I obtained a evaluation copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my evaluation and all opinions are my very own.

Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

Mogsy’s Ranking: 4 of 5 stars

Style: Fantasy

Sequence: E book 2 of Legends & Lattes

Writer: Tor Books (November 11, 2025)

Size: 336 pages

Creator Info: Web site | Twitter

After how a lot enjoyable I had with Legends & Lattes, I used to be very happy to return to Travis Baldree’s cozy fantasy world for Brigands & Breadknives. I’ll say up entrance although, in some way I missed Bookshops & Bonedust, the prequel novel that was launched in between, which includes a distinguished character on this one. Fortunately, that by no means turned a difficulty, as apparently all of the books on this sequence might be loved as standalones. I by no means felt like I used to be lacking something essential, and what Baldree delivers right here is as soon as once more a low-stakes character-driven fantasy, although I discovered I liked it much more with the elevated motion, journeying, and contemplation.

In Brigands & Breadknives, we comply with Fern, a rattkin bookseller who, regardless of operating a store within the metropolis alongside her finest buddy’s thriving coffeehouse, finds herself deeply unhappy and more and more stressed. She is aware of she needs to be completely happy together with her comfy, charmed life. Enterprise is booming, she’s surrounded by individuals who care about her, and every thing appears to be going proper. And but, Fern can’t shake the sensation that one thing is lacking. And so, performing on a drunken impulse one evening, she secretly stows away on the wagon of Astryx One-Ear, a legendary elf adventurer turned bounty hunter, solely to get up removed from dwelling on a rickety street with a pounding headache and no small quantity of remorse.

Nonetheless, turning again didn’t really feel like an possibility. A minimum of, not but. For one, she’s interested by her touring companions, which, along with the stoic Astryx, contains her present bounty who’s an odd and erratic goblin named Zyll. Decided to show that she’s manufactured from sterner stuff, Fern decides to stay round and see the place this reckless choice may lead. In a short time, nonetheless, the journey proves extra harmful than she anticipated, even for somebody who thought she knew what she was stepping into. Bandits, rival bounty hunters, and a prisoner who refuses to remain put are all problems that upend their plans. As Fern travels farther away from dwelling and from the buddy she left behind, with solely the piles of unsent letters to mark the times, she’s compelled to confront some uncomfortable truths about herself, her decisions and desires, and what she really needs out of life.

In the event you liked Legends & Lattes, there’s a superb likelihood you’ll get pleasure from Brigands & Breadknives as effectively. That stated, there’s a noticeable shift in vibe as issues take a pointy flip away from the acquainted routines of a slice-of-life fantasy, diving headfirst as a substitute into the extra action-oriented and quest-focused facet of the style. Personally, I liked it. Whereas I can actually discover myself appreciating a narrative that focuses on the mundane and on a regular basis experiences of characters, I’ll additionally by no means say no to increased stakes and a quicker tempo. And to place it merely, this sequel felt like a rollicking fantasy street journey. Granted, it’s not like Fern, Astryx, and Zyll are on some grand, world-saving mission, however nonetheless I delighted within the extra historically adventurous tone this story exhibited. Plus, the enjoyable and approachable fashion of Baldree’s writing continues unchanged, and it’s really easy to loosen up and slide proper again into the simple prose.

However as ever, the characters are the perfect half. Fern is sweet at what she does, and he or she’s constructed a life round what she thinks she needs, solely to seek out herself burned out in a approach she will’t fairly clarify. That confusion leaves her feeling responsible and a bit of misplaced, particularly since, from the surface, her life appears nearly excellent. Operating away from her issues in all probability isn’t the neatest alternative she’s ever made, but it surely’s simpler than going through the frustration she imagines on the faces of the folks she loves again dwelling. Then there’s Astryx, a tricky, no-nonsense bounty hunter who’s been doing this lengthy sufficient that little or no rattles her anymore. She strikes by life with competence but additionally a sort of weariness that implies she’s seen all of it. Lastly, throw in Zyll, the wild card of the group, who’s random chaos incarnate. Oh, and there’s a breadknife too! The consequence? On the spot mayhem with a shocking quantity of coronary heart.

Ultimately, Brigands & Breadknives provides a slight shift in tone from Legends & Lattes universe, but it surely’s undoubtedly not an unwelcome one. It’s nonetheless lots of enjoyable, heat and character-focused…simply with extra swordfights! A really pleasurable learn and I’m completely happy to maintain coming again to this world.