Bookshops & Bonedust: A Heart-warming Cosy Fantasy

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Set in the world of New York Times bestselling Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree's Bookshops & Bonedust takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and secondhand books.

As enchanting a prequel as one could ever desire, Bookshops & Bonedust brings the same humor and heart as its predecessor, and has cemented Travis Baldree as an auto-read author for me. Books, baked goods, and necromancy—what more could you possibly want in a story?"—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart I thought of Legends & Lattes and the review I’d been meant to write for it every week since—not just out of the haunting of guilt that I’d still not gotten to it, but also out of how applicable it was. I found myself recommending it to anyone who mentioned that they’d been having a tough time—and, in the “post-COVID” years where it doesn’t ever truly feel like the pandemic is over and during which many other troubles have surfaced… well, that was pretty often. Beth:That’s such a good point actually Nils, like it would have been so easy to make her a very mopey character, but in fact that can-do attitude we know so well is present here too, just aimed at a different focus. There was a wee romance arc with the baker Maylee . Maylee was an ex warrior and instantly was intrigued by Viv. I liked their relationship and how they bonded over a shared past despite being in different phases in their lives. Through meeting the right people at the right time, or maybe the right people at the wrong time, Viv will eventually realize there is more to life than just fighting and killing. And it is through the delight and escapism bestowed by reading great books that she feels this further. Yes, as the title says, many scenes in Bookshops and Bonedust will take place in a second-hand bookshop. And I loved the relationship Viv built with Fern, Potroast, Maylee, and Gallina. Gallina is a supporting character in Legends and Lattes, and I have no doubt we will see Fern, Potroast, and Maylee again in one or two future-to-be-written books in this world. Some readers can argue that writing a fantasy story about finding and savoring the joy of reading is cheating. It goes without saying that readers reading this book and Legends and Lattes will most likely be readers who love reading books. However, reading our unspoken emotions and words written by other authors eloquently, or feelings spoken by characters who feel the same passion about reading, can feel good. I actually think Bookshops and Bonedust had too many battles for a cozy fantasy novel. I wish we had more slice-of-life portions here like Legends and Lattes did. Reading Viv finding pleasure in reading for the first time put a smile on my face, and I wouldn’t mind having more of her reading and eating delicious foods.Bookshops & Bonedust will resonate with anyone who has ever conflated their worth with their productivity, who has ever worried about being left behind if they take a moment to breathe, who has ever allowed a book to save them from a bad day. Beautifully humane, it is a loving reminder that the best parts of life are what happens between the big moments." - Cassandra Khaw And like you said Nils, Fern is great at recommending books, but I love the game she seems to be playing with Viv, I can’ wait to see where that goes! She didn’t remember the commotion, but his amused tone made her wonder. “So, did the Ravens pay up my stay?” I started the book worried about it not having my favorite characters and ended up falling in love with a whole other town! I cried at the end - a lot. There's no telling how long with book hangover will last.

With its mysterious encounters, summer flings and a growing number of skeletons, Baldree’s fantastical novel is the perfect cozy romp."—HuffPost Books One of Travis's standout strengths lies in his ability to paint vivid, transporting scenes with his words. From the picturesque landscapes to the tantalizing descriptions of food and the evocation of Viv's deepest emotions, his literary craftsmanship shines through, immersing readers in a sensory-rich experience. Beth: I think what was also so special about that moment was seeing Viv fall in love with reading for the first time, actually watching someone make that connection that at some point we’ve all felt. I thought it was a great moment between the protagonist and the reader. 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. Viv's journey is not unlike traditional tales of a traveling hero trapped in unforeseen circumstances. It hits a lot of the tropes and isn't really shy about it either. Viv becomes engrained in the small community she has temporarily made her home, making acquaintances with several people that help her and Fern bring new life to the struggling bookstore. Viv even finds time for romance, charming the dwarf who owns the local bakery, Maylee. It's like a Hallmark Christmas movie but with a Dungeons & Dragons motif.

His wry grin went all the way to amused. “Let me be the first to welcome you to Murk, jewel of the western coast! A very small part of the western coast. And this here is The Perch, my place.” 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. Viv caught him watching her devour the food from the other end of the bar and tried to slow down, but the potatoes were salty and rich with the egg, and it was hard not to shovel it in without pausing. The noises she made as she ate were not polite, but they were definitely sincere.