Because who doesn’t want to read a cozy fantasy about the misadventures of a foul-mouthed Rattkin in a midlife crisis?

About the Book:

Title: Brigands and Breadknives
Genre(s): Cozy fantasy
Author: Travis Baldtree
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Date Published: November 11, 2025
Format Read: AudioBook
Where I Got It: NetGalley gave me a copy of this book.
Stand alone or series Number: It is Book Three of a series.

This book is a must read if you like: Cozy fantasy, Travis Baldtree, sweet adventures, midlife journey to self stories

Snapshot: what do you need to know before you pick up the book.

Profanity: NOT for kids. Full of adult language.
Intimacy: Light intimacy, kissing
Violence: Mild battles, war injuries, and peril
Themes: Mid-life crisis, coming of middle age, self discovery

My Thoughts

This book takes on midlife head on, in such a fun, cozy way. While the language was a lot at first, I really loved how it was used and the whole journey Fern goes on is very relatable.

I love that that he chose a middle age character. I think the openness and direct addressing of older people is going to resonate with people.

I love the end. It was not what I expected but it was so good.

I love that Travis narrates his own books. I usually don’t appreciate that with fantasy, but he knows the characters so well it gives such a depth to the performance.

Overall, I loved this book. I actually listened to it twice.

Publisher Description

Fern has weathered the stillness and storms of a bookseller’s life for decades, but now, in the face of crippling ennui, transplants herself to the city of Thune to hang out her shingle beside a long-absent friend’s coffee shop. What could be a better pairing? Surely a charming renovation montage will cure what ails her!

If only things were so simple…

It turns out that fixing your life isn’t a one-time prospect, nor as easy as a change of scenery and a lick of paint.

A drunken and desperate night sees the rattkin waking far from home in the company of a legendary warrior, an imprisoned chaos-goblin with a fondness for silverware, and an absolutely thumping hangover.

As together they fend off a rogue’s gallery of ne’er-do-wells trying to claim the bounty the goblin represents, Fern might find the courage to step off the beaten path in order to find her true self.

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