Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree

August 29, 2023

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree

As a young orc, Viv was injured when she was with a band of warriors pursuing a necromancer named Varine. While recuperating in a seaside town, she meets a rattkin bookseller named Fern and her pet gryphet Potroast. Viv also strikes up a romance with Maylee, the owner of the local bakery. But one of Varine's henchman is seen lurking about the town, and Viv knows that the day is coming when she will have to face down Varine, and only one of them will survive.

A prequel to Legends and Lattes that fills in some of Viv's backstory including how she met some of her fighting companions, also how she got her sword. Two of the best characters are Satchel the homunculous skeleton and Potroast the gryphet (a gryphet is half dog, half bird)! One of the things that Viv learns is that when there are people you care about and who care about you, it's easier for your enemies to get at your weak spots. She also learns about the magic and power of books. Very enjoyable and creative, recommended for fantasy readers.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

It's Potroast the gryphet!