Book Review: Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 2 of Legends & Lattes

Publisher: Tor Books (November 11, 2025)

Length: 336 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

After how much fun I had with Legends & Lattes, I was more than happy to return to Travis Baldree’s cozy fantasy world for Brigands & Breadknives. I’ll say up front though, somehow I missed Bookshops & Bonedust, the prequel novel that was released in between, which involves a prominent character in this one. Thankfully, that never became an issue, as apparently all the books in this series can be enjoyed as standalones. I never felt like I was missing anything crucial, and what Baldree delivers here is once again a low-stakes character-driven fantasy, though I found I loved it even more with the increased action, journeying, and contemplation.

In Brigands & Breadknives, we follow Fern, a rattkin bookseller who, despite running a shop in the city alongside her best friend’s thriving coffeehouse, finds herself deeply unsatisfied and increasingly restless. She knows she should be happy with her comfortable, charmed life. Business is booming, she’s surrounded by people who care about her, and everything seems to be going right. And yet, Fern can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. And so, acting on a drunken impulse one night, she secretly stows away on the wagon of Astryx One-Ear, a legendary elf adventurer turned bounty hunter, only to wake up far from home on a rickety road with a pounding headache and no small amount of regret.

Still, turning back didn’t feel like an option. At least, not yet. For one, she’s curious about her traveling companions, which, in addition to the stoic Astryx, includes her current bounty who is a strange and erratic goblin named Zyll. Determined to prove that she’s made of sterner stuff, Fern decides to stick around and see where this reckless decision might lead. Very quickly, however, the journey proves more dangerous than she anticipated, even for someone who thought she knew what she was getting into. Bandits, rival bounty hunters, and a prisoner who refuses to stay put are all complications that upend their plans. As Fern travels farther away from home and from the friend she left behind, with only the piles of unsent letters to mark the days, she’s forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about herself, her choices and dreams, and what she truly wants out of life.

If you loved Legends & Lattes, there is a very good chance you will enjoy Brigands & Breadknives as well. That said, there is a noticeable shift in vibe as things take a sharp turn away from the familiar routines of a slice-of-life fantasy, diving headfirst instead into the more action-oriented and quest-focused side of the genre. Personally, I loved it. While I can certainly find myself appreciating a story that focuses on the mundane and everyday experiences of characters, I’ll also never say no to higher stakes and a faster pace. And to put it simply, this sequel felt like a rollicking fantasy road trip. Granted, it’s not like Fern, Astryx, and Zyll are on some grand, world-saving mission, but still I delighted in the more traditionally adventurous tone this story exhibited. Plus, the fun and approachable style of Baldree’s writing continues unchanged, and it’s so easy to relax and slide right back into the easy prose.

But as ever, the characters are the best part. Fern is good at what she does, and she’s built a life around what she thinks she wants, only to find herself burned out in a way she can’t quite explain. That confusion leaves her feeling guilty and a little lost, especially since, from the outside, her life looks just about perfect. Running away from her problems probably isn’t the smartest choice she’s ever made, but it’s easier than facing the disappointment she imagines on the faces of the people she loves back home. Then there’s Astryx, a tough, no-nonsense bounty hunter who’s been doing this long enough that very little rattles her anymore. She moves through life with competence but also a kind of weariness that suggests she’s seen it all. Finally, throw in Zyll, the wild card of the group, who is random chaos incarnate. Oh, and there’s a breadknife too! The result? Instant mayhem with a surprising amount of heart.

In the end, Brigands & Breadknives offers a slight shift in tone from Legends & Lattes universe, but it’s definitely not an unwelcome one. It’s still a lot of fun, warm and character-focused…just with more swordfights! A very enjoyable read and I’m happy to keep coming back to this world.