The themes of connection, friendship, & that sometimes people are in your life for a short time yet still impact you--it mixed together in a satisfying way for me.
If you read the afterword for Bookshops & Bonedust, you'll see that this definitely was not planned when Legends & Lattes was written. In addition, when he was asked to write a sequel, he went through at least 3 different ideas before figuring out what he wanted to do
I'll start by saying that I haven't yet finished Bookshops & Bonedust, but I wanted to respond to something you said! Firstly, I was also raised in small towns (rural Missouri and rural Texas), so the way Baldree writes small town residents is pretty great. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is up in everyone else's business. This can get uncomfortable for outsiders like Viv - hell, it's uncomfortable for me and that's how I grew up! So I appreciated that a lot. But about it being basically too slow and quiet? I kind of feel like that was purposeful. Constantly Viv is chomping at the bit to get out of this tiny, boring town and get back to brawling. SHE'S bored and thinks everything is going way too slow. I think the book really captures that. However, whether or not it was purposeful is a different question from whether or not it WORKS as a novel. I am still reading it fairly quickly, because the "book porn" as you put it sucked me in, and I love the characters... but I admit that once I set it down, I'm not, like, scrambling to get back to it. There's a mystery, yes, but it's... not urgent. So I'm not treating it as such. And I can totally understand the argument that this doesn't actually work as a form of media. 🤷♀️ Still got a little ways to go, so we'll see!
The momentum is relative. The more series like first law and Brando sandos universe expansion continue to grow, the more people will want breaks from the intensity and complexity of mainstream fantasy with these chill books. My favorite is actually the Monk and Robot sci Fi series, cute, but makes you think while inspiring hope for the future
My biggest issue with this story was the romance storyline. It’s so hard to root for a relationship that is first introduced in a prequel where they also find love in the first book of the series, therefore you know for a fact it doesn’t work out in the prequel story. I hate romance for the sake of romance 😭
The romance plotline was the weakest of the book's three plotlines. I picked it up because it was supposed to be a cozy romance and left disappointed overall because of how underwhelming the romance was.
i agree with the romance being lackluster, i feel like she had a better connection with Tandri, they had a very solid friendship for a while that turned into something more.
10 months later, I worked a job during COVID and the shutdown that didn’t allow me to have any of that time off. Instead I was working more. I finally got to a point in the last year that I decided to make time for my favorite pastime (reading) and discovered both of these books within the last month. I will say that I didn’t know what to expect and I have been pleasantly surprised with both books. I feel like they are similar enough but also unique enough to enjoy without constantly comparing/contrasting. Figured I’d offer a different perspective from someone who did not experience the hype and wait between the two books.
I really enjoyed this book. I want another story in this world, but the way this book ended, wrapped things up in such a way it left me thinking this is only going to be a duology.
As someone who didn't listen to Legends and Lattes until just a few weeks ago, I think I can say that the appeal of it is not unique to covid/lockdown mood swings as you theorize. Obviously mileage varies, but it was just as enjoyable and engaging and delightful today, for someone not in that mindset.
I actually preferred Bookshops and Bonedust to Legends and Lattes. The fact it had a little bit of action improved the story for me, but it still felt cozy. It was really fun and I devoured the book over about a day.
I remember seeing Legends & Lattes (probably when it first came out) when I purchased my Kindle in 2020 (*just* before Lockdown got really serious), though I haven't read it yet (possibly because I saw that there was another book due out, and I like to have as many books in a series before I read them, to stop the "what happens next?!!! aspect). Also, loving the prominent display of NerdForge's mega-multi-volume Wheel Of Time [the clip of its construction is why I subscribed to your channel ;) ]
Loved B&B! Enjoyed L&L just a smidge more, but B&B still really scratched that itch for me. Also, B&B delivered an even better way to describe certain books than "spicy", and that's got to count for something 😂
At first I didn't like 'Legends & Lattes', until I understood the genre of Cozy Fantasy, which I didn't know existed before. That said, in general I like Bookshops & Bonedust. I have only two gripes. One, it is a prequel. The entertainment industry seems to be obsessed with prequels and prequels always come with the same pitfalls. Which leads to my second gripe. Because now I'm missing the book-loving Viv in 'Legends & Lattes'. it wouldn't have taken much. Just a line on how she could finally collect books instead of reading them and having to leave them behind. Also, an orc reading a book in a coffee shop while waiting for customers would generate a lot of different reactions. Which was obviously not planned, which is my gripe with prequels. They have to add something, but if that isn't planned ahead of time, it disturbs what was already established. Still overall an enjoyable book, though one of these days a Game Master or my Players will curse me when I introduce the new Interdimensional Storage Item.
Have enjoyed your videos for years and appreciate that you've returned to a focus on your reviews. They are my favourites. I began Christopher Ruocchio's series before your review and was not sure I wanted to continue it but look forward to it now that you've given your thoughts. The book's epistolary style was something I struggled with but it sounds like he uses it with a long-term purpose in mind, so I will continue to see where we end up next in Howling Dark. I also need to make one criticism - it's the English Prof in me that can't shut up, so sorry in advance. Purple prose is a term created by Modernist writers in the early twentieth century to make fun of bad writing. It refers to unnecessarily flowery prose and suggests bad writing. That's not to say that elaborate writing styles are bad - they're not. Rather, it's just the wrong term. Good writing with a poetic style uses elaborate prose for a purpose. Giving us a 10 page description of someone's dress is not necessary and bad writing, unless the entire plot or mystery depends upon the reader knowing every stitch of that piece of clothing. Metaphors are another sign of good writing, comparing something or someone to a similar concept. A basic version of that would be having a character with a prickly personality have repeated references in the prose to stabs, pricked fingers, and sharp words directed at people they love - prickly. I get what you are trying to say so I try to bite my tongue, but there are so many words you can use to describe good prose without being academic and boring. My concern is the popularization of purple prose used incorrectly. I think with today's book, you were talking about the book's atmosphere, so descriptions in the book help create an atmosphere for the reader to immerse themselves in. Just suggesting a play with your descriptive words regarding prose. Beyond that, your videos are informative and entertaining. I have learned a lot about fantasy and science fiction watching your work. These are genres I got away from as I pursued my career and it's nice to get back into them again. Thank you for that. All the best and good luck with Ad Sense! - Fred
As someone that really liked Legends and Lattes (I have the regular copy, a digital copy, and have the Kickstarter edition ordered), I feel like this book’s marketing has been way too reliant on the same “it’s going to be great and word of mouth will do the job for us” that the first book was struck with. I knew this was coming out because of Travis’s posts, but i didn’t know when because I somehow missed all his posts leading up to it. Suddenly it was just on the shelf in the bookstores one day. Not even in the new release section. I just got this for Christmas so I haven’t read it yet, but I’m looking forward to reading it. I think it being a prequel is also a strange and almost daring choice especially with it trying to keep the “cozy” feeling. We know she was a warrior/adventurer of sort before the first book so I’d think it would be difficult to capture the cozy feel while also having her adventure and (I assume) fighting.
I couldn't agree more with your criticisms! Still definitely loved it though. I was listening to this after taking a break from the Wandering Inn, and the difference between the pros used between the two was almost jarring to me. The interlude in the first book of the Wandering Inn between chapter 26 and 27 is one of the absolute best 30 minute snippets in a book that doesn't require any previous knowledge of the book I've experienced. Pirateabba focuses a lot on more combat in both the large and small scale, but they have written plenty of warm hug chapters in their books about a quirky inn keeper outside of her comfort zone in a world of death and destruction. Definitely a good middle ground for those who like their slice of life a little and their combative mideval fantasy a lottle.
I would love for there to be more books in this series. Was such an enjoyable comfort read (listen), and I think there will always be a need for comfort books.
That's the thing, I really wanted so many different kinds of lattes and concoctions in the first book, and I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't. That's one of the only things I didn't like about it, though. I know that it's trendy to hate on popular books, but not everything needs to be Lord of the Rings. It's okay to have a decent, solid book, especially as a debut.
What I think you should read next: I truly think you would enjoy the empire of the wolf. The final installment comes out next month. Complete opposite of L&L and B&B but it’s awesome
oh man, something about this book hit me JUST right and I bawled my eyes out for the last 30%. safe to say, I will be reading everything Travis ever writes
Great review! I had a very similar experience and did enjoy the small town cozy aspect and the bookshop revival plot even if it did lack a bit of overall momentum.
It has already been done to death as a cliche genre in Japanese Light Novels/Mangas for over years(like 5 years), obviously the western authors took some notes and mimicking the trend and westernizing it. Like, 'Ascendence of Bookworm', 'Magus of the Library' ' A witch's Printing office' etc etc. What else would be next, item shop such as 'Magic Artisan Dahlia'?? or Cooking like 'Delicious in Dungeon?? or Pharmacy?? what's next
I thought bookshop and bonedust added a lot to Viv and makes her decision in legends and latte to start a coffee shop more believable. I actually hope for a third book bc the ending I think did leave room for a third book.
I read Bookshops and Bonedust first because it came out before I got around to the series and it still felt like a prequel to me, so I was almost surprised at how much I liked Legends and Lattes.
I didn't love B&B because I thought it tried to do way too many things - romance story line, invasion story line, setting up the bookshop it self and it couldn't do any of them justice. In L&L on the other hand, everything is centred around the shop itself and it works wonderfully to the book's benefit. I also didn't think the new cast was as good as the old one.
As someone who didn’t like L&L, I’m not sure about reading this. But it does seem to be a step up in most people’s view, so I might consider giving it a go…
For an unplanned book, it sure managed to extend the cozy vibes from the original whilst having its own identity. It was really emotional and melancholic, with one of the cutest romances I've ever read in fantasy. The biggest flaw of this novel is probably the antagonist, Varine the Pale. (Spoilers) A necromancer with a cool design, set up as a threat and then... trapped in a book with her fate uncertain in an underwhelming final confrontation. The story mentions maybe twice her link with Viv and that's all.. I see some missed potential there. If I compare with Tress of the emerald sea, which I read earlier this year, the relation and tension between Tress and Captain Crow is better constructed, with the whole moral dilemma of Tress wanting to defend herself while not wanting to kill her until (spoiler) She manages to defeat Crow by outsmarting her and effectively saving her life!
I was SO excited to see this video pop up today! I just read B&B while on vacation, and absolutely loved it! (I just read L&L the previous week, so it was quite fresh in my mind too.) What you said about the ending, SO MUCH YES! I read it in the airport, and was feeling ALL THE THINGS!
Overall, I think Bookshops & Bonedust is probably my favorite book of 2023 for a few reasons. Reading B&B and watching Viv get sucked into books felt so familiar. Felt like I had picked up The Lightning Thief that book that kindled my love of reading. Viv and Fern's conversations about books was some close to me and my book friends talking about the novels we read. Each interaction Viv had with the people of around in B&B was comforting, the romance was nice and the action was something I wanted to see from Viv sense Legends & Lattes. Fern giving books to people is something I've done to introduce people to The Cosmere, Percy Jackson, and recently The Locked Tomb. This book is filled with little moments all over the place that eventually will come to an end, I think the last chapter and the epilogue sums that up in a way, that helped me in a rather rough year. I like it more than Legends & Lattes, and hope one day (even if it's a short story.) We'll see something from Viv post the B&B epilogue.
Thank you for the (spoiler-free) review! I just bought this book actually (it's still in the post) but glad to hear it'll probably match my expectations then - a cozy, relaxing read ^^
Man I really wish you would give The Wandering Inn a chance. Especially as a fan of Goblins i think it would be something for you as they play a big part in the Story.
It dragged in the beginning. So bad I put it down twice before pushing through to the end. The pacing in the first one was much better. That said, it was wonderful once it got to it.
I think narration is an interesting factor, especially when continuing a book, you have to maintain the voice of the narrator. The narrator could be a person writing his observation and his frustrations, or a grandmother telling tales of old, or a judge reading a letter, or an omniscient weaver of fate of the characters, or just a normal character with a wide scope of depicting things around them.
Legends and Latte’s was so great; scratched an itch I didn’t know I needed. Cozy is a great description. I pre-ordered this book, haven’t listened yet. Travis Baldree is a lovely narrator and he narrates one of my favorite series which is He Who Fights with Monsters, which I’m not sure if Daniel has covered yet?
Now that this second book is out as a prequel, would you recommend reading them in release order or chronological? With the comment you made about there not being as much interwoven as could have been if it had originally been planned to have a follow up im curious.Legends and Lattes was still on my tbr.
@@Aquilius25 I forgot about the epilogue! Yeah I would hold off on reading that until after the first book. I still think you could get a lot of enjoyment out of Legends & Lattes if you wanted a cozy sit down but I wouldn't be running straight to it.
I really didn't like Legends and Lattes. Overall, I found it OK but I wanted a bit more world building in a cosy way. I did not plan to read the sequel but this review kindled some interest and maybe it will be the book for me, with lower expectations. 😅
I’d say you don’t lose anything by doing it either way. As Daniel mentions, there’s not any big moments referenced in L&L as backstory that get fleshed out in B&B, so it’s not a case where you’d have context for anything important by reading the prequel first. But on the other hand, most people, me included, found L&L to be the more compelling story overall, and B&B, while fun, just lacks the punch, since you know where the story’s going to go, so it depends if you want the more consequential story first.
First, I wanted a sequel, not a prequel, and at the end of the book skipping over Viv's wedding is unforgivable. I'm afraid he's just going to keep doing prequels (because we haven't seen Viv's first time drinking coffee yet) and never return to the main story. If you are still reading this then read The Wandering Inn by Pirateaba, a great series with no prequel.
I was nerding out about Bookshops & Bonedust to a friend who had, like me, also read Legends & Lattes, and the deeper I got into it I started having misgivings about recommending it so highly since it’s essentially the exact same book with a different set of circumstances and characters. I’m not sure it does much in the way of servicing Travis’s world-building, but the time I finished it I just accepted it for what it is: more of the same, but a comfortable and somewhat-predictable more of the same. I enjoyed it, and like Daniel, the ending was a nice and positive wrap-up...I’m just not sure I want more of the same for the third book.
I don’t know, I actually *don’t* think B&B hits like a warm hug the way that L&L did. I agree you’re seeing the beginnings of a life path, but I just didn’t connect with the bookshop the way I did the cafe because ultimately…it’s not Viv’s passion. The “fantasy” plot very much overwhelms the “wholesome” plot
i disagree about the "time and place" argument for the success of legends and lattes, i read the book last year and it was one of my favorites, bookshops and bonedust i just think wasn't as compelling. The characters werent as good, the premise wasnt as good, etc.
Does anyone have more Cozy fantasy recommendations? I've added Cursed Cocktails and The Bookshop and the Barbarian to my bookshelf because of L&L and B&B, and am now craving more of the genre XD
I love writing sff, but I don't like writing fight scenes and I'm more of a pacifist myself anyway, imo fighting is for idiots without any charisma. So hey, let's see if the world is ready for a pacifist sci-fi in a couple of years time.
Liked this one better than the original. While this one felt more grounded, Legends and Lattes seemed to be just too cutesy and smooth going with everyone being so nice that it just did not seem realistic whatsoever, especially in a DnD world. BTW Daniel, you keep mentioning Adrian Tchaikovsky in your news videos, but have you read his DnD adventure Spiderlight? It was the first book of his I've read (out of 8 total at the moment) and it's my favorite so far.
yeah, I think the melancholy of the town and the romance worked better for me. Cosy is all good, but what I'm after is more the slice of life aspect than it is the lack of bad feelings. Also, the sense of place is stronger in bookshop, where in Legends and lattes the street where the coffee shop opens has personality, but the town as a whole doesn't all that much. Here the seaside town has more of a unique vibe.
both are a good read, but if you're feeling things out, see if you enjoy the first one and then read this one. I think the first one is a stronger book in its pacing, structure, and character building. Also, prequels naturally deaden the stakes a bit. So, there's that.
10 місяців тому+1
@@ThePortjumper thank you. This was exactly what I wanted to know 😊
HI Daniel, I wantded to ask about the WOT series covers that are displayed on you shelf behind you. May I ask where you got this from so we can the sub-goblins get this too ? Thank you for the book review and a big fas as always :D
Hi Guys, thank you for your replies, I checked Nerdforge's video now and holy shizzles that is hand made. One of the most beautiful things I saw this year :)
i think a court of thorns and roses made it really popular and a trend but there are earlier books that used titles like this, like the A Song of Ice and Fire series for example
I'm sure it's not the first, but I think A Song of Ice and Fire had a big influence on the modern trend of that title format, and several of the book titles are alliterative.
Sire, thou knowest which first book I would bid you read. "The Outstretched Shadow." Although thou hast denied the offering of ye signed book, I dwell in hope that thou findest tyme for said work of fyction . . .
I honestly didn't enjoy this one too much. I saved it for a stressful time and wanted to just have a calm reading time with nothing too crazy happening because that was what made the first book so great for me. In general, it is a really good book but it just didn't feel cozy or comfy anymore because of the constant "will it come to a fight" feelings. If it weren't the sequel to such a cosy book, I would've liked it more I think. But because I was hoping for another one to calm my mind, it missed the mark. Edit: Also, the romance part felt kinda icky because you know what's coming anyway and I just didn't want to attach myself to this person that I knew would disappear. I'm not a fan of - like another commenter put it - "romance for the sake of romance" anyway and it often ruins a book for me completely but that might also just be because I'm somewhere on the ace spectrum and I don't need to have romance in every. Single. Book. That doesn't entirely need it. Except for the epilogue :) That made me happy again.
Well if it isn't Daniel "Radcliff" Green... the booktuber who lived.
Needs more likes
😂😂😂
You're a Booktuber Daniel
This deserves to get pinned 😂
Can’t forget his compatriot, HerMerphonie
The themes of connection, friendship, & that sometimes people are in your life for a short time yet still impact you--it mixed together in a satisfying way for me.
If you read the afterword for Bookshops & Bonedust, you'll see that this definitely was not planned when Legends & Lattes was written. In addition, when he was asked to write a sequel, he went through at least 3 different ideas before figuring out what he wanted to do
The epilogue of this book almost made me tear up. It was so beautiful.
I loved B&B. I loved that Gallina was back for this book. Got into these books long after the pandemic
I loved this book, but I also listened to it, and I really liked Travis's voice acting.
I'll start by saying that I haven't yet finished Bookshops & Bonedust, but I wanted to respond to something you said!
Firstly, I was also raised in small towns (rural Missouri and rural Texas), so the way Baldree writes small town residents is pretty great. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is up in everyone else's business. This can get uncomfortable for outsiders like Viv - hell, it's uncomfortable for me and that's how I grew up! So I appreciated that a lot.
But about it being basically too slow and quiet? I kind of feel like that was purposeful. Constantly Viv is chomping at the bit to get out of this tiny, boring town and get back to brawling. SHE'S bored and thinks everything is going way too slow. I think the book really captures that.
However, whether or not it was purposeful is a different question from whether or not it WORKS as a novel. I am still reading it fairly quickly, because the "book porn" as you put it sucked me in, and I love the characters... but I admit that once I set it down, I'm not, like, scrambling to get back to it. There's a mystery, yes, but it's... not urgent. So I'm not treating it as such. And I can totally understand the argument that this doesn't actually work as a form of media. 🤷♀️ Still got a little ways to go, so we'll see!
The momentum is relative. The more series like first law and Brando sandos universe expansion continue to grow, the more people will want breaks from the intensity and complexity of mainstream fantasy with these chill books. My favorite is actually the Monk and Robot sci Fi series, cute, but makes you think while inspiring hope for the future
Love these books. Great characters, great story!
My biggest issue with this story was the romance storyline. It’s so hard to root for a relationship that is first introduced in a prequel where they also find love in the first book of the series, therefore you know for a fact it doesn’t work out in the prequel story. I hate romance for the sake of romance 😭
Couldn’t talk about cause spoilers but I disagree. It added a morose vibe to the story I liked.
The romance plotline was the weakest of the book's three plotlines. I picked it up because it was supposed to be a cozy romance and left disappointed overall because of how underwhelming the romance was.
@@Aquilius25 it was over sanitized on one hand, and not there on the other. What saved it is if you cut it, the story would fall apart.
i agree with the romance being lackluster, i feel like she had a better connection with Tandri, they had a very solid friendship for a while that turned into something more.
I agree 100%. I was simply not invested in the romance since I knew it wouldn't work out.
My favorite character is the ratkin. She is hilarious.
10 months later, I worked a job during COVID and the shutdown that didn’t allow me to have any of that time off. Instead I was working more. I finally got to a point in the last year that I decided to make time for my favorite pastime (reading) and discovered both of these books within the last month. I will say that I didn’t know what to expect and I have been pleasantly surprised with both books. I feel like they are similar enough but also unique enough to enjoy without constantly comparing/contrasting. Figured I’d offer a different perspective from someone who did not experience the hype and wait between the two books.
I really enjoyed this book. I want another story in this world, but the way this book ended, wrapped things up in such a way it left me thinking this is only going to be a duology.
As someone who didn't listen to Legends and Lattes until just a few weeks ago, I think I can say that the appeal of it is not unique to covid/lockdown mood swings as you theorize. Obviously mileage varies, but it was just as enjoyable and engaging and delightful today, for someone not in that mindset.
Your current content is spot on, Daniel. Idk if it's making good money but I'm happy. Hope you're too
I actually preferred Bookshops and Bonedust to Legends and Lattes. The fact it had a little bit of action improved the story for me, but it still felt cozy. It was really fun and I devoured the book over about a day.
This book and the previous seem like something my mum would really enjoy especially since there is an orc that resembles her dnd character in the book
I remember seeing Legends & Lattes (probably when it first came out) when I purchased my Kindle in 2020 (*just* before Lockdown got really serious), though I haven't read it yet (possibly because I saw that there was another book due out, and I like to have as many books in a series before I read them, to stop the "what happens next?!!! aspect).
Also, loving the prominent display of NerdForge's mega-multi-volume Wheel Of Time [the clip of its construction is why I subscribed to your channel ;) ]
Loved B&B! Enjoyed L&L just a smidge more, but B&B still really scratched that itch for me. Also, B&B delivered an even better way to describe certain books than "spicy", and that's got to count for something 😂
This book is ❤❤❤
Found myself tearing up at the end
At first I didn't like 'Legends & Lattes', until I understood the genre of Cozy Fantasy, which I didn't know existed before.
That said, in general I like Bookshops & Bonedust. I have only two gripes. One, it is a prequel. The entertainment industry seems to be obsessed with prequels and prequels always come with the same pitfalls. Which leads to my second gripe. Because now I'm missing the book-loving Viv in 'Legends & Lattes'. it wouldn't have taken much. Just a line on how she could finally collect books instead of reading them and having to leave them behind. Also, an orc reading a book in a coffee shop while waiting for customers would generate a lot of different reactions.
Which was obviously not planned, which is my gripe with prequels. They have to add something, but if that isn't planned ahead of time, it disturbs what was already established.
Still overall an enjoyable book, though one of these days a Game Master or my Players will curse me when I introduce the new Interdimensional Storage Item.
Have enjoyed your videos for years and appreciate that you've returned to a focus on your reviews. They are my favourites. I began Christopher Ruocchio's series before your review and was not sure I wanted to continue it but look forward to it now that you've given your thoughts. The book's epistolary style was something I struggled with but it sounds like he uses it with a long-term purpose in mind, so I will continue to see where we end up next in Howling Dark. I also need to make one criticism - it's the English Prof in me that can't shut up, so sorry in advance. Purple prose is a term created by Modernist writers in the early twentieth century to make fun of bad writing. It refers to unnecessarily flowery prose and suggests bad writing. That's not to say that elaborate writing styles are bad - they're not. Rather, it's just the wrong term. Good writing with a poetic style uses elaborate prose for a purpose. Giving us a 10 page description of someone's dress is not necessary and bad writing, unless the entire plot or mystery depends upon the reader knowing every stitch of that piece of clothing. Metaphors are another sign of good writing, comparing something or someone to a similar concept. A basic version of that would be having a character with a prickly personality have repeated references in the prose to stabs, pricked fingers, and sharp words directed at people they love - prickly. I get what you are trying to say so I try to bite my tongue, but there are so many words you can use to describe good prose without being academic and boring. My concern is the popularization of purple prose used incorrectly. I think with today's book, you were talking about the book's atmosphere, so descriptions in the book help create an atmosphere for the reader to immerse themselves in. Just suggesting a play with your descriptive words regarding prose. Beyond that, your videos are informative and entertaining. I have learned a lot about fantasy and science fiction watching your work. These are genres I got away from as I pursued my career and it's nice to get back into them again. Thank you for that. All the best and good luck with Ad Sense! - Fred
As someone that really liked Legends and Lattes (I have the regular copy, a digital copy, and have the Kickstarter edition ordered), I feel like this book’s marketing has been way too reliant on the same “it’s going to be great and word of mouth will do the job for us” that the first book was struck with. I knew this was coming out because of Travis’s posts, but i didn’t know when because I somehow missed all his posts leading up to it. Suddenly it was just on the shelf in the bookstores one day. Not even in the new release section. I just got this for Christmas so I haven’t read it yet, but I’m looking forward to reading it.
I think it being a prequel is also a strange and almost daring choice especially with it trying to keep the “cozy” feeling. We know she was a warrior/adventurer of sort before the first book so I’d think it would be difficult to capture the cozy feel while also having her adventure and (I assume) fighting.
Actually I like this one even better than the first one lol the foul mouthed Ratkin was absolutely priceless and probably my favorite character ever
I loved Legends and Lattes, but I loved Bookshops and Bonedust even more! Sooooo fantastic.
I couldn't agree more with your criticisms! Still definitely loved it though. I was listening to this after taking a break from the Wandering Inn, and the difference between the pros used between the two was almost jarring to me. The interlude in the first book of the Wandering Inn between chapter 26 and 27 is one of the absolute best 30 minute snippets in a book that doesn't require any previous knowledge of the book I've experienced. Pirateabba focuses a lot on more combat in both the large and small scale, but they have written plenty of warm hug chapters in their books about a quirky inn keeper outside of her comfort zone in a world of death and destruction. Definitely a good middle ground for those who like their slice of life a little and their combative mideval fantasy a lottle.
one of my fave books last year
I would love for there to be more books in this series. Was such an enjoyable comfort read (listen), and I think there will always be a need for comfort books.
That's the thing, I really wanted so many different kinds of lattes and concoctions in the first book, and I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't. That's one of the only things I didn't like about it, though. I know that it's trendy to hate on popular books, but not everything needs to be Lord of the Rings. It's okay to have a decent, solid book, especially as a debut.
Gotta say I actually liked B&B more than L&L. I work in a bookstore and sooo many of the scenes were so incredibly relatable.
I am a simple man I saw a muscle mommy on the book cover and had to know more
What I think you should read next: I truly think you would enjoy the empire of the wolf. The final installment comes out next month. Complete opposite of L&L and B&B but it’s awesome
oh man, something about this book hit me JUST right and I bawled my eyes out for the last 30%. safe to say, I will be reading everything Travis ever writes
Great review! I had a very similar experience and did enjoy the small town cozy aspect and the bookshop revival plot even if it did lack a bit of overall momentum.
It has already been done to death as a cliche genre in Japanese Light Novels/Mangas for over years(like 5 years), obviously the western authors took some notes and mimicking the trend and westernizing it. Like, 'Ascendence of Bookworm', 'Magus of the Library' ' A witch's Printing office' etc etc. What else would be next, item shop such as 'Magic Artisan Dahlia'?? or Cooking like 'Delicious in Dungeon?? or Pharmacy?? what's next
....sex slaves in another world.....WHAT...what do you mean it exists.....interspiecies reviewers....what...what
Even Sousou no Frieren
(absolute peak fiction)
I recently watched the first chapter of Dungeon Meshi, I loved it
@@TempoLOOKING😂😂😂😂
I LOVED B&B, dare I say even more than L&L? They were both gold
I also liked B&B more than L&L (with the exception of the romance in B&B that I did not care about knowing it wouldn't continue anyway).
I also liked B&B even more than L&L. It was just a really lovely time and I think it benefited from having just a touch more plot.
I liked it i had a harder time with the hook at the beginning but once i got imto it i really liked it
Great review Daniel, I felt very similar about it on the whole, I'd give it an 8/10.
I thought bookshop and bonedust added a lot to Viv and makes her decision in legends and latte to start a coffee shop more believable. I actually hope for a third book bc the ending I think did leave room for a third book.
Thanks for covering things like this. I needed this kinda book right now and you lead me to it. Keep killin it.
I enjoyed this audiobook!
Thanks Daniel, I will add to Tbr, ps love those glasses!
I read Bookshops and Bonedust first because it came out before I got around to the series and it still felt like a prequel to me, so I was almost surprised at how much I liked Legends and Lattes.
I read L & L on your recommendation and could not wait for B & B. I enjoyed it but L & L was a revelation and that's hard to follow.
I didn't love B&B because I thought it tried to do way too many things - romance story line, invasion story line, setting up the bookshop it self and it couldn't do any of them justice. In L&L on the other hand, everything is centred around the shop itself and it works wonderfully to the book's benefit. I also didn't think the new cast was as good as the old one.
Deleted my first comment. Bombastic it was. I was hoping Legends and Lattes would inspire other writers or maybe just one.
I have stumbled into a guy booktube channel and instead of "cozy" fantasy I get "chill" fantasy, lol. Oh gawd, lol
As someone who didn’t like L&L, I’m not sure about reading this. But it does seem to be a step up in most people’s view, so I might consider giving it a go…
I would love a review of the wandering inn
Happy new year 🎉look forward to ur journey this year on ur channel! Wish u all the best!! 🎉🎉
Duuuude xD I spend a few years of my childhood in Yorkshire xD
For an unplanned book, it sure managed to extend the cozy vibes from the original whilst having its own identity. It was really emotional and melancholic, with one of the cutest romances I've ever read in fantasy.
The biggest flaw of this novel is probably the antagonist, Varine the Pale. (Spoilers)
A necromancer with a cool design, set up as a threat and then... trapped in a book with her fate uncertain in an underwhelming final confrontation. The story mentions maybe twice her link with Viv and that's all..
I see some missed potential there. If I compare with Tress of the emerald sea, which I read earlier this year, the relation and tension between Tress and Captain Crow is better constructed, with the whole moral dilemma of Tress wanting to defend herself while not wanting to kill her until (spoiler)
She manages to defeat Crow by outsmarting her and effectively saving her life!
I was SO excited to see this video pop up today! I just read B&B while on vacation, and absolutely loved it! (I just read L&L the previous week, so it was quite fresh in my mind too.) What you said about the ending, SO MUCH YES! I read it in the airport, and was feeling ALL THE THINGS!
Overall, I think Bookshops & Bonedust is probably my favorite book of 2023 for a few reasons. Reading B&B and watching Viv get sucked into books felt so familiar. Felt like I had picked up The Lightning Thief that book that kindled my love of reading. Viv and Fern's conversations about books was some close to me and my book friends talking about the novels we read. Each interaction Viv had with the people of around in B&B was comforting, the romance was nice and the action was something I wanted to see from Viv sense Legends & Lattes. Fern giving books to people is something I've done to introduce people to The Cosmere, Percy Jackson, and recently The Locked Tomb. This book is filled with little moments all over the place that eventually will come to an end, I think the last chapter and the epilogue sums that up in a way, that helped me in a rather rough year. I like it more than Legends & Lattes, and hope one day (even if it's a short story.) We'll see something from Viv post the B&B epilogue.
Didn't read 'The Will of the Many' then?
@@mdc123-v2v Nope! I'll have to check it out next time i'm out and about near a book shop.
Thank you for the (spoiler-free) review! I just bought this book actually (it's still in the post) but glad to hear it'll probably match my expectations then - a cozy, relaxing read ^^
I really wish that I liked Legends & Lattes. It had potential but I just felt like it wasn't as good as everyone was making it out to be.
Man I really wish you would give The Wandering Inn a chance.
Especially as a fan of Goblins i think it would be something for you as they play a big part in the Story.
Great honest reveiw. This book just hits the snuggle feels. I loved reading it and being under a blanket next to my pets.
Intros are like something I’d expect from a tween gamer youtuber. Trying to pop out eardrums lol
I’m really loving the world Travis Baldree is creating and I’m very much looking forward to more! 📚😎
It dragged in the beginning. So bad I put it down twice before pushing through to the end. The pacing in the first one was much better. That said, it was wonderful once it got to it.
I just finished reading legends and lattes a few hours ago. This video came at a perfect time for me!
I think narration is an interesting factor, especially when continuing a book, you have to maintain the voice of the narrator. The narrator could be a person writing his observation and his frustrations, or a grandmother telling tales of old, or a judge reading a letter, or an omniscient weaver of fate of the characters, or just a normal character with a wide scope of depicting things around them.
Ok.. so how to read it? Which one first?
Legends and Latte’s was so great; scratched an itch I didn’t know I needed. Cozy is a great description. I pre-ordered this book, haven’t listened yet. Travis Baldree is a lovely narrator and he narrates one of my favorite series which is He Who Fights with Monsters, which I’m not sure if Daniel has covered yet?
Now that this second book is out as a prequel, would you recommend reading them in release order or chronological? With the comment you made about there not being as much interwoven as could have been if it had originally been planned to have a follow up im curious.Legends and Lattes was still on my tbr.
There are flashbacks to the first book but they are few and none would spoil your reading. That being said I'd still read them in published order.
Release order for sure
I read this one first and the epilogue completely spoils the first book so I'm far less interested in reading it.
@@Aquilius25 I forgot about the epilogue! Yeah I would hold off on reading that until after the first book. I still think you could get a lot of enjoyment out of Legends & Lattes if you wanted a cozy sit down but I wouldn't be running straight to it.
I really didn't like Legends and Lattes. Overall, I found it OK but I wanted a bit more world building in a cosy way. I did not plan to read the sequel but this review kindled some interest and maybe it will be the book for me, with lower expectations. 😅
These are on my TBR list. Should I read them in published order or prequel first?
I’d say you don’t lose anything by doing it either way. As Daniel mentions, there’s not any big moments referenced in L&L as backstory that get fleshed out in B&B, so it’s not a case where you’d have context for anything important by reading the prequel first. But on the other hand, most people, me included, found L&L to be the more compelling story overall, and B&B, while fun, just lacks the punch, since you know where the story’s going to go, so it depends if you want the more consequential story first.
This is a must-buy!
First, I wanted a sequel, not a prequel, and at the end of the book skipping over Viv's wedding is unforgivable. I'm afraid he's just going to keep doing prequels (because we haven't seen Viv's first time drinking coffee yet) and never return to the main story. If you are still reading this then read The Wandering Inn by Pirateaba, a great series with no prequel.
I was nerding out about Bookshops & Bonedust to a friend who had, like me, also read Legends & Lattes, and the deeper I got into it I started having misgivings about recommending it so highly since it’s essentially the exact same book with a different set of circumstances and characters. I’m not sure it does much in the way of servicing Travis’s world-building, but the time I finished it I just accepted it for what it is: more of the same, but a comfortable and somewhat-predictable more of the same. I enjoyed it, and like Daniel, the ending was a nice and positive wrap-up...I’m just not sure I want more of the same for the third book.
Is it just me or is the back shelf in the bg not level? Could just be angles but it seems tilted to the right 🤔
5:13 *nice pun*
I don’t know, I actually *don’t* think B&B hits like a warm hug the way that L&L did. I agree you’re seeing the beginnings of a life path, but I just didn’t connect with the bookshop the way I did the cafe because ultimately…it’s not Viv’s passion. The “fantasy” plot very much overwhelms the “wholesome” plot
i disagree about the "time and place" argument for the success of legends and lattes, i read the book last year and it was one of my favorites, bookshops and bonedust i just think wasn't as compelling. The characters werent as good, the premise wasnt as good, etc.
Does anyone have more Cozy fantasy recommendations? I've added Cursed Cocktails and The Bookshop and the Barbarian to my bookshelf because of L&L and B&B, and am now craving more of the genre XD
Psalm for the Wild Built is my fave
@@beepbeep24 ooooo, this looks really good! Thanks! :D
It's criminally underrated you haven't read the wandering inn
Tampered Expectations?
(Like altered/sabotaged expectations?)
Or.. Tempered Expectations?? 🤔
(like.. expectations that were kept in-check and weren't too astronomically high?)
Lol 🤭🤭🤷♀️🤷🤷🏻♂️
1:09 is that a Kobo Libra 2 👀
The book that made the Goblin Host less cynical XD
Purple?
I love writing sff, but I don't like writing fight scenes and I'm more of a pacifist myself anyway, imo fighting is for idiots without any charisma. So hey, let's see if the world is ready for a pacifist sci-fi in a couple of years time.
How far have you gotten in vinland saga
Brachi must be a millionaire by now
Liked this one better than the original. While this one felt more grounded, Legends and Lattes seemed to be just too cutesy and smooth going with everyone being so nice that it just did not seem realistic whatsoever, especially in a DnD world.
BTW Daniel, you keep mentioning Adrian Tchaikovsky in your news videos, but have you read his DnD adventure Spiderlight? It was the first book of his I've read (out of 8 total at the moment) and it's my favorite so far.
yeah, I think the melancholy of the town and the romance worked better for me. Cosy is all good, but what I'm after is more the slice of life aspect than it is the lack of bad feelings. Also, the sense of place is stronger in bookshop, where in Legends and lattes the street where the coffee shop opens has personality, but the town as a whole doesn't all that much. Here the seaside town has more of a unique vibe.
Desperately trying to figure out what's in your glasses. Final Fantasy 6??
A series like that would feel wrong if it had an epic overarching arc. This needs to be more a day-to-day story than a tale forthe ages.
Do you think I should get both books or just the first one?
both are a good read, but if you're feeling things out, see if you enjoy the first one and then read this one. I think the first one is a stronger book in its pacing, structure, and character building. Also, prequels naturally deaden the stakes a bit. So, there's that.
@@ThePortjumper thank you. This was exactly what I wanted to know 😊
HI Daniel,
I wantded to ask about the WOT series covers that are displayed on you shelf behind you. May I ask where you got this from so we can the sub-goblins get this too ?
Thank you for the book review and a big fas as always :D
There is a video on 'the Nerdforge' about it
He had it gifted to him by an other creator. Their channel is Nerdforge. It is all the books combined in one piece of leather 😱
Hi Guys, thank you for your replies, I checked Nerdforge's video now and holy shizzles that is hand made. One of the most beautiful things I saw this year :)
Out of interest does anyone know where the alliterative titles in fantasy like "a ___ of ____" started? Like what kicked off that trend? 🤔
The return of the king probably, I'm sure there are early examples, but that's the first I can think of
i think a court of thorns and roses made it really popular and a trend but there are earlier books that used titles like this, like the A Song of Ice and Fire series for example
I'm sure it's not the first, but I think A Song of Ice and Fire had a big influence on the modern trend of that title format, and several of the book titles are alliterative.
@j.b.5422 The ASOIAF series includes A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords and A Dance with Dragons, which are alliterative.
Love the new studio and cosy feel to the book review videos!
Sire, thou knowest which first book I would bid you read. "The Outstretched Shadow." Although thou hast denied the offering of ye signed book, I dwell in hope that thou findest tyme for said work of fyction . . .
I honestly didn't enjoy this one too much. I saved it for a stressful time and wanted to just have a calm reading time with nothing too crazy happening because that was what made the first book so great for me. In general, it is a really good book but it just didn't feel cozy or comfy anymore because of the constant "will it come to a fight" feelings. If it weren't the sequel to such a cosy book, I would've liked it more I think. But because I was hoping for another one to calm my mind, it missed the mark.
Edit: Also, the romance part felt kinda icky because you know what's coming anyway and I just didn't want to attach myself to this person that I knew would disappear. I'm not a fan of - like another commenter put it - "romance for the sake of romance" anyway and it often ruins a book for me completely but that might also just be because I'm somewhere on the ace spectrum and I don't need to have romance in every. Single. Book. That doesn't entirely need it. Except for the epilogue :) That made me happy again.
Patreons get a discount?! Now you know im getting that fantasy news hat to wear in our scorching Kentucky winters.
I'm already sick of seeing these almond milk drinking books.
it's a boring repetitive prequel to a story that did not need a prequel