Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree audiobook
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio UK for the arc for an unbiased review.
The majority of this review mirrors what I wrote for the print version. But, for those who don't know, Travis Baldree is an accomplished audio book narrator in his own right.
So, the audio version is narrated not just by the author, but by someone who is good enough to bring the nuance a good audio narrator brings. Add in that Travis wrote the book, so understands in ways even we probably don't on what he wants to bring to this, it allows the audiobook to be superbly done. This audiobook is fantastic in its delivery.
As for the story itself, I adore Legends & Lattes, & have been eager for this release the moment Travis Baldree began talking about it.
Once again, Viv is the main character, and the story revolves around her as a much younger mercenary orc.
Eight hells, it is oh so good!
As with all the characters from book 1, Legends & Lattes, I thoroughly enjoyed the new (& in Gallina the one previously known) characters, and wished it was longer to get to know more. But, I'm realistic enough to know that the book would've become a tad too much if that were the case. However, it brings me to the point I made right after I 1st read Legends and Lattes - what Travis Baldree has done here is bring us a world that could easily slot into the hole left by Terry Pratchett's passing and lack of new Discworld novels (lost stories aside!).
As a huge Pratchett fan (since book 2 was published, & most didn't even know who he was) I have that same feeling reading the two books by Travis.
They deserve to become a world of their own, with exploration of the main characters but at the many different times of their lives. It would have been easy to feel that a younger Viv wasn't worth exploring. Yet it not only was worth it, but again Travis excelled in pulling me into the story and needing more.
What Travis does so well is make everything and everyone engaging to the reader.
I repeat something I wrote when I read Legends & Lattes: I'd love to know more about the characters and world they inhabit [......] And, ugh so much more.
This sentiment still stands. If anything, I feel even more strongly that I want more.
As I read, Satchel was a character that was unexpected, and they truly delivered in ways that had me laughing out loud on occasion. I was again reminded of Terry Pratchett's ability for some zinging one liners, matched with a deeper more serious sense of human nature.
Travis Baldree though is very much their own writer, so while there can be comparisions made, ultimately I want to see the World that Viv and all those around her inhabit, thrive. To become a named recognised collection. For Travis Baldree as the author to become so well known that people immediately recognise who you are talking about, all because of this world he has so deliciously created.
This is cozy, low stakes fantasy, but with a nice smattering of occasional high drama. Viv is a mercenary orc after all!
As for the epilogue. It left me with so many feelings. It was majestic. I wish I could throw lines out, but .... spoilers!
I've no doubt that this world will build and will bring the success that Travis so deserves.
Run, don't walk to grab this. Grab Legends & Lattes as well if you haven't already. Footnote:- this can be read as a standalone, but truly you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't read Legends & Lattes too.
5/5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
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