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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
adventurous
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:
Yes
I put off reading Legends and Lattes for a while just because I wasn't sure it would be my vibe. Once I finally read it, I was completely obsessed. It was a beautiful, cozy book with just the right amount of tension and adventure. Some way, somehow, Bookshops & Bonedust managed to take all the best parts of Legends & Lattes and be more.
Knowing Viv's history, I wasn't sure where a prequel would fall and how it would keep the cozy vibes alive, but it managed to exceed every expectation. There was just enough of a conflict to keep the tension alive, but the main focus was truly the coziness factor.
Turns out cozy fantasy is where I belong.
Knowing Viv's history, I wasn't sure where a prequel would fall and how it would keep the cozy vibes alive, but it managed to exceed every expectation. There was just enough of a conflict to keep the tension alive, but the main focus was truly the coziness factor.
Turns out cozy fantasy is where I belong.
Really nice prequel to the first book. It gives the same cozy vibes you’re probably looking for.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Although I enjoyed the story, I will say that I probably would have preferred the story to follow an entirely different cast of characters.
3.5 ⭐️
I just couldn’t get into this one like I did Legends & Lattes. Still enjoyed but not the same love for it
I just couldn’t get into this one like I did Legends & Lattes. Still enjoyed but not the same love for it
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
The first book, Legends & Lattes, is the kind of book that you realise someone wrote because they had a story to tell.
And it was a great story to tell.
This second book, technically a "prequel" in the storyline, shows that the author has found out he likes to write stories.
Bookshops & Bonedust is as cosy, nice, warm, funny, adventurous, imaginative and meta as the first one.
But with some extra twists, a somewhat better pacing. And more secondary characters, side characters, fleeting appearances and better character work.
And some of those amusing winks to the audience that a "book about books" has.
The ending is great and ties up nicely the story. But it was the Epilogue that really sealed the highest rating for me. Fantastic.
P.S: if there was a way for a book to not only pass the Bechdel test, but to get straight A+, 100% score; this book would have it.
And it was a great story to tell.
This second book, technically a "prequel" in the storyline, shows that the author has found out he likes to write stories.
Bookshops & Bonedust is as cosy, nice, warm, funny, adventurous, imaginative and meta as the first one.
But with some extra twists, a somewhat better pacing. And more secondary characters, side characters, fleeting appearances and better character work.
And some of those amusing winks to the audience that a "book about books" has.
The ending is great and ties up nicely the story. But it was the Epilogue that really sealed the highest rating for me. Fantastic.
P.S: if there was a way for a book to not only pass the Bechdel test, but to get straight A+, 100% score; this book would have it.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
This review is for the audiobook version.
Earlier this year, I ventured into the world of audiobooks. My first listen was to Travis Baldree's debut book, Legends & Lattes. His narration has become a steady companion while I am on my daily hikes. Others have told me that an audiobook enhances the reading experience, adding more color to a whimsical canvas. In this case, I wholeheartedly agree.
Viv is injured in a battle and needs some downtime to recover. On her road to recovery, Viv comes across a used book store and makes friends with Fern, the proprietor of a fledgling business. Viv reads novels handpicked by Fern and discovers that she enjoys reading. They strike a deal, and Viv consents to assist Fern in breathing new life into the store in exchange for the right to use the books she sells. The local baker, a dwarf named Maylee, enters the fold. Her baked goods tempt the soul, and soon Viv craves more than just her delicious creations. In the back of her mind, Viv knows her stay in the town of Murk is temporary, and soon she must take the fight to the enemy, Varine the Pale. Unforeseen circumstances occur, and one has to ask, Can she even defeat this necromancer, or is her demise inevitable?
I will admit I have gotten sucked into Viv's world. Bookshops, latte's, and even the gnome named Gallina. The characters in Travis Baldree's novels always have a wit that makes me smile.
Their nuanced qualities always contribute to a well-written narrative. For example, this story introduces us to a skeletal servant named Satchel, who resides... in a satchel. His character resonated with me; his humbleness and loyalty garnered my admiration. He reminded me of Mr. Belvedere. Well, not exactly, of course, because Satchel is devoid of flesh. Perhaps it is the British accent or the phrase, "How may I serve you, m'lady?" In any case, I loved Satchel.
In the end, I liked this book as much as the Legends & Latte's. I can compare the underlying beauty of this tale to the sensations created by sipping a cup of pumpkin spice latte while curled up in your favorite blanket and watching the rain pitter-patter against a windowpane. This is what cozy fantasy is all about. This receives four stars from me. A great read when you need some mental relaxation with a dash of cinnamon.
This review is for the audiobook version.
Earlier this year, I ventured into the world of audiobooks. My first listen was to Travis Baldree's debut book, Legends & Lattes. His narration has become a steady companion while I am on my daily hikes. Others have told me that an audiobook enhances the reading experience, adding more color to a whimsical canvas. In this case, I wholeheartedly agree.
Viv is injured in a battle and needs some downtime to recover. On her road to recovery, Viv comes across a used book store and makes friends with Fern, the proprietor of a fledgling business. Viv reads novels handpicked by Fern and discovers that she enjoys reading. They strike a deal, and Viv consents to assist Fern in breathing new life into the store in exchange for the right to use the books she sells. The local baker, a dwarf named Maylee, enters the fold. Her baked goods tempt the soul, and soon Viv craves more than just her delicious creations. In the back of her mind, Viv knows her stay in the town of Murk is temporary, and soon she must take the fight to the enemy, Varine the Pale. Unforeseen circumstances occur, and one has to ask, Can she even defeat this necromancer, or is her demise inevitable?
I will admit I have gotten sucked into Viv's world. Bookshops, latte's, and even the gnome named Gallina. The characters in Travis Baldree's novels always have a wit that makes me smile.
Their nuanced qualities always contribute to a well-written narrative. For example, this story introduces us to a skeletal servant named Satchel, who resides... in a satchel. His character resonated with me; his humbleness and loyalty garnered my admiration. He reminded me of Mr. Belvedere. Well, not exactly, of course, because Satchel is devoid of flesh. Perhaps it is the British accent or the phrase, "How may I serve you, m'lady?" In any case, I loved Satchel.
In the end, I liked this book as much as the Legends & Latte's. I can compare the underlying beauty of this tale to the sensations created by sipping a cup of pumpkin spice latte while curled up in your favorite blanket and watching the rain pitter-patter against a windowpane. This is what cozy fantasy is all about. This receives four stars from me. A great read when you need some mental relaxation with a dash of cinnamon.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No