Bookshops & Bonedust is a fantasy novel written by American author Travis Baldree. It was first published in trade paperback and ebook by Tor Books and in audiobook by Macmillan Audio in November 7, 2023.[2][3] It is a prequel to the author's 2022 novel Legends & Lattes.
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Travis Baldree |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Carson Lowmiller |
| Language | English |
| Series | Legends & Lattes |
| Genre | Fantasy[1] |
| Publisher | Tor Books[1] |
Publication date | November 2023[1] |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (paperback), ebook, audiobook |
| Pages | 352 |
| ISBN | 978-1-250-88610-1 |
| Preceded by | Legends & Lattes |
Plot
editViv arrived in Murk with a throbbing leg injury, her hopes of proving her worth to her mercenary boss dashed. As she limped through the town, she felt a pang of loneliness and uncertainty. However, fate had a different plan for her.
At the local bookstore, she stumbled upon Fern, a charming and passionate bookseller who possessed a stubborn streak as formidable as Viv's own. Fern's warmth and kindness began to soothe the wounds of Viv's disappointment. As they spent more time together, they discovered a shared love for stories and the transformative power of words.
Next came Gallina, a gnome inventor with an unyielding optimism and a knack for creating whimsical contraptions. Gallina's infectious laughter and never-ending supply of ideas brought joy to Viv's days. Together, they tinkered with Gallina's inventions, transforming the bookstore into a hub of laughter and creativity.
But it was the dwarf baker Maylee who truly stole Viv's heart. Maylee possessed a gentle spirit and a knack for baking exquisite pastries. Their first encounter at Maylee's bakery, amidst the tantalizing aromas of fresh bread and sweet treats, ignited a spark between them. As they spent stolen hours together, sharing stories and laughter, Viv found herself falling deeply for Maylee's warm embrace.
In the quaint town of Murk, fate intertwined the lives of Viv, the enigmatic warrior, and the unlikely trio of Fern, Gallina, and Balthus. One fateful day, a skirmish erupted in Fern's bookstore, leaving Balthus, a skilled necromancer, dead and Viv, Gallina, and Fern unjustly imprisoned. Balthus's escape cast a sinister shadow over their lives, as his corpse bore the telltale signs of his dark powers.
Upon closer examination of Balthus's belongings, they discovered a satchel containing Satchel, an enslaved skeleton. Balthus had stolen Satchel from his rightful owner, Varine, a powerful sorcerer, and planted a stolen tome within Fern's bookshop. Unbeknownst to them, the tome served as a magical storage container.
Intrigued, Viv extracted a gleaming greatsword from the tome, a gesture that caught Varine's attention. With vengeance in her eyes, Varine descended upon Murk, intent on retrieving her stolen property. In a fierce battle that tested their mettle, Viv and her comrades confronted Varine. Through cunning and determination, they overcame the sorcerer, freeing Satchel and breaking Balthus's curse upon him.
As Viv's mercenary company returned to Murk, she bid farewell to her newfound companions, leaving behind a legacy of friendship and adventure. Twenty years later, a letter from Fern arrived, its contents rekindling the flame of their shared past. With hearts filled with anticipation, they resolved to reunite, their bonds forged in the crucible of darkness and triumph.
Characters
edit- Viv: A determined and resourceful young woman, leads the charge.
- Fern: An enigmatic and skilled sorceress, brings her magical prowess to the team.
- Varine the Pern: The skilled necromancer and tracker, uses her keen senses to guide the party through treacherous landscapes.
- Potroast: A towering gryphet with a voracious appetite, serves as their formidable protector.
- Maylee: The cunning and secretive thief, adds a touch of agility and deception to their ranks.
- Gallina: A wise and benevolent hag, lends her experience and guidance to the group.
- Satchel: The loyal and pragmatic dwarf, provides a grounding presence.
- Balthus: A enigmatic bard with a penchant for trouble, adds a dash of mischief to the adventure.
- Iridia: A mysterious and ethereal spirit, joins them, offering cryptic advice and ethereal assistance.
Reception
editMarlene Harris in a starred "Pick of the Month" review in Library Journal, calls the novel "a fantasy story with many of the same pleasures that cozy mysteries offer their readers," and "the perfect place for readers to start Baldree's cozy fantasy series where folks band together for good, and evil is conquered through cleverness and friendship." She characterizes it as "a lovely coming-of-age story about a character trained for war who learns that there's more to life than endless battles," noting that "[w]hat makes the story special is the way that so many stock fantasy archetypes are cast against type and find new modes of prospering that don't involve big weapons and bigger wars."[4]
Kira Muratova, reviewing the audiobook version in Booklist, notes that the "prequel ... answers several of its predecessor's burning questions, including how everyone's favorite coffee-loving orc learned to appreciate books. ... Read by the author, a talented and animated fantasy narrator who also voiced Legends, the book presents a colorful cast of new and familiar characters that is sure to ensorcell and delight listeners.[3]
Sarah Rice, also in Booklist, claims the book "cements [Baldree's] talent for cozy fantasy, engaging characters, and anachronistic references that would be at home in a Discworld novel. ... Knowing where a character ends up often drains tension from a prequel, but Baldree avoids that pitfall because the joy of reading here isn't a simple uncertainty over who lives or dies but rather watching friendships blossom and characters grow. Folks who enjoyed the camaraderie and settings of this year's Dungeons & Dragons movie—as well as anyone who likes the idea of an orc warrior becoming a devotee of the power of reading and its ability to broaden your horizons—should check out Viv's adventures."[5]
Publishers Weekly writes "Bestseller Baldree’s cozy standalone sequel to Legends & Lattes shows that even a battle-hungry orc can find happiness in life’s simple pleasures. ... The innocent joy of Viv and Fern’s love is delightful and Baldree’s formula of placing low-stakes stories in high-fantasy settings remains good fun. Series fans will eat this up.[6]
Kirkus Reviews characterizes the book as a "prequel to the popular cozy fantasy Legends & Lattes" that "can stand alone, but will certainly satisfy fans as well." It calls the setting "charming," with "compelling, richly drawn characters," and "vibes ... decidedly warm and cozy" despite the "hint of danger in the wind," summing up the story as "[w]arm and wonderful."[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Bookshops & Bonedust". Kirkus Reviews. Vol. 91, no. 120. Oct 15, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ Bookshops & Bonedust title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- ^ a b Muratova, Kira (September 15, 2023). "Review". Booklist. Vol. 120, no. 2. p. 60. ProQuest 2864641379. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ Harris, Marlene (Sep 2023). "Pick Of The Month". Library Journal. Vol. 148, no. 8. New York. p. 75. ProQuest 2859250760. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ^ Rice, Sarah (October 1, 2023). "Bookshops & Bonedust". Booklist. Vol. 120, no. 3. p. 35. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "Bookshops & Bonedust". Publishers Weekly. October 6, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
External links
edit- Bookshops & Bonedust title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database