A review by fantaiil
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.75

You take one cup of talent, mix it with two cups of potential and sprinkle a bit of humour about it. You bake a cake and throw it out of the window. Remember to really destroy all the fun.

Out of the remaining crumbs you try to assemble a ginger bread house. Take a whining "oh i am 14 and just a baker" and put it at any given place. If you think, it's enough whining and remembering the reader that the fmc is 14 and just a baker, put some more. Now add poop, jokes about peeing, more poop and peeing again to really sell how much of a disgusting waste this book in reality is.

I guess if I hadn't liked the potential that much, i wouldn't be that disappointed. It is a nice idea. There are some funny lines. Even maybe a bit to think about. With some practice, a lot of editing and reducing the peeing and poop situations from 4 to maybe just one (or cut it altogether if I'm being honest), it cut have been such a cute, funny, little book. 

But in the end... it's just shit.
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