I'm torn on Seven Recipes for Revolution. On the one hand it delivers some fascinating world building, with a strong justification for an unusual cooking magic system. And while the 'hero telling his story while at a low point' narrative style is a little overdone at this point, the book gives it a bit of extra spice to make it feel warranted. What I couldn't quite gel with were the characters, who felt a little too thin, and a plot that didn't quite hook so much as bounce along from thing to thing.

And I wouldn't necessarily say any of these elements were bad, just not of the quality that keeps me reading. I DNFed about 60% of the way through, which is rare for me, but I may come back to it at a later date. For now, it just wasn't quite for me.

What a unique book! I loved the food-based magic system - why have we never seen anything like that before? When the world is so harsh and rigid, the magic system really flows through as a beautiful contrast that interplays with the harshness well. It's constantly in conversation with so many common tropes at the moment but manahes to avoid becoming consumed by the expectations of their genres. I couldn't believe this was a debut!!

If Attack on Titan had an intense cook-off behind the scenes, that is what this book reminded me of.

The narrative is similar to The Name of the Wind, where we have an older Paprick retelling his story to the Archivist. Similar to TNOTW as our narrator is not the most reliable source. He clearly has his own agenda but also he has grown greatly, and as he tells his story we have to remember that he was a child at the time and with youth comes a different perspective. As much as I love this way of storytelling, it wasn't done very well, it was far too abrupt. There is no clear distinction between the now and the past. One sentence we're reading through a scene of his past and the next sentence he starts talking to the archivist.. It takes you out of the story and can be quite confusing to move between the two timelines. I really enjoy the approach that Jay Kristoff and Patrick Rothfuss took with this type of narrative, and although its not a dealbreaker, it did impact my immersion of the story.

It also reminded me to the community politics we saw in The Rage of Dragons. In this book we have Rares and Commons, where of course Commons are living in desperate poverty and Rares have a huge privilege just for being a 'Rare'. This friction is leading to something, it just needs one person to stand up against the status quo. Saying that, the first 20% of this book i was incredibly confused (and i've read and loved Malazan!). It's very hard to understand the Rare/Commons/Endurance/Magic, its all a bit muddled and it takes a while to get any clear answers, I'm still not sure i'm entirely with it but I get the premise.

I do really like the magic approach, cooking food that gives you magical abilities. It's like the classic Zelda game where cooking gives you crazy abilities for a certain period of time. I love that, I just wish there was more of that side. The book isn't clear to me on whether the main focus is the rebellion or the cooking, they seem to be competing for pages.

I loved the writing, the descriptions of the food, the animals, his relationship with his mothers. There's a lot of potential with thise series. If you are sensitive to animal abuse I would not read this. Although the animals are mythical, the pain they are subjected to and the level of detail we get, it was hard to stomach at times and I almost couldn't keep reading this. Although that is no reflection on the author, that is my own personal taste. Otherwise I would recommend, give it a bash and see what you think!

Thank you so much to Daphne Press for this title! I was really excited about this one—an epic fantasy centered around food? Yes, please! The premise is fantastic, and the cover is absolutely stunning.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, and the ending felt a bit too smoothed over, without enough weight given to the events that unfolded. The timeline was also a challenge—the story is structured as a recounting of past events, but there wasn’t a clear distinction between the ‘present’ and the past, which made it difficult to follow. At times, the transitions between time periods were so subtle that I found myself unsure of where we were in the narrative.

That said, I did enjoy the final stretch of the book more than the earlier sections, but it still didn’t quite leave a lasting impression—which was disappointing, given how much I loved the concept.

I'm torn about this book. Like, REALLY torn. I gave it 2.5 stars because I didn't DNF it, but there were multiple instances where I was going to. It seemed to have a really slow start and I feel like it didn't actually interest me until it all started to kick off, which I thought was a substantial way in. I didn't feel any connection to the characters, the ending seemed kinda smoothed over and I feel like not enough attention was actually paid to the events that occurred. Also, there is a strange timeline - the story is being told as though it is being recounted, but there wasn't a clear distinguishment between the future (current) events and those which had happened years prior. I was struggling to get a grip of where we were in the timeline and the fact that from one line to the next there wasn't a clear indication of which time period we were in made it harder to read. I preferred the ending, but still wasn't 'impressed', which was a real disappointment because I loved the concept. Overall it gave Hunger Games vibes but with food and recipes rather than resources, and I would struggle to recommend it to others.

Phenomenal read! I was intrigued by the cover, the title, and the synopsis but I do have to say that I was reluctant to start it due to the protagonist being a teenager. However, to my shock, the premise had a “The Name of the Wind”-twist, with an older protagonist narrating his story and that got me hooked.
The core plot is not original, but everything surrounding it is phenomenal and so creative. A food-based magic system? So many possibilities and a breath of fresh hair in the crowded fantasy space. It kept me intrigued and trying to guess where it could go next. However, at times, particularly in the beginning, it was a tad confusing and hard to follow, often due to the introduction of invented ingredients, but nothing that troubles the reader. Also, the structure of the book, following courses and entrements was really inventive.
My only real criticism is that the writing often feels amateurish and YA-ish, particularly in the first half of the book, which make it difficult to get attached to the characters and the plot. However, I feel that you can see the writing evolving throughout the book and by the end it was very interesting and engaging.
I’m really curious to see where this story goes next, and I hope Rose doesn’t shy away from making Paprick/Butcher a full-blown antihero/antagonist (heck, even a villain), it was very curious to see his development.

4.5

thank you to the author, the publisher and netgalley for this advanced copy!

genuinely incredible. the most refreshing and unique take on fantasy ive seen in years and im so grateful i got the chance to read it.

this book had one of the best opening chapters ive ever read. i was gripped from the first sentence. the author’s ability to create atmosphere was one of the greatest strengths of this book and it was present from the offset.

the setting was fascinating and the magic system even more so. i love leaving a fantasy novel knowing i still have so much more to learn about its world and being excited to do so.

my main gripe is that i struggled to connect with a lot of the characters, and at time motivations felt a little muddied.

First, I’d like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for sending me this stunning work of fiction.

Seven Recipes for Revolution was a multiple-course feast defined by its inventiveness, diversity and a hint of magic.

What immediately drew me in (and warmed my heart) was the tenderness with which the author introduced us to their world - a world that's diverse, divided and yet accepting as can be. What I'm referring to here is freedom of expression, which can be noticed right away in terms of gender, sexuality and general self-identity. It's a seemingly minor but crucial element that helps queer folk feel seen and confident in themselves when reading.

Moving on, I'd like to focus on the book's plot, pacing and world-building.

Seven Recipes for Revolution was a book I had to sit down with and consciously focus on not to lose track of what was happening. And perhaps it was my fleeting mind or a busy week that caused this but for the first 20 or so per cent, I was confused about the difference between the present and past timeline. It took me a second to figure out and understand when the two switched but once I did, reading became much easier.

At first, I thought the pacing was adequate for the book's length, but I found myself with unanswered questions at the end. The final few chapters felt a bit rushed, and although I had finished the book, not everything in my mind seemed 'resolved'. However, I believe this could be settled with a re-read.

What initially attracted me to this book and made me request it was the culinary aspect, a fundamental part of this work. I love to cook and I loved reading about how these fictional characters like to cook too. I enjoyed how pieces of lore were gradually unveiled and generally created. In my opinion, cuisine is one of the main selling points of Seven Recipes for Revolution and is a major factor setting it apart from other works of similar genres.

Overall, the book was a nice read and I can see how it'd resonate with queer folk, fans of the culinary arts and inventive fantasy. As I mentioned before, there were a few 'kinks' that stood out to me and I can imagine being slightly improved. I believe the book is targeted at a very niche type of reader and sadly, I didn't completely fit that category but I'm glad to have received and read the book nonetheless.

A thoroughly enjoyable and very cinematic read, with a fun original magic system!

Picked this up because the cover is very cool and the cooking magic sounded like a whole lot of fun, and it certainly was! I really enjoyed the food-based culture and magic system in this; cooking encompassing everything from naming conventions, to social niceties, to religion was a great touch. The writing style was punchy and engaging, I enjoyed Paprick as a narrator, and I liked the framing device of an older Paprick telling the whole story to the Archivist (though I do think it could have been woven in a bit more tightly in some places; it was a tad top and bottom heavy, you tend to forget about it in the middle and then get jarred by it when it did return). I liked the recipe epigraphs at the start of each part, they were a great touch, and I have to commend Rose's creativity and presumable passion for food, because you really do believe that cooking is everything to these people. I frequently thought 'I should get a snack...' while reading this, so I have to hail his ability to describe food so well. I did, also, eventually come around to the romance subplot too, despite not being massively compelled by it at that the beginning, and I really enjoyed the side characters like Rish and Cutler, they felt very real.

I docked a few stars for a bit in the way of pacing and structural issues; on occasion it feels as if this book wants to have its cake and eat it too (sorry... couldn't resist), with regards to it having both a magic-school style plotline and a rebellion plotline running alongside one another. Trying to juggle both meant it was harder to feel properly invested in either, and it ended up making both of them feel a bit thinned-out-- once we got used to one, we ended up heavily on the side of the other again. It didn't always make for massively balanced reading; the school felt like it belonged more to a fun bildungsroman than this book, and I didn't always find the rebellion plotline massively convincing either. I wondered whether it might have made more sense for Paprick to have *just* been recruited for Ilantra's restauraunt, or even brought on as a kitchen apprentice at the castle or something, rather than have that tacked on to the school. I wonder it might have been easier to fit the rebellion plotline around that, or to have more slowly introduced it as something that could feed more into the second book?

Sometimes I was compelled by the revolution parts, but at other times it felt quite thin, and I never quite understood things like why or how Vanil had the influence and reach that he did, or how this was really compelling the people in Common. I also forgot that this was a series, and then realised as I was drawing close to the end that a lot of my questions weren't going to be answered, which was a tad frustrating, and I wish that this had had a slightly neater ending, rather than a pure cliffhanger; but that's more personal preference than anything. I wasn't massively impressed by the slightly hasty killing offs of characters nor by the pendulum swinging back and forth on who was or wasn't a traitor or who was or wasn't dead, since it often slightly undercut emotional beats. But lots of these things won't bug other readers, no doubt.

I think the comp titles and comparisons are pretty accurate; not everything in it was my cup of tea, but I took a punt on it and enjoyed my read anyway! I hope people enjoy it when it comes out in July.

Incredible. I requested this book on NetGalley for two reasons: 1) the stunning cover, 2) it seemed fabulously weird. And I was not disappointed. An incredibly novel magic system involving recipes and cooking forms the basis of the book’s worldbuilding and I loved it. It’s so hard as the fantasy genre grows to find a truly new concept and this felt like it. The characters were fabulous and flawed and the plot twists were unexpected. There were moments of real sadness and of triumph. I can’t wait for book 2!!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Seven Recipes for Revolution is one of those all-too-rare fantasy novels with a very unique magic system - food! I can absolutely see why The Bear has been mentioned in the blurb, with high-pressure cooking a recurring theme throughout this book, though the 'steaks' are much higher! Specifically, steaks from huge creatures, with meals made from these unlocking magical abilities.

Ryan Rose weaves a wonderful tale of revolution, revenge and recipes, told mainly via the main character telling his story from a prison cell. The story bounces between past events and the present day and it works so well in building tension, with some nice foreshadowing along the way. There are some excellent twists and the story maintains momentum from start to finish. There is an underlying theme of class wars and an academic setting too and some very engaging characters.

All in all, a fantastic mix! I'm very excited to see where this series goes as I thoroughly enjoyed this first book! A huge thank you to Netgalley and Daphne Press for an ARC.

I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read this arc! I didn’t know what I was getting myself into but im so glad I am on this journey!

This book is a really wild ride from start to finish, I wasn’t sure what to expect but the description of The Bear crossed with Attack on Titan was entirely spot on. Firstly I loved the perspective this is told from, it feels very theatrical, like a tv show, told though an interview format where we go between past and present. I got so immersed that when they came back to the present it was jarring but also really intriguing as it felt more like a puzzle. We were trying to figure out what’s happened, how the characters have ended up as they are and who this mysterious interviewer is!

The author pulls no punches and very clearly lays out this strange world with a hierarchy not unlike that of Red Rising in which there is a higher class that have powers and the rest are treated as workers that live to serve the upper classes. We follow Patrick as he tells us of his life and how he got to where is he in the current time. Starting out as a butcher to cut meat from these gigantic magical beasts that then when consumed give the person temporary gifts. He learns about a rebel uprising and decides to risk it all to steal meat and cook food of his own, ultimately accidentally creating a new recipe that changes his life.

One aspect of this book that I truly loved was the queer normative world in which these characters live. They introduce themselves with their pronouns, Patrick has two mothers and being queer seems to be completely normal. They are respectful of pronouns even when sentencing someone to death which made me oddly happy. Patrick’s relationship with his mothers was really beautiful and came as a nice break from all the violence happening in their world. There are so many great side characters in this too that you will root for.

Nobody is perfect in this book even our beloved little group of main characters made mistakes, there’s betrayal and murder, political upheaval interspersed with very in depth recipes for different meals to grant powers. It was a strange experience reading this book as a vegan, there’s a lot of killing animals for meat, descriptions of food and recipes for food but in this world its because the meat gives them power. I liked that the powers were different depending on the recipe and were only temporary which meant that the power balances could shift over time. Always keeping the reader on our toes!

This is one of the strangest, most unique books I’ve read, very futuristic but also at the same time the dichotomy of a somewhat progressive society and rudimentary world create something special. Theres no technology, the world revolves around cooking. Overall I highly recommend this as it’s incredibly new and fresh and will entice you not only with a brilliantly complex storyline but also with mouth watering food recipes!

You always hear about how authors have to do something 'different' to get noticed or whatever, and I confess I always roll my eyes when I hear this line - but I confess reading the description of Seven Recipes for Revolution I was genuinely intrigued by the unique premise.

And let me tell you that this book delivers - the comp blurb is "The Bear meets Attack on Titan" which it probably the most absurd comparisons since Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - and yet this book is the real deal. I wouldn't say the story is hugely culinary, its the more the flavour (sorry not sorry) that is given to the magic system and world-building of this universe. That's not to say that Ryan Rose skimps on the cooking, I'm just pointing out that the story is more about the revolution, and 'attack on Titan' elements you're not going to get a raft of family drama in and around a restaurant!

I think the strongest element of Rose's work is the nature of the world built - heavy on class systems the world feels very oppressive, yet there is enough subtlety and human nature included that one doesn't feel you're reading about caricatures. To be frank I wouldn't be surprised if this book got banned a few places due to its revolutionary nature and clear allegories for oppressive politics!

Just some final notes - this book is pretty graphically violent, not necessarily something I'd point out in a review but I think the tone of the book could trip a few people up, its not unwarranted but its definitely got some shock value.

I received an ARC copy of this from Netgalley, and I suspect this book will gain a very strong cult following (if it doesn't already) Can't wait for the next instalment!

Daphne press surprised me by granting access to this book, especially since I’ve been a long-time Illumicrate subscriber. The idea that this read could resonate with fans of Pierce Brown was another compelling reason for me to dive in. This is an captivating story, skillfully woven with rich narrative elements that bring to life well-developed characters. At its heart lies a fervent passion for culinary arts, intertwined with themes of injustice that resonate throughout the plot. control and governments? That's a direct book for me. It feels like a mix of "Red Rising" and "The Bear Show" in my mind, yet it simultaneously stands apart from both. The gripping ending left me yearning for the next book in the series, and I’m relieved I didn’t join this party late since the book is an ARC. I truly believe this is the biggest debut of 2025. I can’t help but wonder when the book tour will take place.

I’m not sure I have coherent thoughts after that ending, and I’m definitely not sure I’ll survive the wait until the sequel is out.

The comps (The Bear, AOT, Red Rising, EOTV) are absolutely perfect. It delivered precisely what I expected as far as vibes, but kept me on my toes the entire time, guessing until the very last page.

The blurb of "Seven Recipes for Revolution" states that it is "perfect for fans of Pierce Brown and Jay Kristoff"; not sure how it is for everyone else, but as someone who did not enjoy a single book of theirs, it was a rather red flag. Fortunately, the blurb consists of much more than a simple comparison.

Ryan Rose managed to do something neither of those mentioned authors could – create a greater story around a rather young protagonist. Paprick is a teenager in a cruel world, one that got his love for food from his mothers, and yet is stopped from pursuing that passion due to strict rules. But even a common can shake the world, just like a common may attend a prestigious Culinary Academy, while being accused of the greatest crime possible.

Story of young Paprick is intertwined with story of Paprick the Butcher, a figure so powerful and terrifying, people crave his interrogation to reveal his secrets. And that works. It is incredibly captivating to discover this story from two different perspectives. Rose writes with incredible lightness, even as he is describing the most devastating scene. It is also delightfully queer, which I appreciate greatly.

"Seven Recipes for Revolution" serves as an obvious beginning to a bigger narrative, and it works perfectly – everything starts somewhere, every step is important. I may not be the earnest fan of books set in universities, as I find them rather boring, especially when I know there is something bigger waiting around the corner. But truth to be told, that's on me, even "Poppy War" couldn't make me interested in that. Here, it is the sole reason my reading took so long. But in the same time I must admit, Rose does a lot of things to never really focus only on one subplot at the time. There is a constant action, even if you discover it only after few chapters – each ingredient is necessary to cook the delicious dish this book happens to be.

Recommended with pleasure and full stomach, as you do grow hungry during the reading.

I can't remember the last time I had so much fun with epic fantasy. This was a uniqye and unusual twist on the genre with a gripping plot and engaging characters. Loved it.

This is like an anime in book form- utterly devourable, tasteful, and fun.

Paprick is a common butcher, carving slabs of meat from gargantuan monsters so chefs can prepare magic-granting meals for the rich. When he discovers a new recipe that makes him grow tall, he is invited to train in the culinary school of the Rares - the elite. Paprick dreams of liberating his people and sharing the monsters’ magic with the world.

This was like a high strung, tense cooking show meets over the top fantasy like One Piece or Attack on Titan.

This also uses a narrative framing device I love - told from Paprick when he is an adult known as the infamous But her. He is set to be executed but is first telling his story to the archivist. But is he embellishing, misleading? Is he really telling the truth? I always love an unreliable narrator.

<b>“We’re all tools, stage. The only meaningful choice in life is to determine what tool we become. I chose to be a chef’s tool, a knife. If I teach you anything, let it be this: be a knife. The rest are worthless.”
I nodded. I could be a knife. A sharp one.
</b>
This had some fascinating things to say on propaganda. The Rares keep the Commons down through rhetoric and lies for the benefit of the royals and their preferred religion. However, Paprick is turned into an idol built on tall (get it?) tales to further the rebellion.

The ending felt slightly rushed and I was not keen on the change in pacing and abrupt end. This is obviously the first in an explosive new series, yet I felt there needed to be a stronger end to book one.

Arc gifted by Black Crow.

I absolutely loved this fresh take on epic fantasy by Ryan Rose. And what’s more exciting, is that it’s the first in a trilogy so we can expect plenty more delicious bites in the coming years.

The novel is set in a world where magic is granted only to the elites by way of consuming special meals harvested from huge monsters.
We follow Paprick, who is working as a butcher in the Common district but dreams of becoming a Chef. A seemingly impossible goal seeing as only the Rare elite are permitted to enlist in the Culinary Academy.

When he accidentally invents a new magic recipe, he is whisked away from his humble life to begin studying at the Academy. But not everyone is enthused by his presence among the elite, and Paprick finds himself embroiled in an epic struggle of the classes. Whilst also trying to achieve his personal ambitions he must act as spy and student at once.

Ryan Rose’s writing is sharp and engaging, the plot is so masterfully executed as we switch between timelines, and the characterisation of Paprick in particular, was endearing.

I was delighted with the mix between cosy fantasy and high stakes drama with epic battles -mouth-watering descriptions of food, humour, the academic setting, coupled with intrigue and twists that were both satisfying and enigmatic – ensuring I was riveted throughout.

The world building gives readers a glimpse into how intricate this series is shaping up to be and leaves us wanting more.

Any fantasy fans looking for something bold and different will really enjoy this book.

A sensory feast that lingers to the last page. I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Thanks to Daphne Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!! I loved it!

Imagine a world where cuisine wields unimaginable power—where meat from colossal monsters grants magical abilities to those wealthy enough to dine on it. This book invites readers into such a realm, blending the pulse-pounding action of Attack on Titan with the culinary intensity of Food Wars, all wrapped in a dark, dystopian tone.

At the center of the story is Paprick, a humble butcher with extraordinary ambitions. While carving up Monster Meat for elite chefs, he dreams of mastering the culinary arts himself, a path forbidden to someone of his station. Paprick’s journey begins with stolen ingredients and clandestine experiments, but it takes a jaw-dropping turn when his latest creation transforms him into a kaiju-sized giant. This accidental metamorphosis catapults him into a high-stakes world of political intrigue and culinary decadence, as he uses his newfound power to challenge societal hierarchies and expose the corruption at the heart of his world.

What makes Revolution stand out is its ability to balance humor with conflict. The moment Paprick inadvertently grows to monstrous proportions is both absurdly funny and deeply unsettling, embodying the unpredictable magic of the Monster Meat. The high-stakes scenarios peppered with humor, the exploration of themes of rebellion, power dynamics, and the consequences of unchecked privilege are explored so well in this novel.

Paprick is a protagonist you can’t help but root for. His determination to perfect his craft and share its transformative potential with the oppressed creates a compelling narrative arc, while his encounters with the ruling elite uncover layers of corruption that make his rebellion as personal as it is political.

The world-building is another standout feature, with vivid descriptions of gargantuan monsters, mouthwatering meals that brim with magic, and a caste-driven society teetering on the edge of collapse. Fans of dark fantasy will relish the novel’s immersive setting, where each bite of Monster Meat carries as much danger as it does allure.

Revolution is a deliciously inventive tale of ambition, rebellion, and the intoxicating power of food. It’s perfect for fans of Pierce Brown, Jay Kristoff, or anyone who loves a story that seamlessly blends action, humor, and thought-provoking themes. Ryan Rose has served up a feast of a novel, don’t miss a bite!!!

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Why Read It???: For its unique premise, compelling characters, and blend of humor, suspense, and culinary magic.
Comparable Reads: Attack on Titan meets Shokugeki no Soma with a sprinkle of The Bear