Synopsis
Three years after eating the rich, Paprick Bessa is an infamous warchef known as the Butcher. Numbed by grief and war with the ousted rulers, Paprick no longer enjoys cooking and can’t create new recipes. So when Ranch finally reaches a tenuous ceasefire with the Rare, Paprick seizes the chance to reheat his passions, opening a restaurant with a menu all his own.
But conspiracy interruptsthe opening night, his own emphon destroy the restaurant, and all signs point to the neighboring Empire of the Badgeboar. Whoever orchestrated this threatens to destroy everything Paprick and Ranch’s common fought for, and the Butcher leaves no threat breathing. To find the attacker and stop another all-out war, Paprick, his partner Cori, and his kitchen brigade journey west to curry favor with the Empire’s questionable elite and investigate its mysterious religions.
Treacherous forces and dire prophecies lie in wait for Paprick’s arrival, and all the while, the Rare re-arm in the east. Facing magics and flavors unlike any he’s ever tasted, Paprick will have to choose what matters most – his people, his passions, or his partner. He can’t save all three.
Review
Paprick is back and his legend is growing – with writing as sharp as the Chef’s knives, plot as big and expansive as a Drakephon and world-building as intricate as the steps needed to create a new greater recipe, this was one hell of a sequel that tore my heart out and has refused to give it back.
Hold up, there are mild spoilers as I explore character development ahead, so if you want to start the series without seeing anything regarding that, please save this review until you’re finished.
We join The Butcher in a framed story plot again. This time, we get more of the ‘present day’ story as it shifts and expands – a little more of the status quo on that side of things and a major shift in the dynamic of how its told. Without spoiling too much, the intro to this book is perhaps one of the most badass I’ve read and you can see the manga/anime inspirations coming through; in manga huge, incredible displays of power from the main character are what we have come to love and The Butcher and his skeleton do not disappoint. In this sequel, it’s all guns blazing. Wearing it’s inspiration on its sleeves, we see the absolute coolest feats come to play in this book.
Paprick has moved swiftly from the teenager at the head of the Rebellion, thrust into power but with no idea how to wield it. Here, we have some great development: in three years, Paprick has seen enough war to last a lifetime and is tired, haggard and fed up of it; he has been a warchef on the front lines of the war between the Ranch and New Panchon. He has discovered new techniques for greater recipes, alongside Laven. Their friendship has grown, deepened and it’s a joy to discover all over again. Not only that, but authenticity is added to the story as we experience Cori’s coming out alongside Paprick. As I’ve previously said about these books, the character dynamics and the themes of what is normalised and explored is excellent.
This time, the plot takes us to new places, in every way possible. The Badgeboar Empire, Mangtier and Ryespur and Ygminsul, home of the Drue. Where we first found ourselves in Ranch, the world expands dramatically outward with a plot of war, deceit, murder and loss. But also happiness, coming out, love and family. It’s a book that celebrates every facet of humanity but also makes you suffer the harm that it does to those bonds. This book hurt me and because of that, it takes its place among other incredible titles like Golden Son, Snakewood and The Wise Man’s Fear.
I love the ever expanding magic system; in the first book we learn that greater recipes impart magical powers with effects that range from 2 hours, to a day or more and the powers range from fireballs to giantification. These powers are afforded to people by eating meals where the main ingredient is Emphon: giant kaiju-like animals that impart God into their meat. Rose takes this foundation and adds to it in a way that made sense to both the plot and the characters; features like Variation, Emphon and Fusion add new facets to the magic system’s ability to effect the plot and the characters and creatures within – it was a very clever way of elevating it and keeping it fresh. I’ve been purposely vague here because I want you to experience this book for yourself.
Overall, if I could give this book 11/10 I would, this is a book that broke the rating system for me, with an ending that will be long on my mind. Go read it!
Leave a Reply