Scan barcode
strawb3rrysugar's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Having read Legends & Lattes only a few months ago, I think Travis Baldree is really growing on me as an author. It's a little slow in the beginning, but this was an enjoyable read that I breezed through in a short time. I mentioned that I wished I knew more about the characters in the first book, that they felt just a little less fleshed out than they could have been. This book greatly improves upon that. I got to know the characters better and grow fond of them throughout the story, and I felt they endured more challenges of both high and low stakes that shaped them and helped them grow.
Also, I love, love that the main character is a buff orc woman who wields swords and sabers and loves other women, and she gets to exist without compromise - she learns skills other than fighting or being on the battlefield, but her character development never forces her into a box of only traditional femininity. It's incredibly refreshing and just good character writing.
If you liked Travis' first book, or you want to get into the fantasy genre but you're overwhelmed by lengthy epics, this is a great read.
Also, I love, love that the main character is a buff orc woman who wields swords and sabers and loves other women, and she gets to exist without compromise - she learns skills other than fighting or being on the battlefield, but her character development never forces her into a box of only traditional femininity. It's incredibly refreshing and just good character writing.
If you liked Travis' first book, or you want to get into the fantasy genre but you're overwhelmed by lengthy epics, this is a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
Viv gets a pretty terrible leg injury at the beginning of the book. The description of her injury and subsequent recovery is detailed but never graphic. A character is found dead with blood pooling around their body. There's some suggestion of spicy or erotic books, and a brief passage from one of them, but never any graphic sexual content. A few kisses are exchanged.pidgepodge's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Before I was even done with the book, I knew it would be something I needed on my bookshelf. Such a lovely read, just the right amount of tense, heartwarming and funny. The characters were amazing, and I didn’t want to put it down until it was done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
I wanted to read this book because I loved and adored the first book in this series and when I saw he was making this book in the series, I was so excited what it was going to be about. I was a little nervous with it being a prequel but was so happy it still included Viv.
This book is based on Viv the orc barbarian, who we met in Legends & Lattes and her career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam’s Raven isn’t going as planned. She has been wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer and she is packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk, the town is 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 traveller, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful that Viv could have ever expected.
This storyline was so full of action but was still very relaxing at the same time. I loved jumping back in this world and still wanted to spend the whole book giving Viv a hug. I loved the themes that are in this book – the found family, the LBGT representation and the females in this book kicking ass and taking names. I loved the side characters; they were all built and had their own characters developments as well as Viv. Just like the previous book in this series, I liked that the fantasy was basic and would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t know if they like fantasy or don’t want the complicated world-building. Even though it was an adventurous book, I loved the bookish vibes with the bookstore still being the focus of this book, but that there was also a serious storyline, and you wanted them to success and defeat the villain.
I did miss the cozy, autumn vibes that we got from Legends & Lattes. The pacing of this book did lag a bit in the middle, I was finding myself struggling to push through to the end, but then the action started, and it picked up towards the end.
I would love for Travis to write another book in this universe and with these characters. But if he writes anything else, I will probably read it as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Alcohol
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
This is such a delightful prequel, it’s interesting to see Viv-itching for a fight, ready to attack verusu the Viv we were introduced to in Legends & Lattes, ready to settle down. As its said in the book, a seed was planted in Viv on this journey that takes root.
Oh to be able to read by the ocean~
This one does have more excitement, more action than in Legends and Lattes with a necromancer on the loose and a mysterious man running around...
I also love the idea a fictional world having its own fictional stories-like when do we hear about the kinds of stories that D&D characters sit down and read? There’s been a bit more in media, but little peeks at the kinds of stories a world tells itself is great! Also love Viv’s reaction to some of the more spicier recommendations.
I also love Fern, the swearing book shop owner that becomes Viv’s friends through her time of healing. I’m a lover of a heavy swearer and someone who keeps a dream going as hard as it is. Viv provides a breath of fresh air to the old shop, coming up with ideas to add more customers and fix up the shop too. I work in a bookstore so I’m quite familiar with some of their ideas-well minus the fresh coat of paint.
A lovely book that you want to just curl up with!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Alcohol
maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
refrejarator's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.5
The sequel I didn't realise I was looking for. I wasn't completely sold on the book until the second half, but then it really clinched it with the building of friendships and romances. It actually made me a bit teary at the end.
Also the audio book is PHENOMENAL. Travis Baldree narrates it himself and it's awesome to hear him bring his own characters to life.
Also the audio book is PHENOMENAL. Travis Baldree narrates it himself and it's awesome to hear him bring his own characters to life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
erikagibson126's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
chelly_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
frantic_vampire's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
This was so cozy and warm that I didn’t want it to ever end! I loved the sleepy little beach town, the bookshop, the bakery, just… everything about this book made my heart so happy. Getting to see a younger Viv finding her footing in the world and planting the seeds for a far off dream was one of those things that really made this book shine. I loved getting to see Viv defying expectations and making friends and falling in love. This is the kind of book that you can curl up with a cup of tea and a snack and just get lost with in its pages for hours. Bookshops & Bonedust is getting a solid four and half stars!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
abby_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
📖
This was an amazing book. I loved it. I like the worldbuilding. I adore Viv.
This was an amazing book. I loved it. I like the worldbuilding. I adore Viv.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Alcohol