Tag: Tor Books

J.R. Dawson’s THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, July 31st, 2025

The UK edition of J.R. Dawson‘s highly-anticipated new novel, THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, is out today in the UK! Published by Tor Books, here’s the synopsis…

Love doesn’t die; people do…

At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.

Nera has spent decades watching her father – the ferryman of the dead – sail across the lake, every night just like the last.

But tonight something is wrong.

The Station’s lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person – a living person – has found her way onto the boat.

Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.

The North American edition was published this past Tuesday, by Tor Books (cover at end). The audiobook edition, narrated by Mara Wilson and Lindsey Dorcus, is also out now!

THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD received a lot of fantastic pre-publication buzz, with a flood of positive blurbs and early reviews. Here are just a few of them…

‘Gorgeous, lyrical, heartfelt, and true in all the ways that matter! This is an achingly beautiful book that is as much about life as it is about death. Haunting and healing and highly recommended!’ — Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

‘An earnest, heartfelt read set in a moody, otherworldly Chicago steeped in loss and history.’ — Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When Among Crows

‘I love J.R. Dawson’s writing, and with The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World, her magic is on full display—creating a world that is hopeless, broken, even brutal, yet with so much depth and understanding that the story becomes a lighthouse of its own.’ — Ryka Aoki, award-winning author of Light from Uncommon Stars

‘In turns heartbreaking, haunting, and hopeful, The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a powerful novel about the memories that can break a spirit and the love that can heal it again. It’s a moving reminder that after great loss, it’s still possible to find love, joy, and light when lost in grief’s darkness.’ — Heather Webber, USA Today bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café

‘The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a stunning story focused around grief, life, and death, and I couldn’t be more impressed with how these tough topics are handled. For a book about death, it’s so full of life and love! This book made me laugh, cry, and laugh some more. Absolutely one of my favorite reads this year!’ — Rebecca Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

‘In the deft hands of J.R. Dawson, death is merely a transition point. The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a poignant story of love and grief, memory and myth, and what it truly means to be alive.’ — Rita Woods, award-winning author of The Edge of Yesterday

‘A poignant novel about seeing the dead, and the business of getting them to where they need to go. But more, it’s a novel for people who feel confused and lost, and who need to learn it isn’t their fault. That it takes more than light to face all kinds of darkness.’ — John Wiswell, Nebula Award-winning author of Someone You Can Build A Nest In

J.R. Dawson’s THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is Out Now in North America!

Posted on Tuesday, July 29th, 2025

J. R. Dawson‘s highly-anticipated new novel, THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is out today in North America! Published by Tor Books, here’s the synopsis…

The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a powerful and poignant contemporary Queer fantasy perfect for fans of Hadestown and Under the Whispering Door

At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, there is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly-departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives, before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.

Nera has spent decades watching her father—the ferryman of the dead—sail across the lake, each night just like the last.

But tonight, something is wrong.

The Station’s lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person — a living person — has found her way onto the boat.

Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.

The UK edition of the novel is out on Thursday, also published by Tor Books (cover at end). The audiobook edition is also out now, read by Lindsey Dorcus and Mara Wilson.

The novel received some great pre-publication reactions…

‘Greek myth, Jewish tradition, and slow-burning queer romance gracefully intertwine in this melancholy treasure from Dawson… the carefully crafted story doubles as an emotional love letter to Chicago and to life itself. The result is immersive, bittersweet, and wonderfully original.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘Moving and tense… A grim, authentic exploration of death for those who appreciate mythology-infused fantasy, such as Samantha Sotto Yambao’s Water Moon or Joanne M. Harris’s Orfeia.’ — Library Journal

‘Dawson writes with vivid and evocative prose, and a measured sense of pacing… a gorgeous book, both ambitious and I think largely successful in its ambitions. I enjoyed it a great deal, and I recommend it without hesitation.’ — Locus (Liz Bourke)

‘Gripping… a heartwrenching story that shines a beacon of hope.’ — Booklist

‘Gorgeous, lyrical, heartfelt, and true in all the ways that matter! This is an achingly beautiful book that is as much about life as it is about death. Haunting and healing and highly recommended!’ — Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

‘In the deft hands of J.R. Dawson, death is merely a transition point. THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a poignant story of love and grief, memory and myth, and what it truly means to be alive.’ — Rita Woods, award-winning author of The Edge of Yesterday

‘A poignant novel about seeing the dead, and the business of getting them to where they need to go. But more, it’s a novel for people who feel confused and lost, and who need to learn it isn’t their fault. That it takes more than light to face all kinds of darkness.’ — John Wiswell, Nebula Award-winning author of Someone You Can Build a Nest In

LIVROS & OSSOS by Travis Baldree is Out Now!

Posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025

Travis Baldree‘s internationally-best-selling and widely-acclaimed BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is out today in Brazil! LIVROS & OSSOS is published by Intrínseca, and was translated by Flora Pinheiro. Here’s the synopsis…

Ambientada no universo do best-seller Cafés & Lendas, a prequel Livros & Ossos é uma jornada de alta fantasia, primeiros amores e muitos livros antigos

Viv é uma jovem orc que tem sede de batalhas e de vitória, mas sua carreira com os notórios Corvos de Rackam, um bando de mercenários velhos de guerra, vai de mal a pior. 

Depois de ser ferida durante uma caçada a uma poderosa necromante, Viv é enviada contra sua vontade para Murk, uma cidadezinha litorânea, para se recuperar. Para sua tristeza, o máximo de aventura que ela deve conseguir por ali é observar as ondas quebrando na costa. 

Esquecida pelos companheiros de guerra, Viv se distrai passando os dias na livraria Thistleburr, e se surpreende com o fato de que os livros (e a dona mal-humorada do lugar) sejam tão divertidos. Mas essa pode ser justamente a mudança de que precisa para enfim dar um novo rumo à sua vida. 

Só que as façanhas que Viv tanto deseja talvez não estejam tão distantes… Em meio a viajantes misteriosos, gnomos ranzinzas, crushes de verão e um número preocupante de esqueletos à solta, a orc vai descobrir que há muito mais na tranquila Murk do que ela poderia supor.

Emocionante e com um toque de humor, Livros & Ossos reflete sobre a importância da vida em comunidade e a busca por um propósito em meio às peripécias do destino. Situado no mesmo universo de Cafés & Lendas, o livro narra as aventuras da jovem orc antes de ela decidir aposentar sua espada e abrir a própria cafeteria

LEGENDS & LATTES, Travis’s acclaimed debut, is also available via Intrínseca: CAFÉS & LENDAS.

BOOKSHOP & BONEDUST and LEGENDS & LATTES are published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

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.

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 secondhand books.

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.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

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.

J.R. Dawson’s THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is out in Four Weeks!

Posted on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025

J. R. Dawson‘s highly-anticipated new novel, THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is out in four weeks! Due to be published by Tor Books in North America (July 29th, cover above) and in the UK (July 31st, cover below), here’s the synopsis…

The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a powerful and poignant contemporary Queer fantasy perfect for fans of Hadestown and Under the Whispering Door

At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, there is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly-departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives, before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.

Nera has spent decades watching her father — the ferryman of the dead — sail across the lake, each night just like the last.

But tonight, something is wrong.

The Station’s lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person — a living person — has found her way onto the boat.

Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.

The novel has racked up a load of great pre-publication reactions…

‘Greek myth, Jewish tradition, and slow-burning queer romance gracefully intertwine in this melancholy treasure from Dawson… the carefully crafted story doubles as an emotional love letter to Chicago and to life itself. The result is immersive, bittersweet, and wonderfully original.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘Moving and tense… A grim, authentic exploration of death for those who appreciate mythology-infused fantasy, such as Samantha Sotto Yambao’s Water Moon or Joanne M. Harris’s Orfeia.’ — Library Journal

‘Dawson writes with vivid and evocative prose, and a measured sense of pacing… a gorgeous book, both ambitious and I think largely successful in its ambitions. I enjoyed it a great deal, and I recommend it without hesitation.’ — Locus (Liz Bourke)

‘Gripping… a heartwrenching story that shines a beacon of hope.’ — Booklist

‘An earnest, heartfelt read set in a moody, otherworldly Chicago steeped in loss and history.’ — Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When Among Crows

‘Gorgeous, lyrical, heartfelt, and true in all the ways that matter! This is an achingly beautiful book that is as much about life as it is about death. Haunting and healing and highly recommended!’ — Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

‘In the deft hands of J.R. Dawson, death is merely a transition point. THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a poignant story of love and grief, memory and myth, and what it truly means to be alive.’ — Rita Woods, award-winning author of The Edge of Yesterday

‘A poignant novel about seeing the dead, and the business of getting them to where they need to go. But more, it’s a novel for people who feel confused and lost, and who need to learn it isn’t their fault. That it takes more than light to face all kinds of darkness.’ — John Wiswell, Nebula Award-winning author of Someone You Can Build a Nest In

‘In turns heartbreaking, haunting, and hopeful, THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a powerful novel about the memories that can break a spirit and the love that can heal it again. It’s a moving reminder that after great loss, it’s still possible to find love, joy, and light when lost in grief’s darkness.’ — Heather Webber, USA Today bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café

‘THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a stunning story focused around grief, life, and death, and I couldn’t be more impressed with how these tough topics are handled. For a book about death, it’s so full of life and love! Nera and Charlie have fantastic chemistry, and the mysteries of this book pull you into a web of curiosity tempered only by the Big Questions: why are we here, and what happens to us next? This book made me laugh, cry, and laugh some more. Absolutely one of my favorite reads this year!’ — Rebecca Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

Dawson’s debut novel is the highly-acclaimed THE FIRST BRIGHT THING.

New French Paperback Edition of Travis Baldree’s LÉGENDES & LATTES Out Today!

Posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025

A new French pocket/paperback edition of LEGENDS & LATTES, Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed, best-selling debut novel is out now! Published by J’ai Lu, as LÉGENDES & LATTES, and translated by Stéphanie Chaptal, here’s the synopsis…

Viv, une orc mercenaire au passé sanglant, décide de changer de vie. À l’aide d’une pierre légendaire censée lui apporter la bonne fortune, elle se lance dans une entreprise audacieuse : la création d’un café. Un pari risqué car, dans la ville de Tuine, elfes, lutins et ratelins ignorent tout de ce breuvage peu ragoûtant. Et lorsque les hommes de main du Madrigal, la mafia locale, viennent s’en mêler, Viv sait que son aventure ne se déroulera pas sans embûches…

LEGENDS & LATTES is published by Tor Books in the UK and North America, and is available in an ever-growing number of translated editions available around the world. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

The prequel novel in the seires, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, is also available in France — published by Ynnis Editions as SAGAS & SABLE D’OS.

BOOKSHOPS AND BONEDUST is published by Tor Books in the UK and North America, in November 2023.

Here are just a few of the great reviews LEGENDS & LATTES has received so far…

‘This is a story about following your dreams, even when they take you away from who you thought you had to be. It’s sweet, beautiful and, most of all, kind. I hugely recommend this book.’ — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart A Doorway

‘The most fun I’ve ever had in a coffee shop.’ — Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London

‘A gentle little cozy set against an epic fantasy backdrop… This charming outing will please anyone who’s ever wished to spend time in a fantasy world without all the quests and battles.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘This slice-of-life cozy fantasy novel has everything you’ve been searching for.’ — Buzzfeed

‘An orc retires from adventuring to start a fantasy city’s very first coffee shop. This setup combined with the positive messages of defying societal stereotypes, letting go of violence to build peace, and trusting in your friends feels like a premise from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld… LEGENDS & LATTES is a novel, and shop, that will delight anyone who enjoys coffee-shop alternate universes, slow-burn romances, and the vindication of friendship.’ — Booklist, starred review

‘A stunningly-well done story at every level’ — Fantasy Faction

‘If you like fantasy but you’re tired of reading about wars and general intensity, this is the book for you… Cozy fantasy at its best.’ — Literary Hub

‘LEGENDS & LATTES isn’t just a cosy, slice-of-life fantasy, it is a hug after a long day, it’s that first bite of chocolate you’ve been desperately craving or that first sip of coffee, it’s pyjamas and blankets and everything else which brings comfort and warmth. This is a tale so simple yet so wholesome and adorable, it has made me see just how versatile the fantasy genre can be… Believe the hype… this book deserves all the praise… Baldree delivers a tale to soothe the soul, a tale which had me smiling and crying with happiness from beginning to end.’ — Fantasy Hive

ICYMI: Narrators Announced for J.R. Dawson’s THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD!

Posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2025

In case you missed the news, we wanted to share the narrators for J.R. Dawson‘s highly-anticipated next novel, THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD have been announced!

The novel will be read by Mara Wilson and Lindsey Dorcus!

The novel is due to be published by Macmillan Audio in the UK and North America; print and eBook editions will be published by Tor Books in both. Here’s the synopsis…

Love doesn’t die; people do…

At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.

Nera has spent decades watching her father – the ferryman of the dead – sail across the lake, every night just like the last.

But tonight something is wrong.

The Station’s lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person – a living person – has found her way onto the boat.

Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.

A devastating story of magic, family and those who leave us – but who might not remain lost.

Here are a few early responses to the novel…

‘Greek myth, Jewish tradition, and slow-burning queer romance gracefully intertwine in this melancholy treasure from Dawson… the carefully crafted story doubles as an emotional love letter to Chicago and to life itself. The result is immersive, bittersweet, and wonderfully original.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘Moving and tense… A grim, authentic exploration of death for those who appreciate mythology-infused fantasy, such as Samantha Sotto Yambao’s Water Moon or Joanne M. Harris’s Orfeia.’ — Library Journal

‘An earnest, heartfelt read set in a moody, otherworldly Chicago steeped in loss and history.’ — Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When Among Crows

‘Gorgeous, lyrical, heartfelt, and true in all the ways that matter! This is an achingly beautiful book that is as much about life as it is about death. Haunting and healing and highly recommended!’ — Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

‘In the deft hands of J.R. Dawson, death is merely a transition point. THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a poignant story of love and grief, memory and myth, and what it truly means to be alive.’ — Rita Woods, award-winning author of The Edge of Yesterday

‘A poignant novel about seeing the dead, and the business of getting them to where they need to go. But more, it’s a novel for people who feel confused and lost, and who need to learn it isn’t their fault. That it takes more than light to face all kinds of darkness.’ — John Wiswell, Nebula Award-winning author of Someone You Can Build a Nest In

‘In turns heartbreaking, haunting, and hopeful, THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a powerful novel about the memories that can break a spirit and the love that can heal it again. It’s a moving reminder that after great loss, it’s still possible to find love, joy, and light when lost in grief’s darkness.’ — Heather Webber, USA Today bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café

‘THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a stunning story focused around grief, life, and death, and I couldn’t be more impressed with how these tough topics are handled. For a book about death, it’s so full of life and love! Nera and Charlie have fantastic chemistry, and the mysteries of this book pull you into a web of curiosity tempered only by the Big Questions: why are we here, and what happens to us next? This book made me laugh, cry, and laugh some more. Absolutely one of my favorite reads this year!’ — Rebecca Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

ICYMI: THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD UK Edition on the way!

Posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025

In case you missed it, J.R. Dawson‘s highly-anticipated new novel will be published in the UK by Tor Books. THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is due to arrive on July 31st. Here’s the synopsis…

Love doesn’t die; people do…

At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.

Nera has spent decades watching her father – the ferryman of the dead – sail across the lake, every night just like the last.

But tonight something is wrong.

The Station’s lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person – a living person – has found her way onto the boat.

Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.

The novel is due to be published in North America, also by Tor Books, on July 29th.

THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is already generating some fantastic pre-publication buzz, with a flood of positive blurbs and early reviews. Here are just a few of them…

‘Gorgeous, lyrical, heartfelt, and true in all the ways that matter! This is an achingly beautiful book that is as much about life as it is about death. Haunting and healing and highly recommended!’ — Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

‘An earnest, heartfelt read set in a moody, otherworldly Chicago steeped in loss and history.’ — Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When Among Crows

‘I love J.R. Dawson’s writing, and with The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World, her magic is on full display—creating a world that is hopeless, broken, even brutal, yet with so much depth and understanding that the story becomes a lighthouse of its own.’ — Ryka Aoki, award-winning author of Light from Uncommon Stars

‘In turns heartbreaking, haunting, and hopeful, The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a powerful novel about the memories that can break a spirit and the love that can heal it again. It’s a moving reminder that after great loss, it’s still possible to find love, joy, and light when lost in grief’s darkness.’ — Heather Webber, USA Today bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café

‘The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a stunning story focused around grief, life, and death, and I couldn’t be more impressed with how these tough topics are handled. For a book about death, it’s so full of life and love! This book made me laugh, cry, and laugh some more. Absolutely one of my favorite reads this year!’ — Rebecca Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

‘In the deft hands of J.R. Dawson, death is merely a transition point. The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a poignant story of love and grief, memory and myth, and what it truly means to be alive.’ — Rita Woods, award-winning author of The Edge of Yesterday

‘A poignant novel about seeing the dead, and the business of getting them to where they need to go. But more, it’s a novel for people who feel confused and lost, and who need to learn it isn’t their fault. That it takes more than light to face all kinds of darkness.’ — John Wiswell, Nebula Award-winning author of Someone You Can Build A Nest In

Travis Baldree’s BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST Wins an Audie!

Posted on Friday, March 7th, 2025

We’re very happy to report that Travis Baldree has won an Audie award! Specifically, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, which is also read by the author, has won the award for Best Fantasy! Congratulations, Travis!

The internationally-best-selling prequel to the author’s LEGENDS & LATTES, the audiobook is published by Macmillan. Here’s the synopsis…

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.

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’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.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

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 print and eBook editions of the novel are published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK.

Coming Soon: BRIGANDS & BREADKNIVES by Travis Baldree!

Posted on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025

Last week, Tor Books unveiled the North American cover and details for BRIGANDS & BREADKNIVES by Travis Baldree! The third novel set in the author’s internationally bestselling and acclaimed cosy fantasy universe, it’s due out on November 11th, 2025. Above you can see the superb cover, by Carson Lowmiller. The novel will be available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook (read by Travis). Here’s the synopsis…

Return to the cozy fantasy world of the #1 New York Timesbestselling Legends & Lattes series with a new adventure featuring fan-favorite, foul-mouthed bookseller Fern

Fern has weathered the stillness and storms of a bookseller’s life for decades, but now, in the face of crippling ennui, transplants herself to the city of Thune to hang out her shingle beside a long-absent friend’s coffee shop. What could be a better pairing? Surely a charming renovation montage will cure what ails her!

If only things were so simple…

It turns out that fixing your life isn’t a one-time prospect, nor as easy as a change of scenery and a lick of paint.

A drunken and desperate night sees the rattkin waking far from home in the company of a legendary warrior surviving on inertia, an imprisoned chaos-goblin with a fondness for silverware, and an absolutely thumping hangover.

As together they fend off a rogue’s gallery of ne’er-do-wells trying to claim the bounty the goblin represents, Fern may finally reconnect with the person she actually is when there isn’t a job to get in the way.

BRIGANDS & BREADKNIVES is due to be published in the UK by Tor Books, on November 13th. We’ll share the cover as soon as we have it.

The first two novels set in this world are LEGENDS & LATTES and BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, both of which are out now, published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK — the novels are also available in an ever-growing number of translated editions, too.

Coming Soon: THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD by J.R. Dawson!

Posted on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025

The details of J. R. Dawson‘s next novel, THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD have been unveiled! Due to be published on July 29th, by Tor Books, it’s the highly-anticipated new novel by the author of the internationally-acclaimed THE FIRST BRIGHT THING. Here’s the synopsis…

The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a powerful and poignant contemporary Queer fantasy perfect for fans of Hadestown and Under the Whispering Door

At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, there is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly-departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives, before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.

Nera has spent decades watching her father—the ferryman of the dead—sail across the lake, each night just like the last.

But tonight, something is wrong.

The Station’s lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person — a living person — has found her way onto the boat.

Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.

The novel has already received some great pre-publication reactions…

‘Gorgeous, lyrical, heartfelt, and true in all the ways that matter! This is an achingly beautiful book that is as much about life as it is about death. Haunting and healing and highly recommended!’ — Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

‘In the deft hands of J.R. Dawson, death is merely a transition point. THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a poignant story of love and grief, memory and myth, and what it truly means to be alive.’ — Rita Woods, award-winning author of The Edge of Yesterday

‘A poignant novel about seeing the dead, and the business of getting them to where they need to go. But more, it’s a novel for people who feel confused and lost, and who need to learn it isn’t their fault. That it takes more than light to face all kinds of darkness.’ — John Wiswell, Nebula Award-winning author of Someone You Can Build a Nest In

Travis Baldree’s BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is a 2x Audie Award Finalist!

Posted on Monday, January 27th, 2025

In case you missed the news last week, we’re very happy to report that BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST by Travis Baldree is a finalist in two Audie Award categories! The author’s second novel, it’s the internationally-bestselling prequel to his incredibly popular LEGENDS & LATTES! The novel is a finalist in the Fantasy and Narrated By the Author categories. Congratulations, Travis!

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK. Here’s the synopsis…

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.

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 secondhand books.

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.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

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.

Portuguese Audiobook Edition of LEGENDS & LATTES Out Now

Posted on Friday, November 8th, 2024

Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed, best-selling LEGENDS & LATTES is now available in a new Portuguese audiobook edition! Published in Brazil by Editora Intrínseca, who also publish the print and eBook editions of the novel in Portugal, the audio edition is read by Ana Amélia Viana. Here’s the synopsis for CAFÉS & LENDAS…

Viv empunha sua poderosa espada pela última vez. A história de uma orc deveria se resumir a força e violência, mas ela está farta de travar batalhas e colecionar problemas. Por isso, decide colocar um ponto-final em suas aventuras sanguinárias e recomeçar a vida.

Levando consigo uma pedra que carrega uma lenda esquecida, a orc decide ir para Thune, uma cidade que reúne criaturas de várias espécies e que pode guardar uma poderosa energia mágica. Lá, Viv decide abrir um estabelecimento nunca antes visto: uma cafeteria.

Mas começar um negócio é difícil — especialmente quando ninguém tem ideia do que é café. Para piorar, o complicado passado da orc traz inimigos que querem atrapalhar seus planos. Em meio ao aroma de café e às novas amizades — Cal, um hob de poucas palavras, Tico, um adorável ratoide confeiteiro, e Tandri, uma súcubo que mexe com seus sentimentos —, Viv finalmente sente que encontrou seu lugar. Mas ela vai precisar de ajuda para trilhar esse novo caminho…

Cativante e bem-humorado, Cafés & Lendas é uma leitura aconchegante que narra a importância das pequenas coisas da vida e mostra a magia dos momentos decisivos. Viv vai descobrir que as criaturas que encontra em sua jornada — sejam unidas por uma lenda antiga, doces deliciosos ou uma bebida quente — podem se tornar sua verdadeira família. E, quem sabe, uma delas até conquiste seu coração.

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

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee.

After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can’t go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters. Yet old rivals and new stand in the way of success. And Thune’s shady underbelly could make it all too easy for Viv to take up the blade once more.

But the true reward of the uncharted path is the travellers you meet along the way. Whether bound by ancient magic, delicious pastries or a freshly brewed cup, they may become something deeper than Viv ever could have imagined…

Here are just a few of the many great reviews the novel has received so far…

‘This is a story about following your dreams, even when they take you away from who you thought you had to be. It’s sweet, beautiful and, most of all, kind. I hugely recommend this book.’ — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart A Doorway

‘The most fun I’ve ever had in a coffee shop.’ — Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London

‘A gentle little cozy set against an epic fantasy backdrop… This charming outing will please anyone who’s ever wished to spend time in a fantasy world without all the quests and battles.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘This slice-of-life cozy fantasy novel has everything you’ve been searching for.’ — Buzzfeed

‘With its mysterious encounters, summer flings and a growing number of skeletons, Baldree’s fantastical novel is the perfect winter indulgence.’ — HuffPost Books (“Best Books We Read in 2023)

‘An orc retires from adventuring to start a fantasy city’s very first coffee shop. This setup combined with the positive messages of defying societal stereotypes, letting go of violence to build peace, and trusting in your friends feels like a premise from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld… LEGENDS & LATTES is a novel, and shop, that will delight anyone who enjoys coffee-shop alternate universes, slow-burn romances, and the vindication of friendship.’ — Booklist, starred review

‘A stunningly-well done story at every level’ — Fantasy Faction

‘If you like fantasy but you’re tired of reading about wars and general intensity, this is the book for you… Cozy fantasy at its best.’ — Literary Hub

LEGENDS & LATTES and BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST Hardcovers Out Now in North America!

Posted on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024

The wait is finally over: the special edition hardcovers of LEGENDS & LATTES and BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST are out now in North America! Published by Tor Books, these excellent new editions are musts for fans of Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed, internationally-bestselling cosy fantasy series. Read on for the books’ synopses, and also images of the hardcovers.

LEGENDS & LATTES was an Instant New York Times Bestseller, a Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2022, a Library Reads Pick, an Indie Next Pick, and a Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award Nominee. Here’s the synopsis…

The much-beloved BookTok sensation, Travis Baldree’s novel of high fantasy and low stakes.

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is a prequel to the author’s debut, and here’s the synopsis…

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.

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 secondhand books.

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.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

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 two novels are also published in the UK, also by Tor Books.

Only Two Weeks to go until New Baldree Special Editions are Released!

Posted on Monday, October 14th, 2024

In two weeks, Tor Books are due to release the North American special hardcover editions of Travis Baldree‘s best-selling, widely-acclaimed LEGENDS & LATTES and its prequel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST!

Both books are only going to be available in a limited print run (other editions — paperback, eBook, and author-narrated audiobooks will remain available, of course). The new hardcovers feature new chapter art, beautiful new endpapers, and special stenciled edges.

Here’s the synopsis for LEGENDS & LATTES…

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

And here’s the synopsis for the #1 best-selling BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST…

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.

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 secondhand books.

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.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

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.

Both novels are published in the UK by Tor Books, and are also available in an ever-growing number of translated editions around the world. Below are the regular-edition US covers and UK covers…

Two New Editions of BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST out now – and it’s a Book of the Month!

Posted on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024

Travis Baldree‘s internationally-bestselling and widely-acclaimed BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is out today in a new UK paperback edition! Published by Tor Books, it is a prequel to the author’s best-selling and word-of-mouth sensation, LEGENDS & LATTES. Here’s the synopsis…

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.

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.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

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.

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.

The novel is also published today in Australia and New Zealand, also by Tor Books — for this edition, they’ve used the North American artwork.

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST received an incredible amount of early praise, and we’re sure even more great reviews are going to start pouring in as more people are able to read the novel. Here are just a few of the great reviews…

‘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)

‘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

‘Travis Baldree has worked his magic again to create a story full of heart, and some of the loveliest characters that I’ve read. There’s a wholesome ensemble, some glimpses of Viv’s mercenary skills, as well as enough growth to help her grow into her coffee-shop persona, all tightly written. Highly recommended, and definitely one of my top reads this year.’ — Fantasy Book Critic

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is also the Blackwell’s Book of the Month in September!

In case you haven’t read it, yet, LEGENDS & LATTES is of course available now, in paperback, also published by Tor Books in North America, the UK, and Australia/New Zealand.