Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

 

Pages: 305

"Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.

A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth."

I loved this book. I wish it was longer and I was so excited to see another book in the universe is being written. Give me more fantasy slice of life stories! The cozy vibes were amazing and I love all the side characters, especially their little pastry chef and watching as the coffee shop came together. I would definitely recommend this as a fantasy cozy genre blend.

New Heights

 

Beginning After the End: New Heights

By TurtleMe

Pages: 242

The continuation of the saga of a king reborn as a child. We are really getting into the system of magic as King Grey (now Arthur) continues to grow up and begins adventuring at age 9?!? Not really sure what I think about that though after the first book started out with him as a baby and teaching himself magic as a toddler, I've begun to forget how young Arthur really is physically when his mental reincarnated age really shows. This second installment brought in a more Dungeons and Dragons fantasy style though I was a little disappointed when the author decided to skip a lot of his first adventures and summarize the two years before we finally get a detailed dungeon exploration. Now that he has come home after a couple years, he has found some friends, made some enemies, and is about to start in a prestigious magic academy.

Ooh Pretty Pictures

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

A true story about a Omar and his nonverbal brother growing up in a refugee camp. I don't think I've read anything quite like this, and the artwork is so vibrant while still being realistic. This book is incredible and I think everyone should read it. All the feels.

Read Harder Challenge #19

256 pages

Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal by Clint McElroy

Fantasy Nascar, a giant magical wrench and sexy plant puns. I've really enjoyed this series. I've listened to a bit of the podcast it is based on, but I just love the colorful artwork and humorous background objects. The story is quirky, funny, and just a lot of fun all around. 

244 pages

Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki

A different take on Harley's origin story, with class struggles, gentrification and green activism (led by Poison Ivy, of course). I thought this is one of the better DC Ink graphic novels, and I love the representation included among the urban population. A fun afternoon read for comic fans.

196 pages

Attack on Titan: Volumes 2/3 by Hajime Isayama

This series is so much fun! Perfect blending of horror, science fiction, and dystopia. Lots of gruesome titan battles, with a family mystery thrown in. I'm starting to get to the point where I may give the anime another try. 

400 pages    (192+208) 

Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir, Sarah Andersen

Andy Weir does comics? Whaaaa? Such a great concept, mashing Alice/Wonderland, Wendy/Neverland, and Dorothy/Oz together into a fun fantasy adventure. I am very glad that he got a different illustrator though-Andersen is one of my favorite web comic artists!

117 pages

My Hero Academia Vol. 1 by Kohei Horikoshi

Ah, yes. The superhero academy trope. I've never really liked these stories. This one is very well done, and I can see why it is so popular, it's just not for me. Also, skinny/buff guy is creepy.

187 pages

Aquatlantic by Giorgio Carpinteri

This one was so strange. The artwork is gorgeous, and I enjoyed seeing Soviet Constructivism, which isn't used much in art today. Heavy allegory, almost to the point where there isn't much story. Pretty pictures though.

49 pages

Kill the Farm Boy (The Tales of Pell #1)

 Kill the Farm Boy (The Tales of Pell # 1)
by Kevin Hearne and Delilah S. Dawson
Pages: 364
Rating: 4 out of 5

This tale appears that is your normal fairy tale but it is not. It's a fun send up of fairy tales, and many science fiction and fantasy characters and novels and even a quest by players in Dungeons and Dragons. It's a fun and irreverent story with a bard, an assassin, a fighter, a witch, a talking goat and other fun characters.