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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
ezwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Bookshops and Bonedust follows Viv as she tries to take it slow and heal from a wounded leg in a small beach side town. She begrudgingly befriends the owner of a rundown bookstore and some other residents and her recuperation evolves into helping bring the bookstore back to life (haha) while also keeping an eye out for the necromancer that injured her.
I was so excited to get back in to this book universe and learn more about Viv! I was also once again so incredibly hungry while reading all of the descriptions of the delicious food stuffs. The stakes aren't quite as low as in Legends in Lattes, but it's still a relaxed read, befitting of a small town. This book is bittersweet, but not in any way that you aren't aware of from the beginning and the epilogue had me tearing up.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
I was so excited to get back in to this book universe and learn more about Viv! I was also once again so incredibly hungry while reading all of the descriptions of the delicious food stuffs. The stakes aren't quite as low as in Legends in Lattes, but it's still a relaxed read, befitting of a small town. This book is bittersweet, but not in any way that you aren't aware of from the beginning and the epilogue had me tearing up.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty
ezwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Bookshops and Bonedust follows Viv as she tries to take it slow and heal from a wounded leg in a small beach side town. She begrudgingly befriends the owner of a rundown bookstore and some other residents and her recuperation evolves into helping bring the bookstore back to life (haha) while also keeping an eye out for the necromancer that injured her.
I was so excited to get back in to this book universe and learn more about Viv! I was also once again so incredibly hungry while reading all of the descriptions of the delicious food stuffs. The stakes aren't quite as low as in Legends in Lattes, but it's still a relaxed read, befitting of a small town. This book is bittersweet, but not in any way that you aren't aware of from the beginning and the epilogue had me tearing up.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
I was so excited to get back in to this book universe and learn more about Viv! I was also once again so incredibly hungry while reading all of the descriptions of the delicious food stuffs. The stakes aren't quite as low as in Legends in Lattes, but it's still a relaxed read, befitting of a small town. This book is bittersweet, but not in any way that you aren't aware of from the beginning and the epilogue had me tearing up.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty
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
uranaishi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
betweentheshelves'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? No
5.0
You got me with the bookseller who just wants to connect people with books, honestly. That angle was absolutely my favorite part of this one, as Viv gets into all of the books that she's recommended. It's honestly quite adorable!
This book has the same cozy vibes as [book:Legends & Lattes|61242426], with the epilogue bringing the two full circle. I would definitely continue to read stories set in this world because it's just so cozy and fun and a delight to read. Loving the fact that cozy fantasy is making the mark that it is.
Also, Travis Baldree reads the audio and does a fabulous job, honestly. Sometimes it's hit or miss with authors reading their own books, but he has a great narration voice. I would listen to more books with him as the narrator!
This book has the same cozy vibes as [book:Legends & Lattes|61242426], with the epilogue bringing the two full circle. I would definitely continue to read stories set in this world because it's just so cozy and fun and a delight to read. Loving the fact that cozy fantasy is making the mark that it is.
Also, Travis Baldree reads the audio and does a fabulous job, honestly. Sometimes it's hit or miss with authors reading their own books, but he has a great narration voice. I would listen to more books with him as the narrator!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death
ninjamuse's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty
krisalexcole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, and Alcohol
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Let's start with the most important things, shall we? I absolutely adored the heck out of Legends & Lattes. It took me far too long to actually get my hands on it, but once I did, I inhaled it--never wanting it to end. It provided precisely what I wish every single "cozy fantasy" book would. It's low-stakes perfection and ideal for coffee-loving fantasy readers both young and old (and everything in between).
So naturally, when it comes to the books that I love with all my heart, it can be a little bit nerve-wracking picking up a sequel, prequel, spin-off, and the like. Once you've put that initial book on a pedestal, you don't want anything related to it to fall flat...
...let me reassure you right this very second that Bookshops & Bonedust lived up to every single expectation I set for it (and then some). It was precisely what I hoped a prequel to Legends & Lattes would be!
In my opinion, these books should be read in publication order rather than chronologically. My first reason for that has to do with the fact that this is a younger Viv than we meet in Legends & Lattes, and so she isn't the same, mature character who wants a life of peace, calm, and coffee. She has growing up to do and she does a lot of it in Bookshops & Bonedust--but I only appreciated the character development because I'd already read Legends & Lattes. My second reason is due to the epilogue, which actually made me get a little weepy! That final chapter wouldn't hit the same way if you haven't read the first book, but it's so incredibly precious if you have.
While the first book felt like it was written with coffeeholics in mind, this book was definitely written for the bookworms. My, oh my, the quotes about books, reading, and escapism got me in my feels (in the best way possible). I found myself highlighting and making notes like crazy in my Kindle copy!
A few reasons why you should pick up Bookshops & Bonedust:
› It's so funny! I can't count the number of times that I laughed aloud at Viv's sarcasm, Fern's surprising potty-mouth, Satchel's stoicism, Potroast's... well, just Potroast himself... and all of the bizarre scenarios the whole gang found themself in.
› It's filled with so much warmth! Travis Baldree is an expert at the found family trope, that's for sure. There were moments that really made my heart swell with happiness and I may or may not have had to wipe a stray tear once or twice.
› I don't care if you already think you love books, it is possible to love them more and you will find yourself doing just that by at least the halfway point in this book.
› It has ALL the cozy vibes you could possibly ask for. Reading this was like getting a big hug, having a warm cup of coffee, and sitting by a beach campfire all at once. It was just completely wonderful.
If I had to think of one word to describe this book, it would be "precious." When I set it down after spending an entire weekend wrapped in its embrace, I was (understandably) sad to return to reality, but I also found myself sporting the cheesiest grin because it just made me so dang happy the whole time I was reading it! There's simply no way you could possibly regret reading Bookshops & Bonedust, so do yourself a favor and dive into this world as soon as you can!
So naturally, when it comes to the books that I love with all my heart, it can be a little bit nerve-wracking picking up a sequel, prequel, spin-off, and the like. Once you've put that initial book on a pedestal, you don't want anything related to it to fall flat...
...let me reassure you right this very second that Bookshops & Bonedust lived up to every single expectation I set for it (and then some). It was precisely what I hoped a prequel to Legends & Lattes would be!
In my opinion, these books should be read in publication order rather than chronologically. My first reason for that has to do with the fact that this is a younger Viv than we meet in Legends & Lattes, and so she isn't the same, mature character who wants a life of peace, calm, and coffee. She has growing up to do and she does a lot of it in Bookshops & Bonedust--but I only appreciated the character development because I'd already read Legends & Lattes. My second reason is due to the epilogue, which actually made me get a little weepy! That final chapter wouldn't hit the same way if you haven't read the first book, but it's so incredibly precious if you have.
While the first book felt like it was written with coffeeholics in mind, this book was definitely written for the bookworms. My, oh my, the quotes about books, reading, and escapism got me in my feels (in the best way possible). I found myself highlighting and making notes like crazy in my Kindle copy!
A few reasons why you should pick up Bookshops & Bonedust:
› It's so funny! I can't count the number of times that I laughed aloud at Viv's sarcasm, Fern's surprising potty-mouth, Satchel's stoicism, Potroast's... well, just Potroast himself... and all of the bizarre scenarios the whole gang found themself in.
› It's filled with so much warmth! Travis Baldree is an expert at the found family trope, that's for sure. There were moments that really made my heart swell with happiness and I may or may not have had to wipe a stray tear once or twice.
› I don't care if you already think you love books, it is possible to love them more and you will find yourself doing just that by at least the halfway point in this book.
› It has ALL the cozy vibes you could possibly ask for. Reading this was like getting a big hug, having a warm cup of coffee, and sitting by a beach campfire all at once. It was just completely wonderful.
If I had to think of one word to describe this book, it would be "precious." When I set it down after spending an entire weekend wrapped in its embrace, I was (understandably) sad to return to reality, but I also found myself sporting the cheesiest grin because it just made me so dang happy the whole time I was reading it! There's simply no way you could possibly regret reading Bookshops & Bonedust, so do yourself a favor and dive into this world as soon as you can!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty and Gore
orla_h's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty