Viv was so used to her very existence being an obvious threat that it was honestly startling to hear a casual joke at her expense, even such a mild one. She supposed clunking around on one leg tended to dull one’s fearsomeness. My biggest draw to Bookshops & Bonedust was the opportunity to settle in with the delightfully mundane aspects of running a business that was so prominent in the first book. And the business was a bookshop!! What could be more ideal?

Nils: Oh I’m the same, ever since reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I’ve been so drawn to cosy fantasy.

When Legends and Lattes appeared and took over the fantasy landscape early last year, it popularized the cozy fantasy subgenre. Before the surge of romantasy, plenty of fantasy authors rushed to write and publish their respective cozy fantasy novels as soon as possible. The purpose might be to write a wholesome story that resonates with readers. Or maybe they hoped to gain the fame and success Baldree attained from his debut novel. Traditional publishing tends to follow trends, and cozy fantasy was (and is) one of the trends in the market. Whatever the reasons, since the release of Legends and Lattes, I still haven’t found many cozy fantasy books or series that attract my interest as much as Legends and Lattes did. Sure, most of the books I read are serious, grim, or dark in their tone. But occasionally, I would like to have the option to take a break by reading a wonderfully cozy or slice-of-life story when I am in the proper reading mood. This is where Bookshops and Bonedust came in. Written after Legends and Lattes but chronologically taking place two decades before it, this is a prequel novel I didn’t know would be written but grateful to have. The author did not plan to write this prequel, too! And similar to Legends and Lattes, Viv's younger days manage to charm me again. Still, adventure isn’t all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected. Note for potential readers/listeners: Even though this is a prequel, I'd advise reading or listening to Legends & Lattes first. I think this book could totally be enjoyed on its own, but knowing the context enhanced my enjoyment of this book.

Set in the world of New York Times bestselling Legends & Lattes , Travis Baldree's Bookshops & Bonedust takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and secondhand books. Beth: Please don’t hate me Nils… but I’m not a fan of Potroast. He’s supposed to be a… a gryphlet? Part dog part… owl? But he seems mostly dog and I’m definitely more a cat person. Despite how many dogs we welcome into my own bookshop, I think cats are far more suited to bookshops than dogs.There was also some excitement - what food/drink would Travis Baldree describe in such ways as to make me visit the kitchen more often than usual? LEGENDS & LATTES had me consuming extra cups of coffee and cinnamon rolls - turns out BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST took a more savory approach - lots of breakfast foods and bread. As a Southern girl, I tell you that I treat bread as a dessert. ALL bread - I love it and the more butter the better! What I love about Travis Baldree is that set against an epic world of adventure, he writes about the small victories that make life worthwhile. Bookshops & Bonedust does this and it is glorious."—Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London However, this is the perfect book for you if you: are looking for comfort and coziness, want a queer, low-drama romance, and/or delight in descriptions of food. I recommend it most for those who feel deeply lonely: it’s the type of book that makes you want to reach out to those around you, and that may inspire you to ask for—and allow yourself to receive—the help that you need. Nils: I agree with you there, I wasn’t keen on how we were introduced to Iridia either and she does feel a little too stereotypical to a bitter warden/sheriff who likes to let everyone know who is in charge. I’m hoping though we see more of a different personality to her character as the book progresses. I’d also love to see some character artwork on her because I can’t quite picture what she looks like other than having snake-like eyes! This is genuinely the most pure and wholesome series I've ever read. There's nothing to overanalyze or stress over. It's just a sweet small-town story, full of adorable characters, just a dabble of romance, and a cozy mystery to keep things a little more interesting. I even cried a little at the end. To be perfectly honest, though, it isn't a perfect story. Similar to the first one, a large part of it is a little slow and dull. Nothing of significance happens other than a few sightings of the mystery man in gray, a possible romance brewing, and Viv's new-found love of books. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it immeasurably.