I loved this even more than Legends & Lattes, and I think the primary reason is that this just has that bit more plot and action than its predecessor. Bookshops and Bonedust is a prequel, following Viv during her prime as a mercenary recovering from a sword wound to the leg. Dropped off in a little seaside town called Murk, she's forced to adopt a slower pace in life and meet and help the residents as they face a looming threat. The cast of secondary character are so wonderful, so we'll described and genuine that you can't help but fall in love with them. From Gallina the dwarf to Maylee the baker and Fern the bookshop owner, all of them shape Viv into who she is and change her opinion on small town life.

There's something really comforting about Baldree's writing. It's lyrical to a degree, with rich descriptions of this little town and all its foibles. I'd quite happily read about Viv browsing books and eating her tea by the fire forever. However, I do find that the world building is sometimes a little lacking. We don't know much about the world outside of Viv's bubble, catching only a glimpse of the various monsters she fights and the magic that's present and I would have really liked to see this expanded on.

I hope Travis Baldree continues to give us more stories in this world, because he's so good at writing richly complex characters, and the setting has so much potential for endless adventures.

Bookshops and Bone Dust by Travis Baldree is the prequel story to Legends and Lattes. Another cosy addition to the series. This story takes place several years before Legends and Lattes. When we meet Viv who is injured badly in a battle, in the hunt for a powerful necromancer. She is taken to a small seaside town, Murk, to recover. As you would imagine, Viv starts to recover,

She makes friends etc. and starts to work and live in Murk. Viv starts to be involved in helping Fern out in the Bookshop and everything becomes very cozy. Baldree is good at creating that cosy atmosphere, reading about books, coffee and pastries, all hit the spot, a nice slice of nostalgic life. Ultimately, Viv moves on from these characters as this is a prequel. That was the main difference, yes there is plenty of danger and conspiracy. More so in this story than in Legends. However, something was taken away, because if you've read Legends we know everything is fine at the start. Although it was an enjoyable reading experience I would have preferred this to have been the first book published rather than the other way around. However, if you love fantasy, cosy, nostalgic feelings this is the book for you. My thanks to the publisher Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for access to this e-ARC, all views are my own.

A lovely book, I really enjoyed reading about Viv's adventures. Definitely looking for more from this author.

This is such a cute, cosy and wholesome book, with a little humour and some light romance.

I loved the atmosphere, with most of the story taking place in a bookshop.

It did seem very slow to start though, and I had to put it down a few times because it just seemed a little too boring. Eventually though, once I became familiar with the characters, it was lovely to spend an evening with them.

This is the Prequel to the 2022 sensation "Legends and Lattes" book.

✨I was totally bowled over by legends and Lattes when I read it earlier this year so Bookshops and Bonedust has been my most anticipated read this year

The story is a prequel to Legends and Lattes. The story follows the gorgeous Ogre Viv back in time when she was injured in battle and has to lay low in recovery in a sleepy village called Murk...

💭The positives in this prequal are we are introduced to a new and equally charming and unique cast of characters (including a Gryphet called Potroast!). Also the setting of the village of Murk is delicious, quaint, coastal and quiet.

The attempt to capture the gorgeously cosy ambience of Legends and Lattes was a little off the mark. I felt their was a little too much necromancy action and not enough attention to detail about the improvement of the bookshop and the bakery.. I imagine the author didn't want to completely replicate the style of L&L but by shifting the story to include more adventure it ended up losing much of the cosy atmospheric magic which I was desperately hoping for.

All in all a good read but not in the same league as it's predecessor

Thank you very much to @netgalley @panmacmillan for the ARC of this book

I rated the first book four stars and am doing so again for the second one :-).

Bookshops & Bonedust is just as cozy as Legends & Lattes was, except we get a little more action and mystery in my opinion. It was a very easy and fluent read with a ton of fantasy while still being cute and warm. Just like in the first book, you quickly love to grow the characters. I absolutely loved Viv (of course), Fern, Gallina, Potroast (!), Maylee and Satchel. That last one being one of my favourites. I did not really love Maylee, I think because we didn't get to see that much of her and I felt like she was more of a side-character even though she was meant as a main character. Either way, if you enjoyed the coziness of Legends & Lattes, you'll definitely enjoy this prequel as well!

*3.5

Whilst I still enjoyed Bookshops & Bonedust, it didn’t have the same charm as Legends & Lattes. I felt quite disconnected from this story. Even though it was wholesome and cute, knowing what happens in L&L just made me feel like this was a bit of a waste of time. You know that Viv just wants to get back to her crew and will probably never see these characters again. I was a bit more intrigued by what was alluded to in the epilogue - I think that could’ve been a better story for me. Also, the pacing was a little off for me. I was expecting mostly no plot just vibes, but the plot that we did get was a bit rushed in the end. I know that that’s not the point of these books, but still.

I still love the cozy vibes, but Legends & Lattes was a fave, and this was a bit of a let down in comparison.

I know I’m not the only one around here who adored Legends & Lattes for all its low-stakes cosy fantasy goodness, so when the prequel became available I jumped at the chance to read it. I wanted more Viv, but mostly I wanted more of the warm fuzzy feeling reading the first book gave me.

You'll be pleased to hear this one doesn't disappoint. There is something about these books that evokes a sense of wrapping up on a chilly weekend when you have nowhere to be. They feel safe, and leisurely, and like the best kind of escape from reality. There's more of the wry Pratchett-esque fantasy-comedy in this book, and a cast of characters who all delight in their variety and quirks.

Baldree is doing something special with these books, something I don't think anyone else is doing at the moment, and I can't recommend this one enough.

It’s hard to articulate how much I loved this book. It manages to be fun, comforting, and profound all at once. The way it shows love for books and the power they have to effect us meant so much to me. Viv’s relationship with the books she reads was powerful: seeing her find escapism, joy, understanding, and connection through the stories she read. With the importance of sharing books, and booksellers taking such a prominent space in the novel.

All of the characters were crafted excellently. I felt connected to all of them and didn’t want the book to end so I could spend more time with them. The book deftly deals with complex emotions of belonging, guilt, friendship, and love; while simultaneously being an excellent cosy fantasy story full of warmth.

Ultimately, this book is full of hope that we can be changing and complex people, but also find places that we belong. Truly, reading this reaffirmed to me why I love books, and I would happily recommend it to anyone.

thank you to netgalley & the publisher for this one - one of my most anticipated releases of the year!

and it did NOT disappoint. 'bookshops & bonedust' takes us back into the world of viv the orc, except this time we find her when she was still acting as a mercenary. viv gets injured during the opening fight in the book and finds herself convalescing in the small seaside town of murk, despairing over the apparent blankness of her days.

i loved this one SO much, i think even more so than legends & lattes. travis baldree's writing has definitely improved, and this one felt more... settled into the world and the characters that inhabit it. i absolutely adored our supporting cast, particularly fern the foulmouthed rattkin, potroast her delightful pet, and the beloved satchel!! i really appreciated getting a glimpse into viv's life whilst she was still working and think, whilst this book does work standing on its own, it also offers an insightful peek into how viv came to be the person she is when we first meet her in legends & lattes.

i would honestly read 100 stories about viv and her life and i really hope travis returns to this series in the future for some more shenanigans!! they are exactly the kind of cosy fantasy you sometimes just need to read, with low-stakes plot and characters that are easy to root for and enjoy.

Another enjoyable outing with a much younger Viv long before Legends & Lattes has crossed her mind.

Once again incredibly vivid world building and imagery. A great host of supporting characters and a story that felt like a warm hug. Would highly recommend especially if you enjoyed Legends & Lattes and I hope for more from this author as these are the best of the cosy fantasy genre.

I loved this prequel to Legends & Lattes! It has the same cosy vibes as its sequel and it was a great introduction to Viv and her journey of finding herself. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a low-stakes, cosy fantasy with a great storyline, a setting and characters that warm your heart.

An absolutely stellar read, Bookshops and Bonedust gives us a glimpse at a much younger Viv, in this prequel to Legends and Lattes.
We pick up with a young, impulsive Viv, who is grievously injured in one of her early campaigns. Left in a sleepy, seaside town to recover, while the rest of her company go in search of a necromancer, Viv befriends a lonely bookshop owner and a lively baker. With her injury restricting her movements, Viv is bored and restless, until Fern puts a book in her hands and uncovers a joy of reading. Of course, though, we can't expect Viv to stay completely out of trouble! A host of lovable characters in this book, and we also see Viv introduced to Gallina.

A cosy, endearing read, Travis Baldree remains a master of giving me exactly what I never knew I needed! The simple epilogue links the two books together beautifully and I would love to find that we have more books to come in this series!

Gods, this was SO GOOD!

I'm so impressed that this book manages to be set within Viv's time as a mercenary and so completely uphold the same cosy fantasy vibe. It remains the genre I didn't know I needed and this book is a perfect addition to the world of Legends and Lattes.

Viv has only been running with Rackham's Ravens for a couple of months when she gets herself stabbed in the leg by a wight. As you have to when these things happen, she ends up stuck in the sleepy seaside city of Murk whilst she heals. Instead of chasing a necromancer, which is what she should be doing. Obviously.

In the weeks that she is in Murk, Viv becomes friends with Fern, the rattkin proprietor of the local bookshop, Zelia, the enigmatic elven romance author that lives nearby, has a wee flirtation at its absolute peak (they talk about it a lot but don't do much about it, classic wlw) with Maylee the baker. They also, brilliantly, end up with an animated skeleton called Satchel and a dog meets dragon meets bird pet called Potroast rounding out their little group.

It's so lovely. This book reminded me of so many of the reasons by I love to fall into a book, talk about them with my friends and the reasons I think so highly of other readers. Its a love letter to books and reading set in a fantasy bookshop!

Yes there's action, and you really love to see it, but it's very much action of the type where all the local residents are baffled and wondering when it will stop. Cosy fantasy, the absolute dream honestly.

I think we got a glimpse into a book 3 at the end and I really hope I'm right because the little cross overs with what we know happens later on Viv's life were excellent. At one point she even wishes for a hot drink that will wake her up a little more than tea ❤️😭

“If there are that many books people don’t want, though, then what’s the use in having them around?”

“They’re books. You don’t just throw them away.”


This is genuinely the most pure and wholesome series I've ever read. There's nothing to overanalyze or stress over. It's just a sweet small-town story, full of adorable characters, just a dabble of romance, and a cozy mystery to keep things a little more interesting. I even cried a little at the end. To be perfectly honest, though, it isn't a perfect story. Similar to the first one, a large part of it is a little slow and dull. Nothing of significance happens other than a few sightings of the mystery man in gray, a possible romance brewing, and Viv's new-found love of books. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it immeasurably.

Moreover, Viv is as sweet as always, even as a younger and more reckless girl. Even though she is sullen and grumpy because her injury left her out of commission, she still makes the most of it. She befriends several of the townspeople, discovers a love of books, and has a sweet summer fling. She also finds a little mystery to solve after a man in gray appears in town and makes people uneasy. It's clear that Viv's kindness and good nature attract people despite her imposing demeanor. Even those who don't like her at first.

Finally, as I've already mentioned, everyone in Murk, the small town Viv is stranded in, is full of adorable people. One of them is Fern, the bookstore owner, and Viv's first friend. She is my favorite character. She is the one who invited Viv into the cult that is literature and shows her where true happiness lies: books. She also cusses all the time, barely reaches Viv's knee, and has an adorable pet gryphet named Potroast. She ticks all my boxes. Besides, Satchel a magical assistant of sorts, is my other favorite character. He has those gentleman/butler vibes that I have always found adorable which is why I loved him the minute he appeared on the page.

My other favorite character is Maylee, a talented baker and Viv's paramour for the summer. She is a dwarf, so, just like Fern, she barely reaches Viv's knee and keeps feeding everyone pastries. I wish I had a girlfriend that fed me pastries all the time. Last but not least, Gallina, Viv's friend from the first book, is also in Murk and we get to find out how the two of them met and what their relationship was like before they teamed up.

After absolutely loving Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, I had very high hopes for this prequel and it did not disappoint. All the cosiness and comfort and magic is still very much present throughout the book that I adored in Legends & Lattes whilst giving us a glimpse into Viv's past that we heard so much about in book one. Whist this novel has more elements of 'action' in it, it didn't feel too heavy or out of place and I love reading books about characters who love books.

Its everything cosy and warm, found family, friendships and first loves with a sprinkle of baked goods and bookshops.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan for sending me an early copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the prequel to the successful cosy fantasy debut, Legends and Lattes

We enter the story, many years before L&L and we then proceed to learn the history of our lovely Viv and understand, how she became the wonderful orc we all fell in love with .

This story, just like it's predecessor, is written with beautiful imagery, and vivid descriptions and world building. It's impossible not to be transported right into Vivs world.

The characters we meet along the way in this story are incredibly fleshed out during the story and you find yourself deeply connected to everyone.

I think the story itself, didn't quite hit the heights of L&L for me. However it was a really good story. I do hope this isn't the last we read of Viv!

So... we've only had one book in this series and the author has followed it up with a prequel. Although he does explain why in the author's note at the end of the book.
Having absolutely loved Legends & Lattes when I listened to it a while back I was looking out for the next book, when I found out it was to be a prequel I was a little unsure. When I started reading it, all my cares and worries faded away as I, one again, immersed myself into the amazing and rich world the author has created. When we first meet her (again), Viv is one of Rackham's Ravens, a mercenary outfit. During one of their missions, the hunt for a powerful Necromancer, she is badly wounded and obviously can't continue. Instead she is dumped in the aptly named Murk, a sleepy town, where she has no alternative than to stay in the tavern and follow doctor's orders and rest and recuperate. Yeah...right, as if!
So, it's lucky that, on her meandering round said town, she comes across a bookshop, owned by ratkin Fern, it's a bit tired but Viv gets on well with Fern and, struggling for worthwhile things to do, starts to help her raise her game. Also resident in the shop is PotRoast but I will leave you to discover him in your own time.
Things tick on as only they can in sleepy towns, until, one day, a worrisome stranger arrives, one who appears to be taking an unhealthy interest in Viv...
I loved Legends and Lattes. Who wouldn't love a book set in a coffee shop!? So it was pretty certain I would also love this one, set around a Bookshop. And it also includes a pretty tasty Bakery too, I'm in heaven! I don't think my knowing Viv in the present marred my enjoyment of reading about Viv in the past as every character has a past before you start reading about them, its very rare that any book opens with a character being born and then following their life right from the off, so I guess it really doesn't matter. And, as we all know, it IS often in books that past events come back to influence/haunt/surprise a character in their present.
Anyhow, whether you have read L&L or whether you start here, it really doesn't matter. Personally, I'm now hanging for the next book, wherever in Viv's timeline the author chooses to set it!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

— 3.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

"Every book is a little mirror, and sometimes you look into it and see someone else looking back."

📖 | 368 pages
👤 | author Travis Baldree
🏢 | publisher Tor, UK
📅 | release date 9 November 2023

What you can expect:
— Third-person POV
— Prequel (can be read as a standalone)
— Cosy High-Fantasy with low-stakes
— Sapphic main-character
— Light romance sub-plot
— Loveable side-characters
— Necromancy magic

Trigger warnings include: profanity/adult-language, pain depiction, battle, brief violence, blood, alcohol, death, nightmares.

Bookshops and Bonedust is the cosy High-Fantasy prequel of Legends & Lattes by author Travis Baldree. Viv is a young mercenary with grit and a determination to prove her worth within the renowned mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens. We're thrust right into the conflict as we join Viv in the midst of a battle-gone-wrong where she is unexpectedly wounded and unable to carry on with the rest of the company as they hunt for a highly-sought after and dangerous welder of necromancy magic. Forced into the small and sleepy beach-town called Murk to rest and recuperate Viv is going out of her mind with boredom and in desperate need to fill her time. Desperate to be back into action and frustrated at her injury for preventing her to do so, Viv finds herself outside of a local bookshop that is in deep disrepair and a foul-mouthed proprietor that offers her a purpose. What follows is an adventure Viv could have never expected filled with adventure, new allies and friendships... and even first loves.

Bookshops and Bonedust is a first read of mine from author Travis Baldree and I enjoyed it well enough to want to read more. This book delivers exactly what its taglines promise as "a standalone cosy fantasy about the power of good bookshops, great friends and the unexpected choices along the way from the bestselling author of BookTok sensation Legends & Lattes. and First loves. Second-hand books. Epic adventures. I definitely enjoyed Viv as a main character to follow along throughout this story, especially considering I have yet to read Legends & Lattes. Viv displays bouts of youth and immaturity with her rash decision making skills at the beginning of the book, however we do see elements of growth at allude to her potential as she gets older. Despite being reminded on her youth and inexperience as a mercenary Viv displays a sense of self-awareness that I enjoyed as it offered more insight to who she is as a character. Viv may be ambitious and keen to return to action but she is also compassionate and kind. She steps in to assist a near-stranger to restore a decrepit bookshop that will not last another year in business, and in-general was such a lovely main-character to follow on this low-stakes adventure. It delighted me to read as Viv found a passion and love for reading... especially the moist kind.

“Never trust a writer who doesn’t have too many books to read. Or a reader, for that matter.”

The side-characters were definitely the selling-point of the book for me as a reader. Fern with her filthy-mouth and undisputed love and devotion for books and her father's bookshop. It was beautiful to read the development between Fern and Viv as they found a companionship that either of them anticipated. Both Fern and Viv had been quieting dealing with loneliness within their own environments, so it definitely felt rewarding to watch that relationship blossom. Satchel and Potroast were the perfect unexpected creature companions that contributed to much of the interactions that left me ranging from chuckling to outright laughter. Maylee the baking extraordinaire with her fierce nature and willingness to accept Viv as she is. Highlark the local doctor and his endless medical headaches left to him by Viv and her inability to remain still enough to rest. Pitts the reserved and loyal poetry-loving orc. Bookshops and Bonedust is filled with a varied cast of endearing characters that have you looking forward to their next appearance on the page.

Honestly... my only issue with this book was the pacing. I understand that Bookshops and Bonedust is set out to be low-stakes for a Fantasy book and instead focuses on the themes of rebuilding, friendship and community. I genuinely loved this story, but as I much as I enjoyed following Viv and Fern as they restored the bookshop to its former glory... the slow pacing had me struggling to finish. The story itself is endearing and easy-to-follow. I just wish there had been a little bit more from the action elements to help pick up the pace where it was desperately needed. I had hoped to finish this book with a day, however it instead took me three days to get to the end. Overall I truly enjoyed it, but getting to the end is more of a struggle when the pacing doesn't match what I'm seeking.

Thank you to Tor, UK and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Having recently read Legends and Lattes, I was very excited for this book and it did not disappoint!

I loved that this prequel showed us how Viv was like before her coffee shop and I really enjoyed all of the characters. The setting of Murk was so atmospheric and the descriptions were so well written. I especially liked Fern and Satchel.

The last few chapters and the epilogue really tied the story together for me and I loved the ending and couldn’t have hoped for it to end any other way. I am hoping that there are more stories to come with these characters!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Travis Baldree for allowing me early access to this title.