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chainsawmochi's review
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
caprivoyant's review
IMHO?
Bookshops & Bonedust >>> Legends & Lattes.
The food allergy dismissal in L&L made the *cozy* vibes decidedly less welcoming to me, so I almost didn't pick this sequel up... I'm very glad I did, though. I think this book was, to me, what L&L was for people who don't have to worry about their food restrictions being believed; and it was very sweet to feel like there would be a place for me in this magical cozy world and I really want Fern to give me a personalized book recommendation now.
Bookshops & Bonedust >>> Legends & Lattes.
The food allergy dismissal in L&L made the *cozy* vibes decidedly less welcoming to me, so I almost didn't pick this sequel up... I'm very glad I did, though. I think this book was, to me, what L&L was for people who don't have to worry about their food restrictions being believed; and it was very sweet to feel like there would be a place for me in this magical cozy world and I really want Fern to give me a personalized book recommendation now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Gore and Blood
birdie_is_here's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It was a decent book, but honestly, didn't add a whole lot to the original story. Some parts of it had me wondering why Viv struggled so much with opening her own business in Legends & Lattes, since a lot of the required skills came decently easy to her in this prequel.
The first act was good, but the pacing and tension suffered heavily in the later second and third acts for me. There was also minimal buildup to the final encounter with the Big Bad, which made the climax feel... kind of hollow. It's hard to have great pay off if the setup is lax. I also couldn't pinpoint a 'Dark Night of the Soul' plot beat, which may have been part of the problem? I'm not really sure.
One of the main relationships that makes up the emotional core of the book--Maylee and Viv --felt underdeveloped and almost contrived, and the gut-punch that the ending was supposed to have between them felt more like a slap on the wrist.
In the acknowledgements, Baldree admits they struggled with finding the story; despite this, the timeline of writing the book was less than six months. In the nicest way possible, it shows. Given a few more drafts, maybe some (more?) developmental editing, and less of a time crunch, this could have been a pretty good book. But, personally, it just didn't hit right.
The first act was good, but the pacing and tension suffered heavily in the later second and third acts for me. There was also minimal buildup to the final encounter with the Big Bad, which made the climax feel... kind of hollow. It's hard to have great pay off if the setup is lax. I also couldn't pinpoint a 'Dark Night of the Soul' plot beat, which may have been part of the problem? I'm not really sure.
One of the main relationships that makes up the emotional core of the book--
In the acknowledgements, Baldree admits they struggled with finding the story; despite this, the timeline of writing the book was less than six months. In the nicest way possible, it shows. Given a few more drafts, maybe some (more?) developmental editing, and less of a time crunch, this could have been a pretty good book. But, personally, it just didn't hit right.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Gore
riverofhorton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
As with Legends & Lattes, I absolutely loved this book. Over 300 pages and the only thing I can find to fault it on was the technicality of poisonous toads, so much of it was good. I particularly liked Satchel, which seems weird with only a basic explanation of the character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping, Ableism, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Abandonment, Alcohol, Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Animal cruelty, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
kbairbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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 can even believe it… I loved this book even more than the first. It was just perfection. That ending had me oohing and awwwing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, and Gore
laurao's review
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Gore, and Blood
It has less violence/gore than the average D&D campaign, but it is still central to the plot.vorpaldormouse's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore, Blood, Violence, and Death
letopotato's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
"Bookshops & Bonedust", like its predecessor, is like a warm hug from a good friend, and just what I needed right now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Gore
catboy_basil's review
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
this book was so cute and just so good. i loved legends and lattes, so i was really excited to read this one, and bookshops and bonedust did not disappoint. i loved the characters, i loved the little town of murk, i loved thistleburr, i loved the plot, i loved everything. getting to see how this book ties into legends and lattes in the epilogue was really nice. i'm also very happy that viv and tandri got married omg! anyways this book was a really good time, and i highly recommend it along with legends and lattes!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Gore
alibrarymouse's review against another edition
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.
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
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Cursing, Blood, Death, and Gore