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.

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.