Bookshops & Bonedust

 Tell me a story... about making a new path

Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree

Expected publication date: November 7, 2023

Date read: September 19, 2023

Audiobook narrated by the author

Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going as planned. Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she's packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she'll never be able to return to it. 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 traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

The prequel to Legends & Lattes. 

I loved Legends & Lattes, so when I saw that Baldree was releasing a prequel novel, I knew that I had to get my hands on it. While I still want to know more about the happenings of Viv and her coffee shop, I was jumping to find out more about Viv before she made her way to Thune. 

I am happy to report that I was not disappointed. It was fun to see Barbarian Viv in this story, where she's laid up with injury, but still very much the person who wants to fight. Her character development was very important here, since we know who she is once she arrives in Thune, and I thought that the author made her development natural and believable (while also pretty funny). 

The characters in this book were all wonderful, especially Fern (the bookseller) and Sachel (no spoilers, you'll encounter this character when you read it). Gallina was a little annoying at first, but she grew on me (and also makes her appearance in Legends & Lattes. I also really enjoyed the storyline once it picked up and was pleasantly surprised how it all turned out.

I would say that it isn't necessary to read Legends before this one - they can be read in any order without missing any major plot points - but I do recommend reading them both. If you're a fan of epic fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons, or just like fun "fish out of water" adventure stories, I definitely recommend picking this one up. It's great fun.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Content Warnings: murder, racism (fantasy races)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.