at one point or another. She's finally settled down near her good friend Viv, and she's opened a successful bookstore, like she always thought she wanted. But still she doesn't feel fulfilled. Something is off. One night, she gets a wee bit drunk and dozes off in a cart, and when she wakes up, she finds that she's accidentally stowed away on a cart belonging to a legendary warrior, who is in the process of bringing in a goblin in exchange for a hefty reward. The rest of the book is Fern and her new acquaintances traveling and fighting across the countryside, encountering obstacle after obstacle, living the adventures she'd only read about in stories. Oh, and she finds herself in possession of a talking, sentient breadknife who claims he was once a legendary sword.

While I didn't love this one quite as much as Legends and Lattes, it was still a wonderful cozy fantasy to settle into fall with. And Travis's narration of his own books is always so special. He skillfully brings his characters to life. I loved Fern's character and could relate to her sense of dissatisfaction. Life doesn't have to be obviously bad or challenging to not feel...fulfilling, and this story spoke to that feeling. The desire for something more, something different. For the wanderer in all of us, Fern's story is about finding the right path at the right time.

Thank you to MacMillan audio for the gifted audiobook.

Fern is one of my very, very favorite characters in this series so when I heard she was getting her own book, I couldn't wait. I really thought this was going to just be Fern running her own bookshop near Viv and it would be cute and laid back. Instead, we get her going on a full-on quest and going through so much self-discovery along the way. She meets a cast of such funny and original characters and I would honestly read a spinoff story about any of them.

It is COZY. It is ADVENTUROUS. There is TALKING SILVERWARE. It's got everything. I did find myself wanting a little more time with the coziness before and after the quest, but that's more to do with me not wanting to let go of this character and her friendship with Viv. Otherwise, this was a really lovely story and (as always) Travis Baldree narrates it beautifully.

Thank you to to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC!

**Thank you for the ARC audiobook! All opinions are my own.** 4 stars, solidly. Adventurous, heart-pounding, and touching. A complete 180 from Legends & Lattes, and to be held in its own regard. I, like many other Legends & Lattes fans, was expecting a cozy and slow-paced book. This was not that, whatsoever.

Where do I even begin? Fern, a foul-mouthed, cranky ratkin full of heart. Astrix One-Ear, the cold and elegant lady of the legends. Zil, my unexpectedly favorite chaotic and wild character. Nigel, the fussy old man (accent on point!).Breadley, the hilarious tableware. And of course, we can't forget about loyal and quick-witted Bucket.

How do I begin to explain the epic adventures and surprisingly mature life lessons? And how do I begin to explain the fact that Travis Baldree's own narration truly breathed life into this story? At times, the story arcs dragged on longer than they should have. However, all's well that ends well.

**No spoilers.** Although the ending left a bit to be desired, and although I would have much preferred to see Astrix and Zil star in an epilogue cameo, I was thoroughly satisfied by the band's journey. Thank you, Travis! I look forward to returning to the world of Thune and beyond again.

This one was different than the other books by the author. I didn’t love it as much as the other two. I absolutely adore Legends and Lattes! This felt more of a cozy adventure concept, which is okay but not exactly what I wanted. Could have been a timing issue.

I absolutely love that the author does the audiobook. It’s such a great idea and adds to the experience.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

Brigands and Breadknives is an exhilarating story full of cunning, danger, and unexpected twists. The narrative follows a cast of complex, well-drawn characters navigating a world where every choice carries risk, and alliances can shift in an instant. The author excels at balancing high-stakes adventure with sharp, witty dialogue and rich world-building, making the setting feel alive and immersive. Themes of loyalty, clever strategy, and survival run throughout, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. This is a must-read for anyone who loves thrilling, character-driven stories with intrigue, humor, and heart.

4.5 🌟

Listening to the first chapter, I thought it was going to be another book about a fantasy creature setting up a shop. But no! Fantasy creature on a road trip of self-discovery with a cast of colourful characters in tow! Every one of these characters is a delight. Special shout out to the sentient weapons though.

Thank you to MacMillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook early in exchange for an honest review.

Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree brings Fern (Books & Bonedust) to the city of Thune to open a bookstore. Viv (Legends & Lattes) is there to help Fern as she transitions to a new area. Fern later finds herself intoxicated, which leads to an adventure she never imagined.

The writing style is not the cozy feel that I have become accustomed to by Travis Baldree with his other books. Brigands & Breadknives includes more adventure in the sense of violence, traveling through various countrysides and numerous characters. It was honestly a bit much to keep up with. I enjoyed the character growth in this book, however I missed the cozy feel that I was expecting from this one. Definitely nothing like Legends & Lattes.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Not a bad book but a little disappointing. I think this is my least favorite in the series so far. I really enjoy Fern as a character but i found a hard time getting invested in the other characters. I also think the themes just didn’t hit me as hard as ones in past books as well. The feeling of no longer being fulfilled by something you still appreciate is poignant and important though. Overall just an average read

Brigands and Bread Knives follows Fern, a young orc trying to carve out her own path beyond the life she’s known. Her journey takes her into a world of mercenaries, danger, and unexpected companions, mixing Baldree’s trademark food-infused fantasy with a grittier, more wandering storyline.

I really loved Legends & Lattes for its cozy, heartwarming feel, and Bookshops & Bonedust was an interesting prequel. But this one just didn’t work for me. I started it multiple times and couldn’t get into the flow. Fern’s journey felt strange and less engaging, and overall it didn’t carry the same comforting, slice-of-life magic that made the earlier books shine. Not the cozy fantasy I was hoping for

4 ⭐'s
This is a whimsical, cozy fantasy read, perfect for the "ber" months. It blends heartwarming adventure with delightful humor and enchanting imagery. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times! The story follows Fern, a bookstore owner who relocates to be closer to her friends, only to find herself caught in an unexpected, magical adventure that turns her life upside down.

After a few too many drinks, Fern is swept away alongside legendary elf warrior Astryx, talking cutlery, and a hilarious, troublesome goblin. As Fern embarks on this journey, she discovers more than just the magical world around her--> she forges new friendships, learns to carve her own path, embrace her independence, and find strength she never knew she had.

I enjoyed this so much! I especially loved that the author narrated this book himself. He did an amazing job with all the voices and accents and I had a great time listening to the audiobook. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed seeing Fern again in this book, and getting to know the two new characters, Astryx and Zyll. This book explored relationships and self-reflection and had some comedy and swordfights. It was a great addition to the Legends & Lattes series.

Another excellent entry in this series! Fern as the main character was a book I didn’t realise I needed. She is funny and irreverent, and absolutely full of spirit. Her aimlessness was very relatable, and made for a compelling plot-driver. I love her relationship with Viv, and loved seeing her develop new relationships with our new characters. Zil is absolutely a new fav character, and I hope Travis continues the adventures in this fantastical world he has created.

My review from Goodreads:

4.25 Stars

I finished this book a few days back but had to sit on my thoughts before I felt comfortable reviewing it. I listened to this as an audiobook and by about the midway point I was sad every time I had to shut it off. This book did not start nearly as strong for me as previous installments in this series because the main character was not my favorite however the side characters really made up for what the main character lacked.

I was obsessed with the adventure these characters went on together and enjoyed all the twists and new members of the team that were introduced. I especially enjoyed the character Bradley in this book and felt like the banter between him and Fern was the added comedic affect the first portion of this book was missing which really amped up my rating. Zyll was also a loveable side character and I loved the twists the author took with her plot line.

Now for the romance: This felt forced to me. This book in particular felt like a novel focused on the main character finding herself and where she belongs in the world after finding herself in a rut. I did not feel the romance was necessary nor did I find it overly added anything to the storyline given how short-lived it was.

Finally, I would love to thank Macmillan Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for this audiobook! If you enjoyed Legends & Lattes, you will not regret picking up this book as soon as available.

I found it took me longer to be drawn into Brigands and Breadknives than Legends and Lattes but after a few chapters, this story is just as deliciously cozy as the first in the series. It's wonderful to read how Travis Baldree has begun to expand this universe and introduce new characters whose strengths, flaws, and growth are revealed as we experience their adventures with them, rather than as paragraphs of exposition. Perfect for former Redwall kids.

Thank you to McMillan audio and NetGalley for this ALC of Brigands and Breadknives.
I LOVED this book.
4⭐️ I was intrigued the whole time curious about where every character would end up. I am almost POSITIVE the goblin is my favorite character. Their way of talking was adorable. Fern’s cursing spree was adorable, honestly this whole book was adorable. I had a hard time deciding which character I loved most which means this had great characters. The adventure didn’t end and neither did the “getting to know you” of it all. The goodbyes in this book were beautiful and heartwarming but also terribly sad. I enjoyed all of this book EXCEPT the end. Asterisk and Fern had so much chemistry I would have loved to see them together. Who she ends up with was a big disappointment. Overall, 8/10 in adventure. 9/10 in friendship, 6/10 in romance.

A worthy third book in an already charming and cozy series. Baldree's characters are easy to love, especially Fern and her delightfully foul-mouth. The new additions to the cast of characters are welcome and bring a unique voice to an already diverse and likable collection of established voices. Baldree's performance is a treat, full of life and humor.