Nothing like getting out of a book slump by reading a cozy fantasy about an orc discovering her love of reading. Seriously though, if you liked the first book & love books then you need to pick this one up asap. As much as I love cafes and lattes, something about this being about a bookshop and books makes it 10x better. Also this book has given me a newfound courage to ask authors out of the blue for a signing event at my store. If it's as Viv makes it to be then hey Travis Baldree, want to check out Indianapolis for an evening and sign some books?

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio!
I absolutely love legends and lattes and think a prequel was a fantastic idea to learn more about the characters. Viv was fantastic, and the first story and amazing in this one. Definitely lives up to the hype of the first book, and I enjoyed getting to see a deeper look at Viv's back story. Unfortunately, I don't love the narrator and wish that there was a different narrator.

Bookshops and Bonedust was absolutely amazing, and I was worried it wouldn’t be comparable to Legends and Lattes. You get the same cozy low stakes adventure vibes as Legends and Lattes with the adorable orc Viv as our main character in this one as well. I go into books blind so all I knew was that this was in the same series as Legends and Lattes and Viv was again the main character. I had hoped and assumed Bookshops and Bonedust would take place after the first books and was a bit sad to learn it was a prequel.
I know now that it doesn’t matter, the characters in this book are just as fun and lovable and I am so happy we got this but of background. I am hoping for more books that aren’t just prequels but I absolutely have loved both books we have been given.

Such a fun cozy read! Bookshops and Bonedust is a book you’ll want to read next to the fire drinking hot chocolate. It definitely has a very calm, low stakes vibe just as Legends and Lattes. I’m happy we got to see a lot more of Viv’s life and the characters in Bookshops and Bonedust seemed a lot more complex and had a lot more backstory than they did in Legends and Lattes. So overall if you enjoyed Legends and Lattes I definitely recommend picking this one up!

I’m pretty skeptical on a sequel living up to the original story, maybe even more so for prequels.

But when I saw the audio of Bookshops and Bonedust up on NetGalley I smashed that request button quick as can be.

I almost hesitate to say it but I think this may be even better than the Legends and Lattes.

Travis Baldree narrates the book himself so you know you are getting every tone and inflection as intended, he absolutely delivers an enjoyable experience.

Without getting into spoilers. This tale goes back to a younger and more impulsive Viv, but when an injury leaves her unable to campaign with her party she is forced to slow down. She discovers the joys of reading and slowing down once in a while.

Honestly the way he was able to craft her character into a completely different person, but keep her someone that could grow into her role in Legends and Lattes was impressive writing.

The epilogue ties it in really nicely to the first book as well and hints of maybe a sequel in the future without being a cliffhanger.

The pacing is slightly off from the first book but with Viv’s character being younger I feel like it made since for the story and given her convalescence I think the mix of cozy with sporadic action really worked.

If you loved Legends and Lattes, I expect you’ll enjoy this as well..


Big thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a chance to get in on this book early. I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review

A very solid prequel to Viv's story. While this book did still have the cozy vibes, it had quite a bit more action than Legends and Lattes. I would be very interested to see more of Fern and Satchel in a sequel to Legends and Lattes from where this book left off.

Travis Baldree has done it again! Fans of Legends & Lattes will be thrilled to read Bookshops & Bonedust. Baldree has a way of choosing words and writing descriptions in a way that makes ordinary things seem extraordinary. This book is a prequel to Legends & Lattes, so the story actually takes place before the story fans are familiar with (something that was originally difficult for me to keep in mind). However, this backstory really helps round out Viv's character so that can understand her motivations better.

One thing that I found especially impressive about the audiobook was how Baldree (who also narrates the book) did the voices for the characters. I found that the differences in character voices helped draw me into the story even more.

Overall, I think that Baldree did an excellent job with this book! I'm excited to get my physical copy when it's officially released and I will absolutely be rereading Legends & Lattes when I do my reread of Bookshops & Bonedust.

This book made me feel things I did not know I could feel. If sitting on a cozy couch while drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold day was a book, it would be this one. Yet again, Travis Baldree delights us with a low-ish stake cozy fantasy. I listened to the audiobook version and the characters, performance, and pacing seemed perfect for this form of media. Since it is read by Baldree, you get to know the characters on a deeper level than on print and so I recommend taking a listen while you read. Baldree includes LGBT+ characters in a realistic, authentic way, making it refreshing to see. I recommend reading the first book even though this is a prequel, because it does contain spoilers for legends and lattes at the end but could be read first if you wanted to. This would make an excellent book club read, beach read, or cozy winter read.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree is a fun, fantasy adventure. Like his first book, Baldree filled this novel with warmth, love, and sweet cozy moments. I listened to the audio version of this story because Baldree reads it himself. An experienced audiobook narrator, Baldree’s performance of his book brought the perfect touch of heart and whimsy to his story.

When Vivian, an injured orc is forced to recuperate in a small town, she falls in love with reading. I’m pretty sure we can all get behind this story. What’s cozier than a bookshop, you ask?

Here’s where it gets sticky.

Baldree wrote Legends & Lattes as a cozy fantasy. The stakes are low (Will Viv’s coffee shop be successful?), the action is minimal, and the point is watching the sweet story unfold. In contrast, Bookshops & Bonedust is a sword and sorcery fantasy. The stakes are extremely high, the novel is full of action, and at times, the situation the characters face is dire. While it has cozy moments, it does not provide the same type of reading experience.

Despite this criticism, I adored Bookshops & Bonedust. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an audio ARC of this book. I’d already preordered my copy, but now I look forward to reading it again!

A lovely follow up/prequel to the first book with the same cosy fantasy vibes. In this book, we see a younger and more blood-thirsty Viv arrive at another town injured and in need of time to recuperate. Similar to Legends and Lattes, she wins people over with her kindness and genuine desire to help. Viv befriends the local bookshop owner and helps her restyle the place to make it more modern and appealing. While there, she also finds romance and uncovers a mystery that leads to dark necromantic forces converging on the town. This sequel had everything that made the first book great, and the epilogue was a fantastic way to tie to the two books together.

Thank you, Net Galley and Tor for my advanced reader copy of the audio of Bookshops and Bonedust. I liked Legends and lattes. It was sweet and cute, and I enjoyed the characters. BUT BUT BUT BUT I didn't love it.

I FREAKING LOVE Bookshops and Bonedust. In this prequel, we meet Viv as a hot headed merc, charging in before she thinks and showing off making ridiculous decisions. Injured in action, her crew leaves her in a sleepy town to recover. Aimless, ashamed, and worried she will get left behind permanently, Viv wanders into a shabby bookshop, and she is gifted a book. As she makes friends and connects to the community, all is not as it seems, and the town is not as sleepy as it first seems.

This book is a the warm hug I wanted from L & L, but I was much more able to connect to it. I loved the message of understanding why we chase our dreams the way we do and the discussion of reading. I also ADORED some of our new characters. They are too good to spoil mentioning them here. I loved the friendship. This book had a little more action, and I will definitely be rereading it.

As always, Travis Baldree's performance of these characters brought them to life. His understated reading style just fits his words so well. I cannot wait to read more of this universe with my ears.

3.5

Legends & Lattes took the publishing world by storm last year and I think this was a lovely follow up to that story. Technically a prequel, Bookshops & Bonedust follows Viv at the beginning of her time as a mercenary, when she finds herself stuck in a sleepy beach town called Murk to recuperate.

This has so much of the charm that I loved from Legends & Lattes, and I think if you were a fan of that you will also enjoy this. I love that in both books we’re following Viv in the quiet moments between adventures. That being said, I found myself a little more disconnected from the story than I expected to be, potentially because we’ve seen where Viv’s future lies in Legends & Lattes. I did love the epilogue tie-in though! And I loved that this seemed to be an ode to booksellers and book lovers.

Baldree narrates the audiobook himself, and as usual does an excellent job. I look forward to relistening to this often after it’s release as I love this series as a cozy day reread.

This book is a warm hug, but with a bit more peril and action than Baldree's first book Legends and Lattes. Bookshops and Bonedust, still maintains the cozy fantasy vibe of the first book, and as with the first, offers a soft landing.

I enjoyed the depictions of friendship and collaboration within the community. The world building and character building is excellent - very immersive. I find the interpersonal relationship building very thoughtful and creative. Highly recommend this series to any fantasy lover that just wants a bit of a gentle read. The world is still vibrant and interesting, but not sexist or hateful - there are misunderstandings, and very clear villains and heroes - in a way that can be very comforting, especially when done well, as it is in this book.

Travis Baldree started out as an audiobook narrator, so the narration quality is absolutely excellent - he really brings his characters to life.

Thanks to Macmillian Audio for advanced access via Netgalley.

{4.5 stars}

My issue with Legends and Lattes was that there was not a lot of action or strife. I loved the characters but cozies can get a bit snoozy for me. So this one was right up my alley. We learn more about Viv's past as a soldier and what gave her the idea for her bookshop as she rests from an injury and meets a lovely cast of unusual characters. As in book one, we see her as a doer and a caring heart who wants happiness and fulfillment for those around her. My favorite character in this one was Satchel, he was so unique and the darkness that created him was so awesome to dive into. There are fight scenes, moments that come full circle from a character development perspective and of course allusion to spice but nothing that will make you uncomfortable.

Thanks to Macmillian Audio for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

A quirky, cozy, fantasy story about an underestimated orc who discovers the joys of books, love, and just ... other people (or beings really since the story is populated with gnomes, elves, dwarves, etc). The audio is read by the author and he does a smashing job -- great voices, perfect pace. A little slow paced in terms of action, but fully fleshed out with the fun oddness of interactions between different beings who all have lesson for us about being human.

I know you all have heard it before, but I am here to say that this is a hug of a book. There is just something so lovely about cozying up to these low stakes fantasies that just fill me up with complete joy,

This one is a prequel, we see Viv as she is recovering from an injury and she ends up in a cozy little bookshop working to save it from being closed down. The characters are wonderful, my favorite being Pot Roast the cutest not dog but dog character around.

I just loved all of this, I loved the idea of stories continuing past the final page and what our past brings to our present/future selves. I will read anything by Travis Baldree and this one was just so heartwarming. ❤️❤️

I read this one on audio and in ebook form but this audio is read by the author and I found it to be absolutely wonderful!

5/5 stars! Read this one!

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copies in exchange for an honest review!

Travis, you masterful storyteller and stealer of hearts!!

After falling head over heels for Viv in Legends & Lattes, I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy to this prequel story. In Bookshops & Bonedust, we get to learn more about Viv's days as a mercenary orc and the injury that landed her in a small seaside town where she meets eclectic characters, including local Bookseller named Fern who changes Viv's life trajectory. Fern is such.an.amazing.character. and book enthusiast extrordinare, but her bookstore is a hot mess. Viv (with some town help) start to refresh the space with success while spreading the joy of reading to the community. Ultimately, as Viv's time is limited in this town, this story is about the different paths we can take and different people we meet along the journey of our lives. I was once again charmed by Baldree's atmospheric settings and insightfully unique characters. And the Epilogue; BLESS you Travis for that glimpse of L&L Viv and the hint at what is to come in the next book of the series. It was so joyful to hear you narrate your own story as well.

Thank you so much to TOR publishers and MacMillan Audio for my e-arc and alc in exchange for my review.
I will be posting to my social accounts closer to release day!

This book was so cute! Mostly vibes but I fell in love with the characters and by the end I was so stressed they wouldn’t be best friends forever. Was also thrilled to see that you don’t have to have read Legends and Lattes to enjoy this one.

I received this audiobook through Netgally for early review.

Let me start by saying I loved Legends & Lattes, but Loved Bookshops and Bonedust even more.
I don't want to give too much away, but I'll just say the bookshop owner and Potroast are the best (in my opinion!). It was a fun read and kept you guessing what was going to happen until the very end. I listened to the audiobook, but will also be buying the hard copy when it comes out for my library and myself!
I can't suggest this book enough if you love fantasy and LGBTQ representation! (Which we always need much more of in books, be it fantasy or not!)

This book just made me happy. I empathize with Viv as the main character not knowing how to take a breathe and just relax but this book helped me do just that. This book has the perfect amount of depth in the storylines so that you’re not bored reading it but you’re also not dealing with super high stakes drama. There was just enough of a romance but not too much to make it a story only about romance. It’s the perfect balance.

If you loved Legends & Lattes, read this. If you haven’t read Legends & Lattes, read this and then read L&L. Perfect for cozy fantasy lovers!