Probably a me thing but I did struggle to engage with this book, I wasn’t overly concerned about the characters and it was tough to get to the end for me.

Eating kaijū… and the rich

“Seven Recipes for Revolution” is somehow Ryan Rose’s début and the first in a trilogy (with books 2 and 3 coming out in Summer 2026 and Summer 2027). Quite how this can be the case, I don’t entirely understand, because it’s an excellent YA fantasy, with a compelling, credible setting and an inventive magic system. Essentially, the city is run by an élite who make recipes that grant superpowers, from kaijū meat, in order to maintain their highly socially-stratified society.

To quote the first line, “Before he was Paprick the Butcher, he was Paprick, a butcher”. Our protagonist has a love for the culinary arts, but spends his day working as indentured labour in a factory that harvests meat from Emphons, the local mega-megafauna. He and his underclass friends and family are perpetually on the edge of starvation and live in near-poverty. But one day, after stealing some kaijū meat, a crime punishable by death for the non-élite, he manages to help avert disaster after accidentally creating a new magic recipe — the first in many years — giving him an opportunity he had never dared to dream possible: to train as a Chef.

Thus starts an adventure — and a revolution — which we see narrated from Paprick’s prison cell many years later.

I really enjoyed this book; it was wittily funny and paced well, with twists and discoveries throughout and you have to love a well-written unreliable narrator, even more so one who questions the means and motives of revolution. The seven recipes all sound delicious and give a real sense of how Ranch feels, to combine with the amazing worldbuilding (including linguistic worldbuilding). The class politics felt real and lived, especially in how people relate to food. As another reviewer put it, “this is a world where inequality is violent, where power corrupts, and where even a miracle can be weaponised”. And, as ever, I was really pleased to read something set in a queernorm (and enbynorm) culture and with both disabled and racialised characters present without being there as heavy-handed expository tools.

It is worth bearing in mind that there is some unpleasant content involved — revolutions are never without cost and it’s rare for people to want to overthrow tyranny without the state having committed violence against them, after all. Content notes that I tagged include animal cruelty, body horror, class violence, death of animals, death of family, mob violence, murder, plague, slavery, state violence, torture and war. But none of these is included unnecessarily or without justification. I am unusually sensitive to animal cruelty and found the first few chapters a little hard in that regard, but it pays off well and I'm glad I persevered.

Overall, this is an outstanding début that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys some revolutionary fiction or who likes seeing food centred in their reads (and who won’t struggle with the trigger warnings, of course). I really hope Rose’s previous unpublished novels get some love and attention and I am super excited for the second and third in the trilogy and I look forward to devouring them faster than some stolen Emphon steaks.

Also: Kerby Rosanes’s cover art for the US edition is awesome and really gives a sense of the scale of the kaijū — indeed it’s only when I saw the large version in Ryan Rose’s press kit on my laptop that I even noticed Paprick is stood on top (and looking very cool!)

Y’all. Never have I wanted to EAT THE RICH more than I do right now. This was such a fun, and at times (and for varying reasons) gruesome fantasy read. It read very much like an anime, chock-full of culinary whimsy. The tagline in the marketing said “The Bear meets Attack on Titan” and OH HOW RIGHT THEY WERE. I was immediately drawn in by the writing style - I could sense that I was in for a quip-filled adventure after the opening lines of the prologue:

“Before he was Paprick the Butcher, he was Paprick, a butcher. Not in earnest yet, but an apprentice still.”

Alongside the comedy we get throughout this book, however, was also an expertly told tale of Paprick’s quest for revolution. Even with his sometimes questionable decisions, Paprick was wholly relatable and I was invested in his story from the jump. While this was definitely more graphic of a read than I typically embark on, it was well-worth the gore to explore Paprick’s world.

Thank you to @daphne.press and @realryanprose for the eARC of this gripping debut fantasy novel!

I got the eARC way before the audio was available but I struggled to get past one of the initial scenes of butchering the massive animal (even in fantasy). It is not for anyone that is trigger with with killing animals as the descriptions are just too vivid. However, I was intrigued and when the audiobook came out I decided to try again, and luckily i did because the narrator did an amazing job. I must admit i speeded through the butchering descriptions which thankfully stopped after the initial few chapters to descriptions of food recipes instead. The way the story unfolded really works.
This book reminded me a lot of an RPG with cooking foods for endurance and other short term buffa useful for combat. The description of foods were so descriptive I can tell that the author really appreciated food. The plot itself was typical rebellion with a fantasy setting focused around food and their different abilities when consumed but told through a recount of events whilst the butcher was in prison (similar to the Kings of Ruin dragon chorus)..
The narrator for the audiobook was amazing in conveying emotions and excitement for food and would highly recommend it!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the eARC.

3.5 stars

THIS IS A SERIES. I wish books were required to say that somewhere in their description or promo because I picked this up thinking it was a standalone and it is not. That out of the way

I think the description placing this as very anime-esque is spot on. There are scenes that felt unusual within a book but feel like they are plucked straight from a Shounen anime. There were some bits of this I really enjoyed, like the incorporation of flavours and the great rep throughout the entire book (MC is bi and supporting cast is very diverse).

The thing is I don't watch a lot of shounen anime and that is for a reason. I found myself a lot of the time reading and not really knowing if I liked or disliked what is happening. Just ended up neutral through the whole read.

Part that lead to that is the tendency this book shares with shounen anime to be a bit handwavy about worldbuilding at times. In a sense, the backdrops work more of the time, but if you look too closely, you see none of the extras have faces. It doesn't detract from the story (this book is definitely plot driven), I don't have a lot to say I disliked. I just wish there was more depth to certain aspects that I could sink my teeth into and provide clarity. Would make it seem like these little deus ex machinas that pop up (common in anime because you need solutions) were more grounded.

This warning is thus for my friends who like tight clean worldbuilding, this may not be the book for you but if you don't need all those details, this book will be a fun time.

TW: Intentional vomiting after meal

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book.

With an incredible level of thought and attention to detail, Rose has crafted a fantasy so unlike anything that I have ever read before that I couldn't help but be completely in its thrall from start to finish. I love the subtle ways that the Commons and the Rares were differentiated with their naming conventions and their speech patterns. It was so enjoyable to see Paprick slowly feel as though he was stuck between two worlds where he didn't truly belong as well as becoming somewhat of an unwilling hero as his greatest desire was simply to be able to cook and yet he is now being held up as a symbol of something so, so much more.

This book features an incredible and vibrant cast of characters who feel fully realised.

I just loved this book so much and am eagerly anticipating our entrée with book 2!

🌮🍖🍜

This is described as The Bear meets Attack on Titan, which was certainly enough to hook me! But I like to think of it as more Delicious in Dungeon meets Shadow of the Colossus meets Hell's Kitchen 😄

Fans of any of the aforementioned will probably find this worth a go. It's a fun to read grimdark culinary adventure 😅

Paprick is a "common" butcher working to pay off his indenture, harvesting meat from giant mythical animals so that the "Rare" chefs can cook magical Greater recipes that give them Endurance. Until one day he steals some meat and accidentally creates his own Greater.

I like how it's told with the Butcher recounting his story in an interview after the fact, similar to Empire of the Vampire (and of course all of the others before).

I enjoyed this and will surely check out the sequel in future!

Thank you to Netgalley and Daphne Press for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Seven Recipes for Revolution is an imaginative debut that blends culinary fantasy with political rebellion. The book follows Paprick as he stumbles into a rebellion while juggling his dreams to become a chef.

My favourite part of the book is the world building. The magic system feels fresh: it's centred around recipes and spices, and is perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy with a unique twist.

The book is fast paced and the plot is clearly the driving force here. Ryan Rose does a great job maintaining momentum through action, conflict, and creative world details. If you are a fan of plot-driven fantasy with a truly unique premise, this book definitely delivers.

Where the book excels in concept and pacing, in my opinion it stumbles in character development and writing style. Paprick and the supporting cast often feel flat or overly functional. Their motivations are clear, but not deeply explored, and the emotional stakes don’t always land. The romance subplot in particular feels underdeveloped and unnecessary. The writing style is serviceable but not particularly lyrical. While this doesn’t detract from the plot, readers who prefer more lyrical or immersive writing might not enjoy this book as much.

Seven Recipes for Revolution is ideal if you enjoy fast-paced, high-concept stories with a political edge and don’t mind sacrificing deep character development for a compelling premise. I thoroughly enjoyed diving into this world and would recommend this book for anyone looking to try something new.

**Content warning: there’s a lot of animal butchery in this book, described in detail. It makes sense given Paprick’s job as a butcher and the animal product-based magic system, but if you’re sensitive to that kind of imagery, it might be a bit much.

Seven recipes for revolution by Ryan Rose

Paprick a common, in Ranch is a butcher in training. Indentured in a system where the odds are stacked against him. He finds joy in the love of his family and the home cooked meals and flavours of his people.
Food is scarce for the commons and only the privileged are allowed certain ingredients, giving them enhancements to continue to control the masses.
When Paprick finds himself in the beginnings of an uprising and presented with an opportunity to become a chef. He will not only experience the knowledge, flavours and techniques of the privileged few, but will also become a spy for the rebels.
This story is full of culinary references, names and places, even slang terms and language are sprinkled with ‘foodie’ descriptions.
Written in the past and present tense we hear from Paprick as he reflects on how he comes to be known as the butcher.
Clever uses of taste and smell attributed to spices and food bring the locations and world building to life.
This is a unique take on some classic fantasy tropes, I look forward to the next book.

For people who like:
*stories about uprising & revolutions
*Dark academia with a food based magic systems.
*Unique take on classic fantasy tropes
* For Foodies - people with an interest in the culinary arts and can appreciate the nods to ‘foodie’ references.

I was initially hooked on Seven Recipes for Revolution thanks to its comparison of Attack on Titan. As a fan of the show, the writing, the complex plots, the constant playing with times, narratives, and the wider political commentaries, this is a great comp title to pull out when you want to attract attention. Did it scare me? A little. It's a bold comp to make, and can often set readers up for disappointment.

However, overall, I think it rings true. There's an epic battle being told here, of injustice and of power imbalance, of the pervasive crush of capitalism and the brutality of being working class living as a means to pay off indentures which are cruelly held, unfairly managed, and designed to oppress. There is also, of course, the 'titan' element of the ephemeron and carnephon, the gigantic, power-giving beasts whose meat can be consumed - by the upper classes, of course - to offer the consumer powers.

While I had a few niggles, the worldbuilding and the overall commentary of the novel is what really shines for me. That the magic system is food-based was a breath of fresh air amongst today's saturated magic fantasy market, and while I am hesitant of university-based fantasies, given how easy it is to slip into slow-pacing and dissertation level monologues about the crushing unfairness of academic life, SRFR managed to (just about) avoid this pitfall.

I did find however, that it wasn't fully immune to the saggy middle which can arise as a result of a 'main character is flung into the elite academy they'd always wanted to attend but couldn't because of class hierarchies and institutionalised discrimination but suddenly gets an opportunity to save themselves, change their lives, and achieve their goals'; because the pacing slumped around the halfway point. The pacing itself started strong, giving the world time to unfold - which it was needed given its complexity - but towards the middle I found myself thinking about flicking forward to see what happens, which is usually a sign that I'm finding it repetitive.

But, before I dive into the pacing, we should talk plot.

Paprick, a teenage butcher working the floor on gruelling hours to pay off an indenture he is destined never to repay, is stuck on the lowest ladder steps of his society. He yearns for greatness, to one day create a Greater recipe using the meat from the beast he carves, day in, day out, to provide the Rare - upper classes - with the powers they crave, and require to fight in the ongoing war, and to generally uphold a position of power over the Commons. He is peppy and easy to like, stubborn and driven, with many of the qualities you need to be a main character in a dystopian book about class wars and revolution. He's intensely passionate, which makes him easy to root for. His daily routine, his constant battle of whether to break the rules and consume the forbidden meat from the honoured (but exploited) beast he carves is shattered when an incident requires him to make a jarring and life threatening choice: to stand by, or 'stand tall' for his people. From there, we're whirled into a story of class politics, 'eat the rich' and culinary magic. It's a story of revolutions which get bloody, of uncertain politics and 'there's no one truly good side', monster butchery and actual on-page recipes (though you'll need to lay your hands on ephemeron.)

The way the narrative is framed also makes this an enjoyable experience, given that it's told from the perspective of present-day Paprick, now given the moniker the Butcher, on the eve of his execution to an archivist who is desperately trying to find out the secrets he hides. This offers a building and constant element of tension, as there is a clock winding down - plus, the narrative itself breaks away from Paprick's recollection to present-day conversations with the archivist, which usually offer a moment of either: slightly cliche foreshadowing, or a break in the tension. I would have liked slightly more of this, to get a fuller idea of what's going on during the recollection, but the proof is in the latter end of the story, when we finally join the Butcher and archivist in the present-day to unfold the questions we're left with in Paprick's story. This particular framing device also plays on the unreliability of Paprick, whether we are to trust and believe what he says, which lends another layer to how this story unfolds.

Now, back to pacing. I felt that the beginning and up to the early middle was stellar, it chugged on nicely -- if anything, slightly too slow in comparison - but as I mentioned we had a slightly sagging middle. And then the explosion. The latter half of the book went from a slow simmering broth pot to a wildly overboiling pan, which while made sense for the culmination of threads that were pulling and pulling throughout, it felt like we needed a faster winding screw, not all the stock exploding from a blender with the lid half off. The plot itself was enjoyable, but I felt that we were left with quite a few untied questions and threads during the first and middle stages, which were then really hastily tied off in the ending sequences. I would have liked less build-up, or perhaps less 'fluff' in the beginning, a tighter worldbuild, to allow a smoother transition from the academia and the sleuthing to the full-scale rebellion which happens. However, what I loved were the scenes in the kitchen, and when Paprick was learning how to weild power through cooking practices - I loved his interactions with his mentors, and found those more satisfying than the undercover work he was trying to do (which ended up feeling repetitive); and I wouldn't want to sacrifice those!

I also loved the queernorm aspect of the world - though queer relationships are still regarded with disdain and discrimination by some of the older generations of Rares in the world, it is mostly queernorm and I loved that. The representation was not as diverse as I would have liked, but I enjoyed the casualness of the diversity when it was present, which I find is the most satisfying way to bring queer narratives into any story!

That said, this is an engaging, ambitious and unique debut. I found that it spoke a lot about the consequences of the smallest actions, the power of the one and what happens when this one becomes many in the face of crushing governments, unbalanced politics, and oppression. Anything where the slogan for the premise is 'eat the rich' is a call to my liberal sentimentalities, so of course I'm going to be biased - rightly so - towards a book which actively discusses the need to revolt against governments which perpetuate class divides. At its heart though, this is a story about food. The community of it, the power of having, receiving, giving and sharing food. It feels ritualistic, which is an aspect I loved about this story. In SRFR food is magic, it's religion, it's community and healing - it's also exploitation, its discrimination, and the act of eating and having enough food is the vehicle through which so much of the power imbalance is explored.

Despite my niggles, I will be eagerly returning to this world! This book will appeal to lovers of a fantasy academic setting, who also happen to love unreliable narrators, unique magic systems, intense political messages and a likeable cast of characters - including side characters!

I thought this was such an original concept for a fantast book using food as the source of magic. I really enjoyed it for this alone. Overall, the book probably lacked a bit of finesse for me to give it 5 stars. I love a framing narrative, but I felt it could have been executed a little better. It was difficult to understand what time period the events of the book happened over, it could have been days or months and the transition between present day and the retelling wasn't very smooth. I would still really recommend it though and will definitely be reading the next book.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publisher (Daphne Press) for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. #SevenRecipesforRevolution #NetGalley

Seven Recipes for Revolution features a very unique world with huge magical monsters, culinary magic, and rebellion against oppression. It also has a very interesting, albeit unreliable narrator, complex side characters and very exciting plot! The story can sometimes be heavy on the stomach, so I'd recommend checking the trigger warnings before digging in. If I'd have to compare it to some other media, 'Attack on Titan' and 'The Menu' comes to mind.

It was a very wild ride, can't wait to read the next one!

What We Eat: Seven Recipes for Revolution is a sharp, inventive, and unapologetically radical blend of fantasy, food, and political rebellion. Ryan Rose cooks up a world where magic and meals are one and the same—and where who gets to wield that power is determined by class, bloodline, and brutality.

The story follows Paprick, a butcher who dares to dream of becoming a chef in a world where only the elite, the “Rare,” can access the powerful, life-altering recipes that control society. As a “Common,” Paprick is not allowed to learn or even taste the dishes that give the Rare their magic and authority. But what begins as quiet resistance soon turns into a fiery rebellion—one rooted in hunger, memory, and the transformative power of food.

Told through a frame narrative—we know from the beginning that Paprick has been captured—this is a tale of revolution that unfolds in layers, revealing how legends are made and how oppressive systems twist the lives of the people beneath them. Each “recipe” serves not only as a piece of world-building but also as a symbolic step in Paprick’s evolution, blending themes of inequality, resistance, and sacrifice.

The magic system here is one of the book’s standout elements: food isn’t just sustenance—it’s strength, control, and rebellion. Learning about this culinary magic alongside Paprick is a joy, especially because Rose strikes a careful balance between high-concept fantasy and grounded, relatable emotions. The world is rich, but never overwhelming. Its class divide—the Rare and the Common—is clear and compelling, echoing real-world issues with chilling precision.

Despite its heavy themes, there’s beauty in the brutality. The writing is immersive, and the pacing brisk without sacrificing emotional depth. The characters—especially Paprick and those close to him—are vividly drawn, their struggles and hopes deeply human, even in the face of monstrous inequality.

Dark, imaginative, and fiercely original, What We Eat is a feast for readers who enjoy political fantasy with teeth—and teeth marks. If you’re into stories like Les Misérables with a touch of Hannibal, or if you love fantasy that doesn’t shy away from revolution, this one’s for you. Just be warned: it might leave you hungry... and ready to riot.

Thank you to Daphne Press and Netgalley for this eARC to review.

Seven Recipes for Revolution is a breath of fresh air. It's a unique mixture of cooking and a fantasy world of inequality where we have to eat the rich. The layers of oppression and exploitation make it a ripe breeding ground for dissent. This catch 22 of coalescing the powers at the top without any chance for trickling down and instead propping up their gilded desires with the bodies of the common. Told with a frame narrative, a classic choice, we already know The Butcher's been captured, that justice is coming, but we are given one last chance to know the story. To hear the story of each decision which has lead us to here, all the excuses, the memories, and the making of a legend.

3.5 rounded up
What a truly unique story. I haven't read anything like this before, which did throw me at first but I'm glad I stuck with it.

A story of repression, butchery, revenge, heartbreak and revolution, with a very unique magic system based on recipes/food.

I did enjoy most of the book, even gory battle scenes, but there were a few times I felt a little confused - perhaps I wasn't giving it my full attention.

If you're looking for something unique, dark and gritty, give this a go!

This book was a wild ride from page one and completely unlike anything I’ve read before. High-stakes rebellion? Check. Magical monster steaks? DOUBLE CHECK. An unreliable narrator recounting his rise up until he’s about to be executed? You already know I was hooked.

Meet Paprick, a teenage butcher turned underground chef, who dares to dream of cooking up freedom for his people. When one daring dish turns him into a kaiju-sized legend, the kitchen becomes a battlefield and revolution is on the menu.

There are SO many themes simmering here: power, corruption, class, and the weaponisation of food, but somehow it never felt overwhelming. The ending came in a little hot (pun intended), but I’m still sitting here like, “Chef Rose, when’s the next course??”

If you love:

🔪 morally complex heroes
🍽️ immersive food fantasy
🧟‍♂️ monstrous world building
🔥 and a dash of rebellion

... then this is absolutely for you.

Now this book was DELICIOUS 🍲

Big thanks to @daphne.press for giving me access to an eARC of this book before publication.

Read if you're into...
😶‍🌫️ Complex characters
✊ Sticking it to the man
🧪 Cooking / potions / alchemy mechanics
💬 Witty frenemy dynamics
📚 Magic school outcasts
🥩 That one specific 'Torchwood' episode called 'Meat'

𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 by Ryan Rose was the most unique piece of fantasy I've read in a long while. There is FOOD BASED magic guys. Aside from this, I loved the way the narrative was told as an interview, so you occasionally drop out for some quips and reflections on the reliability of the narrator which I found super engaging!

And yet it still also managed to scratch that classic fantasy itch, with meaty (👀) sociopolitical world building and a satisfyingly in-depth "weak rising up against their subjugators" plot.

I think the marketing comparing this book to "The Bear meets Attack on Titan" possibly does it a bit of a disservice. Maybe I'm just a massive cynic but that feels a bit offputtingly trendy to me 😂 𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 is a really solid piece of epic fantasy - and I'm so excited to see where Rose takes the world next.

⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I struggled with this book. It is an interestingand pretty unique premise that food prepared from 'monsters' has magic properties. The usual rich and privileged vs the underprivileged and our hero Paprick starts in the latter character. I did not however like the basic theme around the recipes and therefore did not really enjoy the book

Seven Recipes for Revolution is a truly unique book described as high stakes and monster steaks. It follows Paprick, a butcher, who dreams of being a chef, but as a common born he's not allowed to use, know or create the greater recipes that give people powers from this magic.

This is such an interesting concept and way of using magic. I loved learning more about this world and came to care for Paprick and his friends and family. It does a great job of blending food magic, politics and rebellion and doesn't shy away from the brutalities within this world.

I loved hearing about the intricacies of the food magic, and learning about some of it at the same time as Paprick. This is something I look forward to exploring more in the next book.

I appreciated how easy it was to grasp the world and its political structure. The division between the Rare and the Common, representing the upper and lower classes, was straightforward, which made it easy to understand the setting from the start. Rather than getting bogged down in a complex social hierarchy, the story dives right in.

Thank you to Daphne Press and Netgalley for this eARC to review.

I recently read Seven Recipes for Revolution by Ryan Rose, and it’s one of the most original fantasy debuts I’ve come across in a while. It blends food, magic, (think Delicious in Dungeon in novel format) and rebellion in a world where monster meat fuels both class division and actual power. Paprick, a young butcher dreaming of more, stumbles into legend after a recipe mishap. It’s absurd in the best way.

Told from prison, Paprick’s story unfolds through flashbacks, showing his evolution from naive dreamer to reluctant revolutionary. The change of timelines between past and future - (recounting the past) didn’t really work for me. The character of Paprick is flawed, often frustrating, but fully human, and that at least made his journey feel compelling. The world around him is vivid and brutal, and the story doesn’t shy away from exposing the rot behind elite power structures.

I enjoyed the family dynamics, and though the romance felt a bit awkward at first, it found its footing. The setting is casually and diverse, which felt refreshing even if not always deeply explored.

At times, the pacing dipped especially early on with the time jumps but once it gains momentum, it really takes off in the last third of the story.

If you’re into fantasy that’s weird, bold, and full of heart with food as both magic and rebellion Seven Recipes for Revolution is absolutely worth a bite. It’s not perfect, but I’m hungry for more.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Daphne Press for an ARC.