A fantastic cosy fantasy story. I couldn’t put this down!
A fantasy story set in a bookshop is a definite win for many booklovers. Viv and the rest of the characters are all loveable and the story mostly focuses on the day to day life while viv is recovering from an injury, and the new relationships she develops, with a background focus on a fantasy villain plot.
While this book is a prequel I don’t believe it is important to have read Legends and Lattes first. I think any fantasy reader looking for a nice and quick read would enjoy this book

When I heard this announced I was super excited but also a little worried about this not being as good as Legends & Lattes. Was I expecting it to exceed all my expectations & be BETTER than the first one? NOPE. But was it? 100%!!

I laughed, fell in love with the characters & truly sobbed at the ending. I wasn’t expecting a huge mixture of emotions but Baldree really gets you invested in every single character that Viv meets & makes them feel not just like characters on a page but friends you love & root for.

I appreciated the links to Legends & Lattes & I hope with all my heart Travis continues writing these cosy, emotional pieces of art! I would love to surround myself with this world like a comfort blanket.

The legends and lattes prequel that you can also read as a stand alone.
Again a brilliant tale and brilliant world.
A great fast fun read

I absolutely adored Legends & Lattes and this one was amazing. It was definitely one of my favourite reads this year.
This is a super cosy comfy fantasy read. It’s a prequel to Legends & Lattes but I feel you can read this as a standalone as well.
I adore the characters in this book and they are so well written. I love the romance and how it doesn’t have any angst or drama to it.
This book definitely makes you have all the cute and cosy feels when reading it.
The story was really well written and easy to follow.

I definitely recommend reading this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Publisher and the author for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Where do I even begin with this adorable book? Baldree took my breath away with Legends & lattes., giving me something I never knew I wanted. Bookshops & Bonedus has done it again. In the prequel, we get to see Viv in a bit more action than before, a young and feisty Viv who loves her job and finds her crew too slow and old a lot of the time. Viv is struck down and sent away to heal.... this is not her idea of fun or living and she struggles with a quiet life, until she stumbles into a bookshop and meets someone in need, even if they don't realise it. Viv gets a whole new cosy adventure and it has no impact on her future one. I loved how you can feel the difference in Viv, she is more unsure of herself and her life, which makes her future make all the sense. Honestly if you loved L&L then you will devour this as well, I think I could read all about Viv and never be bored.

Legends and Lattes was my favourite book that I read in 2022 and when I heard there was a prequel coming out I couldn’t have been more excited!

Following Viv the orc, a bounty hunter (obviously the same protagonist from Legends & Lattes) who had recently been injured whilst on the hunt for Varine, a deadly necromancer along with her mercenary gang the Rakam Ravens. Viv is left to convalesce in the small town of Murk until she is ready to go back to fighting bounties.

Along the way, we meet a rattkin named Fern and the lovable Potroast, who own a family bookshop in need of some TLC. There is also the ex-mercenary come baker, Maylee, where a touching and poignant love story blossoms.

I can honestly say this book was such a breath of fresh air! I honestly didn’t think this would be able to come close to legends and lattes, but gosh I was wrong! I absolutely devoured this book! I think it’s safe to say that gosh fantasy is my all time favourite genre and I will pre-order everything and anything that Travis Baldree writes! I would recommend this book wholeheartedly to everyone! I don’t think there’s anyone who couldn’t find at least one thing to absolutely love about this book!

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC! I hope I have the pleasure of reading more from Travis Baldree soon!

Cosy fantasy at its greatest. I was dubious how a prequel would work but now i just want to reread it all!

*Ad-pr product: I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Before I requested this I knew it would be five stars. Revisiting my favourite world but this time in a bookshop? Yes, please!

This was just as cosy as the last instalment, with all the found-family vibes, quirky characters and slice-of-life fun. Viv could wander around doing anything and I’d probably love it, but this had an enjoyable plot with some higher stakes/more threatening moments to keep the narrative moving, but without taking away from the overall cosiness. Despite missing some of my favourites from the first one, I loved all the new characters just as much and hope they reappear in Viv’s world going forward.

Because this is a prequel, I think it could be read without reading Legends and Lattes, but obviously everyone should read both because they’re such wonderful books! Absolutely loved this and can’t wait for the next Baldree book (fingers crossed it’s about Thimble).

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for the chance to read this early!

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree

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

Pub date: 9th November 2023

Viv is back! I read Legends and Lattes earlier in the year and couldn’t wait until November to read this one so thank you very much to #netgalley for this early copy of #BookshopsAndBonedust . I must admit that I went into this without reading the blurb and yes, I know that she’s on the alternate cover, but I didn’t realise we were going back to follow Viv and after a little trepidation I was happy that we were.

Instead of the medieval woodland setting of the last book, this time we are in a seaside town and I loved the setting. Like before Baldree does such a good job and placing you in these “Skyrimish” settings. You just don’t want to leave.

I found that B&B had a good but more plot when compared to L&L. There was more action, adventure and tension this time around which I was all for.

I can’t really say that I prefer one over the other. These are still the only two cosy fantasy novels I’ve read and I love them both. You don’t have to have read one to enjoy the other but I do think they’re better read in release order. You absolutely don’t have to though.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Can’t wait to see what others think and where Baldree will take us next.

bookshops and bonedust follows viv, stuck in a small town recovering from an injury as she makes new friends, helps to restore an old bookshop and goes on little adventures. the authors love of reading shines through, and it brings the same cosiness as legends and lattes but with new characters (like satchel my favourite). if you liked legends and lattes you'll love this <3

A really great and fun read. I loved the characters and the story. Will look out for more from this author.

I adored this book and feel incredibly privileged to have got this early.

It was a perfectly balanced book and I think the description of “high fantasy with low stakes” really hits the nail on the head with this book.

It is a magical world and the story feels like a warm mug of hot chocolate on a winters day. It makes you feel good just reading it.

I loved the relationships between characters. It was so refreshing to see a normal romantic relationship between two characters with no red flags or toxicity. Just pure wholesome and mature vibes.

I will definitely be reading Legends and Lattes!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. Really enjoyed this, having also enjoyed Legends and Lattes. It is more of the same great characters and writing that we know and love from the author. Some elements of this were very similar to Legends and Lattes and while those repetitive elements didn't hinder my enjoyment, but it did lose a little bit of the magic that I felt after reading L&L. I did like the setting of Murk more than the setting of the previous book. Recommended for anyone who enjoys cosy fantasies.

I haven’t read Legends and Lattes but I didn’t think that would matter as this is a prequel. I’m not sure whether I would have enjoyed it more if I already knew the main character or not.

As it was, I found it really hard to connect with this book. I picked it up and put it down so many times, and it took me months to get through it. It felt pretty slow going and I didn’t feel particularly engaged with any of the characters.

I did like the bookshop and encouraging a love of reading aspect, There is a strong theme of friendship and found family that was nice as well.

Overall, I didn’t dislike it, but just found it a bit of a slog to get through. I suspect cost fantasy is just not me, but if you are fond of that genre, then definitely check this one out.

Travis Baldee NEVER FAILS. This was cosy, we had a mystery, we had funny characters and a cute romance. I loved EVERYTHING about this. And my coffee and pastry cravings were insaneeee. I loved it so much. I think Travis Baldee has such a wonderful talent for cosy fiction. GIVE ME MORE!

This book was absolutely wonderful! It was fun and the characters were so lovable. I love books about bookstores so I was sure to love this from the beginning. The friendships that Viv builds throughout this book are so wholesome.
Although this is a prequel it can definitely be read as a standalone, I actually haven’t read Legends & Lattes yet so I will definitely be picking that up next.

I thought Legends and Lattes was a stand-alone so when I found out it was getting a prequel I was ecstatic. Bookshops and Bonedust is just as good as the first one. It follows Viv and her journey on deciding what she wants in the future. I loved the new characters. Just a perfect feel good book.

I was thrilled beyond words to have the privilege of diving into an early copy of "Bookshops & Bonedust" through NetGalley. Travis Baldree's previous work, "Legends and Lattes," holds a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite reads. With this latest masterpiece, Baldree has solidified his position as one of my cherished new favorite authors.

"Bookshops & Bonedust" was an absolute delight from the very first page to the closing sentence. This installment took the charm and wonder that I adored in the previous book and elevated it with heightened stakes and captivating action scenes. The journey with Viv was exhilarating, and the increased combat sequences only added to the excitement. An intriguing aspect is that you can enjoy either book without following a particular order, though a minor spoiler from "Legends and Lattes" might be a concern for some readers. For me, it served as a delightful peek into Viv's future, adding a special touch to the narrative.

The town of Murk came alive in the most extraordinary way, becoming a place that I fell head over heels in love with. My attachment to the characters and the locale was so profound that as I read the final chapters, I found myself overcome with emotion. The thought of saying goodbye to these characters and concluding the story left me in tears. Frankly, I'm so captivated by the world Baldree has created that I wish this series could continue indefinitely.

The prequel is a genuine gem that provides an incredibly satisfying reading experience. Every element felt perfectly orchestrated, from the enchanting bookshop to the endearing Fern, and of course, the exceptional Viv herself. The dynamics between characters were beautifully portrayed, and Viv's relationship with Mylee was absolutely heartwarming.

"Bookshops & Bonedust" encompasses everything a reader could dream of in a book: a love for literature, delectable treats, an extraordinary female lead, loyal companions, and an enthralling plot. Travis Baldree's gift for storytelling shines brilliantly yet again, and he has undoubtedly earned a cherished spot on my list of favorite authors. I eagerly await any future works he blesses us with.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for generously providing the eARC, allowing me the privilege to delve into this extraordinary tale ahead of its official release. My thoughts are a reflection of my genuine appreciation and love for this book.

#BookshopsAndBonedust #NetGalley

I have recently discovered the marvellous world of cosy fantasy and Travis Baldree’s books are everywhere amongst the community. I know that he is a self-published success story and I’m delighted that his unique stories have been picked up by traditional publishers and presented within these beautiful covers. I adored Legends and Lattes right before diving into this prequel, which is also actually a stand alone, so you can definitely enjoy either book by itself. I had high hopes for Bookshops and Bonedust and it really didn’t disappoint!

After sustaining an injury that leaves her unable to continue hunting a necromancer with the Rackem Ravens, orc Viv finds herself recovering in the sleepy town of Murk. She has no idea how she can possibly fill the long days ahead of her in this place until she wanders into a bookshop called Thistleburr. Run by a well-mannered but sweary rattkin called Fern and her pet gryphet Potroast, Thistleburr isn’t exactly where Viv planned on spending her time but it may just prove to be the new adventure that she needs.

Thistleburr contains far more books than Fern has possibly ever sold and it really is a book lover’s dream. Despite the fact it’s in disarray when Viv arrives, it still has a gorgeous, cosy charm to it. I felt immediately transported yet wonderfully comfortable every time I spent time in it and I’d really love a bookshop just like it of my own -despite the struggles!

Viv wasn’t a reader before Fern and Thistleburr entered her life and it was really magical to watch a non-reader get lost in a book. This is something that I would really love to inspire in people and the fact that Viv is introduced to a world of books that she didn’t know she loved is truly special. The whole novel has this fantastic sentiment that bookshops and booksellers have the power to open up opportunities and imaginations, which is exactly the kind of cosy vibe that I think readers crave.

Fern is a great character and she made me laugh several times with her ability to swear and smile in the same sentence. She has an amazing talent for recommending books and she clearly plays a much more important role in Murk than she realises. I would really love Fern to get her own novel, so if for some crazy reason Travis Baldree is reading this -please write that down!

Viv has a very cute albeit brief romance with a dwarf baker called Maylee. Viv spends much of the time being completely unaware of Maylee’s feelings towards her and when they do confess, it’s fraught with bittersweet fragility because Viv is just passing through the town. This romance didn’t need to be included but it added an element of cute to the cosy and I thoroughly appreciated it -even if it was a bit sad!

There is necromancy involved and I adored how this came about through Satchel. He became a thoroughly loveable character with a seemingly interesting history and I think I wanted a bit more about his past. He is clearly a reader!

Bookshops and Bonedust is a magical, bookish world in itself with some unforgettable characters. There is also humour, beautiful friendships and plenty of cuteness to get lost in, as well as some smatterings of darkness (what would you expect when a bored orc is the protagonist?). Anyone who loves books and the culture of sharing them will love it!

Firstly, I was so grateful to have the chance to read this before the release date. Thank you so much Netgalley. I absolutely loved Legends & Lattes and this is the perfect prequel. Set years before Legends & Lattes unfolded.

Bookshops & Bonedust is comforting, cosy and just a lovely escape from reality.

Tropes include:
- Found family.
- First loves.
- Second-hand books
- Absolutely epic adventures.

I loved the worldbuilding of Murk. Imagining Viv coming straight from battle and landing in a seaside town, made me smile. I enjoyed getting to know the new characters in particularly 'sweary' Fern, Satchel and Potroast! I really do believe any booklover would jump at the chance to visit Thistleburr! The ending is bittersweet as it's made clear early on in the book Viv's stay in Murk is temporary. However, the Epilogue melted my heart and was just the best snapshop of the story after the story.

I would highly recommend this book. It was everything I wanted it to be and more!