High fantasy, low stakes - with a double-shot of coffee.
After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream - for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.
If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can't go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters.
By Iris
“High fantasy, low stakes” – if that isn’t exactly the kind of escapism that so many readers are craving right now, I don’t know what is. This story, about a retired adventurer who opens up a cafe, is fluffy, adorable, and slightly bittersweet. It’s also filled with the most mouth-watering pastry descriptions, which means you definitely need to stock up on snacks before you dive in.
While I’ve read many fantasy books that feature incredible inns, taverns, saloons, speakeasies, and other watering holes (the Eolian from Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind comes to mind), those are usually settings that pop up once, maybe twice, per book. Few books I’ve read are actually centred around the watering hole in question, which is a shame, because it turns out that works very well for me!
While this is obviously a fantasy novel, I think it would also be great for readers who tend to gravitate towards other genres; romance readers who don’t mind a bit of magic alongside their sapphic swooning, for example, or YA readers who are looking for some more mature characters. It could also work for TTRPG players who want to get (back) into reading, as the setting and characters align with many typical D&D tropes. Whatever your reading background, I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a cozy, comfy read to spend an autumn evening with.
