Foodie Reads: A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (J. Penner)
I absolutely devoured The Fellowship of Bakers and Magic by J. Penner! For me, a truly great book is one that pulls you in completely—where you can’t stop reading or find yourself eagerly anticipating the moment you can get back to it. That was exactly the experience I had with this story. I couldn't put it down!
Here is a quick summary from the publisher:
A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off…
In the heart of Adenashire, where elfish enchantments and dwarven delights rule, Arleta Starstone, a human confectionist works twice as hard perfecting her unique blend of baking and apothecary herbs. So when an orc neighbor secretly enters her creations into the prestigious Elven Baking Battle, Arleta faces a dilemma.
Being magicless, her participation in the competition could draw more scowls than smiles. And if Arleta wants to prove her talent and establish her culinary reputation, this human will need more than just her pastry craft to sweeten the odds. While competing, she'll set off on a journey of mouthwatering pastries, self-discovery, heartwarming friendships and romance, while questioning whether winning the Baking Battle is the true prize.
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. Escape to Adenashire for a delightful cozy fantasy where every twist is a treat and every turn a step closer to home.
I've always been a fan of cozy reads, and while I’m still relatively new to fantasy (currently deep into my fairies and elves era), the addition of food in the mix made this one irresistible. I approached it with an open mind, and it truly exceeded my expectations. The narrative was absolutely enchanting, the characters felt incredibly real, and everything about the book came together so seamlessly.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the story is how it celebrates the beauty of being different and embracing those differences. The characters’ uniqueness is what makes them stand out and what ultimately brings them together. It’s a theme I deeply relate to, and it was so refreshing to see it portrayed so lovingly. It’s a reminder that our quirks and individual traits are what make us special, and that embracing who we are is something to be celebrated.
I also really appreciated how clean it was. I’m not one to enjoy books with overly spicy elements, so it was such a refreshing change to fully immerse myself in a story without that distraction. This is one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished, the kind you find yourself returning to time and time again. I’m eagerly looking forward to exploring more of this author’s work!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
Author: J. Penner
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Format: eARC
Edition Publication Date: March 2025
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
