Unique, refreshing and intriguing!

Silica is a master chef, living and renowned in Bucharest, 1798. He is taken by the Greek prince to be his private chef, however, Silica has a secret. Silica is the guardian of the Book of Perilous Dishes, dishes embued with a dark magic that can have a litany of effects on the consumer, from truth serum to hysteria, amnesia to foresight

However, the book should not reside with Chef Silica. Patca is 14 and an occultist. They want to recover their family's precious recipe book, but when going to retrieve it from its last known resting place, she discovers the murder of her uncle and a clue. Can she recover the book and will she be able to endure through family secrets, a journey across Europe and the power of dark magic

The translation of this book is very much appreciated. I find that sometimes, in translation, books lose their intended cadance and soul, but not in this case. It simmers with the voice of storytellers, of traditional folk tales, celebrating the beauty of Romania in a different time and if you look at a map of Europe in 1800, you will dee the immensity of Patca's journey.

At this point, I would usually describe the authors writing style, which is difficult in a translation, however, as I have mentioned previously, there is a soul to this story that keeps the reader engaged, not least for the exploits of Patca, her resilience and tenacity

A fantastic read

Thank you to Netgalley, Neem Tree Press, the author Doina Rusti and the translator Professor James Christian Brown for this epic arc

Sadly, I do not think this is a story for me. The premise sounds utterly fascinating, a historical fantasy filled with cooking? What could be better? Unfortunately, something about this story did not click with me. Perhaps it is because I do not know a lot about Romanian history, and my lack of knowledge made certain parts of the story complicated to follow. While I do not think this book is for me, I do think that a lot of people will enjoy it. Especially those with a strong interest in medieval Romanian history. Thank you to Netgalley and Neem Tree Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A historical fiction, wrapped up in magical realism, folklore, and a murder mystery, told by a mercurial narrator. It mood is quirky, dark Amélie vibes. This book is perfect if you're in the mood for fantastical, wild stories with a satisfying finish.

Set in the late 18th century and the turn of 19th century Bucharest, Pătca tells the story of when she was fourteen and needed to find her uncle. She finds herself entangled with the renowned Prince's cook, who she believes stole her uncle's book, The Book of Perilous Dishes. This book has dishes that if eaten can have such inflictions that can induce uncontrollable laughter, chronic empathy, and generosity, are just a few. All the while, Pătca is trying to find the two homes left to her by her uncle and grandmother, deduce who to trust, and survive in a politically volatile environment.

So much happens that it's a lot to take in. I wasn't sure what I thought of the book but I also couldn't stop reading it because I just had to know how it ended. The end was just perfect. From my research, the translation was spot on, so the writing was beautiful. This book is perfect if you'd like to get lost

I got a digital copy of this book as an ARC and was excited for it. I had just finished another book which I thought had a similar premise and loved it, though I had to realize through the reading process that - aside from it containing cooking - this was not at all similar.

First off I will say that I did like the writing. It was neither too plain nor too complicated. I also believe the concept was nice, especially including real world history and I‘m certain I‘ve learned a thing or two from this book.
I also want to point out that, even with the low rating, I don’t think this book is bad by any means, I simply believe it wasn’t for me.

I don’t know anything about Romania and that is on me. However, this lack of knowledge on my part made this book somewhat hard to understand and follow. I can’t lie in the first 25% I had no idea what was happening or where any of it was going. And although as the story progressed I found myself understanding the storyline more and more there were still twists and turns that left me confused. I think this book would be a totally different experience if you have more prior knowledge about Romania or its language, but given the fact that I personally don’t, I found myself lost quite a few times.

This confusion is what I believe to be the basis of all my problems with this book. Because I was so lost with the story sometimes, I didn’t really get into the characters either. I really didn’t find myself caring all too much about any of them. Given I’d consider myself a very character driven reader, that in turn made me somewhat uninterested in the story itself which probably lead to more confusion and so on and so forth - it’s a cycle.

However, I do want to stress that me giving this 2 stars is not to dissuade anyone from giving this a try. I want to be fair towards the other books I‘ve rated and ratings are after all based on opinions. However, there’s a difference between me giving this 2 stars because it was objectively bad and giving it 2 stars because I just didn’t enjoy it.
I would still recommend this book to people who enjoy historical fiction (and maybe have prior knowledge about Romanian/European history) with very slight touches of magic and murder mystery and a more serious atmosphere!

I always like reading literature from other parts of the world and get to know about more about other countries cultures and history. This book is set in Romania in the late 18th century – a part of Europe I know almost nothing about.

I do like stories with witchy and/or folklorish elements and that was ticked off in this book. I think, however, I enjoyed the overall vibes more than the actual story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Neem Tree Press for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What an absolute delight this book was! From the conversational style of the prose to the subtle interweaving of magic, from the genuine recipes to the historical knowledge, this book provides an absolutely wonderful package for anyone who picks it up! Between the various engaging characters, the fantastic intrigue, and the exquisite writing, I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good food-based fantasy novel!

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

a really fun book about cooking, chefs, and powerful magical spells.. tyssssssm for the arc, would recommend.

A really fun and interesting book. I had a good time with the story and the beautiful prose. The characters were all wonderful and original. 3 stars.