I loved this! Having adored Legends and Lattes, and being a big fan of cosy fantasy, Baldree again shows why they're a master of the genre. It took me an embarrassing amount of time to twig that this was a prequel to Legends having read it a while ago now, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment at all. I hope there's more in the series to come.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan macmillan for the Arc of Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree.

Next level cozy fantasy!

Bookshops & Bonedust is sold as cosy fantasy, and it delivers on its promise. A standalone prequel to Legends & Lattes, it focuses on Viv the orc at the beginning of her career as a mercenary. She is keen to fight, but a wound forces her to take a reluctant break to recuperate in the quiet town of Murk. She ends up spending most of her time in a bookshop, and after awkwardly accepting a book recommendation from the owner she finds herself increasingly invested in the shop's fortunes.

There are two levels of plot tension in the book. The overall grand tension is technically the threat to the town from a necromancer. However, the everyday tension that takes most of Viv's attention is the struggle to keep the bookshop afloat with her friends. Likewise, we see two distinct sides to Viv's character - the keen mercenary and the gentler shopkeeper. It is made clear throughout that young Viv will go back to being a mercenary once healed, but it also sows the seeds for her eventual retirement from that life when she opens Legends & Lattes. It is also made clear that both sides bring valuable skills that make a whole person - sometimes needing to be headstrong, and sometimes choosing to be more thoughtful.

This book is charming, with a small cast of predominantly female characters and a very gentle ff romance. The extracts from fictional books do feel a bit self-indulgent at times, but I found that very forgivable. There is a slightly bittersweet tone that comes with the time limit of Viv's stay in the town, but there is also a warmth in the way she finds meaning and friendship despite the fact she won't be staying. It's an enjoyable book full of little details, and it compliments Legends and Lattes extremely well.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

What a prequel! And to know that this wasn't the intended original book, shocks me. I loved this. Bladree has really sparked my love of Cozy fantasy with this series. I relax so much and love the feeling of not wanting to put the pages down.
I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much if Viv hadn't been involved and although she was younger, she was still herself and I loved that.
Also loved the fact that the epilogue brings back Legends & Lattes and leads it on for future books if wanted.
Both books can be read separately and it would still make sense.

Definitely an auto-perchase author for me.

*sniff*. This book was everything!! What I’m not crying, I’m just… leaking a little bit. *tissue dab*.

Seriously though, ugh I loved everything about this book. Legends and Lattes remains somewhat permanently engrained in my heart so this follow up was music to my soul. And a prequel too no less, perfection! We rejoin Viv and a whole new cast of amazingly epic characters. I never thought I’d fall a little bit in love with a bag of bones, but Satchel did it. Spin off for Satchel please?

I’ve never read a book that feels like slipping into a cosy blanket. Low stakes, a full fantasy cast, we have orcs, dwarves, rattkins and a very cute Potroast. Fern and Maylee were fab characters too and it was really a delight getting to know them all. And the epilogue made me tear up goddamn you Travis Baldtree. I’d like to start a petition to read books set within this universe by this author forever please?

I could write an essay on how much I both loved and adored this book but I’ll leave it there. I had an ebook copy (with thanks to NetGalley and the publishers) and now I will endeavour to own every single format of this book, from collectors editions to hardbacks and audiobooks because I loved it that much.

Naturally - the minute I saw this available for an ARC, I couldn't push that request button quick enough and I was so excited to have been approved.

After falling in love with Viv and her merry band of friends in Legends and Lattes, I think everyone has been eagerly awaiting this next instalment and it definitely lived up to the hype.

Bookshops & Bonedust take us twenty years before, Viv is injured and finds herself in recovery from a severe leg injury which has put her out of action in the sleep port of Murk. She finds herself in the company of Fern, the proprietor of a run down bookshop that has a flair for choosing the right books for the right people.

Once again, this story is beautifully paced, showcasing fun and unsuspecting friendships whilst the underlying plot is there, providing challenges and suspense.

I can't wait to see how this series develops.

Summary:

Viv is a battle hungry Orc but after being injured she is forced to recuperate in the quiet town of Murk.

Being in Murk brings unexpected adventures and friendships for Viv which change her forever.

Review

This is a great follow up to Legends and Lattes. The perfect example of cosy fantasy.

This was a true book lovers book- the appreciation of reading and bookshops was so strong and I could relate to every word

The unexpected friendships between characters were great and funny.

Fast pace, good writing flow.

A Light hearted, enjoyable read

An entertaining fantasy that was just as cosy as the first one, Bookshops and Bonedust takes two of my favourite things - Books and Necromancy - and works wonders with it.

This was everything I needed and wanted after falling absolutely wholeheartedly in love with Legends & Lattes. A cosy fantasy adventure set in a seaside town with peaceful charm and loveable characters that call the town of Murk their home! As a bookseller, reading about the local little bookshop was a real treat too. Falling back into Viv's world, even pre-coffee shop, was so easy and fantastic that I just want to find a warm seat, grab a coffee, and read this book all over again after finishing it just yesterday. It was wonderful and comforting in only the best way.

Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn't possibly imagine. Still, adventure isn't all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.
Sweet and cosy, it was nice to be back in Viv’s world again. This is set before legends and lattes and gives us an insight into how Viv became who she is.
These books and the lovely world building really take us out of this horrible world for a few hours and just get immersed in the low stakes story.
If you liked legends and lattes you will love this one but this is also a great stand alone story

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc in return for an honest review

Bookshops & Bonedust is my first foray into the cosy fantasy genre, and it definitely won’t be my last. I fell in love with the unusual cast of characters straight away, and I was soon swept up in Viv’s introduction to books, reading, and friendships.

This book is a prequel to Legends & Lattes (which I can’t wait to read), which is why I thought I’d start here. It quickly introduces Viv, badass orc lady, who I easily recognised from the brilliant Legends & Lattes artwork. She’s staying in the town of Murk to recover from an injury; along the way she meets all kinds of different fantastical creatures who become more important than she ever could have hoped.

My favourite of these fantastical creatures is Fern, the small, foul-mouthed, bookshop-owning rattkin. She has a pet gryphet called Potroast, and I loved them both instantly. She becomes a great friend to Viv, along with Gallina the fierce gnome and Maylee the lovely dwarf. Honestly, there wasn’t a single character I didn’t like, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them all. Even Satchel, who I’ll save as a surprise… he’s excellent!

Bookshops & Bonedust is a gentle book, full of wonder and words. It’s a love letter to books and reading, all wrapped up in a fantasy story that trundles along at a delightful pace. Travis Baldree has a great way with words, and I hope there’s more books to come following Viv and her friends. I now see the appeal of cosy fantasy, and I’m really excited to delve deeper into this genre!