Just not quite as good as legends and Lattes mainly because it lacks the originality of the first book. Still fantastic, and the new characters were a great addition particularly Satchel.

Looking forward to the third book to bring it all together.

I don’t really feel like I have a huge amount to say about this book to be honest. It didn’t blow me away, but it delivered exactly what it promised, and I had a really nice, cosy time with it.

I loved the bookshop setting. I will always have a soft spot for books about books, and especially books about cute little bookstores. I also really enjoyed all the descriptions of the baked goods that Maylee made, it almost had me drooling.

My favourite character was absolutely Potroast the gryphet (his name is POTROAST, how could I not love him), followed closely by Satchel.

I’ve seen some criticisms of this book saying that there was no point to it becasue it is set before Legends & Lattes, so you know where Viv ends up and it takes away the stakes, or something like that. I would argue that it doesn’t matter, the point of the cosy fantasy genre is just to be nice, and this book 100% achieved that.

Overall, this was a lovely read, and the way it ended really made me want another book following Viv.

I really enjoyed Legends and Lattes but I just can’t get into this one. It’s just not grabbing me in the same cosy way. Maybe it’s just the wrong time for me as a reader!

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! I think I even liked it better than Legends & Lattes. I loved it so much I bought a signed copy!

Whilst this definitely live up to the masterpiece that is Legends and Lattes, I still adored this book. I think it would be disappointing to anyone who didn't love the first book, and would only recommend for big fans as some extra lore to our characters. I felt so emotional reading this and the epilogue made me tear up so much. A lovely story that I will re read in the future and I can't wait to see what Travis Baldree releases next!

I love being given sequels/ prequels to books that are on my to read list, it forces me to read book I was desperate for but gets pushed down the list! This book was utterly adorable, cute cosy vibes and a heartwarming story! So satisfying and everything you need from a fairytale!

I really enjoyed this prequel, though that may have been because I was already connected to Viv - I loved seeing where she began and where she picked up her coffee knowledge .

Super cute ! I loved all the characters and the backstory of how Viv got to where she is now. I hope we get more in the future !

Bookshops & Bonedust is a charming and heartwarming novel that will appeal to fans of cozy fantasies and character-driven stories. This is a delightful prequel to the highly successful Legends & Lattes, and it continues to showcase Baldree's talent for blending cozy, slice-of-life storytelling with fantastical settings. This novel is a warm, engaging, and often humorous tale that provides a charming escape into a world where the mundane meets the magical.

The story follows Viv, an orc mercenary who finds herself sidelined in the small seaside town of Murk during her early adventuring days. After suffering a serious injury, Viv is forced to take a break from her usual sword-swinging activities and instead finds herself drawn into the quiet life of a bookshop. The plot centers around her relationship with the bookshop's owner, Fern, and a colorful cast of characters.

However, some readers may find the novel a bit too laid-back, especially if they are looking for high-stakes drama or epic fantasy battles. Bookshops & Bonedust is more about the journey than the destination, and it is best enjoyed as a comforting, low-key read rather than a thrilling adventure.

But Baldree has once again crafted a world that feels both magical and familiar, filled with endearing characters and a comforting sense of place. Whether you've been a fan of Viv since book 1, or are new to Baldree's work, this book is a delightful addition to the cozy fantasy genre.

3.5 ⭐️ Enjoyable like the first book but I felt this wasn’t that necessary for a sequel. If you liked the first book, I’d still recommend reading this!

I loved the cosy feel of Legends and Lattes that made it so easy to read and this prequel delivered that just as well. While the romance was bittersweet to read, it was still lovely to see it unfold and the friendships Viv made were so lovely to see. Just like with the first book, the low-stakes mystery and simple magic really helped with keeping the cosy vibes of this story.

I absolutely loved this book! Thank you, NetGalley & Pan Macmillan, for approving the ARC!

I loved Legends & Lattes, and this was just as brilliant we meet Viv years before Legends & Lattes is set where she is left by her crew on a remote village after a serious injury and they will be back to collect her once she heals.

This had the same low stakes, cosy fantasy, and brilliant side characters that you can't help but love.

Viv being recommended different books and then helping the bookshop get on its feet was just so charming, and with the slightly more serious plot running alongside, it was just brilliant.

I loved Legends & Lattes so much that when I found out this book was being released I was so excited for it- When I was approved for an advance copy I was ecstatic!

I was looking forward to being thrown back into this cosy, magical world and learning more about our favourite Orc Viv's backstory. So you can imagine how awful it was to be so disappointed by this book.

It took me so long to read (writing this review almost exactly a year since I started) because I just found myself being bored by it throughout. It didn't have the same cosy feeling and it just seemed to drag on. I loved that Viv was residing in a little seaside town and helping out in an old bookshop, Little mouse (I forgot her name) was sweet and I loved the re-appearance of Gallina! But that wasn't enough to make it an enjoyable read.

I really wanted to like this book which I guess is why I slogged through to the end and I'm being completely honest when I say at no point did I enjoy this nevermind enjoy it as much as L&L.

This seems to be an unpopular opinion with many 4 and 5 star reviews so as much as this didn't hit the spot for me, I do still recommend it if you enjoyed L&L and want to see more of Viv and her past.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC

Bookshops and bonedust was a book that did not really need to exist, much like the previous book. Did I enjoy both, yes.
The characters are engaging and it does genuinely feel like a real dnd campaign that got distracted from the actual plot. I feel it was a bit of a shame to set up a romance with us fully aware that it would not last, and it’s one of the reasons I don’t tend to love prequels. However, some aspects were more interesting than the original. Having a little more of a core conflict and danger was enjoyable and really let the characters shine more.

I very much enjoyed the skeleton a lot.
I hope Travis writes more books because I will read them all.

Loved it so much Travis never fails to deliver with the cute cozy fantasy romance.

I love how much I fall into these books the characters are warm and well rounded and I would happily read book upon book set in this world.

Thank you to the publishers Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for sending me a copy of Bookshops & Bonedust to read and review.

I really enjoyed this prequel to Legends and Lattes. I’m a big fan of Travis Baldree’s work and was thrilled to read his latest book, having read both the self published and traditionally published versions of Legends and Lattes.

It was a joy to revisit my favourite characters and meet a selection of new ones. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was a heartwarming, charming and a fun adventure to read. However, I found the pace a little slow at times.

If you enjoyed reading Legends and Lattes, this is well worth reading and is a lovely cosy fantasy.

Having absolutely adored Legends and Lattes, I could not wait to get my hands on Bookshops & Bonedust. This book is just as brilliant and entertaining as Legends and I found myself swept away with the story. I loved the mystery of the story but also how emotional and character-rich it was too. It was so interesting to see where Viv's origins began and I just loved the narration of this book. It is one that will stick with me for a long time and has me even more excited for the next book in this series.

After reading Legends & Lattes, I was excited to read this and I ended up enjoying it even more! A cosy bookshop that needs saving? Yes please! The characters in this novel were utterly wholesome, and I loved the friendships Viv made (especially Fern!). The balance between more domestic scenes and the action worked really well for me too. Overall, a great read for curling up somewhere with a cup of tea!

Legends and Lattes was one of my favourite books of last year, and Bookshops and Bonedust is one of my favourite of this year! Honestly, I think Travis Baldree could write a phonebook at this point and I'd love it.

In this prequel to Legends & Lattes, young Viv’s journey with the mercenary company Rackam’s Raven is at a halt due to an injury, and she is forced to recuperate in the beach town of Murk. So far and so quiet from the life she’s always known that she worries if her company will ever return. But Murk isn’t as peaceful as it seems. Viv becomes acquainted with its local enforcement, a bookshop owner, and a baker. And while she might be far away from the battle, it appears that the action might not be far from the shores of Murk.

When I learnt the next in this series to be published was a prequel, I was almost disappointed. I was eager to see more of the future of the world that Baldree created in Legends & Latte. Still, after finishing Bookshop & Bonedust, I came to appreciate the decision of a prequel. Watching a younger, more tenacious Viv navigate her new life in Murk was a lot of fun! Again, despite her gruff nature, Viv can’t help but collect the most exciting group of friends possible. Viv isn’t a reader, or so she thinks when she becomes a budding bibliophile at the request of Fern, a rattkin bookseller who clearly does her job well. The story even shares excerpts from the book Viv is reading, which almost makes you sad that they aren’t fully published stories. As an appreciation for the books, Viv ends up helping Fern fix the dying bookstore to give it the new lease of life it sorely needs. In the same line as Legends, this quickly grows into another ragtag group of new and unexpected friends. Some readers might be disappointed as it can feel like a rehash of the first book. But Legends was much more low-key, while Bookshop leans more into the adventure and a lot more action than the first. Much higher stakes but still retains that cosy and mysterious vibe most readers of the first should be happy to see again here.

While a prequel, this can be read before or after Legends; you’ll either find the ending bittersweet, knowing Viv must leave these friends for her story to continue or find yourself anticipating the next step in her journey. Regardless, Bookshop & Bonedust is a satisfying addition to a series that is growing to become a highly-rated favourite of mine.