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kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I can even believe it… I loved this book even more than the first. It was just perfection. That ending had me oohing and awwwing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
alexalily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
laurao's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement, Death, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
It has less violence/gore than the average D&D campaign, but it is still central to the plot.fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I had been looking forward to reading this since I loved Legends and Lattes, and have loved some other cozy fantasies as well. I think this one didn't quite live up to the hype for me. While it should be slower since it's a cozy fantasy, even with the small action scenes, I didn't feel the same excitement to pick this up like I did the others. I read very little bits at a time and wasn't always rushing or eager to pick it back up. I liked the characters - especially Satchel - and the plot behind the story. It just felt a little flat to me and I can't put my finger on why.
Definitely gives all the cozy bookstore vibes!
Definitely gives all the cozy bookstore vibes!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
sonatica's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Legends & Lattes has been my favorite audiobook since I've listened to it, and I anxiously awaited the prequel when it was announced. And while it took me a while to read, it was certainly not because I didn't enjoy it!
I love Viv as a protagonist! And I dare say I might even love her more in Bookshops & Bonedust! Seeing the character development in this book was a fun and emotional ride and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships she formed within the story and quickly grew attached to all main and side characters.
The story was more 'intense' than that of L&L, so if the pacing in that book was a bit too slow for your tastes, then I'd still recommend Bookshops & Bonedust for a cozy read with lovable characters and slightly higher stakes!
The ending felt very emotional and I might have shed a tear or too, in the best way possible! And the Epilogue gave my heart the rest. I 100% would recommend this book :)
(There might be Spoilers from here on, so read with caution)
I gotta admit, I was thrown off by the promise of a 'summer romance' in this book, because I love the relationship of Tandri and Viv in the first one and generally don't like to read about one of the characters having a romantic relationship with other people, even if it was in the past. But I was pleasantly surprised by how well this was handled and I ended up really loving the romantic interest of Viv. If this was something that you might have been discouraged about, I suggest to still give it a try.
Gallina's appearance and role in the story made me giggle on multiple occasions and seeing her and Viv's friendship blossom made me appreciate her character in the first book even more!
But my highlight were absolutely Fern and Satchel (and Potroast!) and the deep platonic relationship between them and Viv. I found myself rooting for their own respective storylines and the epilogue made me tear up even more after the ending and feel all warm and fuzzy at the same time.
I loved this book and I'm sure this was not the last time I've read it!
I love Viv as a protagonist! And I dare say I might even love her more in Bookshops & Bonedust! Seeing the character development in this book was a fun and emotional ride and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships she formed within the story and quickly grew attached to all main and side characters.
The story was more 'intense' than that of L&L, so if the pacing in that book was a bit too slow for your tastes, then I'd still recommend Bookshops & Bonedust for a cozy read with lovable characters and slightly higher stakes!
The ending felt very emotional and I might have shed a tear or too, in the best way possible! And the Epilogue gave my heart the rest. I 100% would recommend this book :)
(There might be Spoilers from here on, so read with caution)
I gotta admit, I was thrown off by the promise of a 'summer romance' in this book, because I love the relationship of Tandri and Viv in the first one and generally don't like to read about one of the characters having a romantic relationship with other people, even if it was in the past. But I was pleasantly surprised by how well this was handled and I ended up really loving the romantic interest of Viv. If this was something that you might have been discouraged about, I suggest to still give it a try.
Gallina's appearance and role in the story made me giggle on multiple occasions and seeing her and Viv's friendship blossom made me appreciate her character in the first book even more!
But my highlight were absolutely Fern and Satchel (and Potroast!) and the deep platonic relationship between them and Viv. I found myself rooting for their own respective storylines and the epilogue made me tear up even more after the ending and feel all warm and fuzzy at the same time.
I loved this book and I'm sure this was not the last time I've read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body horror, and Abandonment
zombiezami's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Xenophobia
bexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I prefer Legends and Lattes, but this was still a good time and I would very happily read more from this world. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Sexual content, and Alcohol
cozyscones's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Confinement
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is a slightly bloodier (but still very cozy) prequel to LEGENDS & LATTES. Viv is an orc warrior, wounded in the leg just as she's starting out her career with Rackam's Ravens. She spends the summer recuperating from an injury in a seaside town named Murk, helping a local bookseller turn her shop around, and getting to know the cute dwarven baker down the street. It’s a story about finding joy and meaning and impermanence, appreciating something good even when you know it won’t last forever.
BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is an unabashed love letter to books, bookshops, and booksellers helping the local bookseller get out of a rut and fix up her store. Viv is recuperating from a leg injury which sidelines her while the Ravens go after a necromancer. She hates being left out of the action and forced to slow down, but starts to feel the benefits as her forced rest continues, discovering an interest in reading.
As a prequel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST helps to explain why Viv would want to start a coffee shop when her adventuring is done, something Legends & Lattes didn’t dwell on in any detail because that wasn't the focus of its story. This can be read before, after, or completely separately from the first book, though the epilogue takes place after Legends & Lattes and contains minor spoilers.
BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is an unabashed love letter to books, bookshops, and booksellers helping the local bookseller get out of a rut and fix up her store. Viv is recuperating from a leg injury which sidelines her while the Ravens go after a necromancer. She hates being left out of the action and forced to slow down, but starts to feel the benefits as her forced rest continues, discovering an interest in reading.
As a prequel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST helps to explain why Viv would want to start a coffee shop when her adventuring is done, something Legends & Lattes didn’t dwell on in any detail because that wasn't the focus of its story. This can be read before, after, or completely separately from the first book, though the epilogue takes place after Legends & Lattes and contains minor spoilers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Racism, and Slavery
fanboyriot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Read For:
Sapphic
Cozy Vibes
Slice of Life
Wholesome
High Fantasy
This has such a lovely vibe to it, the atmosphere of this book was much cozier than I was expecting it to be. I loved the story and the narrator did a wonderful job with bringing each character to life.
I actually haven't read Legends & Lattes yet but after this am definitely going to have to pick it up. I loved the worldbuilding and the character development, the writing style was so pleasant. This is the type of fantasy for me, there wasn’t a bunch of character names I needed to learn on the first page, and the plot was slow-paced in such a good way. I was able to fully follow along and everything unraveled really well, the ending really brought in all the feels and I couldn’t be happier with it. This book was amazing.
Thank you so much to the author, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)
Release Date: 07, November 2023
POV: Third Person
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rep: Queer (MC)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual content, Torture, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol