Reviews with content warning for Animal death - Sagas & Sable d'Os

Viv’s career with the mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned. She was wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer and is packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy town of Murk. So far the only action she has to look forward to is staring out at the ocean. Spending her free time at a beleaguered bookshop.

I enjoyed this cozy read. I read this before reading Legends and Lattes, so was not disappointed in the similar plotlines. It was just enough action to satisfy the D&D player in me but not not so much that it took away from the flow of the narrative.

Content Warnings

nisha13's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

bree_h_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

I was only a little nervous going into Bookshops & Bonedust. Travis did such a good job with the first book that I trusted his skills as a writer, but was still hesitant about a prequel. However, I wasn’t disappointed.

What I think this book does best is the handling of it as a prequel. One of my concerns with prequels most of the time is that it will either be “look at this character that is starting where they ended in the original story and then end where they started in the original” (which I find boring) or “we’re just going to repeat the arc they went through in the original story and make that pointless” (which I think is poor writing). Thankfully, this book avoided both. I think it did a good job of providing us a version of Viv, which is hot blooded and eager to prove herself, that grows into a version of herself that suits an older, experienced Viv that longs for a peaceful and simple retirement. The arc itself is almost bittersweet, because you know this simple, conventional life is something she could love and thrive in. She’s just not ready for it yet. It was so enjoyable and so well done.

The relationships in this book were also really interesting and compelling. Seeing these dynamics set up who she becomes later in life. The benefits of these friendships and the lessons they teach her about life and herself is extremely well done. Each one gives her a lesson that shapes not just how she handles the climax of the book, but also gives insight to who she is by the time of Legends & Lattes. Overall it was so well done and there wasn’t a single character I didn’t love by the end of the book.

Overall I think it’s a book with a solid plot that handles Viv’s character expertly. I can’t wait to see what Travis does next.

Content Warnings

wickedgrumpy's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Solid. Delivers more of the world in little snippets that feel natural rather than lore dumping.

Content Warnings

pidgepodge's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

onegalonelife27's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

abby_can_read's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

More...