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A review by bookph1le
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
4.0
Real talk: If all YA fiction were like this, I would read YA fiction again. Somehow, when I read the author's note at the back of this book, giving her reasons for why this book took so long to be put out in the world, and the reasons for that, I wasn't surprised. Anything that doesn't follow the formula probably isn't going to get published by the publishing houses. Hmm. Do you think maybe my dislike of the formula is the reason why I stopped reading YA...
Anywho, there is a lot to love about this book. It is original, and I love the fun concept. I eat up fantasy novels in which the authors diverge from the normal spell-slinging formula in favor of using magic in innovative ways. On the surface, using bread magic doesn't sound all that useful, so I was very much looking forward to the author showing me why it could be, with some creativity, and she did not disappoint. Give me more of this, please.
As for Mona, I loved her as a character because she felt authentic to me, and I could sympathize with her plight. Plus, I love that this book tackles something that most YA novels fail to tackle: adult incompetency and the toll it takes on kids and teens. It bugs me that so many YA and kids' books portray adults as useless because they usually don't interrogate why adults act the way they do, or YA and middle grade fiction just ignores adults altogether. This book shows how a story can center on a couple of kids while also addressing the adults in the room. Further, I liked seeing adults take responsibility for their own actions. And, lastly, I very much engaged with the idea of Mona as a reluctant hero, a theme that runs throughout the book. I frankly find heroic types boring, and am much more attracted to the person who's in the wrong place at the wrong time and has no choice but to rise to the occasion.
Mona isn't the only great character, though. I truly enjoyed the entire cast, particularly Spindle and Knackering Molly. Because I got to know these characters, their quirks and feelings and foibles, I cared about what happened to them, and that gave the battle scenes a lot of emotional resonance for me.
This book deserves its Nebula nomination, and I'd be pleased if it wins.
Anywho, there is a lot to love about this book. It is original, and I love the fun concept. I eat up fantasy novels in which the authors diverge from the normal spell-slinging formula in favor of using magic in innovative ways. On the surface, using bread magic doesn't sound all that useful, so I was very much looking forward to the author showing me why it could be, with some creativity, and she did not disappoint. Give me more of this, please.
As for Mona, I loved her as a character because she felt authentic to me, and I could sympathize with her plight. Plus, I love that this book tackles something that most YA novels fail to tackle: adult incompetency and the toll it takes on kids and teens. It bugs me that so many YA and kids' books portray adults as useless because they usually don't interrogate why adults act the way they do, or YA and middle grade fiction just ignores adults altogether. This book shows how a story can center on a couple of kids while also addressing the adults in the room. Further, I liked seeing adults take responsibility for their own actions. And, lastly, I very much engaged with the idea of Mona as a reluctant hero, a theme that runs throughout the book. I frankly find heroic types boring, and am much more attracted to the person who's in the wrong place at the wrong time and has no choice but to rise to the occasion.
Mona isn't the only great character, though. I truly enjoyed the entire cast, particularly Spindle and Knackering Molly. Because I got to know these characters, their quirks and feelings and foibles, I cared about what happened to them, and that gave the battle scenes a lot of emotional resonance for me.
This book deserves its Nebula nomination, and I'd be pleased if it wins.