‘Tales from the Territory’ by Travis Baldree

Tales from the Territory, expected in September 2026 from Subterranean Press, assembles short stories about beloved characters from Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes best-selling series. This essential collection offers glimpses into the lives of Thimble, Viv, and Tandri before Viv attempted to open a coffee shop in the city of Thune. It reveals how Zyll the goblin met a certain Elder Blade called “Breadlee,” and introduces competition in the form of a rival coffee shop.

One thing that appealed to me in this short-story collection was the way it addressed concerns that are very real today, but consistent with a fantasy setting. What else is the “Mirograph” at Ackers University if not a thaumaturgic version of A.I.? And the stakes were very real when a new rival coffee shop began offering imitation knock-offs at lower prices and reduced quality. I think this book will appeal to readers already familiar with Legends & Lattes, but may also serve as an entry point into the beloved series. Appreciation to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me access to an advance copy.