Book #11 of 2021: A Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking

[thistlechaser]

A Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon)

In her author's note at the end of the book, Vernon wrote that multiple publishers bought and then dropped this book, that editor after editor looked at it but had no idea what to do with it. Some said make it darker, some said it was too dark. Some said age up the main character, some said down. I felt basically the same way as all of them: This wasn't a bad book at all, but it wasn't right.

I loved the world building and the magic system, LOVED LOVED LOVED it. A few people were randomly born with magic talent, but the talent was only in one very narrow field, and most of them were useless or of very limited use. Like someone could magic nails out of a board, one woman could make dead horses stand up and walk (no other dead animals, just horses). The main character has a magic talent for dough and bread items.

As much as I loved the magic system, the rest of the story was pretty flat for me. The humor in it was a complete miss. Like many of Vernon's stories, the main character sometimes speaks to the reader; in other books, that worked for me, but in this one it didn't.

I liked the main character, but I felt nothing for her. I really only cared about one minor character. I also had a hard time believing the story's ending (basically MC saves the city with the power of baking).

Even with all those issues I had with it, I mostly enjoyed reading it. I never wanted to abandon it, but I was never itching to read it either. It good enough, but not really good.

I love her other books, but sadly this one just wasn't a hit for me.

Comments

[juliansinger.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this was very ...

I mean, it was fine! Perfectly fine. Just. I wanted it to be more than fine.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I think "fine" sums it up perfectly. Not good, not bad, just... fine.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Sounds like she should have written a TTRPG and used the setting and magic to let other people create their own stories in the world. I mean, that title is AMAZING so I am sure a lot of readers will pick it up. Did it feel like the start of a series or a one-shot? Maybe it will get better?

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

It would make an amazing TTRPG, yes! And the title is one of the best I've seen.

After I finished it, I googled but couldn't find any mention of it being the start of a series. However, she just published it in the last year, so it's possible it's to soon. If another book came out, I'd try it to see if it does get better. Maybe the author just needs to find her feet with this story.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I will try this!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Hope you enjoy it! :)

[resonant.livejournal.com]

I liked "Nine Goblins", so I expect I will.