indieandajean's reviews
422 reviews

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for this audiobook ARC of Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree in return for an honest review!

In Bookshops & Bonedust we meet young Viv, an orc merc with a love of bashing skulls, in what at first seems like the lowest moment of her career. Injured and feeling abandoned, Viv is healing from a stab wound in the sleepy seaside town of Murk while her associates in Rackam's Ravens are off trying to hunt down a dangerous necromancer. As luck would have it, Viv's uncanny ability to make friends puts her firmly in the middle of a cozy business restoration (readers of Legends and Lattes will find this familiar, but no less charming) as well as in the crosshairs of trouble. 

The book brings all the cozy fantasy energy that Legends and Lattes was praised for, with a more adventurous and involved plot. The bookshop elements up the cozy and familiar factor for readers in the best possible way, and with the lovable characters that fill the shops walls, it's easy to cheer for the inevitable happily ever after. 

Travis Baldree's ability to create a fantasy world that feels believable without getting lost in the weeds of unnecessary/ excessive world-building is commendable and makes it easy for any reader to enjoy the novel without feeling out of depth. Readers need not enter into the book with a vast knowledge of fantasy creatures and tropes, as while the inclusions are fun for those familiar, it is primarily set dressing for the warm story of interpersonal dynamics. 

This is the perfect prequel to Legends and Lattes and can be read before or after the cozy coffeeshop fantasy. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking for a read that will make them feel warm and well cared for. This book, much like Legends and Lattes, is the literary equivalent of a blanket and cozy fireplace on a cold winters' night. 

Thank you to Net Galley and WEBTOON Unscrolled for the ebook ARC of Boyfriends Volume One in return for my unbiased review. 

Boyfriends is an excellent example of the way in which Webtoon is increasing the accessibility of diverse stories to the general reader population, both via their free app and by their new publications. This graphic novel has a very positive depiction of LGBTQ+ relationships in college, particularly the depiction of the boys' polycule, and does not shy away from the ups and downs of relationships and life of those in their early adulthood. 

I loved the story and the art style, and found it to be a very fun and positive read. The art works well to create emotion on the page and is very enjoyable from a visual standpoint. 

At times the story is rather childish, the stereotypical personalities of the characters can feel limiting, and the disjointed nature of the storytelling can lead you to ask if you've missed something. Overall, despite this it is a genuinely fun read.

I would recommend this one to an audience of 18-30 year old LGBTQ+ folks and allies. This would be great particularly for those who are looking for something relating to the struggles and joys of college life, as despite the characters and relationships being very different from my own college experience, it made me feel nostalgic!  

This book is ridiculous, like fanfiction ridiculous, and that is what makes it perfect. 
A centuries old vampire wakes up in the 21st century and needs a roommate to help him learn how to blend in. A simple concept that makes for a great romantic comedy because of course he's hot and clueless and of course his roommate is compassionate and in serious need of someone who believes in her without reservations.
The tropes are excellent (and they were roommates) and the book is a quick, funny, and overall positive read. The conflict really doesn't ever hold much weight which is both nice and a little frustrating if you like a side of hurt/comfort in your romance, but overall it's forgivable because at the end of the day this is a light comedic read and it doesn't really need to be more than that. 

These books are adorable, I've been trying to read more early chapters so I can make better recommendations for my young patrons. I will 100% be recommending this series to kids that are superhero or princess fans as it offers plenty of the action and tropes of both in a very cute package.

I feel incredibly seen by this book. My fiance often refers to my more feral moments as "goblin hours" and the more I read in this book the more apt I realized that descriptor was. 

In all honesty, there wasn't a lot in this book that was new to me per say. I think that most goblins and goblins adjacent folk will find the main points of this book to be familiar and nothing new, but that is rather affirming in a way. I particularly found joy in the craft and activity instructions that went along with these broader topics. It just goes to show that there's always something new to try. 

This book is pro-library and anti-capitalist and really need I say more? At the end of the day, this book was a blast to read and it made me feel like I was part of the goblin club.