Two countries at war. A delicious taste of magic. And a fierce princess comes of age in a rousing adventure by the author of A Thousand Recipes for Revenge.

What is there not to like about that description? I loved it and that is why I had to read it. As the follow up to her previous book A Thousand Recipes for Revenge this continued the story Ada and Solenn's adventures. And what adventures they had.

I loved it as it is so creative and covers a range of emotions and feelings. The pace is wonderful as I never got bored and the story is enjoyable and entertaining but has strength in its characters and the writing. I also always love a book with a food connection. I do hope to see more adventures in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and 47North for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

In a follow up to A Thousand Recipes for Revenge the fires of war that were kindled in the first book are stoked into a full on conflagration. Princess Solenn will have to nurture her relationship with the Coterie while keeping their identities a secret. She’ll need to rely on her diplomatic skills and learn how to negotiate with people, creatures, and gods to thwart the threats from neighboring countries.

Meanwhile, Ada Garland, rogue Chef and mother of Solenn, desperately searches for Erwan Corre, her husband who is currently held captive by an enemy state. Ada will fall back on her fighting skills, her gods-gifted tongue, and her friendship with a magical ally to save her spouse and return to Braiz to help her daughter.

This story offers themes of compromise, empathy, forgiveness, and trust. A wonderfully creative, imaginative, and fast-paced tale that will not disappoint. I would recommend reading the first book in the series before starting this one to truly appreciate the richness of the relationships and the intricacies of the political situations. Ms. Cato helps readers envision a beautiful, sometimes cruel, world that will leave you wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC I received.

The sequel to Ada and Solenn's adventures continue in A Feast for Starving Stone. I rated it 3.5 stars. I liked the world building but my goodness was there soooooo much crying going on, like every other page. For me it kinda of took the wind out of its sails. I get there's a war going on and lives will be lost and whatnot but come on.

Anyways I enjoyed this one a little more than the first book. Solemn being the Ambassador between the two realms, she is a smart girl. Anyways this book had it all, magic, God's, Dragons, sword fighting, and strong though weepy characters. I liked it.

I eagerly looked forward to the second book in this series and it did not disappoint. The world building and fantasy elements only got richer and tastier, like a decadent cheesecake full of surprise flavors and unique pairings. I devoured it almost too quickly, leaving me to wonder if I'd get to experience a third course set in this world. I hope so, because there are so many adventures that could happen, with allies new and old. I'm not sure the geopolitical conflicts are eased, but we do end the book with a sense of closure and a feeling that everything will indeed, turn out, well served.

Trying to avoid spoilers with this review, so I will leave it short and sweet. A very excellent book to read, indeed.

Rating: DNF

Review: I couldn’t get into this novel for a couple of reasons. Little princess Sniffums constantly crying or angry about the injustices of the world where every situation is a tongueless commentary got old real quick. Oh, and she is 16 FYO and running a country. Riiiiiight.

The main story line reminds me of writers that fall in love with their own ideas of magic, to the determinent of the novel as a whole. In this case, food is the vehicle (and a weak one) where people are imubued with supposed powers of which we never see executed. Sure the wine fizzes and the cheese is yummy and lasts a long time, but where is the fukin transfer of magic? Well, I got tired of waiting for this novel to get off the pot so maybe the magic was left there?

It is too bad this writers friends couldn’t step up and tell her that the magic themes are worthless and not interesting in the slightest. Cause dang, this writer has talent that is getting wasted in a creative dead-end.

I loved this second book as much as thr first. Md. Cato excels at world building. She creates memorable, empathetic characters. A great read.

Can't wait for the next book by this talented author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed reading this, it had everything that I enjoyed from previous books by Beth Cato. It was a great adventure going on and I was hooked from the first part of the book. It worked well overall and I enjoyed getting to know Princess Solenn.

The follow up to A Thousand Recipes For Revenge is just as exciting and gripping ! We are back with young Solenn and she’s still coping with her self mutilation as she removed her tongue to escape from one of the five Gods that control her world. Her estranged birth mother Ada, is reunited with Solenn but as they are a country at war Ada is desperate to get back to the husband who was cruelly taken from her. Solenn’s mission though has its own challenges as the ingredients known as Epicurea are in fact made out of magical creatures and if she’s to get those who reside in Arcady to help it’s imperative that her countrymen resist the magical and actually cursed ingredients ! With Gods making mischief and taking sides perhaps only Solenn is brave enough to try to not just communicate but actually release true danger back into their world !
I really appreciated the recap at the beginning as it meant I could go sailing back into this fantastical world the author has created. At times I forgot how young Solenn is as she’s truly brave and a force to be reckoned with. I loved the ideas that food could be used in many different ways. The ending had all the thrills and feels that I wanted and I already want to read more by this author.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I appreciated the brief review of the prior book at the beginning for those of us who hadn't read it. I found the world complex and a little hard to get immersed into in the beginning of the book but as I read that changed. The characters grew and learned throughout the book which I enjoyed. The storyline was interesting and kept me engaged. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book.