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renpuspita's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
With a tongue-in-cheek title, the story of A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking was indeed humorous although its have some darkest moment near the end. This is the first book of T. Kingfisher that I'd read and will not be the last since I like her writing style and her voice.
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking (quite a handful title, isn't it?) is about a wizard (or witch) named Mona, a 14 year old girl with magic connected to bread and everything baking that live in the bakery in city surrounded by canal called Riverbraid. In the morning, she discover a dead body. Not a very good condition to start the day since she also accused of murder. While she free of any charge, Mona then find herself to be target of assassin that targeted magicker, aka people with magic. Running for her life, Mona's fate will change when she must defend the Riverbraid with only her magic. Now, what the bread wizard can do to defense her city from upcoming attack and siege?
While this book can be categorized into YA or middle grade, at first I find Mona's voice sounds like adult, lol. Well, maybe she comment everything with sarcasm and skepticism, also Mona always think that her magic is a minor ones. Actually I praised T. Kingfisher to write such a unique magic system. Yeah, Mona's magic might be minor because all she did was enchant dough, flour or bread. But, the way Kingfisher described how Mona's magic work is the highlight of this book. Imagine my surprise when reading about carnivorous and homicidal sourdough starter named Bob! Bob is such a delight, although its just a sourdough starter, its can be used as a weapon to attack people! Another Mona's invention was the gingerbread man cookies. Sadly, these gingerbread didn't have name, but its sentient and have intelligence as well. Kingfisher also explain that with some of ingredients, Mona was able to make gingerbread act like what she instructed, such as causing mischief in the middle of enemy camps. Also, gigantic gingerbread as golem. 'Nuff said.
Not only Mona, but others characters also have their spotlight. Mona's aunt, Tabitha is a force to be reckon with because not only she love Mona unconditionally, she also support Mona in the upcoming siege against Riverbraid. Spindle, the 10 years old street orphan, maybe start as a brat, but he also become Mona's sidekick and thanks to him, Mona can meet the ruler of the Riverbraid, the Duchess and appeal her case, therefore saved the Duchess from the upcoming coup d'etat. The story of this book is pretty straightforward and simple. Black and white too, because the good and the evil already defined from the start. There's no "oh, no, top ten anime betrayal" scene, except from the villain side. However, while the story feels cozy for about 60-70% mark, it turn almost depressing in the end. Mona don't want to be a hero and she think that the Duchess should be protect her citizens, magickers included. So, while the story have good and cozy feeling, Kingfisher also try to balance its with some touch of reality.
I have a blast reading a Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking. I also like the message that Kingfisher imbued her story, like great things can be start from mundane or little things. Mona's magic might be minor or insignificant at first, but I will read more about carnivorous sourdough starter or sentient gingerbread that can beat Mona in the card game. Really recommended if you want a fantasy that simple, straightforward, completed with unique magic system, a heroine with sarcasm and wittiness but also show some reality especially about the aftermath of the war/siege.
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking (quite a handful title, isn't it?) is about a wizard (or witch) named Mona, a 14 year old girl with magic connected to bread and everything baking that live in the bakery in city surrounded by canal called Riverbraid. In the morning, she discover a dead body. Not a very good condition to start the day since she also accused of murder. While she free of any charge, Mona then find herself to be target of assassin that targeted magicker, aka people with magic. Running for her life, Mona's fate will change when she must defend the Riverbraid with only her magic. Now, what the bread wizard can do to defense her city from upcoming attack and siege?
While this book can be categorized into YA or middle grade, at first I find Mona's voice sounds like adult, lol. Well, maybe she comment everything with sarcasm and skepticism, also Mona always think that her magic is a minor ones. Actually I praised T. Kingfisher to write such a unique magic system. Yeah, Mona's magic might be minor because all she did was enchant dough, flour or bread. But, the way Kingfisher described how Mona's magic work is the highlight of this book. Imagine my surprise when reading about carnivorous and homicidal sourdough starter named Bob! Bob is such a delight, although its just a sourdough starter, its can be used as a weapon to attack people! Another Mona's invention was the gingerbread man cookies. Sadly, these gingerbread didn't have name, but its sentient and have intelligence as well. Kingfisher also explain that with some of ingredients, Mona was able to make gingerbread act like what she instructed, such as causing mischief in the middle of enemy camps. Also, gigantic gingerbread as golem. 'Nuff said.
Not only Mona, but others characters also have their spotlight. Mona's aunt, Tabitha is a force to be reckon with because not only she love Mona unconditionally, she also support Mona in the upcoming siege against Riverbraid. Spindle, the 10 years old street orphan, maybe start as a brat, but he also become Mona's sidekick and thanks to him, Mona can meet the ruler of the Riverbraid, the Duchess and appeal her case, therefore saved the Duchess from the upcoming coup d'etat. The story of this book is pretty straightforward and simple. Black and white too, because the good and the evil already defined from the start. There's no "oh, no, top ten anime betrayal" scene, except from the villain side. However, while the story feels cozy for about 60-70% mark, it turn almost depressing in the end. Mona don't want to be a hero and she think that the Duchess should be protect her citizens, magickers included. So, while the story have good and cozy feeling, Kingfisher also try to balance its with some touch of reality.
I have a blast reading a Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking. I also like the message that Kingfisher imbued her story, like great things can be start from mundane or little things. Mona's magic might be minor or insignificant at first, but I will read more about carnivorous sourdough starter or sentient gingerbread that can beat Mona in the card game. Really recommended if you want a fantasy that simple, straightforward, completed with unique magic system, a heroine with sarcasm and wittiness but also show some reality especially about the aftermath of the war/siege.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and War
Moderate: Vomit and Stalking
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
readingduckling's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A couple of days ago I told my mom, that I somehow was giving out way less 5 stars this year, and boom a 5 Star book.
I loved this book very much it was entertaining and engaging I just couldn't put it away. I will definitely buy a physical copy of this book and then read it again.
I loved this book very much it was entertaining and engaging I just couldn't put it away. I will definitely buy a physical copy of this book and then read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child death, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The novel blurb may lead you to believe that the crucial element is the dead body but that plays a small small roll in the actual plot. There are some rather unbelievable but still enjoyable elements- The leaders of the land relying on a 14 year old and her friend to make sense of political issues and power grabs - is a key example.
I adored the sentient bread and the relatively well-thought-out magic system. There was realism in the magic and non-magic relations that could be compared to relations between groups in the real world.
There was a MacGuffin element at the end of the book in the form of a specific character but said character wasn't wholly involved otherwise. The young characters accurately and often criticize that the heroism fell to them to do and pointed out multiple adults who failed in their jobs and caused this. A refreshing take amongst all the young adult fantasy characters that exist. There is also a brief criticism in how wars function in regards to those in the wars.
There is a little judgment on the form of magic characters are able to do and a sort of hierarchy in terms of abilities. There is also very much a class system ("useless" magickers and the destitute are relegated to 'the rat's nest' and slums in a specific part of the land) and several important characters have ties to the lowest seen parts of the system.
There is a lot of humor to lighten the tense moments but I do wish some of the tense bits had a but more gravity to them.The dead girl in the bakery is found and when her brother comes to look for proof he does the majority of his grieving off page and in the next chapter is acting like his sister never really existed in favor of helping our lead girl escape persecution.
I adored the sentient bread and the relatively well-thought-out magic system. There was realism in the magic and non-magic relations that could be compared to relations between groups in the real world.
There was a MacGuffin element at the end of the book in the form of a specific character but said character wasn't wholly involved otherwise. The young characters accurately and often criticize that the heroism fell to them to do and pointed out multiple adults who failed in their jobs and caused this. A refreshing take amongst all the young adult fantasy characters that exist. There is also a brief criticism in how wars function in regards to those in the wars.
There is a little judgment on the form of magic characters are able to do and a sort of hierarchy in terms of abilities. There is also very much a class system ("useless" magickers and the destitute are relegated to 'the rat's nest' and slums in a specific part of the land) and several important characters have ties to the lowest seen parts of the system.
There is a lot of humor to lighten the tense moments but I do wish some of the tense bits had a but more gravity to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and War
Minor: Ableism, Hate crime, Vomit, Stalking, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
The sourdough starter is mentioned to have eaten rats, bite people, and regularly consumes meat. There are necromanced animals and zombie animals mentioned. None of this is described in excessive detail.elltea11's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
There were several places where I felt like the book could and perhaps should have ended. Not as good as Nettle & Bone imo, but still worth a read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Violence, Xenophobia, Excrement, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Vomit, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
waterwolves's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Stalking, and War
Minor: Hate crime and Murder
novella42's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Such a fun, weird, dark-yet-delightful book! I love baking bread and reading fantasy stories, and found this book to be hilarious and just the right amount of snarky. I usually avoid dark/horror themes but I love Kingfisher's style and take on mental health and relationships enough that I keep going back to read a lot of Kingfisher's other books in the Clocktower universe. I kept imagining this story taking place there, too. It's certainly dark enough for it, to the point where I kept feeling surprised that this is a young adult novel. But then Mona would do or say something and I'd have a little argument with myself that of course this is a young adult novel. If Hunger Games is Young Adult, than this can be too, and is a heck of a lot sweeter. (And not just because of all the scones and gingerbread.) I genuinely love Mona and all the people in her life. Kingfisher has a real talent for writing group dynamics and I think that shows here. I was surprised to learn in her afterword that she first wrote this in 2007, as many of the themes are especially relevant in the 2020s. I'd love to read another in a series, and I also think this makes a lovely standalone story too. Well done, Kingfisher!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Genocide, Medical content, and Cannibalism
mizz_destiny's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Was enjoying the humor and the snark and the fluffiness of this book - right up to the last bit where I tried not sob on the plane.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Hate crime and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Stalking
bex_knighthunter's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
With Kingfisher's distinctive humour and dark whimsey, this children's adventure was charming and easy to love. The baking elements were well incorporated and the baking magic paid off nicely as the action ramped up at the end. The peril felt real, and I loved the messages around the dark side of heroism and how it often shows a failure of a system (and how a city probably shouldn't be saved by two kids). Mona had a distinctive snarky voice that did feel somewhat realistic for a 14-year old, and she had some good character growth. The side characters were also well drawn, in particular the magical ones: bob the sourdough starter, the gingerbread man that sticks with her, and Molly (whose power is horse necromancy). My only criticisms are that the plot resolution was a little overpowered, making all the hard work up to that point seem wasted, and that the world building was pretty light and generic, although parts of the city did come to life for me. Overall, this was a funny light hearted and entertaining read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and War
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, and Death of parent
sarah984's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“But as long as they gave us medals, that fixed it, as far as the army was concerned. You expect heroes to survive terrible things. If you give them a medal, then you don’t ever have to ask why the terrible thing happened in the first place. Or try to fix it.” He made a flicking gesture with his fingers. “How else are you gonna have heroes?”
This was a really charming story about a teenage baker and her group of misfit friends joining forces to save their city. The writing is punchy and fun (Mona’s bakery creations are fantastic) and the character’s voice is great. I loved how she would constantly describe things in baking metaphors, and she had realistic fourteen-year-old reactions to what was going on around her. I liked that she was heroic but the story carried a message about how heroism basically requires the failure of all measures to prevent a crisis first.
I did notice a few editing errors (Uncle Albert became Uncle Earl in one scene for example) and I was kind of disappointed that in a story about how people shouldn't be judged based on stereotypes and rumours the Carex mercenaries were exactly the savages Mona thought they were. Aside from those complaints though I would definitely recommend this.
This was a really charming story about a teenage baker and her group of misfit friends joining forces to save their city. The writing is punchy and fun (Mona’s bakery creations are fantastic) and the character’s voice is great. I loved how she would constantly describe things in baking metaphors, and she had realistic fourteen-year-old reactions to what was going on around her. I liked that she was heroic but the story carried a message about how heroism basically requires the failure of all measures to prevent a crisis first.
I did notice a few editing errors (Uncle Albert became Uncle Earl in one scene for example) and I was kind of disappointed that in a story about how people shouldn't be judged based on stereotypes and rumours the Carex mercenaries were exactly the savages Mona thought they were. Aside from those complaints though I would definitely recommend this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Excrement, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Vomit, Medical content, and Death of parent