The View From The Mountain

Travis Baldree's new novel, Legends & Lattes, is a nice change of pace from the usual fantasy story. Viv is a battle-weary Orc who dreams of opening a shop in the city of Thune. In this fantasy world of orcs, elves and real magic, Viv's shop will sell something that is completely unknown in this realm: coffee. Having discovered coffee during her travels as a sword for hire, Viv now wants to just settle down and run the first coffee shop. This was a very pleasant and fun read that runs against the expected fantasy trope of the characters having to drop whatever mundane thing they're doing to run off and save the world. It works very well in making the mundane interesting by deftly describing Viv's journey into settling down in Thune, and setting up her shop. And Baldree's attention to detail makes this whole process engrossing to watch. The characters are richly fleshed out to where you're cheering for them to succeed--not only in running the