Book Review: “Bookshops & Bonedust” by Travis Baldree
Håfa adai! Welcome to my review of Bookshops & Bonedust, by Travis Baldree; a cozy high fantasy story about the wonders of reading, new friendships, first loves, and the transformative power of accepting change.
This book review consists of two parts: a spoiler-free plot summary and my thoughts on the story. In the second part, I give my personal rating and break down the setting and worldbuilding, storytelling, cast of characters, and themes. There may be some lightweight spoilers—such as how characters interact with each other and the world around them—but I will not give away any major plot twists or endings. I want to share my opinions of the book and maybe encourage you to purchase a copy of your own.
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Spoiler-Free Plot Summary
The young orc Viv is an up-and-coming mercenary working with the fabled Reckam’s Ravens mercenary company. But her plans of firmly establishing herself in this line of work are derailed when she is badly injured during a contracted hunt for Varine the Pale, a powerful yet elusive necromancer. Viv is no use to her fellow mercenaries or to herself if she tries to fight through recovery. So she has no choice to but to sit back and heal in the seaside town of Murk while the rest of her mercenary crew continue their work.
But sitting and waiting is not among Viv’s strong suits. While recuperating in the laidback town, she meets Fern, a foul-mouthed bookshop owner, and helps her new friend bring her family’s struggling bookstore back to life. Viv also becomes acquainted with Gallina, a young gnome trying to be taken seriously as a mercenary and find a way into working with Reckam’s Ravens, and Maylee, a dwarf baker of seemingly unparalleled skill with sourdough.
Viv’s intended short time in Murk is going well, and her recovery is slow but sure. Fern’s bookstore has returning customers. Gallina and Viv are forming a strong friendship. And Maylee’s delicious creations leave everyone wanting more. But Viv’s peaceful recovery takes a turn when a mysterious patron leaves a strange item in the renovated bookshop. Although not fully recovered, Viv is forced to step up and seek out the source of the strange delivery to protect her new friends.
My Thoughts on Bookshops & Bonedust: 5 stars!
Bookshops & Bonedust is the prequel to Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes. It is a cozy and low-stakes high fantasy story in the same vein of worldbuilding as Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms, although with far less intensity. Set in the small seaside town of Murk, this story features a cast of characters from diverse backgrounds and expertise. In this installment, Travis Baldree demonstrates Viv’s genuine compassion and care for her friends as well as her early interest in entrepreneurship.
In Bookshops & Bonedust, we see how a 20-years younger Viv formed the relationships that would lay the foundations for her life in Legends & Lattes. When it comes to her friends, Viv looks past their backgrounds to see the individuals existing in front of her. She does not think of Fern as some bookish nerd, but helps her with the bookshop (without judgement) and even allows Fern to introduce her to reading. She does not completely dismiss Gallina due to her stature—although they both make some assumptions about each other due to their respective sizes—and listens to the gnome’s words of wisdom.
The tension and romance in Bookshops & Bonedust is incredibly bittersweet. If you have read Legends & Lattes first (which I highly recommend), you already know where the romance in Bookshops & Bonedust is heading. Yet you still want to know how this chapter of Viv’s life plays out. Travis Baldree is incredibly skilled at presenting spoken and unspoken emotion. And the story that unfolds in this book both warms and saddens your heart. You do not want to see the characters part, but you also know that Viv is going to say goodbye to some of her wonderful new friends for a long time.
I greatly appreciate the self awareness that Travis Baldree employees in this story. He nods to the rising popularity of the “romantasy” subgenre through the types of books that Fern recommends to Viv. Real life book series—like the Green Creek Series by T.J. Klune, The Night and Its Moon Series by Piper C.J., The Aegis Saga by A.J. Shirley, A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas, etc.—have brought readers of many ages and backgrounds to the realms of fantasy writing. And that is amazing! Fantasy has always been my favorite genre of storytelling. Even if I will not revisit certain fantasy series, I am glad there seem to be more readers of the genre today than ever before.
An aspect of the story that kept bringing a smile to my face was Fern’s genuine excitement in watching Viv learn the joys of reading. Yes, Bookshops & Bonedust is a book about the love of books! Travis Baldree is aware of it. The characters are aware of it. I am aware of it. Everyone is aware of it. And yet it is deeply relatable. I have a lifelong love of stories and books, I want to be a published fiction author at some point, and I felt every ounce of Fern’s euphoria in Viv’s discovery of reading.
My overall rating for Bookshops & Bonedust is 5 out of 5 stars! I was initially concerned it would not live up to the hype of Legends & Lattes. But it surpassed the hype. Bookshops & Bonedust is a cozy yet emotionally complex tale that explores themes of preconceived bias (judging someone’s abilities based on their appearances/race/species before you even get to know them), prejudice, abusive control, the importance of friendship, the significance of first loves, and the wonderful world of reading. Although it is the prequel to Legends & Lattes, it really should be read second so that the epilogue hits you with the fully intended impact. I recommend this duology of low-stakes high fantasy to those looking for a relaxed story with a bit of action, a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a lot of heart. And I look forward to reading more stories from Travis Baldree in the future.
Dångkulo' na' saina ma'åse'! Thank you so much for reading my review of Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree.
Rating Cheat Sheet
4.75 - 5.00 stars: Everyone should read this book! (If you’re into that sort of thing.)
4.00 - 4.50 stars: I appreciated many aspects of this book. I recommend it!
3.00 - 3.75 stars: I liked some aspects of this book. I won’t revisit it, but someone else might really like it.
2.00 - 2.75 stars: There were some things I appreciated about this book, but I do not recommend it.
0.25 - 1.75 stars: I do not recommend this book. I did not enjoy or appreciate the experience of it.
Post Date: 2 December 2024
Published: 7 November 2023
Publisher: Tor Trade
Audiobook Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Performed by Travis Baldree
