May be, just may be, it was supposed to be a very interesting immersive read. However, this book has failed to take me on the journey with the story and characters.
I did not get involved. I did not get interested.

Rating: 2/5 Stars.
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I really struggled to get through this one unfortunately. I kept picking it up then putting it back down. The concept of A Thousand Recipes For Revenge is initially what grabbed my attention. I thought the premise as to how magic can be used through cooking and being able to taste premonitions or use food in combat was pretty unique and different. However, this story seemed a bit repetitive, weird and even confusing at times.
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I ended up getting to a point while reading this one, where I didn’t really care much about the characters, or what happened to them or even what happened in the story. I found my brain drifting while reading this one. It just seemed a bit too wordy or maybe even the author tried too hard to create that whole fantasy wording. I don’t know, something just felt off with this one.
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I’m not too sure what the ending of this book was. I know its supposed to be a sequel but I just wasn’t the biggest fan of that ending. Regardless, I unfortunately do not think that this series is one for me, so I do not think that I will be continuing with the other books when they come out. I’m usually a fantasy fan but this one didn’t hit the mark for me. Though I have read some rave reviews on this one so if you are a fan of fantasy and are interested in the cooking world – give this one a shot – you may end up loving it.
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A Thousand Recipes For Revenge released on 6/1/23. The second in the series will be releasing this year on 1/9! Huge thank you to Netgalley, Beth Cato and 47North for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was pumped when I saw that I had been approved to read this book but I struggled to get through it. I wasn't pulled in the way that I had hoped even though the atmosphere and characters were great - the plot was just a little much.

I personally did not enjoy this book. I thought it was something different but I couldnt get into it. There was some interesting parts and characters but I was bored more than interested.

I enjoyed this book, though it began to thin towards the end. Very much a mood reader and this took me in.

"A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" by Beth Cato is a delectable concoction of swashbuckling adventure, culinary magic, and a dash of just desserts, creating a world that is both richly imagined and thrilling.
Ada Garland, with her empathic connection to food and wine, possesses a magical perception of aromas, flavors, and ingredients. Once in service to the Five Gods and the rulers of Verdania, Ada's desertion from the royal court was fueled by a desire for justice and a break from the bloodshed. However, after sixteen years in hiding, mysterious assassins force Ada and her Grand-mère to flee for their lives. Their escape leads them to an unexpected ally in Solenn, a foreign princess who shares more with Ada than just an epicurean gift—she shares blood.
Solenn, with her newfound magical perception, becomes aware of a plot to kill her fiancé, the prince, orchestrated by forces in the rival country of Albion. As Ada's and Solenn's paths converge, a mother and her long-lost daughter reunite against a shadowy enemy from Ada's past seeking revenge. The narrative is a delightful blend of familial bonds, magical intrigue, and the complexities of war.
Beth Cato's storytelling is captivating, weaving together a tale of two strong women navigating a world on the brink of war. The character dynamics, particularly the relationship between Ada and Solenn, add depth and emotion to the narrative. The stakes are high, and the story unfolds with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.
"A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" is a literary feast that explores themes of sacrifice, hope, and the role of powerful Gods in a war approaching its boiling point. Beth Cato's blend of culinary magic and swashbuckling adventure creates a unique and memorable reading experience.
*I express my gratitude to NetGalley and 47North for providing an advance copy of this enchanting book.*

I really looked forward to reading this book but in the end I found it tedious to read. Both the world building and character development were amazing but the plot had too much going on and too many subplots. I was able to switch to listening to the second half of the book and found it more enjoyable.

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

I love me some poisonous stories. This one will keep you at the edge of your seat. Guaranteed. Highly entertaining for people who love fast-paced fantasy.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

This book just wasn't for me.
I DNF'd this book 50% through. I just could not get into the characters. I found them quite irritating and to be honest quite boring. The world building in this book was great and I also found the books concept quite unique, however; the characters just kept me from enjoying and finishing the book.

<b>arc received in exchange for an honest review</b>

i was taken by surprise while reading this book, and i'm absolutely delighted about it!

from the cover and title, i thought the vibes were cosy/comforting, but that is absolutely not the case. i stuck with it though because the magic system of gods giving their blessing to chefs who then have food-related enhancements, and consuming magical ingredients to gain powers, was just too good. i loved seeing how the powers manifested in different characters and how they dealt with the political implications of it.

another fantastic element of this book was the characters and the way familial tensions were explored. there's a variety of mother daughter, father daughter relationships and all of them were done brilliantly. they were tender and tense and everything in between.

the ending of this book was absolutely superb, and i am absolutely itching to read the follow up.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting with this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. What I do wish is that the magic system had been explained a bit more throughout the book, but Cato throws you into the action of the novel right away which does help you get into the story. I felt like the most riveting part of the story was the last half, and when it ended as abruptly as it did I wanted more.

Beth Cato's "A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" is a delectable read that earns a solid four-star rating. This enchanting novel blends fantasy, suspense, and culinary arts into a unique and enjoyable literary experience. Cato's writing is engaging, whisking readers away into a world where magic and cooking intertwine seamlessly. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, and the plot unfolds with a good balance of emotion, surprises, and twists that keep you engaged throughout. What truly shines is Cato's appreciation for food and its cultural significance, making this book a delightful treat for both the senses and the imagination. While it may not reach the level of perfection of a five-star read, "A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" is undoubtedly a worthwhile journey for anyone seeking a magical and gastronomic adventure in literature.

I loved the magic system of this book. It was so novel. I also became so quickly invested in the main characters studies. I will happily continue this series

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. this was fantastic, just what i have come to expect from this author and look forward to carrying in my book store.

A Thousand Recipes For Revenge by Beth Cato is a story of fantasy where magical beings hide in plain sight, chefs have magical ability and revered for this ability, Gods are given offerings to protect and there's lot of political intrigue. It's the first book in a series.

Ada is a rogue chef. Her story is of hiding and secrets. As the story progresses, her past is revealed. Parallel story of Solenn, a princess who is supposed to marry a prince, is set next to Ada. Both of them are in danger, but from whom?

Initially, I had a hard time getting into this story. The world was a bit difficult to understand. As more characters were added, I felt that it could get muddled, but the story starts to make sense. I really enjoyed the story after 50% mark. The twist that comes then, though not surprising, is so worth it. I am really invested in this series and to see how Ada and Solenn's story evolves.

Thank you, 47North and Netgalley, for this book.

CW: This book has some vivid descriptions of violence against animals and mentions of cannibalism.

I really enjoy Beth Cato's writing and wish she had more books. I really like the way she is able to weave times and historical elements together to create a cohesive story.

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

An interesting premise, however this book fell flat for me. I felt that it didn't really have a solid conclusion. A lot of the themes felt very heavy handed, and I just couldn't get into the story.

A Thousand Recipes for Revenge was a book that took me by surprise. It had an intriguing premise and a compelling magic system that felt unique. The characters were engaging. The world felt fully realized. At the same time, one of the themes felt a little heavy-hand. The climax felt a bit underwhelming. It’s an enjoyable read, and sets up a compelling series, but I’m of two minds about whether I will read the next entry.

This one started out well. And I even snagged it from Amazon First Reads. But once I really got reading into it. It is another book that I should have just DNFed it. But I held out hoping it was going to be amazing. Sadly it was not. What I got was a book with unlikeable characters and a story that had no real ending. It felt like I had half the story and the other part just wasn't there.