2025 is the year of high-concept fantasy worlds and, of course, eating the rich.

This was such a refreshing read. Mired in the language of food and cooking at every level, from worldbuilding to plot, character names to magic system, I was so invested just from that standpoint. Add in a rageful arc of seizing power from corrupt tyrants, all within a frame narrative (my favourite!!) - truly, Daphne Press never misses. I can't wait for the next book in this series, I have absolutely no idea where it's going to go!!

The narrator is incredible, bringing to life the rage of Paprick while also differentiating well between narrative and voice.

There are a few chapters missing from the audiobook, but I'm assuming that's just because I was listening to a proof copy. Luckily I was able to obtain a physical copy to fill in the blanks!

Ryan Rose was wonderfully theatric and captivating in his narration of Seven Recipes for Revolution. This audiobook is definitely an experience which required my full attention and not a book to put on as background noise!

Seven Recipes for Revolution is unlike any other fantasy book I've read before and in the best possible way! I'm a massive foodie and having a fantasy book where the magic system, character names and politics all revolve around food just made me giddy the whole time I was reading it! Even the inclusion of the 'Great' recipes made me wish I could make them 😊

I loved this book from the first chapters where 'greeting snacks' were introduced! I told anyone who would listen about this concept and how much I wish it were real 😅 this lead to some debates as to what 'greeting snacks' would be best 😂

The story is told in a similar fashion to Interview With a Vampire. Even though I knew the story was working its way to the point of the interview, I had no idea how it was going to get there.

That ending! So many twists and betrayals and that final paragraph was a SHOCKER 😱🙊🥩

Loved this book so much ❤️
5⭐️ without doubt
🔥 Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you Netgalley, Ryan Rose and Bolinda Audio for the audio 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 was narrated Shaun Mendum and 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

JUST FINISHED: Seven Recipes for Revolution by Ryan Rose

If you’ve got a craving for Grimdark fantasy through a culinary lens, you are going to positively devour this one!

The action takes off as Paprick (a Common, aka the indentured working class) cooks a magic-giving dish from a recipe that only the Rare (privileged, upper class) are legally allowed to prepare. This moment of desperation sees Paprick thrust into a world of secret recipes, elite chefs, class warfare, and simmering revolution. The narrative is structured as if we are listening to Paprick recount the story of his life to an archivist (similar to Kvothe in The Name of the Wind), and while I really loved Paprick as a main character, I was constantly questioning whether he was a reliable narrator, or if he was seasoning his tale.

The pacing is quite slow as this unique world pre-heats, but Rose plates up a wholly unique atmosphere and political/magic system perfectly without ever boiling over into the dreaded info-dump. I positively ate up the deep explorations of flavour, knife-craft, cooking technique, and the role of food in shaping people and culture. This was such a clever and cutting take on the topics of class-war, socioeconomic inequality, and power imbalance. Further, there was countless gorgeous descriptions of scent, flavour, and texture that completely enveloped me.

Seven Recipes for Revolution was so engaging, so well written, and such a breath of fresh air in the fantasy real. The ending sizzled and spat into a wild climax, and I’m pretty sure I could have kicked a door down when Paprick dropped that last line! 🥩-Mika

I got the eARC way before the audio was available but I struggled to get past one of the initial scenes of butchering the massive animal (even in fantasy). It is not for anyone that is trigger with with killing animals as the descriptions are just too vivid. However, I was intrigued and when the audiobook came out I decided to try again, and luckily i did because the narrator did an amazing job. I must admit i speeded through the butchering descriptions which thankfully stopped after the initial few chapters to descriptions of food recipes instead.
This book reminded me a lot of an RPG with cooking foods for endurance and other short term buffa useful for combat. The description of foods were so descriptive I can tell that the author really appreciated food. The plot itself was typical rebellion with a fantasy setting focused around food and their different abilities when consumed but told through a recount of events whilst the butcher was in prison (similar to the Kings of Ruin dragon chorus)..
The narrator for the audiobook was amazing in conveying emotions and excitement for food and would highly recommend it!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bolinda audiobooks for an ALC.

A food-based magic system! This was very new for me, and I was intrigued right from the start.
There's an unreliable narrator, telling his story to the archivist - also very compelling for me.
The book picks up strong themes about suppression, propaganda and revolution.

I requested the audiobook for a more immersive feeling - and I can report that the narrator's voice does just that. Their voice is very intense and guides us through this book with all its twists and turns.

Sadly, I could not connect to the characters and the narration didn't make me care.
While I found the machinations and worldbuilding highly intriguing, nothing really hooked me during the listening experience.

Part of this is a bit of weird pacing, I think. Everything starts out slow, then gets convoluted at the end.

I think if you love the comp fandoms found in the marketing of this book, you might find great joy with this very unique story.

3/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @Bolindaaudiofor the eARC!

#SevenRecipesForRevolution #Netgalley #Bookstagram

I listened to the audiobook and the performance was really good. It was easy to differentiate between all the characters because of the variety of different voices used.

Unfortunately even though the characters were well performed I didn’t really connect with them. I also didn’t really get on board with the overall story, it was a bit bland to me.

What I did really enjoy however was the magic system involving cooking and the world itself. I liked the greeting involving swapping an item of food, very interesting.

Thank you NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a wild ride from page one and completely unlike anything I’ve read before. High-stakes rebellion? Check. Magical monster steaks? DOUBLE CHECK. An unreliable narrator recounting his rise up until he’s about to be executed? You already know I was hooked. I loved the audio, the narrator did an amazing job in bringing the story to life. I'd highly recommend picking up the audiobook.

Meet Paprick, a teenage butcher turned underground chef, who dares to dream of cooking up freedom for his people. When one daring dish turns him into a kaiju-sized legend, the kitchen becomes a battlefield and revolution is on the menu.

There are SO many themes simmering here: power, corruption, class, and the weaponisation of food, but somehow it never felt overwhelming. The ending came in a little hot (pun intended), but I’m still sitting here like, “Chef Rose, when’s the next course??”

If you love:

🔪 morally complex heroes
🍽️ immersive food fantasy
🧟‍♂️ monstrous world building
🔥 and a dash of rebellion

... then this is absolutely for you.

With incredible worldbuilding and excellent narration, this book really brings to life a wholly unique and captivating story. I loved the format of Paprick recalling his story on the eve of his execution for crimes you only have the very vaguest idea of the shape of. I really enjoyed the subtle hints and nods to a prior relationship between Paprick and his companion as I tied to put the pieces together. I also really appreciated the attention to detail in the naming conventions for the world as well as the way that language has been constructed so that a common expletive is "starving".

This was an absolutely captivating book and the narrator only heightened my experience. I can't wait to see where this story goes next!!

This being marketed as "The Bear meets Attack on Titan" made my expectations for this book really high, and I was not disappointed.
The story follows Paprick a common butcher with a passion for cooking, that in a moment of desperation creates a dish whose magic grants him power. Against all odds he gets the chance to become a chef's apprentice and practice his craft.
I love that it was told in two timelines, the present and Paprick retelling how they got there.
The portions in the past were great, I really enjoyed how everything was food related, the names, the recipes, the religion. The creatures were also interesting and I would love to read more about them in the next book. But since Paprick was telling the story he skipped over some scenes that I wanted to read in detail. Some moments felt a bit slow or lost my interest a bit, but by the end, I was, yet again, hooked.
I have so many questions and am still unsure whether some things were real or just Paprick changing the story a bit to suit him.
The portions in the present were also great, I liked how the Butcher and the Archivist would argue.
The narrator did such a great job with giving characters their own voices, building tension and bringing emotion to a scene, but the best part was the recipes, I was tempted to try some of them.

Seven Recipes for Revolution is a truly unique book described as high stakes and monster steaks. It follows Paprick, a butcher, who dreams of being a chef, but as a common born he's not allowed to use, know or create the greater recipes that give people powers from this magic.

This is such an interesting concept and way of using magic. I loved learning more about this world and came to care for Paprick and his friends and family. It does a great job of blending food magic, politics and rebellion and doesn't shy away from the brutalities within this world.

I loved hearing about the intricacies of the food magic, and learning about some of it at the same time as Paprick. This is something I look forward to exploring more in the next book.

I appreciated how easy it was to grasp the world and its political structure. The division between the Rare and the Common, representing the upper and lower classes, was straightforward, which made it easy to understand the setting from the start. Rather than getting bogged down in a complex social hierarchy, the story dives right in.

The audiobook for this story was great and I loved reading it this way. The narrator was very clear and I hope to read the others in this format too.

Thank you to Bolinda Audio and Netgalley for this audio ARC to review.

3.75/5 stars

This is a story with a fascinating premise - recipes can be magic. I've wanted to read this since I first heard of it.

In a world where certain great recipes can give people powers, a society oppressed by its king finds the inspiration to rise up thanks to an unlikely commoner boy.

The narration was incredible. The writing is great and I love the concept. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the characters and that affected my overall enjoyment, hence the reduced rating.

Do not listen do audiobooks that actively describe recipes and meals when grocery shopping. Having "Seven Recipes for Revolution" by Ryan Rose going had me ravenous by the time I hit the register. Out 22 July 2025, thanks for the arc Bolinda Audio.

It's nice to have a passion, and cooking is a noble one to persue. But in a world where recipes containing meat from the giant monsters that are a threat to humanity grant power that field is a bit hazardous and knowledge is controlled by the rich. Paprick is a butcher of such creatures, attempting (and somehow failing) to work of his indenture, sneaking pieces out to practice recipes. Least until one gets loose, but because of who he is Paprick wants to help, in his attempt to he makes a new recipe one that skyrocket him in size and into the frying pan.

Narrated by Shaun Mendum, the snap from jocular to serious threw me several times, great stuff.

Reasons to read:
-For fans of Monster Hunter, Attack on Titan, Pacific Rim, Kaiju
-The desire to do good getting you into trouble until it pushes someone just a bit too far
-Knew there was a reason medium rare is the best
-The unreliable narrator
-The food

Cons:
-I cooked so much food during this, it's a problem

The audiobook narrator was great! Unfortunately, it could not save the story for me. I just could not connect well to it even with the super exciting kaiju type notes which I usually love. The premise sounded really good overall but it did not work for me. I thought the whole food system being woven in, would help, but no luck.

This will absolutely find its audience, so please give it a go if it sounds up your alley. I am going to give it a 3 as I think this is a me problem and not necessarily the book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this audiobook in exchange for a review!

First of all I got a good laugh with the warning at the beginning to not try to make the recipes written in this book. Very wise, especially with some of the more exotic ingredients (aka human bits)! I enjoyed this storyline as it had an interesting twist with the Greater Recipes that give people special abilities, most commonly endurance but also possible to even control others.

The format, with Paprik, the Butcher telling his story to the Archivist to get out of being executed for regicide, among other things, hooked me right away because I knew it would be quite the journey! You have the Rares in control, with a power hungry king, and then there are the Commons with some rebelling which Paprik ends up with after creating a Greater recipe and put into the Rare group because they want that recipe. Lots of violence, cooking, learning recipes, turncoats, death of loved ones, and vows of vengeance of course. It makes for a fascinating world and seeing Paprik's journey was interesting, especially with the jumps from past to the present when he is regaling his story which may or may not all be true. Yes, it ends on a cliffhanger after much awesomeness and I hope I get the chance to see what Paprik does next on his search for the Source and all the powers he has amassed!

This was an awesome audiobook to listen to and the narrator, Shaun Mendum, did a good job of bringing this world of giant monsters, powerful chefs, and rebelling of the Commons to life. I hope they eat the Rare!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to listen to this audiobook!

I really liked the whole ‘eat the rich’ concept in this book, and how the politics within the Rares and Commons played a part in the Commons rising up. The end was quite rushed which is partly what brought it down from a 5 star to a 4 star but overall I really enjoyed the book and would be interested to see how things play out in book two.

I really enjoyed how the narrator for the audiobook told the story and would definitely listen to books by that narrator in the future

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

A book inspired by cooking shows, anime, and YA revolution stories? Seven Recipes for Revolution absolutely delivers!

Told in a story telling format from the viewpoint of the MC Paprick, it chronicles his early years and his path in becoming the Butcher - the enemy of the crown. I really liked Papricks journey and that he acted like a teenager - he was moody, insecure, but also driven by his dreams and want to help others.

The worldbuilding is one of the most unique I’ve come across—everything revolves around food and ingredients, from character names to the magical powers only a few can access.

Read this if you're craving a story packed with flavor, heart, and unexpected twists. It’ll leave you hungry for more—in every way.

The blurb name-drops Pierce Brown and Jay Kristoff, which made me hesitate, since I haven’t really clicked with either of them (yet; I’m hopeful for Empire of the Vampire). But Seven Recipes for Revolution went beyond the buzzwords and thankfully offered more. It’s a solid, often surprising story that blends monster butchery, culinary magic, and class war in a way that feels fresh—even if some parts work better than others.

Paprick, a seventeen-year-old butcher scraping by on the lower rungs of society, suddenly finds himself invited into the elite world of the Rares when he discovers a powerful new recipe. From there, he’s swept into a world of monstrous magic, privileged politics, and brewing revolution. The entire story is framed as his confession to an archivist while awaiting execution, which gives the narrative a constant hum of fatalism and tension.

The worldbuilding is where this book really shines. The culinary magic system (eating monster meat to gain power) might not be brand new if you’re an RPG nerd, but the culinary school + monster-butchery combo, layered with class commentary and academic scheming? Chef’s kiss. The themes are strong, especially around elitism, propaganda, and revolution, and the plot carries momentum throughout with a few sharp twists.

Paprick himself is easy to root for. His arc is full of heart, sacrifice, and grit. That said, the supporting cast didn’t leave as strong an impression. Some major moments hit hard in concept, but lacked the emotional shrapnel I was hoping for. Still, the plot doesn’t lose steam, and some of the twists are genuinely excellent.

The pacing started strong enough. It gave the world time to unfold, raised interesting questions, and didn’t feel rushed early on. But near the end of the middle section, it slows down a little too much and starts to feel repetitive, like it's circling the same ideas instead of moving forward. Then the final act hits and it goes from simmer to full boil almost instantly. It feels like we skipped a few steps getting there. It’s explosive and dramatic, sure, but it would’ve hit harder with a smoother transition and a little more time to build toward that climax.

The audiobook, provided to me by Bolinda Audio and NetGalley, was a strong experience overall. Narrated by Shaun Mendum (Scratch from Baldur’s Gate 3! My best boy!), the performance was great. His delivery suits the tone. Wry when it needs to be, heartfelt when it counts. The pace is a bit slow at default, but 1.5x to 1.75x was perfect. I flew through it in two days, and that should tell you everything.

This isn’t a flawless debut, but it’s ambitious, thoughtful, and full of bold ideas. I’ll absolutely check out the sequel and probably grab the physical copy too, since I heard there’s some monster art worth drooling over.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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 Butcher. 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.