This was another great addition to this world! I just love this so much! Truly so warm and fuzzy!! It was so great to see well-loved characters! I loved seeing where Viv came from and her previous relationships established it!! I also really appreciated the epilogue!! That was so heartwarming !!! I love this world and was so happy to get the chance to go back to it !!

. . . . . . . series info . . . . . . . .

I think you can read this without reading Legends and Lattes. BUT, skip the epilogue, and come back once you’ve read L&L.

. . . . . . . book review . . . . . . . .

I really enjoyed Legends and Lattes. I read it when I needed a break and wanted something that I would just vibe with and wouldn’t be stressful. Bookshops and Bonedust has all of that great found family/community feeling, but has a little more plot - so if you thought L & L didn’t have enough going on, you might still like B & B!

🎧 I think Travis Baldree does a fantastic job narrating his books. I love when books are read by the author if they enjoy it!

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Bookshops & Bonedust –> What a nice surprise. Definitely outside of my normal reading genre of late, I decided to stretch myself with a bit of a cozy fantasy sub-genre read. In previous years, I read some wonderful fantasy and I frequently read cozies so why not, I asked myself. With the completion of this read – I look forward to returning to this genre with reading gusto! In my opinion, when it comes to creating a world that is engaging and leaves the reader (at least this reader) spellbound and not wishing to put the book down, all I can say is that Travis Baldree is a gifted writer and checks all the writer boxes and accomplished the goal of engaging me totally.

Bookshops & Bonedust is the story of Viv, an orc warrior, who is trying to make a name for herself with the mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens. However, things are not going to well for her. Viv was injured during the pursuit of a necromancer. The company sends her (and Viv was NOT happy about this let me tell you) to recuperate in the town of Murk. To occupy Viv’s time, she frequents a struggling bookshop with an owner who is quite the character. Friendships develop and before Viv knows it, she is invested in the lives of numerous residents of this sleepy little town. Unexpectedly, a romance develops (with the bakery owner) and even a situation arises where Viv can use her warrior skills to save the bookshop.

The bookshop in this tale was a wonderful gathering place (and the location of some pretty intense drama let me tell you). As Viv helped clean up the shop, I could see deep friendships develop with the owner, they both became invested in the store and it’s growing success. The bookshop brought a sense of home to me and reminded me that as a child, I really loved libraries. Books were (and still are) magical. The story provided many twists and turns and kept my interest throughout.

The numerous fantasy characters in this book such as orcs, dwarves, necromancers, elves and gnomes made me grin as I was reading. I loved the diversity that the story brought. I also liked that this book had a queer relationship and all of the characters were welcoming. Something I wish all of society could get on board with – inclusion and acceptance! Each of the characters were unique and complex in their own way.
Many other reviews I have read for this title have indicated they were glad they got to read the first book in the series, Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes, #1) before Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0). I did not have such luxury as I only stumbled across this book first. I shall move on to the aforementioned title now and anticipate enjoying the continuation of Viv’s trials and tribulations as much as I have enjoyed this book.

Whether you've read Legends and Lattes or have been living under a rock and this is your first dive into the imaginative world that Travis has built you'll be warmly satisfied. This can be read as a standalone or as the prequel to Legends and Lattes. This novel like the former has a warm cozy feel but a bit more adventure and layers than the first book. For fans of books, stories around finding oneself, and making new friends in a new town.

Baldree in my opinion is the king of cozy fantasy. Allowing us to play more in this world and see more of the characters lives was a lot of fun. This is a great genre to ease your way into fantasy. This is one of those books I could recommend for just about anyone.

QOTD: What has been your favorite read of 2023 so far?
My favorite book this year has hands-down been Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree, which was my single most-anticipated release of the year as well! While I had extremely high hopes for this book, I loved it even more than I ever could’ve imagined. I have both read the physical book and listened to the audiobook, because I just cannot get enough of this world and these characters!

As the prequel to Legends & Lattes, Bookshops & Bonedust tells a story from earlier on in Viv’s life, exploring her time stuck in a small town while injured during combat. Bookshops & Bonedust has all of the cozy, magical charm that made me adore Legends & Lattes, but with a touch more adventure mixed into the story. Viv meets a new cast of characters, some of whom carry over as minor characters in Legends & Lattes, which was exciting to see as a fan of the first book. Baldree struck the perfect balance of creating an exciting plot without losing the easy and comfortable world characteristics that set his novels apart.

Travis Baldree was already on my list of favorite authors before reading Bookshops & Bonedust, but now I think I’ll have to make a special new list for the best of the best, and his will be the only one on it. I especially loved listening to the audiobook, as it was read by the author, who has the perfect voice for crafting an engaging and comfortable fantasy world in my mind. I would give anything to get to read another book set in this world, but regardless I will be following Travis Baldree wherever his writing goes!

My Recommendation:
If you have been hearing about “cozy fantasy” recently, and are curious about the genre, I cannot recommend this series enough! I would especially recommend these books to fans of Dungeons and Dragons, but who prefer their adventures to be a little more low-key!

A lovely followup to the first, which I enjoyed thoroughly. The cast here was just as good as the first, and built on many of the same themes like the importance of community and finding your own way.

Just like legends and lattes, this books was so cozy and magical. I love these books! They are so fun to read. Bookshops and Bonedust is the perfect book the start reading after a long day of work when you just want to rot on the couch. I also loved how this book ended exactly where the next book picks up. I hihgly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This is every bit of the cosy fantasy that I was promised and I loved getting to see this episode in Viv's part where, instead of building a coffee shop, she ends up helping a found friend better her failing bookshop.

Viv is injured near the nowhere town of Murk where the rest of her party leave her behind to heal. All while they go after a necromancer who's causing problems. The first part of this book has Viv mostly pining over the fact that she can't currently fight in her condition, which is a very different version of the character we saw in the previous novel.

And then she meets Fern, the bookstore owner. Begins borrowing books. Starts making suggestions to have Fern's bookstore be that little more inviting to strangers off the street.

There's probably a bit more structure in terms of the big bad guy at the end of this book warring with the retail project Viv takes on, but not a lot more. The band of friends she makes while her leg slowly heals are just as memorable as the ones we met before. It's a relaxing read, everything that it's meant to be.

Bookshops and Bonedust offers readers another glimpse into the enchanting world of Viv, but for some, the prequel may falter in delivering the cozy charm they've come to expect. While it's a treat to embark on another adventure with Viv, the knowledge that this journey is temporary may hinder the ability to fully invest in the story and its new characters. Despite the engaging premise and familiar setting, the sense of impermanence may create a barrier for readers seeking a more enduring connection.

Additionally, Bookshops and Bonedust may disappoint fans of cozy fantasy with its emphasis on action. While a bit of excitement can add spice to a narrative, too much may detract from the cozy atmosphere that draws readers to the genre. For those who value the tranquil ambiance of cozy fantasy, the prequel's departure from this formula may leave them longing for the familiar comforts found in Baldree's previous works.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Our library patrons LOVE this series and this newest entry. It's a delightful cozy read with light peril, rich friendships, and baked goods that will make you want to visit your local bakery. Lovely and enjoyable.

4/5 stars - very good, would recommend

This is another wonderful cozy fantasy form Travis Baldree. The stakes aren't very high for most of the book, but there are moments filled with action and a bit of adventure. Would recommend for fans of the first books or for anyone who is looking for a cozy fantasy that is character driven and heartwarming with a slice-of-life feel.

(Mild spoilers below)

Liked:
- the characters are all very lovable - Fern and Satchel were my favorites (I would love to read a book about Satchel's adventures after they leave Murk)
- gives you better insight into Viv's growth as a character (assuming you've read Legends and Lattes), and you get to see how far she's gone and meet some of the people that helped her grow
- found friendships, the MC makes friendships that she knows are temporary and yet that doesn't make them less deep or important
- the book explored the way books can help us escape from reality, but also the way they can help us understand ourselves and the world around us better. I really liked that we got to watch Viv fall in love with books throughout the story.
- Potroast the gryphet is adorable

Things I didn't like:
- I did find Viv's romance in this one to be less impactful to me since, if you've read Legends and Lattes, you know it doesn't last. In some ways, I wish I'd read this one first so I could have been more emotionally invested in that plotline. However I still did like the relationship and I liked the way both participants learned about what they were looking for from it. The book made it clear that, even though it was temporary, it was still important to them and they were glad to have been able to meet and spend time together.

Another wonderful cozy fantasy from Travis Baldree. I loved learning more about Viv and I need more books in this world! Full review on Youtube.

The prequel to the delightful Legends & Lattes, this follows a younger Viv and her adventures in a town called Murk, where she stays while an injury heals up and she can walk properly again. Viv quickly makes friends and becomes a fixture at the local bookshop, helping Fern, the owner, to make it more successful. But Viv’s warrior life isn’t far away during her convalescence.

I’m glad I finally got around to this. It was just as sweet and cozy and Legends & Lattes, though I think L&L is my favourite of the two. This was a little looser in structure and story, and of course, as a prequel, you know where it’s going. But it was delightful and I definitely vibe with cozy fantasy.

As cozy and escapist as Legends & Lattes. Exciting to catch up with many characters (but earlier in their lives) and see how the idea for the coffee shop came about.

Low stakes cozy fantasy! This was so enjoyable, but not the most memorable for me. This was such a fun vibe to read though!

What a treat! Bookshops and Bonedust takes the reader back to Viv's past, when she had just started being a mercenary. While proving herself that she's capable of the job title, she ends up injured and left behind in a small town. It's here where she meets a bookstore keeper and a baker, and thus fully commences the story.

I love how this author manages to add danger and mystery to a cozy story; all of it combined adds to an enchanting, adventurous, and interesting story. While this is a prequel, I would highly suggest reading Legends and Lattes first.

I had heard so many wonderful things about the first book that I requested this before I read it. It was so boring and not for me, so I will not be reading this prequel. Thank you for allowing me to have a copy, and I'm sorry.