The Thai edition of Travis Baldree‘s BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, the internationally-bestselling prequel to LEGENDS & LATTES, is out now! Published by Words Wonder, as ร้านหนังสือกับผงกระดูก, it was translated by Natchaya Hiranyasombat. Here’s the synopsis…

ภาคต่ออันน่าประทับใจของ Legends & Lattes

เรื่องราวสมัยวัยสาวของวีฟ ออร์กสาวนักต่อสู้และนักรบรับจ้าง วีฟบาดเจ็บจากการต่อสู้กับกองทัพผีดิบของผู้ครองมรณะ จึงต้องพักรักษาตัวอยู่ที่เมืองเล็ก ๆ ริมชายทะเลแห่งหนึ่ง ระหว่างที่ทรมานกับการพักฟื้น วีฟได้รู้จักกับเฟิร์น หนูแรตคินตัวใหญ่เจ้าของร้านหนังสือที่กำลังจะเจ๊ง เฟิร์นทำให้วีฟรู้จักกับความมหัศจรรย์ของการอ่านหนังสือ และเมืองเล็ก ๆ นี้ก็ยังทำให้วีฟได้รู้จักกับความรักครั้งแรก

หนังสือ ผงกระดูก ผีดิบ ผู้ครองมรณะ ความรัก และขนมปังอุ่น ๆ จะทำให้คุณตกหลุมรักอีกครั้ง!

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is published by Tor Books in the UK and North America, as is LEGENDS & LATTES. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

First loves. Second-hand books. Epic adventures.

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

Here are just a handful of the great reviews BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST has received so far…

‘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

‘… a lovely coming-of-age story about a character trained for war who learns that there’s more to life than endless battles. What makes the story special is the way that so many stock fantasy archetypes are cast against type and find new modes of prospering that don’t involve big weapons and bigger wars… This prequel is the perfect place for readers to start Baldree’s cozy fantasy series where folks band together for good, and evil is conquered through cleverness and friendship.’ — Library Journal (Starred Review), SFF Pick of the Month

‘Baldree’s prequel to Legends and Lattes (2022) cements his talent for cozy fantasy, engaging characters, and anachronistic references that would be at home in a Discworld novel… Knowing where a character ends up often drains tension from a prequel, but Baldree avoids that pitfall because the joy of reading here isn’t a simple uncertainty over who lives or dies but rather watching friendships blossom and characters grow. Folks who enjoyed the camaraderie and settings of this year’s Dungeons & Dragons movie—as well as anyone who likes the idea of an orc warrior becoming a devotee of the power of reading and its ability to broaden your horizons—should check out Viv’s adventures.’ — Booklist (Starred Review)

‘Bestseller Baldree’s cozy standalone sequel to LEGENDS & LATTES shows that even a battle-hungry orc can find happiness in life’s simple pleasures… The innocent joy of Viv and Fern’s love is delightful and Baldree’s formula of placing low-stakes stories in high-fantasy settings remains good fun. Series fans will eat this up.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘This prequel gives readers a glimpse of Viv as a young orc, still committed to the fighter’s life, just taking an enforced break in a charming town populated by compelling, richly drawn characters, and the slightest hint of danger in the wind. Despite the lurking necromancer, the vibes are decidedly warm and cozy, and the plot is just as much about saving the bookstore and building relationships as it is about protecting the town from the man in gray. As a prequel, it can stand alone, but will certainly satisfy fans as well. Warm and wonderful.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review)

‘This prequel gives readers a glimpse of Viv as a young orc, still committed to the fighter’s life, just taking an enforced break in a charming town populated by compelling, richly drawn characters, and the slightest hint of danger in the wind. Despite the lurking necromancer, the vibes are decidedly warm and cozy, and the plot is just as much about saving the bookstore and building relationships as it is about protecting the town from the man in gray. As a prequel, it can stand alone, but will certainly satisfy fans as well. Warm and wonderful.’ — Literary Hub