A review by merlin_reads
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
4.25
Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes series is like a giant warm hug. Having a bad day? Pick up one of these books. Don't know how to process an epic fantasy book you just finished? Pick up one of these books. Just plain want some happiness? Pick up one of these books.
While Bookshops & Bonedust is technically a prequel to Legends & Lattes, I like that it can be read as a standalone. Of course you always get more out of the books when you read everything in that world, but Baldree creates these stories that exist within the covers that feel complete and satisfying. It's one of my favorite things about these books.
Ok but let's talk this book. Our MC, Viv, is quickly sidelined by an injury and has to sit out on probably the biggest mercenary hunts of her just started career. Obviously she is not happy about it. She is instantly bored and biting at the bits to get out. But then she discovers a beaten down little bookshop. Can I just say that Fern is probably one of the best literary characters ever written. So many people have tried to write bookshop owners and book lovers, but Baldree just gets it. Fern is perfection in a little rattkin body. She embodies what it's like to love books so much and the feeling that you get when you're able to communicate your love of books with other people. To me, Fern was the heartbeat of this book and everything else just existed around her.
It was nice to see the Viv before the one we meet in Legends & Lattes. And it's fun to think about her growth, which you can already see starting to take root here. This sleepy little beach town is perfect for Viv even if she doesn't think so right away. I really hope Baldree writes more in this world because he has possibly the best side characters of any fantasy author out there.
While Bookshops & Bonedust is technically a prequel to Legends & Lattes, I like that it can be read as a standalone. Of course you always get more out of the books when you read everything in that world, but Baldree creates these stories that exist within the covers that feel complete and satisfying. It's one of my favorite things about these books.
Ok but let's talk this book. Our MC, Viv, is quickly sidelined by an injury and has to sit out on probably the biggest mercenary hunts of her just started career. Obviously she is not happy about it. She is instantly bored and biting at the bits to get out. But then she discovers a beaten down little bookshop. Can I just say that Fern is probably one of the best literary characters ever written. So many people have tried to write bookshop owners and book lovers, but Baldree just gets it. Fern is perfection in a little rattkin body. She embodies what it's like to love books so much and the feeling that you get when you're able to communicate your love of books with other people. To me, Fern was the heartbeat of this book and everything else just existed around her.
It was nice to see the Viv before the one we meet in Legends & Lattes. And it's fun to think about her growth, which you can already see starting to take root here. This sleepy little beach town is perfect for Viv even if she doesn't think so right away. I really hope Baldree writes more in this world because he has possibly the best side characters of any fantasy author out there.