Book Review: Legends and Lattes, The Graphic Novel
Legends & Lattes: The Graphic Novel by Samuel SattinMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
If this is your introduction to the trio of books that make up the Legends & Lattes series, you’re in for a treat. Hopefully by the end of this beautiful graphic novel you’ll want to spend more time with Viv and her pals via the original novels.
The premise is that Viv, a large, green, intimidating orc barbarian has decided to retire from the life of a mercenary and open a coffee shop (as one does). She finds a ramshackle, vacant livery building in the city of Thune and with the help of a gradually accumulated group of friends, has it restored and converted into the coffee shop of her dreams. Tandri, a succubus who’s been hired as Viv’s assistant, quickly endears herself to the boss… and not just as the perfect employee. The story is extremely cozy and satisfying to those of us who enjoy the little details in life. The shy, slow-burn sapphic romance feels organically normal — well, as normal as an orc and a succubus couple can be!
I’d already read the original Legends & Lattes story. The notion of a graphic novel seemed a perfect spin-off. I was curious to see if the imagery that had formed in my mind’s eye would come close to the new images. The artwork would need to resonate with a crowd that already has preconceived notions of what it should look like. Illustrators Shanti Rittgers and Sarah Webb nailed it! They must know the good magic, as clearly they’d looked inside my head and knew what I wanted to see.
Creating a graphic novel based on an already-published story is tricky. The storyline needs to be distilled down. What might have originally been a two page exploration of Viv’s emotions must now be conveyed in a single look. I was pleased that the storyline didn’t feel as if it left out anything important. Samuel Sattin’s adaptation works well. If you need some cozy in your life, grab this graphic novel. Your heart will be warmed!
My thanks to Travis Baldree, Samuel Sattin, Shanti Rittgers, Sarah Webb, Ten Speed Graphic, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book.
Legends and Lattes: The Graphic Novel will release for sale on October 6, 2026.
Lori Alden Holuta
Lori Alden Holuta lives between the cornfields of Mid-Michigan, where she grows vegetables and herbs when she’s not writing, editing, or playing games with a cat named Chives.
