Reviews with content warning for Body horror - Bookshops & Bonedust

It’s just the cutest concept. Sometimes you’re a fearsome orc who gets injured and you have to go on a journey of self exploration to figure out who you really are!

Add a few other loveable characters, a bookstore and you can’t miss. It’s just an easy cute fun read.

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riverofhorton's review against another edition

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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.

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sonatica's review

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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!

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.0

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