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.

I love Travis Baldree's writing. Fern is a wonderfully crafted character that had to find herself. Although it took me awhile at first to connect emotionally with Fern, by the end I was invested in her journey and I loved Astrix(not sure how her name is spelled as I listened to it). I really enjoy how Baldree writes found family and the world he builds within a cozy story .

Another really great addition to this series. I would say this this one is a little less cozy and a bit more adventure-y (more fights and swords) but it still hits that lovely softer tone that you expect from these stories. This book touches base with Legends & Lattes but it spends most of the time with new characters and places so I think that this could be read as a standalone if need be. As always, Travis Baldree does an excellent job narrating and infusing the story with humor and heart. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so so much. It felt it came to me at the exact moment in my life that I needed it. As a bookseller who wonders about what else is out there I completely related to Fern and her ongoing inner conflict. I love this series, and it is definitely my favourite of the group.

Travis Baldree does a fabulous job voice acting his book. The storytelling is fun, and relatable. A fabulous cozy fantasy. Brigands and Breadknives would be a great bookclub read especially if the whole trilogy could be read. I will definitely recommend the series to friends.

Fern—the foul-mouthed, book-loving heroine we met in Bookshops & Bonedust—is back, and this time, she’s stumbling into an adventure of her very own. After accidentally falling in with a legendary elven adventurer, Fern finds herself trading the safety of stories for a starring role in one.

I’ve got to say, I love that Travis Baldree narrates his own books. His performance adds so much authenticity and emotional depth—it feels like you're hearing the story exactly how he imagined it. It pulls me deeper into the world and into his head as the tale unfolds.

This follow-up is full of warmth, wit, swearing, and just enough swordplay to keep things interesting. A solid four stars—and now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to see if one of my breadknives has anything to say to me.

Another good cozy adventure. I really enjoyed following Fern this time, too! The author as narrator continues to be a fantastic choice!!

First of all... Travis Baldree is a wildly talented human! Not only did he write the book... but he narrated it, too! And did a phenomenal job!

A rattkin, a goblin, and an elf go on an adventure and face a series of unfortunate events. That's my one sentence summary of this adorably cozy book. I love this world! I adore these characters! I shall always keep the creatures of Thune close to my heart ❤️

Another amazing and epic adventure set in the world of Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. Travis Baldree does a fabulous job narrating and bringing characters to life while making you feel like you are along side them on their journey. A tale of self discovery, betrayal, guilt, grief, finding oneself, becoming okay with one’s own needs first all while making friends along the way to help you in the journey of life the story makes a full circle. A story full of curse words, laughter, scares and even tears; this is the story for you. If this is all you read or listen to all year make sure it’s Brigends and Breadknives.

Five missing pieces of silverware!

Fern, a middle-aged ratkin with a penchant for cursing, travels to Thune to open a bookshop next to her friend, Viv, the owner of Lattes and Legands. Even though this should be the bookseller's dream come true, Fern finds herself feeling lost and lacking. After a drunken evening, when Fern winds up in the back of a wagon led by a famed elven warrior, she finds herself in the type of adventure she had previously only read about. Will this prove to be the life she was meant to lead?

I loved 'Legends and Lattes,' (book 1) so this was an automatic request for me! I'm not a high-fantasy gal, but Travis Baldree has made me consider looking more into the genre. His stories are filled with adventure, feeling, humor, and a sense of coziness. He is an excellent narrator, and I look forward to future works by Baldree! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced listening copy!

Brigands & Breadknives
by Travis Baldree
Narrated by Travis Baldree
Book 3 in the Legends & Lattes series

I received an ARC of this audiobook from Netgalley.

I LOVE this audiobook. First, there’s a ton of swearing, which I love. Travis Baldree is as great a narrator as he is an author- he’s flat out fantastic!!

This book checks so many of my favorite boxes
✔️ Adventure
✔️ Action
✔️ Friendship
✔️ Character Development (storyline)
✔️ Characters growing into better selves
✔️ Swearing & a lot of it!
✔️ Fantasy
✔️ And a tad bit of romance

I think this entire series would be great as an animated series or live action series. The characters pull you in instantly, and you feel like you are right there with them 100% of the way!!

I highly recommend this book, but even more highly recommend this audiobook!!!

Travis Baldree is a very talented author and audiobook narrator. Fulfilling both roles in this book created an amazing experience. He continues to develop many of the characters we met during his preceding books while telling a story filled with suspense, friendship, and humor. I challenge you to try not to laugh out loud. His characters are very relatable and quickly felt like new friends. I would highly recommend reading and/or listening to all three of Badree’s novels as I not so patiently await his next work. Thanks to NetGalley, Travis Baldree, and McMillan Audio for this advanced audio ARC for my honest review.

Another delightful book from Travis Baldree, made all the better by his narration. (5 stars for narration!) The book is charming and his fans will love the characters old and new. A roadtrip is a bit different for Baldree. A little of what I love about his stories was lost for me on that score, but I did really enjoy it. Thank you for letting me listen early. I'll review it on my platforms.