Cover Image: A Thousand Recipes for Revenge

A Thousand Recipes for Revenge

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I found the magic system really intriguing but overall the mood was jarring and it didnt quite hit for me

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This book was surprising in so many ways, and all of them good. It has an original magical system, something unique, because in the universe this author creates the mages are chefs. They can conjure things up from nothing, they can't make fireballs or lightning or whatever, but they are the ones who possess magic. Their tongue is a gift from the Gods, they can perceive tastes in a unique manner, and they can use magical ingredients that contain epicurea to create food with somehow magical proprieties. I know, I am not doing the best job of explaining things here, but trust me, if this sounds even remotely interesting to you, try the book out! It is way less complicated when the author shows and explains it to you, and it is well worth your time.
Then we have the Gods, that are real. And I discovered lately that I appreciate books in which the Gods are real. I am not talking about books where the Gods are the main characters, but about books in wich the Gods are still real and influence the story. And sure, at one point here we have a couple of Gods that become characters but... my point still stands, it was a thing that I really appreciated.

And then we have the characters. And if it's true that I didn't love-love any of them, I can surely say that I really enjoyed their company, and Solenn was, by far, my favorite. She is a gem. And she is well worth meeting. I love that even if she is young, and in a really bad position, she always tries to do her best to be a decent person. Always, and with everyone. She surprised me more than once, and I really really liked her.
And we have some other pretty good characters to keep her company [and we have also magical people who can transform into horses, and we have a dragon!!!!

Usually, the characters are what make or break a book for me, and the characters here are pretty good, but the best part was the story itself. The author takes unexpected turn after unexpected turn, and the story keeps going in a direction that I didn't see coming. It was bliss!
We have also a couple of really gory scenes that I didn't see coming at all, toward the end of the book, because the book as a whole is pretty free of violence on the page (I mean, it is not all rainbows and unicorns, mind me, we have war, assassinations, attempted kidnapping and more, there are bad things happening all around, but you don't get the gory parts usually until you do. And it was unexpected. A lot! But in a good way, too).
It was really hard to predict what would happen next, and the book constantly kept me curious. I had a great time with it!

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WARNING: POTENTIAL SPOILERS

A Thousand Recipes for Revenge was, I found, a very interesting read. I absolutely adored the concept of the five Gods and their influence over food and, ultimately, magic.

My favourite part of the whole book had to be the lore behind how the Gods "operated", as in what they each represented and how even the most mundane of things like mould on cheese could be accredited to them. It made the faith and religion of the world feel much more grounded and real in the way that the Ancient Greeks would worship their own Gods, and honestly I loved that. It just made it feel real.

I enjoyed the characters for the most part - Ada's history in the military is spectacularly driven throughout and is shown in her attitude and drive. I love that the end of the book really showed how she was of a military background, as her circumstances throughout the book show her in a much more ordinary civilian light. The contrast here between the two really shone through -- showing her in a role that felt natural to her (the end fight) and one where she seemed unhappy and aimless (in an "ordinary" life).

I enjoyed the presentation of Grandemere too, but it was a shame that she was departed from the book so quickly. I would have loved to see how she fared in the whole scenario. My only hope is that in the subsequent books in the series she plays a greater role.

On the whole, whilst I really enjoyed the book, I don't think I was the intended audience. I felt like this book felt as though it were more aimed at a Young Adult audience, not an adult one, which is a shame considering how rare it is to find a book where the perspective is displayed mostly from that of a forty-something woman. I think the dual of perspective with Solenn is great, but I think that is also why and how it feels so much more like a Young Adult novel than an Adult one. Obviously, that's on me for not looking more into it, but I did think it was mean to be an adult novel.

That, perhaps, is my only gripe, but that doesn't mean I did not like the book overall. I am just not certain that I will continue with reading the series.

There is a bit of gore within the book, but not an awful lot.

So, overall: good book, excellent Lore and great characters, just definitely more for a Young Adult audience.

With thanks to the author, Netgalley, and 47th North for the ARC.

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A tantalizing blend of magic, adventure, and culinary intrigue set against the backdrop of a world on the brink of war. While the premise and world-building are intriguing, I found the execution to be somewhat lacking, resulting in a mixed reading experience.

The characters, particularly Ada and Solenn, are well-developed and engaging, each with their own unique strengths and vulnerabilities. However, I felt that their motivations and relationships could have been explored more deeply, leaving me wanting a stronger emotional connection to their journey.

The plot is fast-paced and action-packed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Yet, at times, it felt overly convoluted, with too many subplots competing for attention. As a result, the pacing felt uneven, and certain plot threads were left unresolved or underdeveloped.

Additionally, while the concept of culinary magic is undeniably inventive, I found that it was not fully realized within the story. The descriptions of Ada's cooking and magical abilities were vivid, but I wished for more exploration of the broader implications and limitations of this magic system.

Overall, "A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" is an entertaining read with an imaginative premise, but it falls short of reaching its full potential. Despite its flaws, fans of swashbuckling adventure and fantastical worlds may still find enjoyment in this novel.

This book was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions formed are my own. Thank you again Netgalley for giving me a chance to review this book.

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Unfortunately this got into my spam mail and never got to read it, I know I should have checked it but still I'd like to point it out.

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This was a refreshing book that found me at the perfect time. I was overwhelmed by the fantasy books that I had been reading that seemed to mesh into one another when I found A Thousand Recipes for Revenge. It was unique in its plot and world building. Information about the setting did not read like a text book, rather it was seamlessly incorporated with the story. All characters managed to leave an impression and the witty writing made me smile more than once.

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This is a fantasy where the magic system is surrounded by food which was an interesting take on a magic system!! I wasn’t in love with this book but also didn’t hate it!!

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May be, just may be, it was supposed to be a very interesting immersive read. However, this book has failed to take me on the journey with the story and characters.
I did not get involved. I did not get interested.

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Rating: 2/5 Stars.

I really struggled to get through this one unfortunately. I kept picking it up then putting it back down. The concept of A Thousand Recipes For Revenge is initially what grabbed my attention. I thought the premise as to how magic can be used through cooking and being able to taste premonitions or use food in combat was pretty unique and different. However, this story seemed a bit repetitive, weird and even confusing at times.

I ended up getting to a point while reading this one, where I didn’t really care much about the characters, or what happened to them or even what happened in the story. I found my brain drifting while reading this one. It just seemed a bit too wordy or maybe even the author tried too hard to create that whole fantasy wording. I don’t know, something just felt off with this one.

I’m not too sure what the ending of this book was. I know its supposed to be a sequel but I just wasn’t the biggest fan of that ending. Regardless, I unfortunately do not think that this series is one for me, so I do not think that I will be continuing with the other books when they come out. I’m usually a fantasy fan but this one didn’t hit the mark for me. Though I have read some rave reviews on this one so if you are a fan of fantasy and are interested in the cooking world – give this one a shot – you may end up loving it.

A Thousand Recipes For Revenge released on 6/1/23. The second in the series will be releasing this year on 1/9! Huge thank you to Netgalley, Beth Cato and 47North for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

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I was pumped when I saw that I had been approved to read this book but I struggled to get through it. I wasn't pulled in the way that I had hoped even though the atmosphere and characters were great - the plot was just a little much.

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I personally did not enjoy this book. I thought it was something different but I couldnt get into it. There was some interesting parts and characters but I was bored more than interested.

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I enjoyed this book, though it began to thin towards the end. Very much a mood reader and this took me in.

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"A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" by Beth Cato is a delectable concoction of swashbuckling adventure, culinary magic, and a dash of just desserts, creating a world that is both richly imagined and thrilling.
Ada Garland, with her empathic connection to food and wine, possesses a magical perception of aromas, flavors, and ingredients. Once in service to the Five Gods and the rulers of Verdania, Ada's desertion from the royal court was fueled by a desire for justice and a break from the bloodshed. However, after sixteen years in hiding, mysterious assassins force Ada and her Grand-mère to flee for their lives. Their escape leads them to an unexpected ally in Solenn, a foreign princess who shares more with Ada than just an epicurean gift—she shares blood.
Solenn, with her newfound magical perception, becomes aware of a plot to kill her fiancé, the prince, orchestrated by forces in the rival country of Albion. As Ada's and Solenn's paths converge, a mother and her long-lost daughter reunite against a shadowy enemy from Ada's past seeking revenge. The narrative is a delightful blend of familial bonds, magical intrigue, and the complexities of war.
Beth Cato's storytelling is captivating, weaving together a tale of two strong women navigating a world on the brink of war. The character dynamics, particularly the relationship between Ada and Solenn, add depth and emotion to the narrative. The stakes are high, and the story unfolds with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.
"A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" is a literary feast that explores themes of sacrifice, hope, and the role of powerful Gods in a war approaching its boiling point. Beth Cato's blend of culinary magic and swashbuckling adventure creates a unique and memorable reading experience.
*I express my gratitude to NetGalley and 47North for providing an advance copy of this enchanting book.*

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I really looked forward to reading this book but in the end I found it tedious to read. Both the world building and character development were amazing but the plot had too much going on and too many subplots. I was able to switch to listening to the second half of the book and found it more enjoyable.

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This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

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I love me some poisonous stories. This one will keep you at the edge of your seat. Guaranteed. Highly entertaining for people who love fast-paced fantasy.

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Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

This book just wasn't for me.
I DNF'd this book 50% through. I just could not get into the characters. I found them quite irritating and to be honest quite boring. The world building in this book was great and I also found the books concept quite unique, however; the characters just kept me from enjoying and finishing the book.

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<b>arc received in exchange for an honest review</b>

i was taken by surprise while reading this book, and i'm absolutely delighted about it!

from the cover and title, i thought the vibes were cosy/comforting, but that is absolutely not the case. i stuck with it though because the magic system of gods giving their blessing to chefs who then have food-related enhancements, and consuming magical ingredients to gain powers, was just too good. i loved seeing how the powers manifested in different characters and how they dealt with the political implications of it.

another fantastic element of this book was the characters and the way familial tensions were explored. there's a variety of mother daughter, father daughter relationships and all of them were done brilliantly. they were tender and tense and everything in between.

the ending of this book was absolutely superb, and i am absolutely itching to read the follow up.

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I wasn't sure what I was expecting with this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. What I do wish is that the magic system had been explained a bit more throughout the book, but Cato throws you into the action of the novel right away which does help you get into the story. I felt like the most riveting part of the story was the last half, and when it ended as abruptly as it did I wanted more.

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Beth Cato's "A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" is a delectable read that earns a solid four-star rating. This enchanting novel blends fantasy, suspense, and culinary arts into a unique and enjoyable literary experience. Cato's writing is engaging, whisking readers away into a world where magic and cooking intertwine seamlessly. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, and the plot unfolds with a good balance of emotion, surprises, and twists that keep you engaged throughout. What truly shines is Cato's appreciation for food and its cultural significance, making this book a delightful treat for both the senses and the imagination. While it may not reach the level of perfection of a five-star read, "A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" is undoubtedly a worthwhile journey for anyone seeking a magical and gastronomic adventure in literature.

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