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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
kshertz's review
funny
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
4.0
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.
Add a few other loveable characters, a bookstore and you can’t miss. It’s just an easy cute fun read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
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
luxton's review
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? No
3.0
This book was... fine. I felt similarly about Legends and Lattes, but hoped maybe the second book would have improved in the first. I can't say it connected with me any more this time. The interactions between characters were witty in a way that sometimes came across as trite, and the detailed descriptions of the layout of rooms got tiring after awhile. I do wonder if some of this is because I'm jaded after reading a lot of books in the cosy/hopeful genre though, perhaps someone newer to the trope would get more out of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Blood
Minor: Violence
dragonaion's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
As someone who plays D&D as a player and DM, this book needs to be read by any perspective participant of the game. There is an unspoken fear and trepidation about having a lull in the story, be it spending too much time in town or having too many NPC friends, and having the plot line go unresolved. This book is a perfectly written and natural pause (don't have a healer, you're going to be stuck healing naturally in one place for a while) without pausing the story itself.
As a reader, this book also showed a new perspective on love, both platonic and romantic, that is unique, heartfelt, and honest. Some relationships are like two ships that pass in the night and that doesn't make them any less meaningful or beautiful.
"Sometimes we aren't the right people yet."
As a reader, this book also showed a new perspective on love, both platonic and romantic, that is unique, heartfelt, and honest. Some relationships are like two ships that pass in the night and that doesn't make them any less meaningful or beautiful.
"Sometimes we aren't the right people yet."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Racism, Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Death
Racism is due to one character often self-deprecating herself with physical attributes due to her race (height). No slurs or separation of behavior are expressed or weaponized. Cursing is frequent, especially due to one adorable character, although character-building, and the F-word is the worst.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.itsheyfay's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I think I enjoyed this one more than the first 🤭, but it helped to have some recognition of the world were in and who Viv starts out as before opening up her coffee shop. This was adorable and action-packed, and I hope we get to see more of Viv and company in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Abandonment, Cursing, and Death
fromjuliereads's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I had been looking forward to reading this since I loved Legends and Lattes, and have loved some other cozy fantasies as well. I think this one didn't quite live up to the hype for me. While it should be slower since it's a cozy fantasy, even with the small action scenes, I didn't feel the same excitement to pick this up like I did the others. I read very little bits at a time and wasn't always rushing or eager to pick it back up. I liked the characters - especially Satchel - and the plot behind the story. It just felt a little flat to me and I can't put my finger on why.
Definitely gives all the cozy bookstore vibes!
Definitely gives all the cozy bookstore vibes!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Violence, Confinement, and Death
sonatica's review
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, Blood, Death, and Murder
Minor: Body horror, Abandonment, and Animal cruelty
karcitis's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Murder, and Death
Minor: Abandonment and Animal cruelty