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Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
Ben Mariner's Gourmands and Goblins follows a goblin's highly suspenseful, adventure-filled journey in the world of assassins and chefs. Küdz's parents are banished by the goblins for a crime Küdz knows nothing about, and he must walk an arduous road to find acceptance among his fellow goblins. Equipped with his mother's delicious food and his father's combat lessons, Küdz goes to school in preparation for what he will be doing for the rest of his life. After an assessment, he is selected to join a group of assassins and become one. However, he finds himself drawn to the world of chefs and making the meals he enjoys so much. Torn between two worlds, Küdz must find a way to balance maintaining a good reputation and following his passion while facing prejudice and fierce competition.
"A handful of macerated berries sat on top, soaking in a thick syrupy liquid the color of the midnight sky." What an impressive display of creativity and language mastery. Ben's brilliant descriptions of the delicious recipes in Gourmands and Goblins had me drooling and daydreaming about food. I never knew a story could make you that hungry. Cooking is just one of the major well-portrayed themes in the book. It includes action, politics, competition, magic, prejudice, family, and more. Gourmands and Goblins is brimming with sophisticated, dazzling magical details. I was intrigued by the intricate representation of various magical creatures, such as dwarves, elves, fairies, and beasts. Fantasy fans and cooking enthusiasts will love Gourmands and Goblins. Its enchanting blend of brilliant worldbuilding, spine-chilling action, and fast-paced competitions had me glued to the pages for hours while mentally stuck in a magical land.
