Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Bookshops & Bonedust

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.

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marioosa517's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.75

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jennikreads's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

4.0

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trips's review

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funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Another nice fantasy story with lower stakes and comfy characters.

I wasn't sure how I felt about the book the whole way through but Baldree really aced it with the ending in my opinion, which made the book worth it to read. I think there were a few too many character plot points floating around, one in particular didn't really add much to the story in my opinion and slowed things down. But at the end of the day, it was a nice read, and if you enjoyed Legends & Lattes, I think you'll enjoy this one, too.

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lackyducks's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

An absolute joy of a book that had me engaged from the first pages.

The characters were so vivid and I found myself in love with all the unique personalities - from major characters to side ones. It created a picture of a living community, where everybody has their own lives outside of the story (very thematic for the book!) Potroast was an absolute gem as well, and reminded me a lot of the pug in our family.

It's amazing how a story with so much action can still feel so relaxing and reflective. I loved the ways the stories intertwined before eventually colliding. They led into each other well, with elements showing up that I knew would be relevant later, even if I didn't know how yet! I also got very excited that the Bonedust part of the title was actually relevant!

The epilogue was also so soft and makes me long for the story after the story. However, the main story is enjoyable without knowledge of Legends and Lattes and stands alone as a gem of its own.

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ladythana's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

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booksthatburn's review

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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.

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uranaishi's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

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