I pre-ordered the library’s copy of this book. And that meant I could be first on the holdlist. Lucky Lucky Me. I literally clasped it to my chest when I saw the hold come in. I was a little worried because Legends and Lattes was so good. Was this going to be able to stand up to that one?
Spoilers: Yes. I liked it just as much. It was such a delight to get to meet young and impetuous and foolhardy Viv. And so cool to meet Gallina too! This prequel/sequel story is full of delightful characters, from the kindly inkeeper to the grumpy doctor to the sexy baker (why is that trope SO APPEALLING... I might have a think for sexy big hearted bakers XD ), to the in over her head local bookshop owner just trying to live up to her imagined father’s expectations.

I loved seeing Viv fall in love with books while she’s forced to take things slow while recuperating from a serious injury. Fern is this book’s ratling and she is so different from Thimble and I love both of them all the more for that. Read this book if you love DnD, interludes in big fantasy stories, cozy vibes, tea and scones, bookshops, found family, and characters relearning what they are capable of when they are forced to reevaluate things.

Highlights: indie author bookshop visits, meeting Satchel, rivals to grudging allies to maybe friends with Viv and Iridia (local guard captain), flirty mc flirty baker <3, and the creation of a cozy local bookshop.