I received an audio ARC and ebook ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.

This was an entertaining followup to the breakout novel, Legends & Lattes.

While not as solid a story as that told in the first book, this prequel adds quite a bit of backstory to the main character of both novels, Viv.

Although as a prequel this novel is set some years before the first published book, I would recommend reading Legends & Lattes first. It serves as a better introduction to the characters and settings. Also, this book has an epilogue that is set after the events of both books.

Absolutely lives up to the hype. A recommended first purchase for collections where fantasy is popular.

This was such an excellent story to read after falling in love with Viv in Legends & Lattes! While we know Viv to be a hardened adventurer-turned-cafe-owner, it's great to follow her as a greener adventurer (and learn about how Blackblood came to be)! If this series continues, I look forward to reading the adventures of Viv and companions both past and present.

There's something very charming about going back in time to see a hero we already know being young and foolhardy. The Viv of twenty years ago is very different from the Viv we get to know in Legends & Lattes but at her heart she's just the same. There's plenty of little hints at her future and the story to come. It's a nice, cozy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Travis Baldree is a master of cozy fantasy novels. Prior to reading Legends & Lattes last year, I never would’ve guessed that was a genre of fiction I needed. Now, though, I don’t know how I can carry on without more. Thankfully, Bookshops & Bonedust, a brilliantly crafted prequel, is out today.

Viv the orc is back, and this time around we get to see her in her more wild, young adventurer years. She’s in the employ of a mercenary band called Rackham’s Ravens, hunting down the dreaded necromancer, Varine. When her recklessness gets her injured during a battle, she wakes up in the town of Murk. As its name might suggest, there’s not a lot to see about town, and her room at the local inn is claustrophobic at best. Her arrival quickly puts her at odds with the local surgeon and the head of the gate wardens, and all early encounters promise a less than engaging stay. With at least a few weeks of recovery time ahead of her, Viv reluctantly sets out to occupy her time until her fellow mercenaries come back through.

Viv quickly finds a local bookstore and makes the acquaintance of Fern, a foulmouthed ratkin who runs the shop. Not normally the reading type, Viv is hesitant to take up the recommended titles that Fern offers. After a few chapters, she’s hooked. Soon, she’s devouring the books that Fern provides just as quickly as she’s going through the local baker, Maylee’s, wares. Despite a rough start in town, Viv starts to build friendships (and maybe something more, as far as Maylee is concerned). Fern’s struggling business benefits from Viv’s new perspectives, and Viv gets the opportunity to learn more about herself than she’d previously thought possible.

Small-town living isn’t necessarily all that it’s cracked up to be, though. Viv isn’t ready to settle down from her mercenary life just yet, and the threat of Varine and her necromancy is closer than anyone is expecting. We know, since this is a prequel, that Viv will survive the experiences ahead of her. What we don’t know is just how much she’s going to change over the course of her time in Murk. The fates of her new companions are on the line, as is the success or failure of Fern’s beloved indie bookstore. Viv is going to have to learn quickly that not all of her problems can be solved with a swing of a sword.

Baldree has landed another instant winner with his sophomore effort, with no sign of the dreaded slump. I’m happy to report that he’s managed to put the romance in necromancer, and I eagerly await Viv’s next adventure, whenever it may arrive. Bookshops & Bonedust is out today. Get to it.

My utmost thanks to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for providing an eARC in exchange for a fair review.

This review originally appeared here: https://swordsoftheancients.com/2023/11/07/bookshops-bonedust-a-review/

*Received as a free ARC*
I finished Legends and Lattes last week and immediately needed more Viv. I was originally a little thrown by this being a prequel, but once I got into it I loved it just as much. Can't wait to see if there is more coming in this world! Perfectly fluffy to cure all your ails. A great fall cozy read.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. I have to admit, it's been a while since I read Legends and Lattes, so I did have to go back and check that it was the same Viv, just twenty years in the past. Just as wee baby merc Viv is a very different person than seasoned adventurer Viv, this book is fairly different from L&L. While still relatively cozy, Bookshops & Bonedust is a reflection of its main character: it's a little wilder, has more action and adventure, and there is quite a bit of sword swinging. Viv uses this book to learn about herself and where she is in her life. She has lots of adventuring left in her, but she gets the opportunity to build friendships and relationships with people who show her what her life can be when she's ready. This book is fun and exciting, and it's filled with vibrant characters that I adored. Now that I've read this, I will be diving right into the first book all over again.

This prequel hits the spot in a way that only Travis Baldree's works do. Filled to the brim with the perfect mix of cozy comfy fantasy and just enough tension to keep you hooked until the end. I can only hope that we'll get to see more of Viv and her adventures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the eARC for an honest review.

4.5. I missed the pure coziness of Legends & Lattes, but there’s plenty of camaraderie here—and it was nice to read more of Viv’s story.

Bookshops & Bonedust was such a lovely cozy fantasy focusing on a convalescing orc helping out at a seaside bookshop.

I think Baldree's writing has improved a lot since Legends & Lattes (which I also enjoyed, although I found the beginning a bit slow). B&B brought a lot of the same elements: a cozy setting, a secret plot that the MC must uncover, and a range of interesting characters. But it didn't feel repetitive of L&L and you could see the seeds being planted for further character growth.

I really adored the mystery in this book and while the ending was a bit predictable (it was a prequel, after all), there were still a few twists that surprised me.

The characters were probably the main strength. Potroast was an adorable lil' animal friend and I just loved him! Satchel was probably my fave character cuz he always made me laugh. Such a great cast overall and I enjoyed my time with them!

A big thank you to Tor and NetGalley for an early copy of this title. All thoughts are my own.

There is something so absolutely heartwarming about the world Travis Baldree creates with his character Viv and her cozy adventures. When I first ran across Legends and Lattes, I picked it up but took a little bit of time to read it. Once I actually did, I fell in love with each and every character. The same happened with Bookshops and Bonedust, except I didn’t hesitate when I was approved for the Advanced Reader Copy through Netgalley. This is a prequel to the coffee shop and the Timbits, so this seems to be when Viv was in her prime with Rackam’s Ravens and things are going well, except she’s been stabbed and now needs to rest and recuperate until her team comes back for her. In the meantime, she has to figure out what to do with her days and not get into too much trouble, which is kind of hard since she’s a mercenary and seems to have trouble constantly following her. Nevertheless, the town of Murk seems to have exactly the people she needs in her life, whether she knows it or not.
I cannot recommend this book enough and do not want to give too many details away, but I promise, if you give this book a chance, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Never really thought about reading a “cozy fantasy,” but I have to say that I really enjoy it! This book, like Legends & Lattes, is everything it promised to be, but now with the added element of seeing Viv a little more impulsive and brash. I really liked seeing her character contrasted with what we learn of her in L&L, and I liked seeing her grow throughout the book. Most definitely, my favorite character was Fern, because I too have a penchant for cursing any time I’m slightly inconvenienced or even just excited. Never mind that my dream is definitely to have a little bookshop by the seaside. I also liked the action we got, and was pleasantly surprised by Satchel! An awesome character addition and totally unique. Overall, would recommend to those who are looking for a lowkey, cozy read. Perfect for an evening in with a cup of tea!

Note: Would also love to see more worldbuilding of the land they live in and more about the types of characters. It was hard for me to picture Iridia the tapenti, as I don't know what race of character that is.

A charming, comforting read!

A fantasy fit for book enthusiasts, Bookshops and Bonedust highlights the joy of recommending the perfect book and getting to watch someone kindle a love of reading. I love the insight it provides into what inspired Viv to open Legends and Lattes. I also simply adore Fern, a bookselling ratkin with a sailor's mouth!

The story strikes a strong equilibrium between levity and emotional depth, leaving an enduring smile on my face throughout. The theme of savoring the present and unearthing solace in unexpected realms resonated with me. Bookshops & Bonedust is what cozy fantasy should strive to be.

Travis Baldree nails it again!

Happy Pub Day Tuesday

I really loved Legends and Lattes so much. I loved the cozy, sweet world Travis Baldree created and wanted to get to know Viv more. I was so happy to see there was a prequel and to be honest, I loved it even more! Bookshops and Bonedust is just as cozy and just as sweet but with more character development and a book shop this time!

“Are all of these important?” She gestured with her head.
Fern looked affronted. “Of course they’re important! They’re my books?”

What reader can’t relate to that quote?! I loved the bookshop and the side characters very much. I also loved the thoughtfulness and camaraderie and mystery.

“You know, there’s a lot of people out there. Lot of noise. I love what I do, I love every day, but none of us sees more than a tiny piece of all the world, like we’re lookin’ out a little-bitty window. And I saw you through mine, and somethin’ inside me said, “That’s somebody you oughta kbow.” Simple as that.

This is the perfect book to curl up with under a cozy blanket after a long day that feels like the best warm hug and will make you smile and feel content.

4.5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @torbooks for the early copy!

This one is out today!

Gosh this one was a great prequel to Legends & Lattes! I am so thankful to Tor Publishing Group for granting me early access to the ARC. Baldree's books are perfect for rainy days. This book was definitely special and heartwarming especially to a book lover. I appreciate Baldree's skills in setting up the world, his abilities as a DM really shine! I can't wait for the next installment in this series, whichever characters he chooses to write about.

This is one of my most anticipated books of the year, after *loving* Legends and Lattes over the summer.

Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel to Legends and Lattes, when our main character Viv is young and *invincible*.

Except she gets her leg badly injured battling skeleton-like creatures that reminded me of my Zelda days.

As a result, she’s unceremoniously dropped off in this seaside village to recover.

I love seeing Viv before we know her in L&L— then she’s so level-headed, and that is not the case here.

While Viv hasn’t quite developed yet, this story has all the cozy fantasy elements you hope for.

Imaginative creatures (check out Potroast the Gryphet on the cover, basically a large pug with an owl head), a bookshop, friends, and a splash of romance that by the end, left me giddy.

Plus, this is an ode to booksellers and readers and the stories we love.

I’ll admit, I was dubious because this is a prequel and we already know where Viv winds up, and with whom.

But I’ve learned not to underestimate Travis Baldtree, and it’s served me well. This is such an excellent winter read with a cup of coffee and a cozy chair!

I highly recommend! All the stars.

It was a very obvious choice for me to request this book when I saw it available on Netgalley. After all, Legends & Lattes was one of my favorite books of last year, and I was very lucky to be able to coordinate with Travis Baldree for him to come visit the library where I work! It was an amazing visit and it was so great to hear him read from the book, in the voices and everything!

B&B is a prequel to L&L, where an injured Viv is dropped off in a sleepy seaside town. She's young, full of piss and vinegar, barely able to imagine a life where she isn't using a weapon and killing baddies. Recovering from a stab wound in a town that has nothing much more than a bookstore, a tavern, and a bakery sounds like hell on earth. But she's stuck, so she has to make the best of it. ... and she does.

This is another delightful story of second chances, baked goods, new friends, found family, learning about yourself, and love. It's exciting, but you know that nothing too terrible is going to happen. It's full of romance (and casual queerness, hooray!), but just enough to leave you wanting more (my only real complaint with the book was that there wasn't enough romance). It involves a delightful cast of characters, and the best part? Well, it's in the name, so it's no surprise, but a bookshop plays a central theme in the story, and man, it is wonderful. Viv learning about herself through books was so magical, and I was just so happy to read about it (I may be biased as a librarian, but oh well). There was magic, sure - you gotta have an evil necromancer, of course - but the real magic? Books, and friends, and a certain someone who lives in a bag (and I can't give away more due to spoilers).

A real treat of a story and one that gave me the warm fuzzies. Can't wait for more from Baldree!

another fun, cozy read perfect for the fall and the changing weather! very low stakes with the slightest bit of drama. i loved the story to this one and how it was an intro to Viv but still felt like we already knew her from the last. i really enjoyed the conflict in this one compared to the first book because it felt more suspenseful. thank you Tor and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one early!

Baldree is back at it again with another charming story, this time as a prequel to his first book, Legends and Lattes. This story follows a younger Viv, the main character of the first book, and her experiences in a quiet seaside town as she recovers from an injury.

I actually liked this one more than the first one! It felt less episodic (leveling up a coffee shop) and had more of a traditional plot. I enjoyed getting to know the new characters, especially Fern, a bookselling rattkin that Viv befriends. I think fans if the first book will really enjoy getting another chance to get back into this cozy world.

Four and a half of Five strong stars for another charming, unique cozy fantasy read from Author Travis Baldree! I loved how unique Legends and Lattes turned out to be, and readers will be eager to read about this relatable orc during all of the new adventures!