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iono's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Slavery, and Cursing
astropova's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Loved it! It was just as excellent as Legends & Lattes, but definitely with something new and enjoyable.
It was great to get to see what Viv was like when she started out. Fern is amazing, Potroast is a treasure, and I loved Satchel! All of the characters, from the main to the supporting (like Pitts!!), were all so vibrant and fun.
I also really loved how well this book depicted books and their impact on people. Even those who may not consider themselves readers can have their lives changed by the right story at the right time. Viv's words in the epilogue really drive that point home. I loved the epilogue!!! Especially how it leaves the "story past the story" so open to more joy and friendship.
Comparing B&B to L&L, I like how this book shows the beginning of Viv's career as a mercenary, just as L&L shows its end. From the opening scenes in each we can already see a marked difference in Viv's actions and attitude. It would be cool to see more of Viv's growth during that interim, but also these two books feel like a complete story.
I also like how the endings of the two books contrast so well. Where B&B ends in goodbyes, emphasizing that the chapter of Viv's life in Murk is ending, L&L ends in a beginning instead.
My favorite theme that is traced across both novels is that idea of sometimes not being the right person at the right time, and that's ok. I think that acceptance, that comfort with growth and rejection of the fear of missing out, is what truly makes this a cozy book/series.
It was great to get to see what Viv was like when she started out. Fern is amazing, Potroast is a treasure, and I loved Satchel! All of the characters, from the main to the supporting (like Pitts!!), were all so vibrant and fun.
I also really loved how well this book depicted books and their impact on people. Even those who may not consider themselves readers can have their lives changed by the right story at the right time. Viv's words in the epilogue really drive that point home. I loved the epilogue!!! Especially how it leaves the "story past the story" so open to more joy and friendship.
Comparing B&B to L&L, I like how this book shows the beginning of Viv's career as a mercenary, just as L&L shows its end. From the opening scenes in each we can already see a marked difference in Viv's actions and attitude. It would be cool to see more of Viv's growth during that interim, but also these two books feel like a complete story.
I also like how the endings of the two books contrast so well. Where B&B ends in goodbyes, emphasizing that the chapter of Viv's life in Murk is ending, L&L ends in a beginning instead.
My favorite theme that is traced across both novels is that idea of sometimes not being the right person at the right time, and that's ok. I think that acceptance, that comfort with growth and rejection of the fear of missing out, is what truly makes this a cozy book/series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
chainsawmochi's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"Bookshops & Bonedust" unfortunately suffers from the sequel (or in this case, prequel) syndrome of being good but not as good as the original. While I did enjoy getting to know a younger version of the main character, Viv, I felt like she was much flatter in her characterization than she was in "Legends & Lattes." The cast of supporting characters were loveable, but not as loveable as those found in the previous book.
As for the plot, it was solid; I was entertained and enjoyed myself while reading. I enjoyed the slow and steady pace. There was some action in areas to break up the easy feeling--to keep one on one's toes, I suppose you might say. The growing danger of the villain was a nice touch. The moments of reading a book within a book were nice as well, giving the reader a good look into the literature of Viv's world. I really enjoyed that bit as it is something you don't normally see in a fantasy novel.
That's really what makes this series, as a whole, wonderful--author Travis Baldree is able to weave and create a world around the characters without being too abrasive about it. The world building is gentle, easy. It feels so natural to learn about the universe held within the series by just taking in small things like town names, the literature, the food, the drinks, and the small shops that Viv visits and eventually owns.
Second come the characters. As I mentioned, in this book, Viv is a little lackluster compared to the older version of herself that comes later. The Viv we have in "Bookshops & Bonedust" is still fresh to the world, so it's understandable that she comes across as a blank slate. She doesn't really know who she is yet, either. Joining her this go around is a cast of characters that are memorable. That being said, I don't feel like they stick in the same way the characters in "Legends & Lattes" do. They are still interesting, but they just don't scratch the itch the same way.
If you are going to read this book, please do yourself a favor and read it before you take a gander at "Legends & Lattes." For those readers that have already read the aforementioned book, maybe skip this one unless you really, really love Viv.
As for the plot, it was solid; I was entertained and enjoyed myself while reading. I enjoyed the slow and steady pace. There was some action in areas to break up the easy feeling--to keep one on one's toes, I suppose you might say. The growing danger of the villain was a nice touch. The moments of reading a book within a book were nice as well, giving the reader a good look into the literature of Viv's world. I really enjoyed that bit as it is something you don't normally see in a fantasy novel.
That's really what makes this series, as a whole, wonderful--author Travis Baldree is able to weave and create a world around the characters without being too abrasive about it. The world building is gentle, easy. It feels so natural to learn about the universe held within the series by just taking in small things like town names, the literature, the food, the drinks, and the small shops that Viv visits and eventually owns.
Second come the characters. As I mentioned, in this book, Viv is a little lackluster compared to the older version of herself that comes later. The Viv we have in "Bookshops & Bonedust" is still fresh to the world, so it's understandable that she comes across as a blank slate. She doesn't really know who she is yet, either. Joining her this go around is a cast of characters that are memorable. That being said, I don't feel like they stick in the same way the characters in "Legends & Lattes" do. They are still interesting, but they just don't scratch the itch the same way.
If you are going to read this book, please do yourself a favor and read it before you take a gander at "Legends & Lattes." For those readers that have already read the aforementioned book, maybe skip this one unless you really, really love Viv.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Animal cruelty, Gore, and Blood
hypofocus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
What a lovely followup to Legends and Lattes! This one got some tears outta me. This book feels like what tender reassurance sounds like to an unsure heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Minor: Death
hayleyvem's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Body horror, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol
themichellegray's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
Travis Baldree delivered yet another cozy fantasy set in the 'Legends & Lattes' world! This time it was a love letter to books and the connections readers make with one another. Unfortunately, its difficult not to compare this book to its predecessor.
While I really enjoyed the lore behind Viv's greatsword and friendship with Gallina, this story was lacking some of the warmth that L&L provided. The newly introduced characters were lovable enough but didn't charm me in the same way that Cal and Thimble did. The pacing was VERY slow and often felt as-if nothing was happening; the goals were secondary and the dangers weren't fully explained.
Despite my critiques, this was still an average read that felt safe to return to each day and I really appreciated the epilogue!
While I really enjoyed the lore behind Viv's greatsword and friendship with Gallina, this story was lacking some of the warmth that L&L provided. The newly introduced characters were lovable enough but didn't charm me in the same way that Cal and Thimble did. The pacing was VERY slow and often felt as-if nothing was happening; the goals were secondary and the dangers weren't fully explained.
Despite my critiques, this was still an average read that felt safe to return to each day and I really appreciated the epilogue!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal cruelty and Alcohol
tea_coffee_sam's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Medical content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Death, and Slavery
Minor: Alcohol and Murder
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty
another_avid_bookreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death
raptorq's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Medical content