I so badly wanted to enjoy this book. As far as the mythology and competition aspects go, I had a great time reading. However, the romance really put a damper on things for me. There was already so much going on that I felt yanked out of the story every time one of the boys showed up. There was no real chemistry between any of the love interests and it was honestly infuriating to read about Cai leading on her "best friend" for the entire book. It would have been so much more enjoyable with a strong platonic relationship at the center.

Rounded from 3.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this YA fantasy, such an original concept of a challenge cooking for the gods with a bit of romance thrown in! I also thought the audiobook narrator was fabulous and I had so much fun 💗

From the high stakes cooking competition, to the quests, to the classic YA 'best friend vs. crush' love triangle, this book delivered on everything it promised and I loved every minute of it. It was just so much fun. I only wish it could have been a little bit longer, so I could have spent more time with this ragtag crew and delved deeper into the world. I had such a good time with this book and it's one I'd happily return to for a foodie fantasy fix. I also absolutely adored the narration for the audiobook!

I absolutely loved Celestial Banquet! The story was beautifully written — rich, emotional, and full of twists that kept me turning the pages. The world-building was so immersive, and the way everything came together felt both epic and meaningful. The narrator of this book was just great.

Tala was by far my favorite character. She’s strong, grounded, and quietly powerful in a way that really stood out. Her journey was emotional and inspiring, and I loved how layered she was. I honestly miss her already!

If you’re into fantasy with heart, depth, and characters you can really connect with, I totally recommend this book.

First of all, thank you, NetGalley, for giving me the ARC. Hugs and kisses for you! But I’m going to be honest here. I do like this book… but BUT there are definitely things I dislike. We’ll get to that later.

The writing in this book is a bit infodumpy, but I can tell the author is really passionate. You can see how much heart went into world-building and how they tried to infuse the prose with flavorful language. I think the world is solid, but the writer didn’t always know where to place that world-building. I get it, but it could’ve been handled better.

I’ll give them a pass for promoting this book as Hunger Games meets cooking shows, because… they’re not wrong. This is basically a god-tier Master Chef.

This book follows our main character, Cai, a noodle maker who dreams of joining the divine cooking competition. Like ABBA, Miss Cai also has a dream: to protect her peninsula from invasion and make her late father proud. I like her because she knows what she wants and she’s persistent.

There are other characters I care about—Kama (a minor god who sponsors Cai) and Tala (a mysterious warrior). I care about Kama the most, after Cai. Their dynamic is my favorite, and I really love his backstory. I’m a sucker for a reluctant mentor, tehee. Tala is cool, too, but I wish we got more depth from her.

Now for the part I didn’t like: the romance. I don’t care for love triangles, and I care even less when the main character’s life is on the line. Both boys (especially one of them) are so pushy—it gave me the ick. I won’t go into much detail, but yeah. I hated it. End of story.

Also, my dad once said, “Read the room. Let your loved one focus on their goal before escalating things.” And he’s right. Poor Cai already has enough on her plate (literally and figuratively).

3.75⭐️
Iron Chef meets mythology meets a whole lot of “how is this not an animated movie already?”

This book had me hungry in every possible way—emotionally, narratively, and literally. Food is at the heart of this story, not just as a plot device but as culture, history, identity, everything. And I loved that. The Celestial Banquet is a deadly cooking competition for the gods (yes, that’s the vibe), and it takes the “trial trope” and gives it a delicious little twist. Think high-stakes meals, magical ingredients, and dishes that could literally kill you or elevate you to divine status. Honestly? I was here for it.

Cai, our hot-tempered, flavor-mixing queen, dreams of opening her own restaurant, and when the chance to enter the Banquet comes up, she’s in—despite the whole “might die” part. She has a chaotic but lovable team, and together they’re thrown into challenge after challenge, facing off against gods and other wild competitors. Plot-wise? Unexpected. Every turn had me going “wait, WHAT just happened?” in the best way.

Now the romance? Meh.
There’s a love triangle, but the chemistry? Flatter than overcooked noodles. Honestly, I didn’t care who she ended up with because neither of the love interests gave me anything worth shipping. This story didn’t need romance to work, and maybe it would’ve hit even harder without trying to force it in.

On the bright side, Cai’s personal arc as a chef and a human? Chef’s kiss. She grows, she learns, she fights, she cries. She’s real, and that made her easy to connect with. Also shoutout to Kama, a minor god with a tragic backstory that gave the story some extra emotional weight.

As for the audiobook… Natalie Naudus is a pro. They bring characters to life with distinct voices and the pacing is solid. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the singing parts (but that’s a me thing, not a narrator thing), and while I did raise an eyebrow at some pronunciation choices, it didn’t ruin the experience.

It leans more into the YA side of fantasy, especially with the first-person POV and the romance subplot, but the worldbuilding and competition really carry the story. If you’re into food-themed magic, mythological chaos, and stories that smell like star anise and regret—give it a shot.

Also: someone, PLEASE adapt this into a Studio Ghibli-style movie. The visuals? Would slap.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, Sweet July Books, Roselle Lim, and Natalie Naudus (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to Celestial Banquet in exchange for an honest review.

Are you a fan of Food Wars, Top Chef, or Yakitate Japan? Then enjoy the feast that is Celestial Banquet, featuring a high stakes cooking tournament hosted by and presented for the gods, with an immortal prize. That is, if competitors don't die in the process. They must gather unique ingredients from poisonous or carnivorous creatures, among other risky escapades, to get the desired perfect ingredient for the differing god of each round.

Cai, a noodle chef inspired by her father with a dream of owning her own restaurant, aims to enter the contest, given that it is only done once in a generation. She'll need the backing of their local minor god, Kama, as well as her long-time crush, Bo, in order to have a qualifying team to enter. And of course they need a noble representative, Seon.

Amidst the finest culinary masters, not only must her team avoid death along the way, but must win to avoid death at a god's leisure. If pleasing the gods' palates isn't hard enough, Cai must also navigate teamwork and a potential love triangle!

This is a fun novel. It has an air of feeling light, but contains high stakes for the characters and the situations they find themselves in during the competition. The presentation of each round feels unique, taking some traditional food competition elements, while adding its own exciting flavors through the use of Asian mythology.

I enjoyed the novel, and while it could be a stand-alone, the end offers an opportunity for more in the world, though a sequel would have a very different type of story, making it out to be something like a war-based plot, rather than high-stakes cooking. I suppose we will find out. In the meantime, enjoy a nice palatable cooking novel for a young adult audience with a sprinkling of death and romance for flavor.

Equipped with a temper and a talent for combining unusual flavors, Cai wants nothing more than to be able to own her own restaurant. So when the opportunity presents itself to enter the Celestial Banquet, a cooking competition for the gods, Cai cannot help but want to enter. Together with a quirky team, she and her friends must face all sorts of challenges and risk their lives. Can they triumph?

This was a fascinating storyline that I just did not expect. At every turn, I was surprised by the outcomes and where the author took us. Cai was easy to connect with, and I really enjoyed getting to learn the back story of the sad minor god, Kama. I do wish that YA books would stop relying so heavily on the love triangle as a way to create drama. There was plenty of action without adding in the love triangle and it made me wish that one of those characters were female with a straight female main character, so I could still get their contributions.

I think this has the potential to go over well with teens, but I also am not sure how many teens would be into the cooking aspects. It may end up with a smaller audience as a result.

The audio was good, but when compared with the text, I was confused about some of the pronunciations. How is Seon "Sean"? I do wonder if the narrator was the best choice for this book.

Thank you to Net Galley, Zando, and Sweet July Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5⭐️ Rounded Up

I love that this story centered around food and the power of food culture. The Celestial Banquet is such a unique take on the deadly trials trope and I think that is what I liked most about this. It definitely gave Iron Chef vibes but with gods and death. The history of the continent and the work building was fascinating, and I wish we could have had more of it, yet it still felt very immersive and fantastical.
I liked Saint and her character arc. I think she showed growth as a chef and a person. The only thing that was lacking was the romance story. It didn’t really develop and I never felt any true chemistry between Sai and either of the males. I actually think this book might have been better off with a romantic plot in it.
This is not my first audiobook narrated by Natalie Naudus, and -as usual- they give a very solid performance. The different voices for characters and the tone was always spot on and easy to follow. I didn’t love the singing portion, but that’s really just because I’m not huge on those scenes in general. I cannot fault Naudus’ performance at all, and definitely recommend checking out their other works as well.

**Review: 3.75 stars** (will round off to 4)
Format: Audiobook (Narrated by Natalie Naudus)
From its first vivid description of a bustling fish market to its harrowing conclusion at the Celestial Banquet, *Celestial Banquet* delivers a gorgeously atmospheric and emotionally gripping tale about ambition, love, and sacrifice. It swept me into its rich world like a tide I didn’t want to resist.

We follow **Cai**, a bright and determined young woman from a modest fishing district, who wins the rare chance to represent her region at the Celestial Banquet—a deadly culinary competition held by the major gods. Her prize? A peach of immortality, power, and the chance to fulfill her late father’s dreams. But the banquet is no whimsical cook-off. It is layered with politics, hidden betrayals, and consequences Cai couldn't imagine.

What I adored most was the **worldbuilding**—each god feels mythic yet distinct, their personalities reflected in the landscapes, creatures, and challenges they command. From Luck’s whimsical cruelty to Indulgence’s horrific price for victory, the divine forces felt both fascinating and deeply unsettling. Each task—from catching deadly sea beasts to luring a sacred bird with a love song—was filled with tension and emotion.
The **themes of sacrifice, identity, and love** were beautifully woven. Cai’s internal conflict about her relationships—especially with Bo and Seon—felt real. Her journey wasn’t just about winning a competition; it was about discovering who she is outside of the dreams her father built for her. I especially loved the parallels between the three core members of her team: Seon’s struggles with legacy, Tala’s quest for justice, and Cai’s desire to honor her father’s vision while finding her own.

While there is a love triangle, it never dominates the plot. In fact, it adds emotional weight to Cai’s decisions. Her dynamic with Bo is filled with guilt, comfort, and unspoken pain, while her attraction to Seon is tied to newfound ambition and hope. In the end, her choices feel *earned*, not forced.

The **side characters shine**—Tala’s arc from quiet guardian to revolutionary was empowering, and I loved how her backstory tied into the Empress’s tyranny. Kama, the minor god Cai represents, started as comic relief and ended as a heartfelt, surprising emotional anchor. Pubu’s quiet wisdom and tragic team fate absolutely gutted me.
Audiobook Note: Natalie Naudus’s narration elevated everything. Her voice cracked at the perfect emotional beats, and her range—from gods to teenagers—was flawless. She *became* Cai, and listening felt like watching a movie unfold in my head.
If I had one critique, it would be the rushed nature of some relationship arcs. For instance, Bo’s feelings were clear early on, but Cai’s realization and shifting desires felt sudden. Some moments felt "told" rather than "shown"—especially in her reflections about Seon. Still, these are small bumps in an otherwise richly textured and soul-stirring story.
Final Thoughts:
*Celestial Banquet* is a lush, lyrical, and high-stakes journey that balances fierce competition with deep emotional growth. It's a fantasy that doesn’t shy away from grief, complexity, or moral ambiguity. A strong first installment in what promises to be an unforgettable series.

A deadly cooking competition takes place every generation where humans cook meals for the Gods. But these are not ordinary meals, nor is this an ordinary challenge. The winner gets the golden peach of immortality, but the remaining contenders risk their lives and the wrath of the Gods.

Our protagonist enters the lethal challenge with the sole aim of pursuing her passion for cooking and living up to her Baba's dream. As the journey begins, though, she finds herself entangled in a web of feelings toward her childhood crush and her best friend. While romance is an underlying keynote, the book's main themes present an adventurous quest to win the competition's challenges, with the flavors of the food served as a delicious topping.

I enjoyed the riddle-solving, the mystical elements, and the culinary descriptions, though I wasn't as invested in the romance or even the role of the Gods in the story. I wished there was more to the Gods' vantage points and stakes, beyond just their powers.

The audiobook fell somewhere in the middle for me - the story wasn't bad, but it lacked the depth I'd anticipated for a premise like this. That said, the narrators still delivered their fair share with the cards they were dealt.

⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Celestial Banquet
Author: Roselle Lim

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for my copy of this audiobook. I loved it. We have a young noodle chef, competing in a cooking competition for Gods. She brings with her a fun group of characters, as she competes against some of the best culinary masters around. Also, these are not normal cooking competitions, but Roselle creates magical recipes and creations from mythical beings. It was such a fun read. Also, I did not intentionally read so many books narrated by Natalie Naudus this month, but as always she is a true fantasy queen. I really hope we get more books in this world. Thank you again for the read!

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim follows Cai, a noodle chef, as she enters the Celestial Banquet, a cooking competition for the gods. The stakes are high, as winning the Celestial Banquet provides riches and immortality, while losing provides likely despair at the hands of the gods.

The Celestial Banquet had highs and lows for me.

I loved the concept of the Celestial Banquet. I’ve always been a fan of stories that include competition, and the Celestial Banquet provided that for me and did a great job. The competition did not take over the story, but was just one aspect of it. However, one other large part of the story was the love triangle in which Cai was attempting to decide between two love interests. I unfortunately found myself not caring about the romance side of this book.

I loved the descriptions of food throughout the book, and often found myself hungry while reading. I think this book would make an AMAZING movie, particularly animated. The audiobook made me feel this way in particular. I listen to this book as well as having an E-ARC and the audio allowed me to visualize the story in even more depth. The narrator did an amazing job and really provided a voice for Cai.

The book felt a little too YA for me, particularly with the first person point of view, but that has more to do with me and my preferences. I think this would be a great read for upper middle school, however all ages can definitely enjoy it, I certainly did!


Thank you to Sweet July Books and Netgalley for the ARCs in exchange for an honest review!

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim is a sumptuous, high-stakes fantasy that simmers with magic, heart, and mouthwatering descriptions—and Natalie Naudus’s dynamic narration makes every bite, battle, and heartbreak utterly immersive. As noodle chef Cai faces off in a deadly divine cooking competition, her fire and determination shine through in a story that’s as much about family and identity as it is about culinary prowess. Lim masterfully blends East Asian folklore with fierce action and tender moments of love, grief, and growth, while Naudus delivers each character with warmth and clarity, elevating the emotional stakes. A dazzling tale perfect for fans of Iron Chef with a mythic twist, this audiobook is a feast for the senses and the soul.

3.75 stars

One thing I love is a story set around food. There’s something so homely about it, from rich descriptions that make your mouth water and the sense of community that cooking brings. In this regard, Celestial Banquet did not disappoint.


My favourite part of the narrative was the cooking competition. Not only were the challenges exciting, but I loved hearing about the ingredients - how they were used, how their flavours entwined and worked together. Also, I loved how passionate the characters were about food; they put so much care and thought into their dishes.


The cast of characters was enjoyable to follow, each with their own quirks and history. I thought the presence of Gods in the story was interesting, and if Roselle Lim were to write a story about them in more depth, I’d absolutely devour it (particularly one about Kama).


Unfortunately, Celestial Banquet fell a little flat for me in other areas. A few aspects of the competition felt too easy for the characters to overcome, and often solutions were handed to them without much struggle. Although it didn’t ruin the story for me, it would’ve felt more satisfying if the characters had uncovered information on their own/in another way. Additionally, the setting could’ve been fleshed out more. I think a lot of focus was on the characters and the competition (which is totally fine), but there was a lack of world-building that impacted my immersion.


I listened to the audiobook version of this and had no issues. The narrator did a good job, creating voices for each character that helped the story come to life and the audio was clear, making it easy to fall into the narrative.


If you love food and cooking like me, or just like stories with a competition with a sprinkle of Gods and mysticality, give this a try!




Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

"Folks could claim they served their dishes to dignitaries, kings, and empresses, but few had the impact of cooking for immortals. And it wasn't only the honor that drew people to the banquet, it was its life-changing prize. The winners of the Celestial Banquet would each receive a priceless gift: a peach of immortality."

Cai is a noodle chef eager to join the celestial banquet, which is a Hunger Games-like cooking competition where five teams are trying to impress the gods by making meals for each of them, and gathering the ingredients is a fight to survive. I really liked the action, and the plot was really interesting. There was also a love triangle happening in the background, and although I feel like I am incapable of reading a book without some sort of romance subplot, it felt a bit off in this book. I was like, uhhh why are you both kissing this girl and talking about your feelings and wanting her to make a choice when your lives are on the line and you don't even know if you'll survive the day??? LOL
It was still a fun read, and I really enjoyed the audiobook!

Thank You Roselle Lim, NetGalley and Sweet July Books for this ARC!

Celestial Banquet will tell the story of Cai, an orphan girl with a passion for cooking, who’s dead-set on participating in the Celestial Banquet (held by an empress and gods), a cooking competition in which the winners get a peach of immortality (that can be eaten or sold for a lot of money, which is what our protagonist wants).

First things first, I didn't really like it. For someone that was warned to be careful and hold her tongue, she was awfully snappy with an empress and a handful of gods; also, discussing your ideas for pushing back the empress armies while the empress is right there? Not smart.

There’s also a love triangle, because of course there is, that doesn’t really make sense, and, while I’m here, I did get the sense that Cai was indeed leading the other guy on (not that I think a girl being nice to a guy means she’s leading him on, far from it, but Cai did kiss her friend a couple of times, so I can see how he got his wires crossed).

A lovely audiobook this. I don't know why, but for some reason it reminds me of the Narrator from Baldur's Gate 3. That same kind of calmness of the voice, if that makes sense. Very pleasant to listen to.

Roselle Lim’s Celestial Banquet is a rich tale that blends high-stakes culinary competition with romantic tension and a divine battle between immortals and mortals. Think Iron Chef meets A Magic Steeped in Poison with a hint of The Games Gods Play - food, fantasy, fate.

At the heart of this story is a fierce love triangle and a competition where every dish is a matter of survival.

Narrator Natalie Naudus absolutely shines! She is one of my favorite YA fantasy narrators. Her voice resonates with the listener, pulling you into Lim’s vibrant world. Her range of tones and pacing give each character life. Additionally, Naudus captures the magic and tension of key moments, whether it’s a romantic encounter or in the competition.

I really wanted to like this. I am a huge fan of cooking shows and east asian mythology so this seemed perfect at first glance. And it was overall an enjoyable story, but didn't feel like a complete story to me. This felt like a prequel novella for some already established literary universe, and in fact if this author writes more to this series I will gladly read it to learn more.

I felt zero investment in the love story, I wasn't attached to either MMC as I hadn't been given an opportunity to get to know them in any proper way and so every time the love triangle story line popped up I was just annoyed. It would have worked if a third person was introduced that we did get to know who was the ultimate choice, or if our character had decided to strike out on her own, but her picking one of them just felt wrong.

The story of the gods vanquishing death, the minor gods being created, and even the major gods reaction at the end when our minor god ate the peach slice seemed like it could have and should have been told in more detail, otherwise it didnt make much sense to include it all.

One other small issues I had which may have been made worse since I was listening to the audio book was the overuse of food metaphors, I know its a story about chefs but they felt overdone when it was multiple used in one paragraph in some cases and i found myself groaning when another would pop up.