Bookshops and Bonedust is a such a delightful prequel that takes us on an adventure of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

The book starts with Viv, a battle-hungry orc, finding herself recuperating in the sleepy beach town of Murk after being wounded during a hunt for a powerful necromancer. Easily bored with no battles to wage, she spends her time at an old bookshop, forging an unlikely friendship with its foul-mouthed proprietor, a ratkin named Fern. The story then unfolds with eager gnomes, delicious baked goods, suspicious travelers and another unexpected friendship.

Baldree continues to build a cozy fantasy world as was done with the predecessor book, Legends and Lattes. The story told and the character building continues to be heartwarming and oh so satisfying.