Prequel to Legends & Lattes
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Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
ISBN 9781035035861
Published 14 November 2023
Genre Fantasy
Pages 352
Viv’s career with the renowned 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. What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?
Spending her hours at a struggling bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted. Even though it may be exactly what she needs. Still, adventure isn’t far away. A suspicious traveller in grey, 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.
Sometimes, right things happen at the wrong time. Sometimes, what we need isn’t what we seek. And sometimes, we find ourselves in the stories we experience together.
What is Bookshops & Bonedust?
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree is set before Legends & Lattes.
Viv, a member of the esteemed mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens, finds her career derailed after being wounded in pursuit of a necromancer. Against her wishes, she is sent to recover in the quiet beach town of Murk, far from the action she thrives on. Unexpectedly, she finds solace in a struggling bookshop and its outspoken owner.
Despite the seemingly mundane setting, adventure awaits. A mysterious traveler, a disgruntled gnome, a summer romance, and an unusual number of skeletons make Murk more eventful than Viv could have imagined. The narrative unfolds with the realization that sometimes, the right things happen at the wrong time, and what we need may not align with what we seek. Ultimately, the story explores the unexpected connections and shared experiences that shape our lives.
My thoughts on Bookshops & Bonedust
This book was absolutely incredible! Words can’t fully convey how much I adored every aspect of it.
Bookshops & Bonedust surpassed even Legends & Lattes, a book I already loved dearly. The characters, the charming town of Murk, the quaint bookshop – everything about this story radiates pure comfort and enchanting atmosphere.
Our beloved orc, Viv, faces an injury during the pursuit of a powerful necromancer, leading her to the seaside town of Murk for a supposed peaceful recovery. The vibrant cast of characters she encounters enriches the narrative with their own captivating lives and stories.
In this prequel, a younger and more reckless side of Viv emerges, providing a delightful glimpse into her past while maintaining the essence of the Viv we know and love. The story intricately weaves a fascinating history for Viv, revealing how each encounter in Murk shapes her in various ways.
The book strikes a perfect balance between coziness and adventure, maintaining higher stakes and conflicts than Legends & Lattes without losing the comforting feel that defines both books. Murk’s community and its characters come to life brilliantly, and the bookshop setting adds an extra layer of warmth. Travis Baldree skillfully creates a narrative that feels like a warm hug.
The incorporation of storytelling and the abundance of bibliophiles in the story make it a delightful read for book lovers. It explores themes of connections, growth, and the bittersweet anticipation of what lies ahead. It conveys the idea that endings are not always the end, and that your story continues beyond the final page.
This book is wholesome and sweet, a captivating read that kept me hooked from start to finish. It’s the kind of story you want to savor and devour simultaneously. If I could immerse myself in this tale for eternity, I would. It’s as simple as that.
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