Yes. I really did love this. This is the kind of fantasy and fantasy world that really works for me. The magic system working through cooking and food was gorgeous, and the language that is used about the food really transports you to that world. I wouldn't be surprised if the author loves cooking too.
Our main character is flawed and could be annoying at points, but he's also a seventeen year old boy so there's some slack to be given there. He grew on me by the end and I enjoyed his perspective. The cast of supporting characters also really worked for me, though the main romance was just fine.
The main draw here is definitely the magic, but the plot is very solid as well. A sort of rags to riches back to rags tale, left off with a cliffhanger for book two. Very excited for that!

3.5 stars.

In this fantasy world there exists the Rare, the elite ruling class, and the Common, who are essentially in servitude. Paprick is 17, and a Common, living out his days butchering the enormous bulls that provide meat for special, magic-filled recipes. In a moment of crisis, Paprick invents a Greater recipe and finds himself elevated to the world of the Rares.
This was an interesting premise, using cooking as the catalyst for the magic system, but I found it so earnestly ridiculous at times.
For example, in the middle of a massive fight scene our protagonist brings out a wok and starts cooking away with the battle going on around him.
The book was silly on a level that almost won me over, although ultimately I found there was too much going on, and the amount of twists and turns as we got towards the end were overwhelming.
A lot of fun but I probably wouldn't pick up book two.

ARC review - Seven Recipes for Revolution by Ryan Rose

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️
4.5 stars

"The Bear meets Attack on Titan in this exhilarating, food-based epic fantasy filled with high stakes and monster steaks, perfect for fans of Pierce Brown and Jay Kristoff."

Convinced already?? Well, I for sure was! This book was everything I had expected it to be based on its marketing, and more; one hell of a debut novel!

It's basically an anime in book form with video game dynamics, in the best possible way. And it starts out so well!! The prologue and the first chapter alone made me preorder a special edition and the rest of the book only reassured me in this decision.

7RFR offers:
🥩 Unique magic system where certain foods/recipes provide magical abilities
⚖️ Culinary academy setting with a lot of political intrigue
🪚 Flawed but relatable protagonist with special skills
🌈 Diverse cast of likeable side characters (queer reps, disability reps, POC reps)
❤️‍🔥 Romance subplot, very interested to see where this goes
⚔️ As the title suggests, a revolution ~ Eat The Rich
🎯 Twists and turns
🌶 Food related puns and names

Publication date: 22 July 2025

A massive thank you to Daphne Press, Netgalley and Ryan Rose for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ETA: Review posted on Instagram, Storygraph under @bialovestoread and on Goodreads, Waterstones under the name BR.

I have so much love for this book. This was such a wildly refreshing fantasy read with an undercurrent of dark academia. Absolutely intriguing culinary based magical system, some of the scenes of the butchery, cooking and eating will stay with me for a long time.

The writing was so evocative and beautifully written, almost making me cringe and look away from the page at times with how vivid it was.

I loved the concept of the different factions, Common and Rare, which really highlighted the political and social divide. It was a really intriguing look into societal power struggles and oppression through intimidation.

The characters were all fabulous, with rich personalities and excellent growth and change. I was never quite sure what anyone was going to do next, which completely kept me on my toes.

I adored the fact that this was told via two timelines from the same character perspective, which allowed for some degree of interesting bias.

There was so much from this book that I just was not expecting, it was twisty and gripping. I would 100% recommend this if you're a bit of a foodie and the additional recipes sound amazing!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for providing a copy of this ARC.

Fantasy novel revolving around food and class division - pretty good.

Paptrick works as a butcher, cutting meat from a particular type of fantasy animal, for an upper class that eats it to gain powers. with which they oppress the vast lower class. The meat is used in the recipes of the title and, as the title suggests, revolution will ensue. Paptrick is caught up in the middle of events and contributes towards the inevitable revolt against the Rare. Many interesting characters are introduced, some friendly, others hostile, and none to be totally trusted. The preparation of food and the recipes, mostly similar to Mexican cuisine, play an important role in the plot. There's quite a body count - comes with the territory in a revolution presumably. It seems that this might be the first in a series but I am not sure that I would want to continue with it - it's a bit of a one-trick pony. It's definitely worth a look as it's reasonably enjoyable. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A gripping, fast tale that keeps you hooked.

The point of view keeps you interested and also presents a very biased story point. The oppression, privilege and class system lets you feel engaged with the story.

Each chapter moves the story quickly and the characters barely have a chance to rest. You get the classic best mate, mysterious old character, romantic interest and magic throughout this fantasy story.

The archivist remains a mystery throughout until the final reveal which was both a surprise and also obvious at the same time, that was brilliantly done.

The magic system and creatures are introduced rapidly and with generally little explanation. However you quickly learn how things are working and what’s what organically in the story.

Can’t wait for sequels to this book 🙌

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 stars rounded up.

I wasnt immediately sure I was going to love this. The prologue had me confused and chapter 1 was hard to stomach. I realise upon reading the rest of the book that theres reason for these things, that they enhance the rest of the story and certainly prepare you for it.

The difficulty in stomaching the description from the beginning speaks volumes of the authors incredible and vivid writing throughout, so descriptive I was able to feel so much empathy for what was going on.

I've read no story like this one. I adored the narrative. Popping in and out of the story and adding layers, Easter eggs and revealing things that suddenly made sense!

There was next to no predictability, I was guessing for sure and there was always a sense of many secrets I knew were there but couldn't quite grasp yet which I really enjoyed! I delighted in journeying along almost blind to find out what happened next.

It was definitely an epic tale of a lowly, unlikely, suppressed hero of the people rising up to overcome the oppression of his people and all of the weird, horrible and wonderful things that happened to him along the way. The story is being told by him to someone else who was directly involved in the story too and who questioned him along the way making me wonder what, if any of it was true! Especially because it's being told by him from his cell where he's being tried for many many counts of law breaking. Trying to figure out who I should morally be siding with kept me on my toes second guessing!

The story is heavily political, lots of corruption and hazy histories that differ depending on who you ask. Lots of mystery around the epic magic system which I feel is open to so much exploration in the next book! I cannot wait to see where this goes!

The inclusivity is seamless, I love that the MC has 2 Mums and when anyone introduces themselves they naturally say their name and pronouns. There was a tonne of representation across the board in this story all seamlessly blended in and didn't feel forced. The love felt by the MCs Mums was beautiful and affectionate, as well as the way he was proud of them, their relationship and family to anyone who dared use it as a negative.

The feeling of found family in this book is lovely where there's otherwise a clear divide between the "Rare" (oppressors) and the "Common" (oppressed). It helped see that there was still hope, the dynamic was complex and ever changing.

So much clicked into place I journeyed with the MC through this book. I easily got emotionally invested in the cause, cheering for the people I connected with, feeling their blows and triumphs. The ending was epic and I simply cannot wait to read the next book!

Seven Recipes for Revolution offers a refreshingly original take on fantasy by combining culinary magic, giant monster hunting, and a deeply layered class struggle. The story follows Paprick, a common butcher who unexpectedly discovers a magical recipe that changes his fate. Told primarily through Paprick’s own recounting from a prison cell, the narrative skillfully weaves past and present, making you question what parts of his legend are true and which might be exaggerated. This unreliable narrator approach adds an intriguing complexity to the tale.

Ryan Rose creates a vivid world where food is both a source of magical power and a symbol of social division. The detailed descriptions of cooking, recipes, and the magical properties of monster meat enrich the story and make the setting feel unique and immersive. Paprick’s journey from a struggling commoner to a symbol of rebellion is compelling, and the cast of characters around him are memorable, adding emotional depth.

The book’s pacing has its ups and downs, with a slower start that carefully builds the world and characters but some uneven moments in the middle. The ending feels a bit rushed and abrupt, leaving some threads unresolved but clearly setting the stage for a bigger story. Despite these flaws, the inventive magic system, strong themes of revolution and social justice, and engaging storytelling make this a standout debut. I am excited to see where the series goes next and would recommend this to readers looking for a fresh and thought-provoking fantasy with a tasty twist.

I was drawn to this by the unique idea of a food based fantasy world and the very interesting cover design.

And WOW, that opening was shocking and totally not what I was expecting, but did set up for an interesting read. Be prepared, this book has some graphic on page animal abuse, gore, violence and cannibalism.

This idea of using the meat of a god like creature to create magic giving recipes forms the basis for this story as we follow Paprick and a really intense band of side characters as he sets out to aid a revolution and create a master recipe.

The friendships formed in this are really interesting and the author creates really intriguing links between the characters, the revolution, and murders.

This book is told from Paprick's POV from prison as he tells his story and flashes back to the events of the past. This can be confusing at times as its hard to differentiate between the two timelines with the way the story is set out.

There are lots of twists in this, even though you think you know the outcome, you realise that you actually don't by the end. The ending sets it up nicely for book two.

Overall this was a cleverly created world that was totally different from your usual fantasy read.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This was fantastic! The world building was so intricate and interesting; even if I found it a little hard to wrap my head around it in the beginning. Also, this made me very hungry on multiple occasionals. 10/10

Thank you to Daphne Press for access to this eARC! An absolutely enthralling and unique world that kept serving up chapter after chapter of delicious content. I adored the world and writing, the food theme was really well done and didn’t seem to take itself too seriously, which really fit the world well. I never knew how much I wanted to read a book about a magical culinary school until I read this. The storytelling was really well done, and the way key points of information were carefully revealed kept me hooked until the end. I cannot wait to continue reading this series and finding out more about the Butcher and the rest of the world. Definitely was the appetiser and I cannot wait for the main courses and dessert. 5⭐️

Foodies and fantasy fans unite! This fierce tale of rebellion is culinary and clever.

Those who love the Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss will appreciate the narrative structure, as a legend recounts his epic tale from zero to hero.

This is the story of Paprick the Butcher, chef-wannabe turned head of a hoarde of ‘common’, indentured workers abused for too long. Paprick has a rare talent in the kitchen - he can create ‘greater’ recipes, capable of giving him powers. When he saves his city from a rampant beast, he becomes a figurehead for a rebel group seeking to depose the king. As he’s thrust into their plots and plans, he takes classes, makes friends, falls in love, smuggles ingredients, uses magic and fulfils a prophecy. And the action doesn’t stop for a second.

I couldn’t put this down, utterly fascinated by the complexity of the world Ryan Rose has created. From the taste-based magic system to the spice-inspired first names, to the imaginative creatures the empowered meat comes from and even the road-runners that deliver messages, the author has produced an engaging and interesting setting for the characters’ internal and external battles. I loved the secret markets and the hidden identities. Everything kept me on the edge of my seat.

I cared about the side characters, gasped at the plot twists and finished the last page starving for more. I just know I’ll be thinking about this one until I can get my hands on the sequel.

Thank you Netgalley, Ryan Rose and Daphne Press Arc of Seven Recipes for Revolution
Narrated by Shaun Mendum

I do love the occasional epic fantasy book and Seven Recipes hit that spot and scratched that itch 100%. Told on 2 timelines, we find our MMC, Paprick who retells his story while he is stilling in a prison cell . Paprick is just a humble butcher carving meat from a beast who lives throughout the ordeal. His main passion is cooking, and to liberate his people in the meantime. He resorts to desperate measures by entering the black market and stealing an unknown spice with.magical effects.

I love Paprick and all the side characters in this epic journey. They were really well built, flawed and human but with magical advantages. Even the Ruler King, I hated him, ruthless to the core but loved his character all the same. They are also some very morally grey characters, you never quite know what side of the line their loyalties lay. The world building was fantastic snd so well described and wasn't too law heavy which entwined very well with the plot direction. The added bonus to this epic fantasy was the recipes. I love food, whether Im cooking or not and some of these sounded delish! Although there is a warning at the beginning of the book regarding the recipes, Im sure they could be adapted haha.

I can not wait for the second book in this series to be realised and I shall be a waiting with bated breath as the finale has been set up very nicely to continue.

This book is released by Bolinda Audio and Shaun Mendum narrated the audio. I absolutely loved his voice and how he managed to keep all the characters separate. His voice suits this epic fantasy and I really hope he narrates subsequent books in the series.

4.5 stars Story Graph, 5 Stars for other review sites

Thank you so much to the publisher for the arc! 3.5 rounded up!

I'll start by saying that I think this is the most accurate comp of the year - The Bear x Attack on Titan is a phenomenal comp.

Paprick is a great main character. An unreliable narrator who's journey is bizarre and exciting and horrifying all at the same time. I loved the food-based magic and the recipes throughout the book. It felt like those pop ups in anime between episodes where they show something kinda random, but kinda story related.

I'm really excited to see where this goes.

My only issue was pacing. I found myself quite confused at around 75% and did end up going back to around 30% to see what I'd missed. Reading all that in one sitting made much more sense and I'm so glad I took the time to do it.

Seven Recipes for Revolution is the first novel in the epic fantasy series What We Eat, written by Ryan Rose, published by Daphne Press. When I saw the premise of this book months ago, it was an insta-add to the to be read list; it delivered: not only we have a high stakes story about rebellion and fighting the system from the inside, but a cast of characters that leave their imprint on the reader, cinematic battles (I wouldn't be surprised to see something similar in Shingeki No Kyojin) and cooking as the base for a really refreshing magic system that also captures some ideas that we will discuss later.

Our adventure is narrated by the own Paprick the Butcher, years later, from a cell in the presence of a scribe; the story from the moment he was only Paprick, a butcher, working in a factory that harvests emphon meat, the base of the Rares' recipes. The Common are forbidden from consuming it; but in a desperate situation, Paprick not only consumes it, but also, to avert a disaster, manages to create a new magic recipe. What in any other case would have been a death sentence, for Paprick means that the doors are open to reach his goal: to train as a Chef, even if he's of Common origin.
From being on the edge of starvation, to become a symbol of the Common and their revolution against the Rare; but he will also have to navigate a dangerous and painful world among the Rare, while trying to keep others safe from the conspiracies and threats that come in this complex world (apart from the own danger that comes attached to a revolution).

Having a relatively young character such as Paprick is always a challenge; but I think Rose made a great job adding the context from the older Paprick to the story. By himself, Paprick could be defined as somebody marked by suffering, grief and compassion; we will see him in danger many times while trying to help others. It is true that he might be prone to anger, but in a world such as the one in Seven Recipes for Revolution, we could probably point that as a consequence of how the Common are constantly living oppressed and under the fear of starvation.
The rest of the secondary cast, especially regarding Paprick's mates at the academy and those that were Common are quite likeable, especially as we get to know them (even if a certain twist concealed a harsh truth). While they might be eclipsed by Paprick's light, they all have memorable moments, points that you fondly remember after ending.

The worldbuilding of Seven Recipes for Revolution seems simple at first glance: a society divided into two classes, one oppressing the other and restricting their access to magic; but Rose manages to infuse it with a great richness of detail, putting the food in the center of the book. Not only we have the contrast between the Rare way of cooking, much more sophisticated, and the Common, more utilitarian but also flavourful, but Rose captures perfectly themes such as how having a meal can bring people together, create a sense of community through the shared recipes, and how cooking might almost be alchemic, transforming ingredients into a totally different thing.
It is true that this is a merciless world, and that also is reflected in how starvation is used as a control tool against the common, with violence being the other weapon for the regiment. A revolution can't be painless, and sometimes the leaders need to peruse if the price is not too steep.
The pacing starts strong enough to keep you engaged through those moments that can be slower, especially as we see Paprick entering a new world for him, but just enjoy this crazy travel, because there are scenes that will keep you at the end of the seat.

Seven Recipes for Revolution is all I could have asked from this title when I first saw it and more; not only we have a promising epic proposal that hints of going bigger with the successive books, but also a compelling story that will make you feel many things (hunger among them). Ryan Rose has nailed his debut, and I can only wait for the second book in the What We Eat series.

This book was pretty interesting with impressive world building for under 300 pages and a unique idea. I liked the writing style and the unreliable narrator. The discussions about systemic oppression and what real equality means were really thought provoking. The inclusivity was nice though some parts felt a bit performative like the Butcher using wrong pronouns on purpose because of the setting.

What did not work for me was the food theme. I loved the idea of food based magic and how food connects to culture and emotions but the cheesy herb and spice names plus spells called things like Chili Control and Omniscient Omelet made it hard to get into.

The action was fun and pretty gruesome and the descriptions of the Emphon were vivid. I would love to see artwork of them. I did not really connect with the characters though and some emotional moments felt flat. It had some funny parts and felt fresh overall. I think some people will really like it but I wanted a bit more.

🌮🍰 BOOK REVIEW 🍰🌮

Seven Recipes for Revolution by Ryan Rose - ⭐⭐💫

Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🔟 Word Plot Summary (spoiler-free):
Working-class teenage butcher dreams of cooking up revolutionary recipe.

🍕 The Well-Seasoned:
- The unique food-based world is enticing, and I can't fault the author's commitment to the theme.
- The cover art is incredible and captures the revolutionary vibes of the book perfectly. The e-ARC doesn't have a cover page, but I've included the Waterstones and Broken Binding editions in my post.
- I really enjoyed some of the side characters (shout-out Cutler), personally finding them to have more impressive and interesting personalities than our MC. This might be because I'm not a teenager and don't really relate to the MC.
- The book is written in an engaging way that keeps you reading chapter after chapter (even with its flaws, which I'll come onto now).

🥩 The Undercooked:
- I found that the food-based naming and language conventions got starving tiresome quickly. There's only so much of it I can take before it starts to feel like a parody of itself.
- The main characters felt a bit underdeveloped to me, and I didn't find myself particularly invested in their journey.
- The book had the potential to delve into some interesting themes of class divide and animal rights, but it fails to get under the skin of these issues.

Ultimately, I think I'm not the target audience for this book. If you enjoy YA fantasy with cheeky characters and a distinct world, then Seven Recipes for Revolution could be for you. Its unique premise and promising world-building might be enough to satiate some, but for me it didn't feel like there was enough to chew on.

I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How does food and revolution come together? Easily. Themes of starvation, shortages, rationing, and the class system’s differences in cuisine. This book discusses all these and more, starting with the Butcher reminiscing about all these effects coming into his early years in a thankless job, all this and more, before we get to the giant monster steaks.

You heard me.

But seriously, talk about a cool idea and the themes wrapped around it used to perfection, all without sounding too ridiculous.

Let me tell you, this isn’t one I would normally pick up, but I bloody will from now on.

This had the feel of being based in a future of our world, with the added element of magic in the food that they consumed. The segregation of Common and Rare was brutal. It felt like this was a future that could actually happen, which felt incredibly scary.

This is the second book I’ve read this year with the focus on food and let me tell you, I’ll definitely be diving into more books like this. I was entranced. And to find out at the end that there’s a book 2?! Sign me up!

Thank you Daphne Press and NetGalley for this arc!

Seven Recipes for Revolution was a genuine joy to read. It is succulent with how it combines the finer nuances of food with the dressing of a classist setting. Every page is filled to the brim with character, and every description of food is as descriptive as it is delicious. The narrative structure of this book really comes to live, and manages to deliver a payoff that is both satisfying and rewarding. But I think the most impressive thing about this book is that it manages to breath life into the meaning of food, and how food shapes an individual's perspective of culture. Food has a long history to it, and it is fundamental in shaping us both physically and mentally. It is something we share with our communities, with our friends, with our family. With ourselves. Without it, what are we?

I am also glad that this book allows Paprick to maintain his individuality and thoughts. He is a figurehead to the rebels, indeed, but he is not without his own thoughts, his own feelings. It allows for him to be human and feeling, and his love of his mothers and not caring what society thinks of them is splendid. Not to mention, he is also still young during his story and it shows throughout the book. He is not a perfect character, but his imperfections make him whole. The other characters also brought a lot to the world, showing different flavours of personality between the Commons and the Rares. The Herd, while ostensibly being on the side of the people, are also not shown to purely white in morality. They too have flaws, and I think it adds layers to the world and story.

All in all, I can't wait to see Ryan Rose cooks up next!