【 BOOKSHOPS AND BONEDUST 】

book #0 in the Legends and Lattes series

Genre: Fantasy (cosy)
Audience: Adult
Author: Travis Baldree
Published: November 2023
Publisher: Tor
Pages: 336 (paperback)

This series is the cutest darn thing ever, and I’m very glad that Baldree has written several books about these characters so that I don’t have to part with them just yet.

I read Legends & Lattes before reading this one, and I highly recommend that reading order so that you go into this knowing where Viv’s character is heading. This is every bit as cosy as book 1 (counting this as book “0” and lowkey hoping that Baldree writes a prequel to this prequel, just to really push Goodreads into a tizzy and declare it to be book “-1”, but I digress) and in no way spoils you, whichever way around you read them. This is the story of Viv, who is temporarily out of action due to injury and has been dropped off at a random, quiet town to recover. Naturally, she’s very put out about being forced into the slow life.

This added some wholesome character-building to Viv’s character for me. Even though we know a pretty well-rounded version of her from book 1, it added some depth and authenticity to the character arc we eventually see. Now, we have the full picture.

This is your light-reading, sapphic-romance, wholesome-vibes fix that you need in your life. I love the cosy ass worlds that Baldree creates – like you’re walking straight into the cute medieval town you’ve always wanted to live in (but without needing to worry about death, plagues and other unpleasantries). I’m also really appreciating the lesson that Baldree is teaching us all: that you cannot, and should not, have cosy fantasy unless a bakery and excessive baked goods abound. It’s essential. Obviously.

There were some great new-to-us characters in this prequel, too. Not to mention the origins of Viv and Gallina’s friendship (very unexpected and very hilarious). But my absolute favourite character in this book is Satchel. Not just because of his dry humour, but because of his unexpected bookishness that was so out of place and glorious.

And let’s not forget to swoon over the fact that this is bookshop-oriented?! Who doesn’t love a story about an unlikely hero of a bookshop that is slowly falling into disrepair? Cosy fantasy aside, queer plot aside, the almost accidental friendship struck up between Viv and Fern as they slowly, slowly revive the bookshop is the leading lady of this story (if you get me). Plus, the way that Fern describes how she connects with people by giving out book recommendations felt so unique and so lovely.

But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of action to keep shaking things up every now and then. I promise you won’t be bored with this! And this series is fast becoming a favourite of mine because it’s a story I keep coming back to in my mind time and time again.

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Title: Bookshops and Bonedust
Series: Legends and Lattes
Author: Travis Baldree
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When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn’t always what we seek.

In Bookshops & Bonedust, a prequel to Legends & Lattes, author Travis Baldree takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

Viv’s career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned.

Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she’s packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she’ll never be able to return to it.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

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.