I’ve been very much in the mood lately (absolutely always) for stories that feel like a mental warm hug.
This being the prequel to Baldree’s lovely Legends & Lattes, we encounter our old friend Viv at the beginning of her mercenary journey. It is not going very well. Viv is very badly injured while being reckless in pursuit of a famous necromancer. The mercenary company she belongs to drop her off in a sleepy seaside town to rest and recuperate before hopefully coming back for her. What’s a battle hungry orc to do when they’re forced to relax for a summer?
Have a lot of little friendly adventures of course! Starting with getting to know the local foul-mouthed bookseller and their adorable pet gryphet named Potroast. There’s a little bit of romance, a lot of friendship, and people doing kind things for each other just to be kind. That’s what really touched me about this book. Viv just starts doing little helpful acts around town with no expectation of anything in return, just keeping herself busy and making friends along the way.
If you’ve not tried either of Baldree’s books, my orderly soul would say to read Bookshops & Bonedust first then Legends & Lattes second to catch up with Viv twenty years down the line. That’s just me being persnickety though as they can stand alone. I look forward to reading more in this universe.
