This is the first book in the new series, The Confectioner Chronicles. In this world, some people are Gifted with the art of infusing magic into food or drink. Wren is discovered as a Gifted Confectioner and invited to join the secret Confectioners Guild. She is offered a position and is given a potion that makes her unable to disclose her new secret. Suddenly, the Guildmaster is murdered and it appears he was poisoned by one of Wren's cupcakes. She is accused of murder and set to be executed. Wren and her new friends have to find out who the real murderer is before the King and Inquisitor get back in town. Wren has her own secrets and doesn't know who to trust. The story is full of romance, mystery and intrigue and is well written. I thought it was a little laughable to have magic cupcakes but hey, it's a fantasy. I also wondered why the characters didn't use the magic objects more often. All in all it was a fun mystery and quick read. I'm not sure if I'll continue reading the rest in the series but maybe I will for a little light reading. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Weapenry Co-Op in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was such a fun read. It was full of mystery! I enjoyed it to so much I read it in one sitting! And the cover is beautiful.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Luana, Claire. The Confectioner's Guild. Live Edge Publishing, 2018.

Wren is an orphan who has been working in a bakery since the baker discovered her using a leftover piping bag to decorate a snowbank. She prefers her job over a life in the streets, until one day when a guild member whisks her away from her bakery and informs her that her bakery skills are actually imbuing her treats with magic and that she must be trained. Immediately after learning this, the head of her guild dies and Wren is accused of his murder. Now she has one month to find the actual murderer and clear her name.

This description made this book sound like it was right up my alley. I love fantasy stories and mysteries, and having recently read Changeling, thought this would be a great read-alike. Unfortunately, I was sadly disappointed. This book reads like a story for children or tweens, but multiple uses of the word "ass," as well as sexual encounters, make this a book for teens. Further, the main character spends most of her time ogling one of her fellow bakers, so there are long descriptions of his hair, his abs, what he looks like without a shirt, how sad she is when he puts a shirt on, etc. etc. And he's not the only character she pines after. All of this is to say that this book is best categorized as a teen romance novel, which is perfectly fine, but it is not a tween book nor a fantasy nor really a mystery at all, and readers looking for those things will be disappointed. I would recommend this book to fans of romance novels but not to those who prefer fantasy or mystery without a romantic subplot.

Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: multiple uses of the word "ass," underage alcohol consumption (although as this is a fantasy, I don't know that it's illegal per se), off-page sex
Overall Rating: 2/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.

A rollicking adventure in confectionary!
A young confectioner has been discovered with the Gift - the ability to imbue her creations with magical effects. She is pulled headlong into Guild politics and framed for a crime she did not commit.
This YA tale was sweet and fun, easy to read adventure that follows a similar path as many in the genre - girl discovers her gift, and must come to terms with it as she is pressed by forces that threaten her and those around her.
It's a winning formula, and it works very well in this case.
The idea of magically tinted foods and drinks (and there being guilds that rival a Kings power and political sway) is an excellent one, and I longed for a little more exploration of what exactly these products could do. I wanted our protag to make more enchanted chocolates, and wished there was more description of the chemistry of making them - my hope was for a blending of the book 'Chocolat' by Joanne Harris, a sensual exploration of sweet treats, and magic and mystery. Of course that is just my own opinion, but I feel the author missed a trick by leaning a little too heavily on the action and intrigue, rather than the magic of confections!
Overall, a tightly written and easy to read story. I quite possibly would read a sequel.
Recommended if you like the genre.

I haven't read any mystery for quite some time now and I'm glad I read this.

The book was a fun and light read and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I love how the story flowed and the characters and how the mystery of the revealing who the murderer was.

4.5/5 ⭐

Wren discovers she can infuse her confections with magic, and almost immediately gets framed for the Guildmaster's death when he dies after eating one of her cupcakes. Luckily she has people who believe in her and with their help she's determined to find out what really happened.
I absolutely loved this world and the characters. Wren is so smart and brave while still being relatable and endearing. I can't wait for book 2.