This is the most peculiar book that I have read in a long time but well deserving of the 5 Star rating. It is weird, odd, strange, smile-making and delightful.

The critters that make up the cast of characters are all unique and rightly so but they could so easily be humans.

If you are looking for a really nice something to read over Christmas or to ask for as a present, then this book should be right at the top of your list. Better still do not wait, treat yourself and read it tomorrow.

A lovely prequel to Legends & Lattes. I very much enjoyed this series with its cozy vibe, and it manages to have just enough plot to not make it boring while remaining cozy and enjoyable.

The perfect prequel to my first introduction of low stakes, cosy fantasy that was Legends & Lattes! I think I could go as far as to say that I may have preferred this slightly more, I felt more connected to Viv as a main character after following her story in L&L and therefore more interested in who she is and learning more about her. I also love Fern and again, the storyline there felt really well built up so that I was rooting for her and the bookshop too.

Overall it had a really lovely sense of familiarity and coziness whilst being new and inviting, with the element of adventure and hoping Viv can save the day. The pace kept me interested without being too slow. Such a nice book to read over the Autumn / Winter in my opinion!

Thank you to Netgallery, the publisher and author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Thank you Netgalley and Tor books for the arc for an unbiased review.

I adore Legends & Lattes, & have been eager for this release the moment Travis Baldree began talking about it.

Once again, Viv is the main character, and the story revolves around her as a much younger mercenary orc.
Eight hells, it is oh so good!

As with all the characters from book 1, Legends & Lattes, I thoroughly enjoyed the new (& in Gallina the one previously known) characters, and wished it was longer to get to know more. But, I'm realistic enough to know that the book would've become a tad too much if that were the case. However, it brings me to the point I made right after I 1st read Legends and Lattes - what Travis Baldree has done here is bring us a world that could easily slot into the hole left by Terry Pratchett's passing and lack of new Discworld novels (lost stories aside!).
As a huge Pratchett fan (since book 2 was published, & most didn't even know who he was) I have that same feeling reading the two books by Travis.

They deserve to become a world of their own, with exploration of the main characters but at the many different times of their lives. It would have been easy to feel that a younger Viv wasn't worth exploring. Yet it not only was worth it, but again Travis excelled in pulling me into the story and needing more.

What Travis does so well is make everything and everyone engaging to the reader.

I repeat something I wrote when I read Legends & Lattes: I'd love to know more about the characters and world they inhabit [......] And, ugh so much more.

This sentiment still stands. If anything, I feel even more strongly that I want more.

As I read, Satchel was a character that was unexpected, and they truly delivered in ways that had me laughing out loud on occasion. I was again reminded of Terry Pratchett's ability for some zinging one liners, matched with a deeper more serious sense of human nature.

Travis Baldree though is very much their own writer, so while there can be comparisions made, ultimately I want to see the World that Viv and all those around her inhabit, thrive. To become a named recognised collection. For Travis Baldree as the author to become so well known that people immediately recognise who you are talking about, all because of this world he has so deliciously created.

This is cozy, low stakes fantasy, but with a nice smattering of occasional high drama. Viv is a mercenary orc after all!

As for the epilogue. It left me with so many feelings. It was majestic. I wish I could throw lines out, but .... spoilers!

I've no doubt that this world will build and will bring the success that Travis so deserves.

Run, don't walk to grab this. Grab Legends & Lattes as well if you haven't already. Footnote:- this can be read as a standalone, but truly you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't read Legends & Lattes too.

5/5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I read this prequel without first reading Legends and Lattes, and I really enjoyed it. The characters from Viv, the lead, to Satchel, Maylee, Fern and of course Potroast were fantastic. Viv after an injury is forced to recuperate in a sleepy, seaside town much to her disdain. As she discovers, books, pastries and forms friendships with the people living in Murk. She is torn by her desire to chase adventure or stay in Murk. As it happens, trouble manages to find Viv, and with the help of all her friends, they try to protect the town from a common enemy.

A fantastic read, and a departure from the type of books I would normally read. A truly delightful book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan, Tor, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars.

Bookshops & Bonedust tells a story from when Viv was just starting out on her career, young and full of energy, with a desire to go out and do adventurous and exciting things. Almost the mirror image of Legends & Lattes. But here you find the roots of what happens later. This too, is a lovely read about the power of friendship and how friends become family, but also about how we need different things at different stages of our lives.

Once again, all the characters are detailed and distinct. I loved Fern who was not even sure if she should be running a bookshop whilst at the same time recommending exactly the right books for Viv. I thought the celebrity author book signing scene was absolutely brilliant. The menacing plot surrounding Satchell and the necromancer was a bit more D&D than I usually read, but I’ve managed to interest my non-reading partner in the series because of it! Oh, and let’s not forget the food – I definitely need a local bakery like Maylee’s in my life.

Many, many thanks to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan, Tor for trusting me with an advance copy. I do hope there will be many more books to come in this series, and soon!

Once again, Viv’s story has made my heart warm and brought me to tears!

Learning about her past prior to Legends & Lattes opens your eyes to what her life was like when she was younger and more carefree. The story focuses on her learning her mistakes during a fight and having to take time away from adventuring to heal. She meets amazing new characters and develops all types of relationships along the way..its a very cosy heart felt book. And yes, it would not be a story about Viv without a bit of action and her stubbornly over-pushing herself!

I loved Fern and Satchel. Mayor had my heart from the beginning and honestly the whole concept of “enjoying what you have while it’s there” made me cry a few times.

The ending too! The letter from Fern years later while she’s in the coffee shop with her wife. I was in TEARS.

I loved this book so much 💜

A stellar cozy read - we love this author! A book for every reader, especially for fellow book lovers.

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

I loved Legends and Lattes so knew I needed to get my hands on the prequel.

This just hit the spot. A nice cosy fantasy to read by the fire when it’s horrible weather outside.

The character building is fantastic, I loved Fern our foul mouthed Rattkin and Potroast was just the best.

It was great to read about Viv before she opened the coffee shop. There was a bit more action in this one and it felt a lot more fantasy/D&D than L&L.

And that epilogue! What a lovely way to tie it all up.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

This was a cosy but adventurous read that i thoroughly enjoyed. I loved seeing parts of Viv’s origin after reading Legends and Lattes. I felt that this narrative held a little more subplot and sustenance which i appreciated. The characters were lovable and well developed, the different species within the fantasy world were interesting and unique and each had their own personality.

The setting was so well written that you can almost see the small sea side town and feel yourself walking through the small stretch, the scent of Maylee’s pastries and the sea mist hitting you.

There was a good mix of cosy and intrigue and i loved the setting of the bookshop. Seeing Viv uncover a love for books and getting an insight into the different books she was reading was so fun.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than i anticipated and found it to be a suitable November read.

I adore this series! I love Viv, Fern, Maylee, Gallina and even Satchel and Potroast and it's like being cuddled up with your favourite blanket with such a wholesome story. There is a little bit of action and a lot of books and food to create a perfect cosy fantasy read perfect for these autumn days.

After reading Legends and Lattes last year I absolutely jumped at the chance to read the prequel Bookshops and Bonedust. Then I got a little worried that this one couldn’t live up to my expectations. However I needn’t have worried, Travis Baldree has done it again. I loved this book! Switching from coffee shops to bookshops, this book follows our lead character Viv as she recovers from an injury in a sleepy seaside town. Just like legends and lattes, this story is filled with loveable characters and all the feelings. A warm and cosy fantasy story about first loves and friendships- this is a delightful read.

Thank you to Tor,Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of one of my most anticipated books of 2023.

Legends and Lattes completely swept me up, I'm obsessed with the vibes and desperately need to be able to visit Viv's coffee shop. When I heard there was a prequel being released, I knew I needed it ASAP, but I also worried that it would not hold those same vibes that so encaptured me. I needn't have worried.

Bookshops and Bonedust shows us Viv in her early years of running with a crew, embodying something more similar to your typical D&D orc barbarian persona, but focuses on the part of her story that sets her on the path of being the Viv I already know and love so well from the first book. It's full of small-town charm, characters I would love to see more of (will I ever not need more of this world?), a higher stakes plot line with a necromancer (that is still pretty chill given it is a prequel, so we already know Viv is going to be fine), and yet another shop I so desperately wish I could visit.

The epilogue wraps up the tale beautifully and brings us back to Viv post-L&L. I love that our main characters from this one get an update on their lives since Viv parted with them, and I am really hoping that last discussion Viv has leads to another book. I would love to see these two parts of Viv's story fully collide.

<b>Thank you to Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review. </b>


p.s. if Travis can find a story he likes regarding the plot mentioned in the acknowledgements, I am here for it! I need a himbo-filled fantasy <I>murder she wrote</i> in my life, now it has been dangled in front of me.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
Rating 5 stars
Release date 9th November
Have you ever loved a book so much that you think that you get worried when the next one is announced, this was the book. When Legends and Lattes was released. I fell in love with it and it became such a cozy book for me and was a book at the right time. Bookshops & Bonedust was something I was worried about reading it but I do not know why I was worried about it because it had the same cozy vibes that legends and lattes had and it was something I loved, I am now feel that I am in the right mood to read this. I loved how this was a prequel and told us how Viv got to where she needed to and how she became who she did. And the ending was a cute way to land it off. Would I be upset if we get a few more books in this world- no I would not but I will also be happy if these are the only two we get. If you are looking for cozy fantasy to curl up to in the wintery nights then look no further than Bookshops & bonedust because even though I had my reservations about reading this book I am so glad I did and now I am wrapped up in a warm hug because of it. If you loved legends and lattes you will also love this hands down.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor for allowing me to review this, I cannot wait to discuss with my friends how much I loved it, so go out and buy this book you will not regret it.

Review post will be up Sunday 5th Novemeber on Bookstagram

This book is the perfect prequel.

Viv's story starts with her getting injured in battle and having to rest for a few weeks.

Within those weeks she finds her love for reading and friends along the way.

Rest and recovering is what she is meant to be doing but somehow she gets involved in saving the village she is in.

This book is heartwarming, charming and a hug in a book.

This is an absolutely gorgeous warm and fuzzy fantasy. I was quite late to the Legends and Lattes party and wasn't sure whether this new book would live up to such a wonderful story but I think I might love Bookshops and Bonedust even more. I cannot recommend this book and Legends and Lattes enough to all readers. Even if you think you don't like fantasy you cannot help but fall in love with this wonderful world and its amazing characters.

A huge thank you to @panmacmillan and @travis_baldree for providing me with an eARC via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

During the hunt for a powerful necromancer, our lovable orc Viv is injured and despite her protests is packed off to a small town to recuperate. Choosing to spend her hours at a small bookshop in the company of the owner who has a rather colourful way with words, she realises that sometimes you meet the right people at the right time.

When Legends and Lattes graced me with its presence and description of ‘cosy fantasy’ I was intrigued, then I read it and fell in love with the new sub-genre, so much so that I didn’t think Baldree could pull it off again.

I was so wrong. This book is a prequel to Legends and Lattes and it is delightful! Baldree has spoiled us with an incredible cast of characters and a simplistic plot which is packed with adventure and I ate this book up.

My one tiny criticism? I felt this book lacked having the same amount of ‘slice of life’ moments that Legends and Lattes did. We see Viv discover and begin to enjoy reading and I just would’ve loved to see her love grow on the page.

Nevertheless, if you’re in a slump or just want a cosy, feel-good fantasy novel that’s easy to pick up and finish then this is the book for you. I cannot wait to see what else Viv gets up to!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Love love love this! I enjoyed this more than Legends and Lattes. I guess because I love books more than coffee! This is definitely a cosy fantasy for bibliophiles!

It’s fun and cosy just like Legends however as this is a prequel, the stakes a little lower as you know where Viv ends up in Legends.

It was still fun to hang out with Viv again and meet new characters.

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

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Thanks to @netgalley and @torbooks for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll start off by saying: I am absolutely in love with this book, possibly even more so than it’s predecessor Legends & Lattes.

Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel to the authors first novel, Legends & Lattes, and so takes place prior to L&L where a younger Viv is left behind in Murk following an injury during battle. She finds herself in this sleepy town with nothing to do so begins to explore and stumbles across Thistleburr, a cluttered bookshop run by Fern the foul-mouthed rattkin and her pet gryphet Potroast. Fern & Viv form a friendship through the beauty of books, and Viv goes on a journey of self-discovery thanks to Fern’s wonderful book recommendations, leading her to meet the most charming dwarf baker, Maylee.

This book has everything you could possibly wish for in a cosy fantasy book, it’s packed to the brim with bookish, cosy vibes, a little bit of action and a lovely romance. My favourite parts about this book were most definitely Fern & Potroast, who will stay with me for a while, and the epilogue, which ties into Legends & Lattes so perfectly. All of the characters in this book are so well developed, and the scenery is so vivid you can quite easily picture the sleepy town of Murk. so can’t wait to see what this author does next!!!

Bookshops and Bonedust was a cute read. We get to meet Viv again, this time earlier in her life when she's injured and forced to recover in the sleepy town of Murk.

I loved that it really feels like a younger version of the Viv we got to know in Legends and Lattes. She's less experienced, over-confident and battle hungry but you can see how she would grow into the Viv we already know.

No coffee in this book but we still have mouth-watering baked goods, wonderful friendships and the addition of books! Fern, the owner of the bookshops, was probably my favourite new character but she had competition. I think the fact that Viv's stay in Murk is temporary adds a really interesting dimension to the story

There's a bit more action (and skeletons) than in the first book but I'd still consider it cosy and it also made me laugh. Definitely recommend reading it if you enjoyed Legends and Lattes. ⭐⭐⭐⭐