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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
embersbookventures's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
I absolutely adored this book. And I can say with absolute certainty that this and Legends & Lattes will both be oft reread and very cherished books in my life, always.
It felt a bit like House in the Cerulean Sea, these two books. The same warm, found family, struggles, and ultimately finding out who you are and where you belong.
I shed a few tears at the end of this one, though not in a bad way - it reminded me of the bittersweetness of life, exactly Travis Baldree said ‘one goes up and the other goes down, and the crossing will not be repeated’ - there are so many moments like that in life as you find your way, and I was unexpectedly very moved by it.
I absolutely adored all the characters - Maylee, Fern, Gallina, Satchel, Zelia Greatstrider, Pitts the poet, and even Iridia. And Potroast of course!😄 He reminded me of my own little dog.
Travis has a way of building a story that feels like home, and one I have no doubt I shall return to again soon.
Also, the lovely writing pace that Travis started in Legends & Lattes is honed and perfected in Bookshops & Bonedust.
The pace is literally perfect - we have things going on, character development, humor, cozy moments, touching moments, just being moments - and somehow he sews them all together so masterfully that you never want to put it down at all. It…feels like life. The ebbs and flows, and I couldn’t love it more.
I would literally recommend this book to anyone. Beautiful story.
It felt a bit like House in the Cerulean Sea, these two books. The same warm, found family, struggles, and ultimately finding out who you are and where you belong.
I absolutely adored all the characters - Maylee, Fern, Gallina, Satchel, Zelia Greatstrider, Pitts the poet, and even Iridia. And Potroast of course!😄 He reminded me of my own little dog.
Travis has a way of building a story that feels like home, and one I have no doubt I shall return to again soon.
Also, the lovely writing pace that Travis started in Legends & Lattes is honed and perfected in Bookshops & Bonedust.
The pace is literally perfect - we have things going on, character development, humor, cozy moments, touching moments, just being moments - and somehow he sews them all together so masterfully that you never want to put it down at all. It…feels like life. The ebbs and flows, and I couldn’t love it more.
I would literally recommend this book to anyone. Beautiful story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
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
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
themichellegray's review
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
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
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
paigehf's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Cursing
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Animal cruelty
thebookishwizard's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
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