When you think of cosy fantasy, you think of Travis Baldree – or more precisely, his novel Legends and Lattes, which introduced so many readers to the genre. His latest work Brigands and Breadknives continues this sweet trend, but with a little twist. It keeps the comforting vibes going, but with an added dash of action, resulting in a delightful blend. While the novel has its faults, it still makes for a warm and enjoyable read.
Given Baldree is often known as the populariser of cosy fantasy, especially the type involving former (insert fantasy adventurer type here) giving up a life of excitement to settle down and open a cutesy (insert store type here), it might come as a surprise to hear that Brigands’ plot is, on the surface, distinctly uncosy. In fact, it offers a reversal of this common comforting plot (or, to put it another way, a return to the classic style of fantasy).
Our protagonist is a rat-like creature named Fern, who is currently going through the wonderful adventure of a mid-life crisis. One evening, after drowning her sorrows a little too hard, she stows away on the wagon of legendary hero Astryx. By the time she’s sobered up enough to realise just what she’s done and just how bad of an idea it was, she’s far from home and stuck in the middle of the type of adventure she usually just reads about. Reason says Fern should just count herself lucky she’s still alive and catch the next wagon ride home, but the longer she travels and the further she goes, the less she finds herself wanting to return. Dangerous as this new life may be.
Though its surface may not seem relaxing at all, its core this book still bears all the hallmarks of cosy fantasy. Yes, there are significantly more swords and stabbings than your usual ‘cosy’ novel (the author himself joked there were more fight scenes in Brigands than in his previous two novels combined), but the real driving force of the novel is still the same thing that drives most books in this genre, and what so often draws people to it. It’s a focus on interiority and character, about the complicated feelings that come with being a so-called legendary hero, and about finding a place where you can feel comfortable and happy with your life.
It’s a welcome shift in perspective, one which brings a fresh breath of air into the cosy fantasy genre, and one which is explored with delicacy and depth. Despite the whimsical setting, our characters are realistically uncertain and messy, often stumbling on the path to a life that brings them joy and purpose.
Unfortunately, Fern’s internal journey does not always give the novel enough momentum to keep the plot moving forward – it chugs along, but often slowly, in sore need of more fuel in the form of an external driving force. Progress, especially at first, feels sluggish and halting. It matches our protagonist’s own progress, certainly, but it doesn’t feel good to read.
In time the novel does find that external driving force, but it’s late. Weirdly slow to arrive. At one point in my read, I hit a scene where I was blindsided by the impression that it was written like a scene I would’ve expected to see far earlier in the book. About 10 chapters earlier, to be exact – what lay before it was material that could have (possibly should have) been condensed down or cut out entirely. This was in part due to the fact that that these opening chapters not only introduce our protagonist, but return to the setting and the characters of Baldree’s previous novel Legends and Lattes. It soaks in their presence like a warm bath, and while it’s nice to see them again at first, all too soon the water grows cold and your fingers get wrinkly. As much as I understand the impulse, and I’m sure huge fans of the novel will be glad to see them, it’s just not the best writing decision.
This poor pacing and lack of drive continues through the novel, even as it starts to build real momentum. The central goal of our characters is meandering, and they often become distracted by other adventures and events along the way – ones which are not always integrated into the plot as well as they could be. New elements and foes pop up, and are gone in a chapter’s time, never to be seen again. Others are introduced late, so that their climactic moments of significance are far weaker than they could be.
I’m not normally one to stick exactly to the ‘every little element needs to serve a direct, specific purpose’ school of writing, especially when it doesn’t really fit this world of unexpected adventures. But at times it feels less like this is a richly designed world full of surprises, and more just…a little pointless and lazy. Like the author couldn’t think of a way to integrate a chance meeting as both a character moment and tie it into the bigger plot, or introduce an element earlier in the story.
This lack of coordination also effect the character developments that make this book so compelling, though not as harshly. It’s simply that, once again, there are some character developments that would be stronger if they were introduced earlier, and in a way that directly effected the plot.
In addition, the prose in Brigands is mostly lovely and vivid, flowery and rich in the way all good fantasy novels are. But at times the prose gets in the way and trips over itself – it’s nothing major, but it could do with a little trimming.
Despite the fact I talked a lot about the flaws of this book, I want to make something clear: I liked Brigands and Breadknives. It’s a fun read, with charming, realistically messy characters and a richly detailed world. It’s for the most part standalone, perfect for both fans of Legends and Lattes and those who have never heard of it before.
It’s just that it hits that sweet spot of being mostly good, but with flaws that you can clearly see the edges of and yearn to tug on. If you can ignore them, or they aren’t deal breakers for you, you’ll have a wonderful time with Brigands and Breadknives.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree is out now from Tor Publishing Group. Find a copy at your local bookstore HERE.
Header image provided by Tor Publishing Group.
