I have not read 'Legends and Lattes' yet, so I had no preconceptions about characters, world building, or the author's style of writing.

Our main character, Viv, is a young orc with Rackam's Ravens, a company of infamous mercenaries currently hunting Varine the Pale, an evil necromancer. Viv is happy with what she does for a living. Life seems good, but then she's injured in battle and has to stay behind in a sleepy town called Murk while her wound heals. Needless to say, she's a very impatient patient!

Viv makes friends with some local characters, in particular the sweary bookseller, and spends a lot of time in her bookshop suggesting improvements. I loved Fern: she knows the people and what suitable reading material she has, and encourages them to meet.

Viv's romantic relationship in Murk is sweet and innocent and, to begin with, there are times when you really want to give Viv a shove and tell her to get on with it... For me, two characters steal the show - Potroast and Satchel. I'm not going to spoil anything for any reader, but these guys are fantastic. I want stories about them, pretty please, Mr Baldree.

This is an excellent cosy tale, full of love and feeling, but you know the adventure will go sour at some point. It wouldn't be an adventure otherwise, would it? I really enjoyed this easy-to-read prequel, and it's the first book since my favourite author, Harmon Cooper's 'Sacred Cat Island' that has filled my heart with friendship, warmth, magic, and general 'fuzziness'. Funnily enough, Travis Baldree narrated that particular story. It was clearly fated for me to read this!

I chose an ARC of this work, which I voluntarily and honestly read and reviewed. All opinions are my own. My thanks to the publishers, NetGalley, and the author.

thank you to netgalley for providing me with a copy of this in return for an honest review!

I read legends and lattes and I did enjoy it, but I only gave it 3.75 as it didn’t really feel memorable. It was cute and cosy but I felt as though not much happened in the plot that made me LOVE it, if you get what I mean? however, I didn’t have that problem with this.

It was so cool to read about vivs life before she decided to settle down and open legends and lattes, because you hear brief mentions of her time on the road as a mercenary but you never really get much detail- so it was super fun to hear the before. learning about all the chaos and journeys and injuries she had to go through really felt like getting to know the character better and it provided the depth that I felt was missing from the first book. I think the author did really well in balancing a cosy fantasy with enough drama and plot to keep you interested. It’s hard with cosy fantasies to have an engaging, dramatic plot that doesn’t ruin the cool cosy vibe, but it was done so well here!

as someone who reads high fantasy / heartbreaking romance, it was so nice to take a step away and just read about this cool little creatures falling in love with books and coming together as a community to help each other out. I think I have a new thing for reading books about other people who like to read books, it’s like you connect with the characters even more than you usually do- which I loved. I thought the world building was so great, I really did feel like I was in the little run down bookshop helping fix it up together with the rest of the bunch- so if you’re looking for a book that helps you escape life for a little while, then definitely check this out.

ALSO THE ENDING? was so perfect. flashing back forward to legends and letters, seeing the characters all come together and perhaps a hint at another book where the two are combined? I was so excited and super happy. It was really cool to see the old viv almost interact with the new viv in a way when their lives crossed paths again. I’m super excited to see where this is heading and if a third book gets released, I will definitely be reading it.

Baldree is a clever author, leaning in to gentle fiction with a core of kindness in fantasy is inspired.

A prequel to the original cozy-core novel, this little nugget is just as accomplished. Would I rather have had a continuation of book 1, sure, but this is just as delightful and fulfilling.

Oh, what an absolute delight!

I'm a huge fan of Legends & Lattes, so of course I was thrilled to hear that we were getting a prequel documenting some of Viv's adventures before she gets set up in Thune. Baldree manages to recapture everything that made L&L such a delight - the cozy settings, the wonderful characters, soft romance, and humour with a dash of peril.

If you loved the first book, you'll adore Bookshops & Bonedust!

When I started the prequel to legends and lattes I had no idea what to expect. Since I knew it was based on Viv’s days as a mercenary I think I was expecting a more “traditional” fantasy book, with the usual battles and whatnot. But I was so happy to be wrong! Bookshops and bonedust is just as beautifully emotional as legends and lattes, with a different but no less diverse and loveable cast of characters. As the title suggests, books are at the heart of this novel, which I adored. Travis captured the magical atmosphere of legends and lattes and replicated it, and I’m amazed that he managed to pull it off again. All the characters are fabulous, especially Potroast of course! Travis joins Klune as a master of cosy fantasy; bookshops and bonedust feels like home. What a wonderful book. I can’t wait for more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to netgalley for the eARC in return for an honest review.

Viv is recuperating in the quiet beach town of Murk after an injury whilst fighting to find a necromancer with Rackham’s Ravens. She is bored and nothing much happens in this small town or so she thinks.

To pass the time she helps out at a struggling secondhand bookshop owned by Fern, a rattkin and her pet gryphet, Potroast. But Murk has secrets and a dubious grey cloaked visitor lurking who along with an officious gnome and the whiff of romance perhaps she won’t be as bored as she expected.

Another beautifully evocative cosy fantasy set 20yrs before Legends & Lattes, this is Viv at the start of her barbarian journey worrying she’s blown it before she got started. It is found family, dusty books, friendship, surprising connections, the love of stories and mouth watering baked goods.

Sometimes life makes us stop and find what we were running around looking for and this is what happens to Viv. Her realisation of who she is through her newfound love of stories is wonderful. It reminded me of when I first picked up a book to read myself, that immersive feeling of plunging into the action, the thrill, the adventure.

The friendships are just as delightful, the pace like a hot bath on a cold day. This is a luxurious stroll through a world warm and familiar.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC to read and review. I will review on social media and Amazon/Waterstones nearer the publishing date.

Oh, the absolute delight of a scrungly sea-side town and a dusty old bookshop!

If I haven't already recommended Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree to you yet, I must have lost my voice that day or something, possibly because I was screaming about this prequel.

Bookshops and Bonedust is, to me, perfect. It has all the cozy charm of Legends and Lattes with a whole new cast of characters. There's the cutest little foul-mouthed bookshop owner and their discerning pet (who is my favourite pet in the whole world), the rascally wanna-be adventurer ready to bonk you on the head (after she's climbed up a ladder to reach it), and the buff-armed baker who will absolutely seduce you with muffins (and other baked goods).
And of course, there's Liv. Adventure-driven warrior orc who does Not want to be stuck waiting in a sea-side town. Especially when her instructions are to "rest". What even is that? How is a fighter supposed to do that?

I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book. I was giggling, I made muffins, I keep telling people about it even though it's not going to be in my local bookshop for ages. I don't care. I loved it. You will too. Learn some of Liv's origins, and have a really happy gay time while you're doing so!! I cannot wait for it to be released so everyone can get wrapped up in its comforting goodness.
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I actually screamed a little bit when I got my hands on this book. After loving Legends and Lattes I was desperate to get more of the gentle fantasy, with wonderful characters and all the found family vibes. And this did not disappoint.

Prequels are always something I approach with caution, is the author going to rewrite history, is it going to be believable for the character? This was prequels done perfectly.

The epilogue. I have no words. Can that be the next book please?

If you loved books, baking, bones or big swords this is the book for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of the book

I was so excited to read this and once again Travis didn't disappoint! I enjoyed the plot if viv having to take her break from adventuring, I LOVE potroast and would die for him.
It once again reminds me of a dungeons and dragons adventure, with less shenanigans.

Another fantasy instalment by the one and only, Baldree! I really enjoyed Legends and Lattest, and dare I say it, I loved this one even more. Such a warming read with compelling characters.

"Bookshops & Bonedust" by Travis Baldree - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Fern looked affronted. “Of course they’re important! They’re my books!” “ p.g 72

Disclaimer:

This book is an ARC from NetGalley and Pan Macmillan; thank you.

Summary:

While pursuing a powerful necromancer, Viv gets seriously injured and is dumped in a quiet town called Murk.During her recovery, she stumbles across a bookshop run by a rattkin, Fern, who appears to be struggling as much as Viv. Deciding she has nothing else to do, she decides to help Fern. Before long trouble appears to have followed Viv, pushing her back into adventuring.

Thoughts:

This is a prequel to “Legends & Lattes”, which after reading this, I can’t wait to get into.

Viv was a great character to follow; I actually liked all of the main characters in this, and felt they were all fleshed out. I enjoyed Viv’s character development throughout the story and it made me want to continue reading. I like the relationship she blooms with the baker, Maylee. I really liked Fern, who was my favourite character.

My only issue would be it felt the main villain, the necromancer, appeared to be put on the sidelines and the final confrontation seemed a little quick. Regardless, this was my only issue; the atmosphere of the book was really well done, and I liked the characters a lot.

I also nearly cried at this book.

I don't read fantasy books because they usually contain for too many characters with very similar names, so I was gobsmacked to find myself bereft, upon finishing Bookshops and Bonedust. I'm seriously considering just downloading Legends and Lattes, to get more of the story instead of starting the next book I'm supposed to be reviewing! This is a fabulous read.

Viv is an orc, injured in battle, that needs to rest and recover before she can go back into battle. Her company will collect her from Murk, where's she's healing, once they have completed their mission.

We follow along with the different friends she makes, as she heals and witness the inevitable battle at the end of the book.

It really did leave me hungry for more, and not just lassy buns 😉

I LOVED Legends and Lattes and this one did not disappoint it was phenomenal! I had never read a ‘cosy fantasy’ before L&L, but I am glad I did they’re wonderful and Baldree pulls them off every single time!

Viv is an orc who is wounded during the hunt for a necromancer and is left to recuperate in the town of Murk. She spends her time at a bookshop and finds herself enjoying the company of a baker. There is still plenty of action, but my main love for this book is the wholesome moments the characters all share. The characters and their interactions are incredibly heartwarming I just wanted to climb inside the book and live in Murk with them!

Baldree now has me hooked, two books about coffee shops and bookshops — I don’t think there is anything I would want to read more!

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher for allowing this.

I absolutely loved the first book by Travis Baldree ‘Legends and Lattes’ so I was so excited to read the prequel! It didn’t disappoint! You don’t need to have read the first book to read this one, but you’ll enjoy it just as much if you have! I’m glad I read them in this order rather than chronologically in the story.

This is cosy fantasy at its best. If you’re a person who plays fantasy games and enjoys the side quests, learning more about the characters and doing tasks that aren’t just fighting then I think you’ll love this book! There’s plenty of action in this story but there’s no gratuitous violence. The book is about found family, discovering more about yourself and personal growth.

Viv (who I love so much) is an Orc who is convalescing in a small coastal town following a leg injury. Her crew are on the trail of a necromancer and will return for her after several weeks. Viv finds a bookshop that’s fallen into disrepair. She’s not previously a reader but the owner Fern knows just what to suggest to get her interested. While in the town Viv starts to build relationships and find ways to make herself useful to the townsfolk. However the threat of the necromancer starts to put her new friends at risk.

I absolutely loved this book, just as I did the first. It’s so wholesome and heartwarming. It’s just the perfect cure for a bad day. Highly recommend and I will read absolutely anything this author creates now!

"Never trust a writer who doesn’t have too many books to read. Or a reader, for that matter"

Viv is back, and this time she's in a different town, taking on a bookstore. I bloody loved this prequel to Legends and Lattes, if you loved the original, you'll love this. Some great supporting characters and the same cosy feel to it.

I read Legends & Lattes last year (before it hit the social platforms) because the title sounded right up my alley. It was one of my favourite reads of 2022 so when i saw that there was a sequel i was so excited!

Coffee shops are such a comfort to me, but you know what's more of a comfort; a BOOK SHOP!

In Bookshops & Bonedust, we see Viv's life before she joined her band of mercenaries. An injured Viv is dropped off in the quiet town of Murk to recover while her army continues on fighting. Here she meets a collection of fantastic characters who shape the way Viv lives her life (which we then see in Legends & Lattes)

This is just perfect. The characters are warm and loving. The story has adventure and depth. Honestly, I wanted to cry at the end when we see how the characters developed and intertwined. I didn't want it to end.

Thank you Travis for writing this cuddle of a novel. I can't wait for everybody else to get to read it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Tor for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

That I would love this series was a known quantity for anyone who knows me personally, and I am beyond grateful to Netgalley and Tor for giving me the opportunity to review an ARC of Bookshops & Bonedust.

In this prequel to the much loved and entirely deservingly hyped Legends & Lattes, a younger, more reckless Viv recuperates after an injury in a harbour town and discovers sourdough bread, an army of the undead, and, uh, moist books.
There's more action than in Legends-, but that makes sense for the story being told, and it's just as wonderfully comforting regardless. I finished it in a day, and if I had one criticism it's that I was foolish enough not to buy a latte to enjoy while I was reading.

Travis Baldree is by now one of my all time favourite authors. What I like about his books especially is that you can't possibly guess what is going to happen next. Except by now I have a feeling he will trash any newly decorated business :) Bookshops and Bonedust is warm, funny, tense, romantic, cosy, sweet, lighthearted and a bit dark, simultaneously. This is the perfect prequel to Legends and Lattes, with a much younger Viv. I love how we already saw a shimmer of the mature orc she is going to become. Oh and how I like all the other characters, they are so original and perfectly fleshed out! I could have highlighted half the book, there is a lot of beautiful sentences there, but I laughed out loud and bit my nails as well. Seriously, if you want to read the perfect cosy fantasy novel, you should definitely read this.

This was an excellent installment into Vivs world. I really wnjoyed getting to know a younger Viv and seeing a new side to her character it almost enriches the first book as I feel I know her even better by knowing some of where she has come from. As always the side characters were brilliantly written my favourite being Satchel I loved his character. This did in the first half feel less cosy than the first book but I feel it makes up for it in the second.

5*

Baldree has done it again with Bookshops & Bonedust. After reading Legends & Lattes, I knew that I needed to read anything that Baldree put his mind to and that I was right.

Following Viv at the start of her adventuring career, Bookshops & Bonedust guides the reader through many of the events that shaped the Viv we know and love in her later life. Filled with a vivid town full of rich and diverse characters, the story is cosy and familiar, whilst still bringing new threats and energy.

I recommend this book to anyone seeking a cosy fantasy novel with just enough twists and turns to make it utterly devourable.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.