‘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
‘What Baldree does he does well. His prose is direct and engaging without being simple, even if he does throw in a distractingly clever turn of phrase on occasion… Mostly, though, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is the story equivalent of a warm blanket on a bleak day.’ — Locus
‘Prequels sometimes feel unnecessary and can even cheapen the original stories. But Baldree manages to add to Viv’s story in a way that feels both organic and vital, and this second book is even better than the first.’ — Washington Post
‘BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is even more of a delight than its predecessor/sequel. Taking place two decades before LEGENDS & LATTES, Baldree’s second book is a meaty slice of Viv’s backstory, so fully realized that it can be read as a standalone…. Baldree’s two novels gain depth, offering a more powerful character arc for Viv. It’s poignant to see a time when her mercenary life was her identity, and get to know the inner fighter that prompts her to refuse to pay the local extortionist in LEGENDS & LATTES. Seeing Viv’s early life elevates her later commitment to leaving violence behind, revealing it as the transformation of a lifetime. If Baldree’s breakout hit was the story of Viv finding her people, then BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is the story of Viv becoming her own person. Engrossing, meaningful, and fluffy all at once, it is a charming afternoon read—perhaps alongside a cup of coffee.’ — Tor.com
‘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
‘The sense of found family (and the perils of small business ownership) that made LEGENDS & LATTES so fun are both here in spades, but a more traditional fantasy subplot weaves together this adventure with the Viv readers met in the first book, and gives Viv something concrete to triumph over. Definitely keep this one on hand for a cloudy day…’ — Paste Magazine
‘I didn’t think Travis Baldree could top his incredible novel from last year, Legends & Lattes, but he managed to create a prequel novel (featuring a tantalizing look into the future of the series) that offers all of the same cozy fantasy vibes as the first book, but in an all-new setting, opting for a bookstore instead of a coffee shop. It’s a wondrous piece of art, and one of the most comforting reads I’ve had all year.’ — Salt Lake City Weekly (The best of 2023 in geek media)
‘Well, damn, he’s done it again. BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is hilarious, heartwarming, and wholesome as heck. If you loved the first you’ll almost certainly love this perfectly executed prequel even more, as the stakes are higher and the scones are hotter still!’ — Nicholas Eames
‘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
‘BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST has a little more sense of danger and adventure than its predecessor… a charming, engaging story about the perfect little book shop, with plenty of friends to keep you company along the way.’ — Realms of My Mind
‘Travis really excels at creating the atmosphere of the overall story, he pays close attention to details describing smells and sounds, as well as sight. Everything from the scent of ocean spray in the air, to the fresh baking that Maylee brings over is described so vividly… Travis is able to provide a cozy atmosphere without sacrificing character development or plot, which is what makes reading these books such a delight.’ — FanFi Addict
‘Baldree introduces some delightful new characters and reprises others. He draws from a universe of gnomes, elves, skeletons, and other species and provides a perfect voice for each. Using accents, tone, and pacing, he creates a world full of interesting personalities. He unfolds the story and relationships in a natural style without artifice and theatrics.’ — AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)
‘BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is a sweet story in an excellent setting with wonderful characters. The magic is great, as is the action and character development. Also, the audiobook version (read by the author) is fantastic… a delight to read.’ — Righter of Words
