Staff Writer: James
Book Title by Author: Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree
Published Date: November 11, 2025
Number of pages: n/a
Format: audiobook
Genre: Fantasy
Tags: Series, Cozy, Comedic
Cardigan rating: 4 out of 5
I am a grown man tearing up over a foul-mouthed rat bookseller. There. I said it. If someone wants my man card, they’ll have to fight me for it. This is the second book in the Legends & Lattes series that is composed of this book, the titular first book, and a prequel novel, Bookshops & Bonedust. You can jump in here but things will make a lot more sense if you’ve read the other books.
I opted to listen to the audiobook because the author is a professional audiobook narrator and, if anyone is going to portray his characters correctly, it’s the guy who wrote it. And it shows. Baldree really puts the emotion into his reading, letting you keenly feel character’s disillusionment and sadness. Wait, you’re saying, I thought this was supposed to be a cozy wholesome fantasy, despite the language. I would hesitate to call Brigands & Breadknives “cozy.” This is more fantasy. People die. Bad people, but still... Just be aware of what you’re getting into. Yes, there is still some good humor in here but there is also a bleakness that is resolved in a great way at the end.
The only thing stopping me from giving this book five stars is the odd goblin captive plot device. Sure she gives Lady Astral a reason to be there and for the group to stick together but the resolution of this particular bit of plot was just extremely weird and I’m not certain it worked at all. If I wasn’t so invested in the characters by this point I’d have been more upset at it.
Will I read a third installment if it comes to be? Without question. I love these characters. I love the world they live in. And, by all that is holy, I look forward to being emotionally put through the wringer again.