I loved this book. Getting better insight into who Viv was and how that led to her in Legends & Lattes was great. I fell in love with all of these characters and hope that we get to revisit. I also loved how much this book focused on friendships and relationships and the roles they can play, even if temporary.

I was a huge fan of Travis Baldree's first novel, Legends and Lattes and had even picked it for one of our recent Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion Group where we enjoyed discussing it while sampling cinnamon buns and other treats almost as tasty as Thimble's. I was curious to see where Baldree would choose to go with his next novel, Bookshops and Bonedust. I wasn't expecting him to decide to write a prequel, but I think this worked well and helped give further insight into the character of Viv who goes from enjoying and thriving in the adventurous life of a mercenary to retiring to coffee shop owner. I thought it might be awkward to have a romance with a character that had her HEA (Happily Ever After) already, but I found it to be bittersweet and moving in its own way. In both novels friendship is as if not more important than romantic feelings so in some ways the fact that we know that they will not have a lasting partnership adds to the strength of what they are able to forge for the time. I really enjoyed the new characters that were included in the book. Unlike the previous typically soft spoken shy ratkin, Thimble, in Bookshops and Bonedust, Fern a local ratkin bookshop owner has a mouth that would make a longshoreman blush despite her heart of gold. Her adorable pet, gryphet, Potroast, who is a whimsical spin on the gryphen, part owl and part dog, brought some adorable humor to the novel. Baldree excels at taking classic fantasy tropes and giving them fun tweaks. I will definitely look for more from Baldree in the future whether it is exploring more from his current characters or bringing new ones to life.

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST by Travis Baldree is the newly released prequel to Legends and Lattes and appears on a number of recommended booklists, including Goodreads' Choice Awards for the Fantasy genre. I read this as a stand-alone adventure and thoroughly enjoyed it. Viv is an orc who is injured and ends up convalescing in a small town where she befriends a handyman, a baker, a bookshop owner, and many more. It is a gentle, cozy read, but there is plenty of swordmanship and danger lurks nearby. BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST received a starred review from Booklist ("anyone who likes the idea of an orc warrior becoming a devotee of the power of reading and its ability to broaden your horizons—should check out Viv's adventures") and is the top pick for LibraryReads in November. Have fun reading!!

I read Travis Baldree’s Legend & Lattes last month and really enjoyed its cozy fantasy vibes and of course the main character, an odd named Viv who runs a coffee shop.

Bookshops & Bonedust is actually a prequel to L&L and it’s another delightful read that gives us some backstory on Viv as she helps to renovate a bookshop while recuperating from an injury and takes time to boost her own love of reading. It also features a wonderful cast of characters and a fairly low stakes but very entertaining plot.

Travis Baldree's first book in the series, Legends and Lattes, introduces a whole new group of readers to the wonderful experience of reading cozy fantasy. Bookshops & Bonedust has a bit of mystery, a bit of romance and plenty of coziness. Baldree has created a world that is like slipping into a warm fuzzy pair of slippers. The story is enjoyable and easy to follow along, but what makes this series stand out is the characters. The author did an amazing job of creating characters that are relatable and enjoyable, even for those who generally would not find interest in the fantasy genre.

As mentioned, this is a cozy fantasy read. Expect slower pacing for most of the book. This truly pushes the reader to experience the story and immerse themselves into the environment. It's primarily a feel good wholesome book with just enough fantasy to make it a truly unique reading experience.

Our favorite orc is back in this prequel. I loved getting to know Viv in Legends & Lattes and loved reading her 'origin' story in this book. Viv is sent to a sleepy beachside town to recover after an injury and she learns to love the town and also, books.
If you want a quiet book with a great setting, side characters and just warm, cozy feelings than look no further.

If you haven’t read Legends & Lattes or Bookshops & Bonedust yet, I highly suggest you change that. I was late to the game, but if I had known book 1 was a love letter to coffee and pastries, I would have jumped in sooner! Book 2 is a prequel and love letter to book lovers and indie bookstores 🫶📚. (Oh, and there’s mythical creatures with a dash of adventure 🖤.)
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Viv is an orc who is forced to take a break from the mercenary life after an injury. While recuperating in the small sleepy town of Murk, she comes across a bookshop owned by a sweary rattkin bookseller named Fern. The two become fast friends as Fern recommends books to Viv, and Viv helps her spruce up the bookshop to attract new customers. Throw in a dwarf love interest, cute mythical pets, some dark forces tied to a necromancer, and all the cozy small town vibes 🧡. Will Viv return to her life as a mercenary once her leg heals and adventure calls?
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Look, I didn’t think “cozy high fantasy” was a thing. But @travis_baldree made it a thing and I am 100% here for it.
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I loved the reader references here. That feeling of utter blankness you get when someone asks what you liked about a book on the spot 😂. The joy of convincing someone to read from a genre they don’t usually dip into. (And then seeing them love it.) Book signings, blind date with a book, fangirling over an author, book club. All. The. Bookish. Things 🫶.
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I read and listened to this book. Baldree’s narration of his own book is phenomenal. I love when authors can narrate their own work because they are always able to add a little something special to it.
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Thank you to @torbooks @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the digital ARCs!
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“Never trust a writer who doesn't have too many books to read. Or a reader, for that matter.”
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Bookshops & Bonedust - Travis Baldree
4.5/5⭐️

Of course I expected nothing less than to be smitten after Legends and Lattes proved to be the perfect cozy read. And this definitely held up the vibes while completing the backstory.

Cozy fantasy has certainly earned its place as one of my favorite genres and this book continues that trend. This prequel to Legends and Lattes gives a deeper look into Viv's life as she recovers with the help of books and a cast of quirky characters.

As others have said, if you liked Legends & Lattes, you'll enjoy this but I don't think it was better by any means. That's ok though because sometimes all you want is a nice, cozy time and this certainly delivers that. Though there were a few more fast-paced scenes towards the end this time.

Viv is an orc mercenary who is dedicated to swinging a sword and laughing at danger. When she is terribly injured, her crew leaves her to recuperate in a seaside town. Feeling abandoned, Viv limps around the town and discovers a small bookshop. There, the owner introduces Viv to the joys of reading. When Viv hears that the bookshop is in dire financial straits, she’s determined to save the business (sword or no sword) and sets about gathering a community of friends and readers to do so. Loved 'Legends and Lattes' and adored this peek into Viv's past. Coziness, books and friends abound. I want to wrap myself in this world and never leave!

I was initially so apprehensive that I would not be able to enjoy this follow up as much as I loved Legends and Lattes. We go back in time to experience a younger Viv early in her mercenary career, sidelined due to an injury. With a new cast of characters, we get to witness the inate ability Viv has to draw people together. I slowly fell in love with this story. And by the end I was happy crying.

Travis is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me! I adored reading about one of Viv’s adventures prior to L&L and loved all the characters in this as well. The pacing felt a little bit slower but from a cozy fantasy, I didn’t mind it at all!
Also, the epilogue? Perfection.

2.5 stars rounded up

I did not enjoy this one as much as legends and lattes. I feel like it kind of lost the intent or purpose of the book. It tried to be low stakes and cozy, but then had a necromancer?

3.25 stars

I really enjoyed Legends & Lattes last year, so I was very excited to get this prequel. I enjoyed this one, but for me it really didn’t hit the same spots that the first book did. Legends & Lattes has a very cozy and sweet feel to it, as I’m sure you all know. However, this one is more that it has cozy and sweet moments, as opposed to most of the book, if that makes sense. Like the first book this one has a dangerous mystery subplot. Unlike the first book, however, it takes up a larger portion of the story.

The voice of Viv is also quite different in this book. This takes place when she is young and getting her start, so there’s a lot more impatience and abruptness on her part. She really needed a few decades to mellow out.

I think this book would be great if you read Legends & Lattes and liked it but thought it was a bit slow and not much happened.

Thank you to NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group for this advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I love this world and I love these characters. The cozy vibes are top notch! I’m just not sure what i expected from this story, but I guess a “backstory” for Viv wasn’t it. I’m not saying it wasn’t needed, I just found it hard to want to be invested in any character aside from Viv, as we already know they’re not central to her next adventure. I suppose the ending helps with that investment a bit.

The first half of this book was very slow and I was struggling to want to read it, but once a few new characters get introduced and the story picks up a bit I had a lot more fun. I do wish I had had the chance to read this first and then legends and lattes, but regardless, I was happy to be in this world again!

As a bookseller, this book brought me a particularly rare sense of joy that can be found in the cozy, slow days at the store. It perfectly encapsulates the personal challenge of finding the perfect book for each customer and the talent for reading people that develops from that challenge. An amazing read ideal for the coming cold days tucked away inside with some baking and a warm drink of choice, this was an easy 5 stars.

I loved this prequel to Legends & Lattes even more than the original! After an injury prevents her from continuing on with her adventuring, Viv finds herself surprisingly invested in a local bookshop that's struggling to make ends meet. This one is faster paced than L&L but just as cozy and cute! It also features a skeleton homunculus, a bookshop owner with a foul mouth, and an owl dog.

I really love the growing cozy fantasy genre. Life is stressful enough without being stressed out by a book, and the low stakes magical worlds are a lovely escape. Bookshops & Bonedust was a delightful read and enjoyable prequel to Legends and Lattes. Other than an epilogue at the end of Bookshops which contains spoilers for Legends, you really could read either book in any order.

Highly recommend for folks looking for escapist, curl up in front of the fire, reading.

Travis Baldree has done it again. Viv, the vengeful orc is back in this prequel to Legands and Lattes. I didn't realize this was a prequel at first and was thoroughly confused, but once I got my bearings, I was able to settle in and enjoy this story. Viv has been injured in battle and is brought to an inn to recuperate. She is sure the sleepy seaside town will bore her to death. While exploring the town and trying to get herself back into fighting form, she meets some unique inhabitants. The characters in this story are charming and the setting is delightfully cozy. This book lives up to the high expectations set by its predecessor for sure!