When the tavernkeep brought out a skillet and set it on the counter along with a fork and a napkin, she almost seized the hot handle with her bare hand in her hurry to drag it closer. The hash of potatoes, crispy, fatty pork, and two runny eggs was still sizzling and popping. She almost burst into joyful tears. Nils: So my expectations for Bookshops and Bonedust is that Travis Baldree can work his magic once again and deliver a cosy read that’s enchanting and soothing. I’m expecting Viv to be quite different as we will be meeting a younger version of her, perhaps a more war hungry version? So perhaps there will be more action than the first book, which would be interesting to see if this still works within a cosy fantasy. With its mysterious encounters, summer flings and a growing number of skeletons, Baldree’s fantastical novel is the perfect cozy romp."—HuffPost Books I was so happy to see it pop up in my Kindle yesterday, like a surprise birthday present, but your birthday isn't for six months. Aleksandra (Ola) Hill is a Polish-Canadian writer and the founder and publisher of khōréō, a Hugo-nominated and IGNYTE-winning magazine of speculative fiction by immigrant and diaspora writers. Her fiction has been published or is forthcoming in Analog Magazine, LeVar Burton Reads, Writer’s Digest, and others. Learn more at www.aleksandrahill.com

What I love about Travis Baldree is that set against an epic world of adventure, he writes about the small victories that make life worthwhile. Bookshops & Bonedust does this and it is glorious."—Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London The most fun I've ever had in a coffee shop.”—Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London Bookshops & Bonedust takes the world of Legends & Lattes and weaves it into a universe. It does the impossible: showing us a character twenty years before her story, and making us hold our breath to see what happens next. It's the rare prequel that beautifully adds depth, power, and love to the lore. This is a book for those who were once young and pulled between fighting the world with all they had . . . or curling up in a dusty bookshop with a good story."—J.R. Dawson, author of The First Bright Thing Set in the world of New York Times bestselling Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree's Bookshops & Bonedust takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

Viv caught him watching her devour the food from the other end of the bar and tried to slow down, but the potatoes were salty and rich with the egg, and it was hard not to shovel it in without pausing. The noises she made as she ate were not polite, but they were definitely sincere. I thought of Legends & Lattes and the review I’d been meant to write for it every week since—not just out of the haunting of guilt that I’d still not gotten to it, but also out of how applicable it was. I found myself recommending it to anyone who mentioned that they’d been having a tough time—and, in the “post-COVID” years where it doesn’t ever truly feel like the pandemic is over and during which many other troubles have surfaced… well, that was pretty often. One of Travis's standout strengths lies in his ability to paint vivid, transporting scenes with his words. From the picturesque landscapes to the tantalizing descriptions of food and the evocation of Viv's deepest emotions, his literary craftsmanship shines through, immersing readers in a sensory-rich experience. Kira Muratova, reviewing the audiobook version in Booklist, notes that the "prequel ... answers several of its predecessor's burning questions, including how everyone's favorite coffee-loving orc learned to appreciate books. ... Read by the author, a talented and animated fantasy narrator who also voiced Legends, the book presents a colorful cast of new and familiar characters that is sure to ensorcell and delight listeners. [3] With its immersive worldbuilding and charming characters, Bookshops & Bonedust is every bit as delightful as its predecessor. A spellbinding read that somehow manages to be both gripping and restful."—Heather Fawcett, author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries

When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn't always what we seek. Nils: Oh I’m the same, ever since reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I’ve been so drawn to cosy fantasy.Nils: I was sort of predicting that she will be comfortable with the slower paced life by the end of the book! Lol. Or maybe I’ll be wrong! When Legends and Lattes appeared and took over the fantasy landscape early last year, it popularized the cozy fantasy subgenre. Before the surge of romantasy, plenty of fantasy authors rushed to write and publish their respective cozy fantasy novels as soon as possible. The purpose might be to write a wholesome story that resonates with readers. Or maybe they hoped to gain the fame and success Baldree attained from his debut novel. Traditional publishing tends to follow trends, and cozy fantasy was (and is) one of the trends in the market. Whatever the reasons, since the release of Legends and Lattes, I still haven’t found many cozy fantasy books or series that attract my interest as much as Legends and Lattes did. Sure, most of the books I read are serious, grim, or dark in their tone. But occasionally, I would like to have the option to take a break by reading a wonderfully cozy or slice-of-life story when I am in the proper reading mood. This is where Bookshops and Bonedust came in. Written after Legends and Lattes but chronologically taking place two decades before it, this is a prequel novel I didn’t know would be written but grateful to have. The author did not plan to write this prequel, too! And similar to Legends and Lattes, Viv’s younger days manage to charm me again.

Note for potential readers/listeners: Even though this is a prequel, I'd advise reading or listening to Legends & Lattes first. I think this book could totally be enjoyed on its own, but knowing the context enhanced my enjoyment of this book. Nils:The way Baldree describes Viv being transported somewhere else when she’s reading was perfection! That’s exactly how books make me feel. Like just for a while I can escape to somewhere else, be someone else and have an adventure! Escapism is one of the most rewarding parts of reading and I appreciate seeing an author express the essence of this so accurately, it obviously shows they also have a deep love for books. TL;DR: Legends & Lattes and its standalone prequel, Bookshops & Bonedust, live up to their promise of being novels of “high fantasy and low stakes.” These books are the literary equivalent of a warm hug: simple (but never trite) stories of individuals triumphing over the mundane and heroic that inspire the reader towards kindness at every turn. A must-read for every D&D player who has ever wondered what happens after 'happily ever after.'”—Cassandra Khaw, USA Today bestselling authorWe have our loud moments when the boats are in. But if you’re looking to rest and recover, most days you’re not going to be bothered by the noise.”

Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel that takes place 20 years before Legends & Lattes. In this book, we meet a much younger Viv who has just started her career as an adventurer. Her career gets waylaid (and potentially derailed) by an injury, and she's left behind in a small seaside village to recover. As Viv regains her strength and starts to move around town, we get to know the town and its inhabitants along with her. I fell in love with the place. stars] I’m glad for more time with this author’s works, even if I enjoyed Legends & Lattes a bit more.This is genuinely the most pure and wholesome series I've ever read. There's nothing to overanalyze or stress over. It's just a sweet small-town story, full of adorable characters, just a dabble of romance, and a cozy mystery to keep things a little more interesting. I even cried a little at the end. To be perfectly honest, though, it isn't a perfect story. Similar to the first one, a large part of it is a little slow and dull. Nothing of significance happens other than a few sightings of the mystery man in gray, a possible romance brewing, and Viv's new-found love of books. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it immeasurably. Beth: I’m most looking forward to seeing Baldree’s version of a fantasy bookshop! I absolutely love working in a bookshop myself, so I can’t wait to see one brought to life in a high-fantasy world! When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn’t always what we seek. This was such a wholesome and sweet book. I was hooked all throughout, I never wanted to put it down. It's the type of story you simultaneously want to devour and want to make last forever. If I could be enveloped in this story for all my days, I would be! It's as simple as that.