Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Bookshops & Bonedust

This took me weirdly long to read (I think cause I was busy etc) but I absolutely loved this and am so glad I finally got around to finishing it!! And such a satisfying ending :)

Content Warnings

alibrarymouse's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Like he accomplished with Legends & Lattes, Baldree creates a world that not only embodies coziness but he writes a love letter to books, finding joy and acceptance, and creating lasting relationships. Bookshops & Bonedust felt like all the best parts of reading.

Prequel sequels are always a grey area because the fear is nothing will be as good or too the first in a series, but that is an unfounded fear when it comes to Baldree’s series. He’s successfully created the story of a brash young Vic looking to prove herself and finding who she is and a love of reading along the way. Itms a gorgeous story that truly proves you’re never not changing and you’re never wholly sure of anything but what really matters is the trying. There are honestly so many lovely things we could say about this book, but really they all boil down to absolutely read it. The whole book is beautiful, and I unashamedly squealed at the epilogue. I can’t wait to see what more Baldree has in store for this world, where he’ll take us on the way, and who we’ll meet as we go.

Content Warnings

anni_swanilda's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

kylieqrada's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this almost as much as the first one. Just what I needed.

Content Warnings

cozyscones's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

displacedcactus's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This is a very enjoyable prequel to Legends & Lattes. In fact, I actually enjoyed it more than L&L, because while the cozy vibes of that book were great, I am not actually a coffee drinker and don't have a special love of coffee shops... but bookstores are life! I also felt like this book relied a little less on the concept of "let's have my fantasy character recreate things almost exactly as they exist in real-life", and that the non-bookshop conflict had a little more OOMPH.

But just like L&L, this book has cozy vibes, loveable side characters, and a tough orcish heroine with a heart of gold and big biceps.

Content Warnings

booksthatburn's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is a slightly bloodier (but still very cozy) prequel to LEGENDS & LATTES. Viv is an orc warrior, wounded in the leg just as she's starting out her career with Rackam's Ravens. She spends the summer recuperating from an injury in a seaside town named Murk, helping a local bookseller turn her shop around, and getting to know the cute dwarven baker down the street. It’s a story about finding joy and meaning and impermanence, appreciating something good even when you know it won’t last forever.

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is an unabashed love letter to books, bookshops, and booksellers helping the local bookseller get out of a rut and fix up her store. Viv is recuperating from a leg injury which sidelines her while the Ravens go after a necromancer. She hates being left out of the action and forced to slow down, but starts to feel the benefits as her forced rest continues, discovering an interest in reading.

As a prequel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST helps to explain why Viv would want to start a coffee shop when her adventuring is done, something Legends & Lattes didn’t dwell on in any detail because that wasn't the focus of its story. This can be read before, after, or completely separately from the first book, though the epilogue takes place after Legends & Lattes and contains minor spoilers.

Content Warnings

wallenne's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

More...