Book Review: Bookshops and Bonedust
Admittedly, I didn't even read the description to Travis Baldree's new book Brigands and Breadknives when NetGalley informed me I had been selected to listen to the new audiobook. I was too friggin' excited to get started to care what it was about. Legends and Lattes was my first foray into the cozy fantasy realm. I loved it. I also enjoyed the prequel/sequel Bookshops and Bonedust. Brigands and Breadknives is Baldree's latest installment in the Legends and Lattes series, but like its predecessors, it can be read as a stand alone novel, though you may not understand a few callbacks to previous books.
So, having not read the description, I was quite surprised to see the story developing into an adventure tale that revolves around the rattkin bookseller Fern, who was introduced in Bookshops and Bonedust, having a mid-life crisis.
At first, I wasn't sold on this plot point and found myself a bit disappointed with how the storyline was playing out. I wanted to see Viv and Fern reunited. I needed them to be working side-by-side in a coffee shop/bookstore combo, eating cinnamon rolls and discussing books with their customers.
But, as I read further into Brigands and Breadknives it quickly became apparent why Baldree is the author of this amazing series and not me. He may know what his fans want, but he repeatedly chooses to give us something so much more and for that I am grateful.
The story follows Fern, the rattkin bookseller, as she struggles to settle into her new life in Thune with Viv. A drunken night out on the town finds Fern passed out in a wagon. When she wakes up she is days from town. In the wagon next to her is a trussed up goblin named Zyll, who was introduced in the short story Goblins and Greatcoats, with the world renowned bounty hunting elf Astryx One-Ear driving the wagon. What follows is a wonderful tale of self-discovery and found family.
I must note that the adventurous nature of this story does remove some of the cozy element. There is much more fighting/peril in this installment than in Baldree's previous two books. However, that cozy element is still very much there in the form of friendship, self-discovery, and personal growth. Plus, Baldree writes the best, read most heart warming, endings to his books. Brigands and Breadknives is no exception.
Baldree started his career as an audiobook narrator, so it is no surprise to see him grabbing the mic and narrating his own creation. Over the years, I have listened to several audiobooks read by Baldree and he always does an excellent job with giving his characters unique voices. Given that he wrote the book, and is the narrator, it gives his characters that much more life when he is reading them. He knows more about Fern, Zyll, and Astryx than anyone, and their individual personalities really shine through in his narration and keep the pace lively and engaging.
Overall, I really enjoyed Brigands and Breadknives. It is an excellent addition to the Legends and Lattes cannon. I look forward to reading the next installment. 4.5/5 stars.
Thank you Net Galley, Macmillan Audio, and Travis Baldree for the opportunity to review this audiobook in advance of its publication.
3/100