Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree | Book Review

Looking for your next great read? Check out our review of ‘Bookshops and Bonedust’ and find out why this book is a must-read for any fantasy reader.

Today, I’m reviewing Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree.  This book tells the origin story of Viv – a fearsome orc with a kind heart.

It’s the prequel to Legends and Lattes, a cozy fantasy I just couldn’t put down. If you loved that book, you won’t want to miss the chance to learn more about Viv’s past.

My Rating for Bookshops and Bonedust

Genre: Fantasy ; Length 352

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I loved the prequel to this book, Legends and Lattes, and gave it 5 stars. I even made a winter Bake Box inspired by the cinnamon rolls that were so lusciously described in that book.

So naturally, when I heard Travis Baldree was writing a prequel, I was really excited to read it.

I give Bookshops and Bonedust 4 stars – it delivers the same slow fantasy feeling as its sequel, with an extra serving of strong femme energy.

Like Legends and Lattes, Bookshops and Bonedust brings us great food imagery. Viv frequents the local bakery, and the sights, sounds, and smells made my mouth water.

I can’t wait to share my literary bake, which will be my version of the Ginger Lassy Buns that everyone in Murk go crazy for!

Bookshops and Bonedust Synopsis

Bookshops and Bonedust, the prequel to Legends and Lattes, brings us the origin story of Viv, a fearsome orc with a soft side.

This prequel follows Viv as a young mercenary. When she becomes wounded hunting the powerful necromancer, Varine, she has to take a break from boss-slaying to nurse an injured leg.

Viv finds herself stranded in Murk, a small sea-side town, where she must come to terms with her new lifestyle – taking a step back and taking care of herself.

Leaning into the slow life, she spends much of her time in a thriving bakery and a failing bookshop. Viv fills her time with good books, delicious pastries, and new friends.

Viv can’t be held back from adventure, though. And Murk proves to have its share of strange happenings, too.

When a suspicious character shows up in their small town, Viv must partner with an aspiring warrior to investigate his origin.

They learn that he is tied to the vicious necromancer, Varine, bringing everything full circle for Viv.

My Take on Bookshops and Bonedust

Spoiler Alert!!!

I enjoyed getting to see Viv as a young mercenary.

We get to see how the bonds formed between Viv and her crew, most interestingly – Galina. Although they are good friends in the sequel, it turns out Viv and Galina didn’t always get along.

The entire cast of characters were a treat to read about. Lots of femme power.

• Viv, who can’t pass up an adventure, despite a broken leg
• Fern, the rattkin who owns the declining book shop, Thistleburr Booksellers, and has the mouth of a sailor
• Maylee, the super sweet baker and Viv’s love interest
• Galina, the feisty gnome who wants to become a warrior

The homunculus was a great addition, too, bringing in some spookiness and comedy.

I love that this book took place in a dusty, unprofitable bookshop. Most of the time, Viv is helping Fern clean up her bookshop, remodel, and entice new customers.

When she’s not there, she’s discovering her newfound love of reading.

For a reader like me, it was fun to watch her develop this new hobby, using raunchy romance novels as her gateway drug.

The way Viv and Fern worked to set up the bookshop reminded me of a simulation video-game like Animal Crossing, which happens to be my favorite type of game!Overall, Bookshops and Bonedust is mostly a cozy redecorating novel with a bit of action thrown in.

Which Book was Better: Bookshops and Bonedust or Legends and Lattes?

Both were really similar in the cozy mood, high fantasy, and low drama. Both have that job simulator video-game feeling of having to build a business, whether bookshop or coffee shop, from scratch. 

I liked Legends and Lattes slightly better, though. 

In that book, you get to see Viv as a strong, retired warrior at the end of her career. 

In Bookshops and Bonedust, she is less mature. I just had less of a bond with Viv in the first book.

Another major difference between the two books: Bookshops and Bonedust is slightly more “spicy” or “adult” compared to Legends and Lattes.

This is mostly because of Fern, the foul-mouthed rattkin bookseller, who supplies Viv with endless sapphic romance novels.

As for plot, Bookshops and Bonedust had more “bad guys”. So, the plot was more of a stepladder of beating villains, compared to Legends and Lattes, where the plot was pretty mild until closer to the end.

In the acknowledgments, Travis Baldree comments on how he thought this novel turned out,

“… it interlocks with Legends & Lattes in a way that makes both stories better, while still allowing them to stand on their own.”

-Travis Baldree

Critique of Bookshops and Bonedust

Romance with Maylee

Viv’s coy romance with the baker, Maylee, was pleasant to watch unfold. But, if you read the first book, you already know that it doesn’t last. 

While Viv and Maylee spend much of the book sheepishly avoiding the “what are we” conversation like any summer fling, the reader already knows it’s going nowhere. 

The lack of suspense took me out of it.

Fern’s Word Choices

I get that it’s supposed to be her shtick, but sometimes she throws an F-bomb when completely unnecessary…

Conclusion

I gave Bookshops and Bonedust 4 stars for delivering the same slow fantasy feeling as its sequel, Legends and Lattes – with an extra serving of strong femme energy. This one had a bit more action than the sequel, but not too much.

I definitely agree with the author in that it interlocks well with Legends and Lattes, yet both books still stand well on their own.

If you’re into the slow life, tavern vibes, summer romances, redecorating, and occasional adventure, this is the book for you!

I hope you like this series as much as I do.Once you finish reading the sequel, read my book review of Legends and Lattes, and share your thoughts!

Recommended Reading

If you liked Bookshops and Bonedust, try these books: