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!