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that_chick26's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can tell that this book comes from the guts of a few other ideas Baldree had in mind. Aside from the short Epilogue, much of this could've been from the perspective of another character. Be prepared for a bit more adventure than cozy in this book compared to Legends and Lattes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Blood
Minor: Death
sonatica's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Legends & Lattes has been my favorite audiobook since I've listened to it, and I anxiously awaited the prequel when it was announced. And while it took me a while to read, it was certainly not because I didn't enjoy it!
I love Viv as a protagonist! And I dare say I might even love her more in Bookshops & Bonedust! Seeing the character development in this book was a fun and emotional ride and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships she formed within the story and quickly grew attached to all main and side characters.
The story was more 'intense' than that of L&L, so if the pacing in that book was a bit too slow for your tastes, then I'd still recommend Bookshops & Bonedust for a cozy read with lovable characters and slightly higher stakes!
The ending felt very emotional and I might have shed a tear or too, in the best way possible! And the Epilogue gave my heart the rest. I 100% would recommend this book :)
(There might be Spoilers from here on, so read with caution)
I gotta admit, I was thrown off by the promise of a 'summer romance' in this book, because I love the relationship of Tandri and Viv in the first one and generally don't like to read about one of the characters having a romantic relationship with other people, even if it was in the past. But I was pleasantly surprised by how well this was handled and I ended up really loving the romantic interest of Viv. If this was something that you might have been discouraged about, I suggest to still give it a try.
Gallina's appearance and role in the story made me giggle on multiple occasions and seeing her and Viv's friendship blossom made me appreciate her character in the first book even more!
But my highlight were absolutely Fern and Satchel (and Potroast!) and the deep platonic relationship between them and Viv. I found myself rooting for their own respective storylines and the epilogue made me tear up even more after the ending and feel all warm and fuzzy at the same time.
I loved this book and I'm sure this was not the last time I've read it!
I love Viv as a protagonist! And I dare say I might even love her more in Bookshops & Bonedust! Seeing the character development in this book was a fun and emotional ride and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships she formed within the story and quickly grew attached to all main and side characters.
The story was more 'intense' than that of L&L, so if the pacing in that book was a bit too slow for your tastes, then I'd still recommend Bookshops & Bonedust for a cozy read with lovable characters and slightly higher stakes!
The ending felt very emotional and I might have shed a tear or too, in the best way possible! And the Epilogue gave my heart the rest. I 100% would recommend this book :)
(There might be Spoilers from here on, so read with caution)
I gotta admit, I was thrown off by the promise of a 'summer romance' in this book, because I love the relationship of Tandri and Viv in the first one and generally don't like to read about one of the characters having a romantic relationship with other people, even if it was in the past. But I was pleasantly surprised by how well this was handled and I ended up really loving the romantic interest of Viv. If this was something that you might have been discouraged about, I suggest to still give it a try.
Gallina's appearance and role in the story made me giggle on multiple occasions and seeing her and Viv's friendship blossom made me appreciate her character in the first book even more!
But my highlight were absolutely Fern and Satchel (and Potroast!) and the deep platonic relationship between them and Viv. I found myself rooting for their own respective storylines and the epilogue made me tear up even more after the ending and feel all warm and fuzzy at the same time.
I loved this book and I'm sure this was not the last time I've read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body horror, and Abandonment
our_lady_of_perpetual_bad_luck's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
For fans of D&D side quests, sweet no/low spice romance, and unexpected friend groups - this story has it all. It's a sparkling cozy fantasy with just enough mystery and adventure mixed in to keep the plot lively.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content and Alcohol
zombiezami's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Xenophobia
emilywemily6's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book even more than Legends & Lattes! This has all the cozy, high fantasy vibes of the Baldree’s first book but I really liked the pacing of this one. I also felt like the higher stakes/adventuring plot line was strung nicely throughout the entire book. I want to read Legends & Lattes again because I would like it more than my first read through, but I think I connected more with the small town, bookstore vibes more than the big city coffeeshop vibes too. I need more books just like this!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Medical content, and Grief
queerreaderchaos's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing and Death
Minor: Murder
kybrary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As a prequel, it helps to have read Legends & Lattes first, as you can really see the change in Viv between the two books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
hal00alex's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
I think I liked this better than Legends and Lattes just due to the over arching threat/mystery plaguing the main character. Very similar vibes otherwise.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty and Death
memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
this was a nice prequel. i enjoyed getting to see viv’s origin story. how she got the sword and her love for books. i liked the characters she met and i loved how it was tied together in the epilogue, set after the end of the first book.
simple, easy-read.
simple, easy-read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Death, Blood, and Alcohol
deedireads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
All my reviews live at https://deedireads.com/.
I had such a good time with this book! I liked it even better than Legends & Lattes, which was cute but a little too cozy to really fall into the “love” category for me. Sure, I adored the characters, and who doesn’t swoon over a cute story about found family and pastries? But I do tend to like a little more substance to my reads.
Bookshops & Bonedust has the best of both worlds. It’s a prequel, taking place while Viv is still making a name for herself with Rackam’s crew. But don’t worry, there isn’t a bunch of orc sword fights here; Viv is injured and recovers in a cute little seaside town. I do think this book still feels like it belongs in the cozy category, but it’s more novel-length (versus novella) and has a more substantive plot and a bigger bad guy. Still lots of found family vibes and plenty of pastries, and this time, also a bookstore!! So what’s not to love?
If you liked Legends & Lattes, even if it wasn’t a favorite, I think you’ll like this one. Give it a shot.
I had such a good time with this book! I liked it even better than Legends & Lattes, which was cute but a little too cozy to really fall into the “love” category for me. Sure, I adored the characters, and who doesn’t swoon over a cute story about found family and pastries? But I do tend to like a little more substance to my reads.
Bookshops & Bonedust has the best of both worlds. It’s a prequel, taking place while Viv is still making a name for herself with Rackam’s crew. But don’t worry, there isn’t a bunch of orc sword fights here; Viv is injured and recovers in a cute little seaside town. I do think this book still feels like it belongs in the cozy category, but it’s more novel-length (versus novella) and has a more substantive plot and a bigger bad guy. Still lots of found family vibes and plenty of pastries, and this time, also a bookstore!! So what’s not to love?
If you liked Legends & Lattes, even if it wasn’t a favorite, I think you’ll like this one. Give it a shot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol