First published in 2023

336 pages

Cozy Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Lighthearted

"Bookshops and Bonedust" is a prequel to "Legends and Lattes", which I would also highly recommend. There is an allusion to "Legends and Lattes" in the epilogue, so I recommend reading that first. Viv, a battle-hungry orc is injured and is forced to rest in a small beach town called Murk. She finds a new friendship in Murk's ragged bookshop and discovers a potential new path for herself.

I will always gravitate towards books with protagonists like Viv. A counterculture depiction of a woman in a novel is irresistible. There's a popular pull towards an apathetic, two-dimensional allegedly strong female protagonist who doesn't care about anybody but herself. But Viv is a female protagonist who is a fully developed person and has made the choice to live her life however she wants to. And she's also a strong badass woman who can put people in their place if necessary. It's a refreshing balance.

Evey now and then we need a soft book. A book with lower stakes and a happy ending. I've recently been exploring the cozy fantasy genre and have found a wonderful community there. Many have LGBTQ+ themes, which allow us to have a soft, happy story instead one drenched in tragedy. I have found comfort in the easy to read, kinder stories of the cozy fantasy genre.