Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Heroes & Handcrafts
SERIES: Cozy Questing
AUTHOR: Nazri Noor
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 260 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2026
BLURB:
Just when they thought the adventure was over…
Business at Beadle’s Needles is bustling. Not booming, exactly, but Braiden Beadle is happy enough, and happier still to stay far from the dangers of the dungeon.
Between the impending launch of Augustin Arcosa’s Effervescent Elixirs and the small joys of introducing an elf, a burrowfolk, an orc, and an undead bard to life in Weathervale, Braiden has his hands full. Life is good.
Until a bizarre talking box crashes through the storage room window — Augustin’s bedroom, that is — and taunts them about delving the dungeon’s depths in search of even greater treasure. Cleaning up the broken glass, they discover a mysterious recipe card, one that Braiden has never seen before.
It’s Granny Bethilda’s final message… and her final mission, something Braiden feels honor-bound to finish. And with his faithful friends and the Wizard of Weathervale at his side, he might just succeed.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the second book in this series and I would recommend reading in order.
Braeden and Augustin and their friends, Bones, Warren, Ellysandra, Bones and Craghammer are happily back in Weathervale after returning from the “dungeon” and saving the town (and much more). They are having a grand re-opening of Braedan’s craft story and Augustin is now offering his magical fizzy drinks from the storefront. Everyone is happy. Until Augustin is summoned to the Lighthouse by the elders. Again.
Braeden and Augustin got to meet the Elder where they are basically trying to blackmail them back in to going back down to the dungeon. They aren’t interested, but then a Demon breaks into Braeden’s shop and kidnaps on of their group. So now they have to go to the dungeon to get him back. But before they start, they find a surprising not from Braeden’s grandmother that sets them off on another quest as well. Braeden needs to gather the elements needed for this magical item that his grandmother has left clues about.
Braeden and his friends meeting old acquaintances of his grandmother’s. Between the cemetery caretaker, magical goats, and other groups they meet along they way, it becomes clear that there was a lot more to Braeden’s grandmother than he ever imagined. As a weaver, Braeden never thought his magic would be able to solve any issues besides magical clothing, but he discovers just how combining his magic with that of the elders and his friends makes a huge difference in their “fight” against the demons who have lured them back into the dungeon.
It turns out that maybe the perception that Braeden and Augustin have of their “enemies” is incorrect. Maybe they aren’t really fighting against each other, but instead working together to make things better for everyone.
I loved this story! The first one was good, but this one really coalesced all of these magical creatures – and then more new creatures too! The world building is fascinating and I really enjoyed the new groups of magical beings that our intrepid friends meet along the way in this new quest. There isn’t a ton of romance here – its a very very slow burn and low heat, but it’s a lot of fun 🙂 I hope we get more adventures with this delightful band of friends.
RATING: 
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