Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
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From instant New York Times Bestseller Travis Baldree comes the newest novel, Bookshops & Bonedust. This isn’t a sequel to Legends & Lattes as I’d assumed. It’s touted as being “set in the world of New York Times bestselling Legends & Lattes.” Since the main character remains the orc named Viv, and it mainly covers events before the first book, I’d consider it a prequel. Regardless of how it’s tied to the first book and its bestselling success, this book brings us back to the world of high fantasy, which will appeal to Dungeons and Dragons fans and fantasy readers alike. It’s already been named A Barnes & Noble Best Fantasy Book of 2023.
Like the first book, Bookshops & Bonedust is filled with memorable characters, which the author brings to life with his skillful narration.
As a young member of the notorious mercenary company named Rackam’s Ravens, Viv is injured and left behind in a quiet little beach town to recover. There she finds a lovely bookshop with a feisty shop owner, falls in love, and uncovers a mystery when a suspicious stranger appears.
Bookshops & Bonedust shows us how people evolve, and my favorite line was “Sometimes we aren’t the right people yet.” I can especially relate to this, and I think many readers will.
Book lovers will adore the discussions about books that Viv gets into while recovering from her injury, as well as the snippets readers get to see of the books Viv reads. Writing books within books isn’t easy, but Baldree does it deftly.
It’s not all idleness while recovering, however. Expect some sapphic romance, high fantasy magic, and a little adventuring, as well. Altogether it’s a brilliant second novel.
The epilogue ties both books together – it’s absolutely lovely. Twenty years after the main book’s adventures, Viv tells Tandree, “Books are what brought me to you.” Swoon. Is there anything more romantic to a book lover?
I had the pleasure of receiving the audiobook as an ARC, which is a rare treat for this reader. As with the first book, the narration is spot on. I always love it when the author narrates their own book, and in this case, it’s extra special because the author is a professional audiobook narrator. As such, I’ve wondered several times if being an audiobook narrator gave Baldree an edge when it comes to crafting a book that’s easy to narrate.
I look forward to more books about Viv and her adventures, but I’ll read anything Baldree writes.
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Visit the author’s website and follow him on Twitter.
Advance Reading Copy provided by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley at my request.
Audiobook narrated by the author.
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worldsofmayhem.com 