I adored this novel. It was the perfect mix of cozy and exciting. Following Rottgor, an undead knight who is forced out of retirement and goes on a journey of self-discovery, which leads to the opening of a restaurant and a new path with a young orphan girl whose ancestry places her in danger and could destroy the city. While you read about Rottgor's discovery you meet these fascinating characters further explore different relationship dynamics. Unlike other cozy fantasies I have read, there still are stakes, albeit they are not like those in high fantasy; however, paired with the warmness of this book, like a cup of hot tea. It remains interesting throughout while also being like a blanket wrapped around your shoulders, something cozy readers can struggle with. Thank you, NetGalley and Bindery Books, for this arc in exchange for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 rounded down

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Deston J. Munden's Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife, Rottgor finds himself on a new food-fueled journey after being forced to retire.

This is such a beautifully cozy and fun book. The writing pulls readers directly into a world that feels like a folktale and takes them on a trip of food, found family, and fatherhood. With an deeply addictive atmosphere that's perfect for fall lovers, this will be cozy readers new addiction this October.

This is certainly one of the most interesting casts of characters I've ever read about. There are all sorts of fun creatures that have such unique personalities. Readers are provided with the perfect opportunity to escape humanity and our world to spend a little while with a magical group in a whimsical world. You'll find it difficult to leave these characters behind in the end.

This story is tame enough to feel cozy and warm, but is woven with just enough action to keep eyes on the pages. There's so much heartfelt love, but also little hints of deeper emotion throughout. Every little bit of this book will reach for your heart and hug it, perhaps squeezing a bit too hard sometimes.

Although I gave this a 3.5, I am absolutely certain that this will be a 5 star read for so many people. I think I read this at a time when I was ready for more action, so the fact that I didn't form a full love and connection to this book is very likely my fault. I cannot recommend this enough to lovers of cozy fantasy!

Review on Goodreads (sophreadingbooks https://www.goodreads.com/sophreadingbooks) as of of 5/29/2025
Review on Instagram (sophiesreading https://www.instagram.com/sophiesreading/) expected 10/11/2025

A refreshing and heartfelt take on the cozy genre full of found family and some incredible world building! For all the d&d heads out there

This was SUCH a sweet take on a cozy fantasy- I love that it has less conventionally cozy characters and setting. The storyline was enjoyable, sweet, and unique. It got a bit laggy in the middle and lacked finesse in some areas, which kept it from getting higher than 4 stars, but it was a shining addition to my comfort genre!

I really enjoyed the characters and the overall cozy vibe of the book. It took me a bit to get into the story and figure out who was who but the world building was good and unique.

4.25 ⭐️

"And one day, you'll see. Life is more than just fixing your past mistakes."

Great!

I've read cozy mysteries (which are not so cozy, by the way) but cozy fantasy is a different genre. I like it.

The world of Dargath/Necropolis is rich and detailed. The characters colorful and dark. The themes of redemption (Rottgor to Razgaif and Tytli), love (Razgaif and Astra), hate (Vom and the Light of the Chosen), and power are explored quite beautifully in this story.

The strength of this book lies in the fact that it's not a traditional fantasy story where people are fighting dragons or monsters or ice zombies. It is very character driven and it does very well in that department.

The descriptions are exquisite, be it food, city landscapes, architecture, clothes, anatomy, color of the sky.

Only thing I maybe didn't like too much was the confrontation with Vom. It just felt... a little off to me. The dialogue. The pacing. But that was just one part of one chapter and it was more than made up with that Tytli scene in the same chapter.

Recommended. 👍
Especially if you're looking for a different kind of fantasy.

Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife was a sweet little palate cleanser. I do wish the characters relationships were a bit more flushed. I think there could have been a stronger foundation between the group. I didn't feel moved by their relationships and care for each other. However, I truly enjoyed the underlying topics of grief and survivor's guilt. I think the author touched on these in considerate and interesting way.

This was generally a good book and it did have a lot of things and plot points and story arcs that I enjoyed. The story itself felt unique and it was cool to see from the perspective of someone who has gone through so much and now is trying to find their life after everything that happened to them.

I enjoyed all the characters. They were pretty cool and fun, but there were quite a lot of them, and they all were different creatures that I couldn’t keep straight in my head.

That said there were moments that felt too cookie cutter (put not originally intended, but it works out really well🤣), and then the moments that felt abrupt; things would happen and then we’d suddenly be on a different topic or arrive at a situation that came seemingly out of nowhere. As well, there were moments where I was intrigued, but also not quite hooked enough into what was happening. It felt a bit long and drawn out. And while there were moments that I found were not as exciting there were also moments that I wanted more of an explanation as to what was going on or what the characters meant.

I think if you’re looking for an easy, cozy, read it for what it is kind of story you’ll enjoy this. I just wanted a bit more from it.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book took a while to get into. It's sort of like a really good sandwich made on boring bread. It's still good, but you can taste how it could have been great. This book is longer than it needs to be. It hits the clear apex of the story arc and then there's still like 30% more book to go, and nothing much happening in that 30%. Similarly, the story took too long to get going. Once the author got there, it was so good, but it took a while to get to the good stuff. I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately wound up just sort of enjoying it.

This book was as endearing and whimsical as I expected it to be. The found family was cute and I enjoyed a majority of our character interactions (especially with Astra- I love children in magical realms)- but some of them felt like there was a prequel I missed. The characters all felt like they had an element of already knowing each other based off of how easily they trusted, and things seemed to just work out a little bit too well sometimes, without any trial or particular effort.

I also was iffy on the pacing- it felt like we were on one of those little airport... things? Moving sidewalks? And every 5% or so we would do a quick little speedwalk and then go back to standing on it to move. The 5% I loved, and the speedwalk I was fine with, but it was jarring to go back and forth like we did. The fact that it took nearly half the book for the shop to be open was also a bit tough for me- I just wanna read about shop management!!

Admittedly, my love for cozies started with Legends & Lattes like everyone else, and moved to The Spellshop, and then Tomes And Tea, and so I'm very familiar with my shop-based-queer-cozy-fantasies. This book was fun, it was cute, but it didn't do anything to separate itself from the others in the genre.

I absolutely fell in love with this book, I was sorry to finish it. It is one of those books you wish you could experience again for the first time. The magic system and world building really drew me in with such a unique flare. I laughed and cried with the characters and I really hope there are more adventures from these characters to come!

Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife” has all the cozy fantasy vibes I love: found family, magical food, and a heartfelt main character trying to find their place.

The story is charming and has some sweet, touching moments, but I struggled with the pacing, especially near the end. Some plot points felt rushed, and a few relationships lacked emotional depth. The worldbuilding showed promise but sometimes asked me to suspend disbelief a bit too much, and the writing didn’t always click for me.

It’s a comforting, low-stakes read perfect for when you want something soft and whimsical. Not a favorite, but still enjoyable

After a slow start, this book really picks up when it does.

Recipes for an unexpected afterlife gives you a homely atmosphere and a vibrant cast of characters that you can laugh and cry with.

The found family trope is one of my favorites in cozy fantasy, and I deel the writer handled it really well.
The book also gives you a main character that pulls you into the story with them, a character you can root for and that you know deserves the bonds they craft along the way.

Recipes for an unexpected life made me smile, cry and most of all gave me the homey atmosphere we can all use after a long day.

This was precisely the kind of book I like to read alongside non-fiction (Careless People, it was needed). There were lessons to be learnt, and definitely some I could do with learning myself but there was so much hope. I should add this to my mental but not actually present on any account list of books to bring hope, when you've got a book hangover, or don't want to thing. This slapped in a beach read for traumatized gays way.

My singular (and consistent with recipe related books) gripe is a lack of appendix/companion containing the recipes mentioned/eaten, specifically for the purpose of doing some kind of eatalong with the characters, particularly Astra a food guide by her would go hard.

Undead orc knight Rottgor is not doing so well. He was forced to turn into the undead centuries ago and lost all bodily autonomy. However, he has a chance to retire and live a quiet life. When he faces his past and starts to remember who he was before the change, he decided to open a restaurant. With the help of his neighbors, his staff, and an orphan named Astra he finally starts to heal. However, Astra has a terrifying secret that puts her in danger. He must make the choice to trust in her, and himself and do what's right.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely INHALED this book within 3 days; Rottgor's story pulled me in so easily and it was so hard to put this book down! Cozy fantasy has grown on me throughout the years; "Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife" brings something new and fresh to the genre, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book.

Deston J. Munden achieves the perfect balance between high stakes and cozy atmosphere in this wonderfully endearing story. The villains in the story are BOTH the embittered characters with long-held grudges and traumas and ALSO Rottgor's struggles with inadequacies in his character journey. The setting of a restaurant offers lush and mouth-watering descriptions of Rottgor's culinary inventions, and-each dish will have readers wishing to dive into the world for a taste, whether that be the sweet potato loaf or the exquisitely seasoned lamb stew. At the same time, the story also takes you into immersive skirmishes between rivals and shocking character reveals, offering excitement on all levels throughout the entire plot.

Plus, the world-building is a perfect accompaniment to this story; every little facet revealed in the plot serves to compile a greater picture of the world Munden has crafted. With a fully fleshed out history, political system, social & class hierarchy, military factions, and an incredibly diverse range of fantasy races (both dead AND undead!), the extensive world comes to life so easily in the blink of an eye. And yet! This story takes place in a mere tiny capsule of this world, existing in Rottgor's small corner of this big city. There is so much skill in befing able to draw up such a complex world, contain it within a single street inside a big city, without the world-building feeling like a distraction from the cozy elements of the story, and I cannot emphasize enough how impressive this facet of the story is.

But most importantly, this character-driven story would not be what it is without the presence of our endearing Rottgor. His character development highlights a struggle in finding purpose, revealing that maybe purpose IS the family we make along the way. Each member of his found family is so memorable, and I like how we see small figments of development for each of them throughout the story. But I especially adored how this story touches upon the love between a father and a daughter in the unfolding of Rottgor and Astra's relationship. I feel like this is a bond not often touched upon in fantasy, and it was delightful to watch their affections for each other unfold.

My only small critique is there were times when I felt like the different subplots of the story felt disconnected from each other, but I did appreciate how equal story space is given to every single element within the story. Overall, "Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife" was an absolute JOY to read, I enjoyed every moment I had with this story. This will be the perfect book to read in autumn when it releases (October 14!), and I look forward to rereading this book again, paired with a hot cup of floral tea and a warm loaf of fresh bread.

A truly beautiful story of second chances, found family, and knowing it is never too late.
Razgaif, has been Rotgorr a member of the undead horde for hundreds of years, so when he is affectionately forced into retirement he is at a loss with what to do with his now mortal life. As he makes new friends and recovers old memories he decides to open a restaurant, and through this he creates a family he never expected. Things aren't all clear sailing for Razgaif now, but life certainly seems like a new adventure.
Razgaif is such a wonderful hero; someone who has come from the darkest of places to become a beacon of progress even before the beginning of this tale which is why seeing him becoming successful and finding where he belongs is so satisfying.
There are so many wonderful characters helping him along his path. I love Lady Cleo, she is kind hearted but seems like she can be a force to be reckoned with when she wants. Calfe is such a strong personality and I love how hard he fights for his new friend. Tytli is such a nuanced character, so hard and unforgiving, until the layers are pulled away and you see she has been hurt so badly. Astra is such a fun character and you can see right away how she and Razgaif are important to each other.
The path to happiness isn't 100% without trial, but when is it ever. This story is worth taking the ride.

Thank you to Net Galley and Bindery Books for the ARC.

I always go for a good cozy fantasy when I’m between books and this one is no different. Having read Legends and Lattes in the past, I found that this book had a very similar vibe. You have an undead orc, a homely restaurant, and found family, what else can you ask for?

I found the start of the book really strong. I was super invested in the characters and how the story progressed. However, I did struggle a little bit with the pacing at times, especially towards the end. I felt that the tension was solved just a bit too quickly and neatly for me, it just felt a bit simple.

Overall it was nice enough read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves cozy fantasy and found families.

Set to be released in October 2025, I got my hands on an ARC thanks to NetGalley…and I’m so glad I did. Having become obsessed with R.A. Salvatore’s tales of Drizzt and the wold of George RR Martin’s GoT, I’m very particular about my fantasy books and I find many have tedious world-building at the beginning: reading more like I’m studying for a DnD quiz and not enjoying a book.

This is not one of those, as we dive right into an amazing story or life after death, fatherly love, and the battle against discrimination. I laughed multiple times, was on the edge of my seat just as many times, and was brought to tears more than once.

A stellar cast of characters and a spectacular story from start to finish.

Fans of Legends and Lattes will love this! Found family and cozy fantasy shine in this story. While at times the world building and exposition is a little clunky, the story is charming enough for me to get past that. Thank you NetGalley and Bindery/Cozy Quill for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.