Pubs & Pegasi: Tales from the Broken Claw - A Cozy Fantasy

by Don Jones

Meet Samantha Godsdotter—Sam, to her friends—a mercenary recently retired from Sasha’s Vixens. Sam’s seen her last battle, and she’s ready for. . . something else. She’s not sure what, but on a trip around Lake Evendiam, she rides into a small, oddly fortified village named North Pointe Common Towne. The proprietor of its pub, the Broken Claw, gives her a warm, friendly greeting—and then starts to act just a little odd.

Turns out Sam may have found her stopping point, in a place where she’ll develop warm new friendships, be in a position to help travelers—whether they’re treasure-seekers, folks simply passing through, or heroes on a quest—find their destinies. For North Pointe Common Towne has a special, subtle magic that runs on the mottos, “Come in peace, stay in peace, leave in peace” and especially, “Serve all.”

Of course, she may have to help find a way to deal with the irritating, filthy, flying pests known as pegasi, and possibly help defend the village against a band of thugs and bandits looking for a new conquest. And maybe hunt an orc. But it’ll all be worth it for, if nothing else, the delectable pastries.

Pubs & Pegasi is an unpretentious novel of minor magic, general geniality, pernicious pests, and delightful destinies, served with ale in a fancy glass stein, hearty stew from the inn next door, and the aforementioned delectable pastries.

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2024

About the author

Don Jones has written dozens and dozens of books and ebooks on information technology topics, and is perhaps most well-known in that space for his "Month of Lunches" series, published by Manning. Don's recently branched out into topics like business management, instructional design, and self-improvement/motivational, along with launching books in science fiction and fantasy. Don lives in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, is a huge fan of Disney Parks, and loves Figment best of all.

Reviews

[AVANI]

After Pubs & Pegasi, I didn’t think Don Jones could top it, but Anvils & Avatars just proved me wrong. The forge imagery and emotional weight are next-level. Ryn’s growth feels so earned, like we’ve known him for years. Our club group chat was on fire talking about that ending! I’m officially hooked on Tales from the Broken Claw.

[James W · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Story Is Enjoyable. Editing Is Terrible

Interesting premise, storytelling. The characters are intriguing. Creative and fun plot. Worth the read. The problem is that no one seems to have bothered to edit it. Many places words are misspelled. Often sentences make no sense as written. A key word is missing. Two words for the same thing are placed in a sentence where either would work but not both. Please edit this book. It could be so much better.

[Virginia Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

The coziest of cozy fantasies

Pubs and Pegasi is the coziest of cozy fantasies — the kind of feel-good book that feels like wrapping up in a warm blanket with a mug of something hot. The world feels small in the best way: intimate, low-stakes, and full of charm, with characters who are kind, quirky, and quietly brave.

I loved that this story never relied on shock or gloom to keep me turning pages. Instead, it leans fully into comfort: friendship, found family, a bit of magic, and the gentle reminder that soft lives and tender hearts still matter. It’s the kind of book you reach for when your brain is tired and your soul just wants something kind.

If you’re looking for high drama or grimdark stakes, this isn’t that. But if you want a feel-good, relaxing escape with pegasi, pubs, and a whole lot of heart, this is a perfect pick.

[MyDoRyS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio: These AI audio narrations are awful! But it does allow the reader to multitask. I do hope they re-release with an actual human narration.

Story: Slice of life COZY fantasy, which equals to slow paced. Therefore, if you are looking for crazy adventures, this is not the right story for you. Sam is a likable character, patient, kind and mature. The author does a great job giving you an idea about the town and its people, so the reader feels part of the community. This was an easy read with an interesting premise. I wished they invested a bit more time in developing her craft as a bartender, but overall it was a well written cozy story. Made me hungry several times too...I want a cloud! The end is a bit rushed,but happy :) Onto my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

From its first pages I found myself slipping into a world I didn’t want to leave. Sam’s change of pace from mercenary action to tavern talk was handled brilliantly. I loved how the author didn’t rush the transformation but let it breathe. The Broken Claw tavern and the village of North Pointe Common Towne are almost characters themselves, full of warmth, surprise and small magic. The dialogue sparkles, and I appreciated that the story focuses on relationships and found family rather than only on weapons and war. I’m eager to see where the series goes and will definitely reorder the next book. If you like cozy fantasy with heart, Pubs & Pegasi is a fine landing pad.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pubs & Pegasi offers exactly what its subtitle promises: comfortable fantasy with character at the forefront. Samantha Godsdotter is a wonderfully down-to-earth protagonist who gives up the mercenary life and starts exploring a new kind of peace at the tavern called the Broken Claw. I enjoyed the small scale magic, the vibrant side-characters, and the sense of community that threads through the story. The plot doesn’t sprint at full speed, but the pacing suits a relaxed evening read. If you’re craving warmth, witty dialogue, and a setting you’ll want to revisit, this one delivers.

[Joseph K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

This was a good book and I am glad the main character found what she was looking for by the end of the book. Lots of action, fun adventure, and super fun characters. Lots of magic, a super cool town, that by the end, would not be a bad place to live. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

[Aleeah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Pubs and Pegasi expecting a regular fantasy adventure but this is something softer and more thoughtful. It is about belonging, loyalty, and finding peace in chaos. Ryn’s quiet strength and Bran’s warmth make the story feel grounded. Don Jones writes like someone who knows people, not just heroes. The Book Club made an amazing pick and I cannot wait for our next discussion tommorow.

[Lucas Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pubs & Pegasi has plenty of charm: a likable lead, fun tavern atmosphere and a gentle magical touch. I loved the world-building and the character moments. On the flip side, if you’re looking for high stakes or fast-paced conflict, you might feel it moves too leisurely. For a cozy fantasy session it’s a good choice; for thrill-seekers it’s more “pleasant” than “pulse-pounding

[Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfortable, charming and full of heart. Pubs & Pegasi excels at creating a cozy fantasy world you’ll want to return to. The tavern scenes are a highlight, Sam is a relatable lead, and the magic stays small so you’re never overwhelmed. If you have hours to spare and want a pleasant read rather than a punishing epic, this is a solid pick.

[Favour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pubs and Pegasi was a surprise favorite for me. The story balances humor and heart so well, and Sam quickly became one of those characters you genuinely root for. The world feels lived in and comforting, with a touch of small-town magic that keeps the pages turning. Knowing it was a Feathered Quill finalist makes complete sense because the writing sparkles with skill and warmth.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most enjoyable cozy fantasies I’ve read in a while. Introduced by my book club, it started as a shared curiosity and ended as a group favorite. The writing is mature, witty, and full of heart. The Feathered Quill finalist mention feels like validation for what we all felt reading it.

[Sam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, relaxed read. Feels kike a breath of fresh air.

This book was unique to other fantasy books. It introduced some novel elements without trying to do too much. The author refers to it as "cozy" which I think is a good description. It's a feel good, smile-while-reading type of book.

[Tatianna Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good start

I like it, I get it. I love that no one is a special chosen 14 year old with a harem of patient pining admirers. I love that it's found family, I love that it feels comfortable. I love that the series is 10 books long, and I am probably going to chew through them all. Come and read with me.

[Dan Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid story

Character based tale with a moderately humorous bent, not the laugh out loud type but more of the shake your head and chuckle type. Plot move along at a decent pace with characters popping up and contributing then fading into the background but still in the story. A pleasant read.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Pubs & Pegasi. Sam’s journey from battle-scarred mercenary to someone who finds quiet joys and real friendships felt so genuine. I laughed, I turned pages easily, and I stayed for that cosy tavern vibe. A refreshing start to a series I’ll gladly follow.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about Pubs and Pegasi feels handcrafted. The pacing, the gentle magic, the genuine humor, it all works. Sam’s dry wit and the tavern camaraderie made me smile through every chapter. The book absolutely earned its spot as a Feathered Quill finalist.

[tamera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam’s journey from soldier to someone seeking peace was tender and deeply human. The tone is calm without ever being dull, and the humor feels earned. Every detail, from the food to the pub chatter, pulled me in. It’s easy to see why it received award recognition from the Feathered Quill judges.

[Breyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this to me, and I’m so glad she did. The setting is cozy but rich, the dialogue is quick and intelligent, and the story keeps a comforting rhythm. The award recognition is well deserved for such heartfelt storytelling.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

When our club picked this as a monthly read, I wasn’t sure what to expect. By the second chapter, I was hooked. Sam’s sarcasm, the small magical twists, and the gentle mystery all blended perfectly. The award recognition fits a story that manages to be both comforting and clever.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored how Don Jones combined humor, heart, and a sense of quiet adventure. Pubs and Pegasi made me want to pour a drink and sit by the tavern fire with Sam. It’s so full of warmth that the Feathered Quill finalist title feels inevitable.

[collin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pubs and Pegasi proves that quiet stories can be powerful. Sam’s personality shines, the supporting characters feel real, and the humor never tries too hard. The Feathered Quill finalist badge is well deserved, it’s a sign of real storytelling craftsmanship.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book you read slowly because you don’t want it to end. Every chapter feels like a warm conversation. Don Jones builds emotion through simplicity, and that’s rare. The Feathered Quill recognition feels earned in every sense.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

That was interesting. The non-violent story was not one I thought I would enjoy. This book proves me wrong. I'm a little surprised that Orcs and Ogres are juxtaposed and that's really the only bad thing I can say. The epilogue was fairly good.

[Teresa Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Day in the change of life

This is a cool concept (no spoilers) and a great setup for a new series. The characters are very likable and an interesting mix of species with different gifts.

[Keith Gosnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read! Amazing artwork. The characters almost climb off the page.

The characters almost climb off the page. Really great artistry. Very well written with no typos that I could find. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series!

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Carolyn Boatwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book In

It was full of adventure. Clean and very hard to put down. I loved characters and pictures. Great story. Great read

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Tales from the Broken Claw makes every choice matter. No character is just good or bad, It’s all shades of real.

[Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lira is such a standout. Her strength feels earned and honest. This series is already a favorite of mine and I am so happy our club introduced it.