The Book Report #63

Episode #62

Bookshops & Bonedust By Travis Baldree

The Book

My copy is a first print hardback released by Tor, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, on the 7th of November, 2023. This copy has 359 pages. That includes an about the author, acknowledgements and the first chapter of the book: Legends and Lattes.

What Did I think

I am enjoying returning to fantasy and sci-fi, and this book is no exception. Bookshops and Bonedust is a prequel to Legends & Lattes. There is also a short story, which I have been told was released with the newer copies of Legends & Lattes.

It’s about an Ork named Viv, who is injured en route to finding and destroying a necromancer. The injury is severe enough that she has to stay in the coastal village called Murk while she recovers.

During her stay, she meets Fern, the owner of a run-down bookshop. The potty-mouthed Rattkin Fern helps Viv by recommending her books and getting her to read to help pass the time. She returns the favour by helping to rejuvenate her shop and attracting new customers. This leads to meeting Maylee, the owner of the local bakery and a love interest that is played with, but cannot go anywhere.

Throughout the story, Viv is waiting for Rackam’s Ravens to return so she can continue her adventures.

Viv somehow manages to bring some of the town together but also brings the same trouble to the village she is trying to prevent.

I Have A Concern

One concern I did have with the story was how much money Viv had. It was either she was rich or everything in the village was cheap. During her stay, she wasn’t making any money. Although she did go on a hunt at one point in the book, I don’t know if she got paid for it. Also, she wasn’t living in a house; her sleeping arrangements were at the local Inn. So, every day, she was paying for food and board. So where did all the money come from?

Perhaps this is just one of those things you don’t worry about in a fantasy novel.

The genre threw me a little. This is supposed to be a romantasty: romance and fantasy. I don’t get it. Yes, there was a tiny bit of romance, but nothing to run the whole plot on. We got drips and drabs. Here and there.

But I believe the unsung hero of the book was Pitt. He is the only other Ork I think was mentioned in the story. His job is village handyman. Without a horse or oxen, he travels the local area pulling his cart to help whoever needs it. He accepts a free book of poetry as payment from Fern and learns there is more to life than what he does. Slowly, he allows himself to indulge and learns to love it so much that he starts to create poetry by the end of the book.

Would I Recommend

Yes, I would recommend this book. If you enjoy adventure in a fantasy world, bookshops and necromancy with a cake thrown in, this may be a book for you.

This is a great story for those not after a lot of danger but enjoy a fantasy with a little bit of adventure and a variety of characters who have each been well written that you will discover a favourite.

So please give this book a go.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy?

You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/ USA, Barnes and Noble and eBay UK/ USA.

Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.