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Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife
A heartwarming, magical new novel about an undead orc knight who trades the battlefield for a fresh start in the Necropolis, where opening a restaurant leads to daring adventures, newfound family, and a second chance at life, perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and cozy fantasy tales.
Rottgor is worn out. Literally. Barely held together by dark magic, he has protected the Necropolis for centuries. When he’s forced into retirement, he’s faced with a new challenge: to forge a future guided not by obligation, but by passion.
Following his heart (and stomach), he decides to open a restaurant where the city’s undead and living residents can share food and community. He’s helped in his quest by an unlikely assortment of neighbors, including elves, skeletons, vampires—and a young orphan girl named Astra, whose ancestry, if discovered, could put her and the entire Necropolis in danger. To protect Astra and the life he’s building, Rottgor must face his past and form new alliances built on friendship, loyalty, and love. As comforting as warm pumpkin bread, this gentle fantasy traces how even a dark history can rise into a bright future.
Rottgor is worn out. Literally. Barely held together by dark magic, he has protected the Necropolis for centuries. When he’s forced into retirement, he’s faced with a new challenge: to forge a future guided not by obligation, but by passion.
Following his heart (and stomach), he decides to open a restaurant where the city’s undead and living residents can share food and community. He’s helped in his quest by an unlikely assortment of neighbors, including elves, skeletons, vampires—and a young orphan girl named Astra, whose ancestry, if discovered, could put her and the entire Necropolis in danger. To protect Astra and the life he’s building, Rottgor must face his past and form new alliances built on friendship, loyalty, and love. As comforting as warm pumpkin bread, this gentle fantasy traces how even a dark history can rise into a bright future.
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First published October 14, 2025
329 people are currently reading
12015 people want to read
About the author
Deston J. Munden
6 books221 followersDeston “D.J.” Munden is a fantasy and science fiction author, living near the Outerbanks of North Carolina. Somewhere in the vague realm of his late twenties and early thirties, he lives with his brother in a small house in the woods where he taught himself how to imagine and write down worlds with orcs, swords, and magic (and sometimes mutants and spaceships). When he’s not writing, he’s playing video games with his best buds, rolling horribly on multisided dice, eating double his weight in food, trying out new recipes, collecting samurai memorabilia and watching as much anime and reading as much manga as humanly possible (sometimes doing more than one of these things at once).
His current work includes the Dargath Chronicles novels and Dusk Mountain Blues, his scifi webseries. He’s a huge fan of the fantasy and science fiction genre, including both the modern and classic works. Nothing he loves more than finding new authors all over the genre and then recommending them to all of his friends (that are willing to listen at this point). This will be his official debut in the fantasy world he has grown up in (at least in his head) his entire life.
His current work includes the Dargath Chronicles novels and Dusk Mountain Blues, his scifi webseries. He’s a huge fan of the fantasy and science fiction genre, including both the modern and classic works. Nothing he loves more than finding new authors all over the genre and then recommending them to all of his friends (that are willing to listen at this point). This will be his official debut in the fantasy world he has grown up in (at least in his head) his entire life.
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December 10, 2025
☆☆☆☆
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife by Deston J. Munden is a unique and captivating story that blends the supernatural with a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery and the power of food.
One of the standout features of this book is its portrayal of found family. The characters in this story come from very different backgrounds, but their connections and the way they support one another feel genuine and earned. It’s always a delight to see diverse personalities come together in such a meaningful way, and the books' relationsships are both heartwarming and deeply fulfilling.
The self-discovery plot was another aspect I really enjoyed. Watching Razgaif embark on a journey of understanding who they are and what their place in the world (or afterlife) is, was both engaging and emotionally satisfying. There’s something deeply relatable about the quest for self-identity, and the author does an excellent job of making the reader feel that same search, whether it’s through the protagonist's growth or the challenges they face.
Finally, the book has a delightful focus on food, which is something I always love in stories. The way food is used as a conduit for connection, healing, and even magic is fascinating. Every meal, recipe, or culinary moment feels like it carries a deeper meaning, enriching the overall experience of the novel.
While I thoroughly enjoyed Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife, there were a few moments where the pacing slowed, but overall, the book kept me hooked with its charm, warmth, and unique concept. It’s a beautiful story about community, growth, and the unexpected ways life (and afterlife) can shape us. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories with a touch of magic, strong character relationships, and of course, food!
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife by Deston J. Munden is a unique and captivating story that blends the supernatural with a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery and the power of food.
One of the standout features of this book is its portrayal of found family. The characters in this story come from very different backgrounds, but their connections and the way they support one another feel genuine and earned. It’s always a delight to see diverse personalities come together in such a meaningful way, and the books' relationsships are both heartwarming and deeply fulfilling.
The self-discovery plot was another aspect I really enjoyed. Watching Razgaif embark on a journey of understanding who they are and what their place in the world (or afterlife) is, was both engaging and emotionally satisfying. There’s something deeply relatable about the quest for self-identity, and the author does an excellent job of making the reader feel that same search, whether it’s through the protagonist's growth or the challenges they face.
Finally, the book has a delightful focus on food, which is something I always love in stories. The way food is used as a conduit for connection, healing, and even magic is fascinating. Every meal, recipe, or culinary moment feels like it carries a deeper meaning, enriching the overall experience of the novel.
While I thoroughly enjoyed Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife, there were a few moments where the pacing slowed, but overall, the book kept me hooked with its charm, warmth, and unique concept. It’s a beautiful story about community, growth, and the unexpected ways life (and afterlife) can shape us. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories with a touch of magic, strong character relationships, and of course, food!
June 16, 2025
"Life is more than just fixing your past mistakes."
Publication date - October 14, 2025
When I say this book literally changed my life for the better, I ain't kidding!! It's exactly what I needed - the warm hug & the comforting hand over my shoulder that said "it's okay if you feel stuck at the moment, it's even okay to feel dead inside & to just go over the motions everyday but never let that stop you from believing that you deserve something better or that your life can change." This isn't a quote from the book but it's exactly how I felt when I read this cuz this book literally was the COMFORTING SHOULDER that I needed and it filled me with HOPE!!!!🥺😭
(I'll try to not spoil anything & get to the review right now👇🏻)
What can you expect
🍵Cozy fantasy but you're gonna need some tissues since you'd be ugly crying at multiple points (trust me, I DID!!!!)
🍵Second chance at life
🍵Highlighting the need to live life for yourself over others
🍵Journey of self discovery
🍵Paternal bonds
🍵Found family (one of the best!!!!)
🍵Finding new friends & healing the wounds of the old ones
We follow Rottgor/Razgaif, the undead orc who is offered a second chance at life after serving the Kingdom as the undead knight for centuries, and now he has no idea what to do with his retirement much less believe that he deserves this life. After ruminating for a long time, he decides to follow his heart & reignite his passion for cooking that he had when he was alive centuries ago & we follow him doing just that while also making a lot of new friends, overcoming his self loathing phase, finding his new family, etc.
When I say cozy fantasy, you might expect something so linear & simple but this one's not that!! Even though this book feels like the hot chocolate that warms you during the cold & harsh winter mornings, it's not just warm but is also dark, rich & has a lot of depth in flavor. It's got a wonderful cast of characters who go through troubles of their own (some inner & some caused by external factors aka people🥲), and also has a world that's unique & has a system and hierarchy of it's own. So if you're definitely getting more than just a cozy fantasy in this beautiful story.
Worldbuilding
The world is simple yet layered & reminds me so much of a lot of isekai manga & anime cuz we have all sorts of creatures living alongside humans & magicians. We have vampires, dwarves, orcs, warlocks, undead people,...all living in harmony or so you might think cuz just like our world, we have some idiots who are always against a certain group of people here too, who keep causing trouble to everyone else who are living in peace🤦🏻♀️. This discrimination against the living & the undead disrupts the daily life of a lot of people, and you'd witness some of our characters fall prey to this hostility.
Writing & pacing
Not gonna lie but it took me a while to get into because the first few chapters come across as info dumpy as we're introduced to the world, and how the system works, the hierarchy & everything back to back which was a lot to take in. But once you cross that & get into Razgaif's journey, it becomes so much interesting and I wasn't able to put it down from there, in fact I had to take breaks in between deliberately cuz I wanted to spend more time with these characters!!!
Also the writing comes off as both descriptive & introspective - like when the author describes the setting, the food, the characters, etc., you feel as if you're walking beside Razgaif & exploring this city for the first time with eager eyes, and you do all that while also going through an internal examination of your own as he does the same. And I absolutely loved that & would love to read more from the author in the future cuz I'm someone terrible at imagining things in my mind but this book brought everything in life before my eyes & I had the best time reading it.
Characters
Razgaif/Rottgor deserves the whole world & I wanted to get into the book and tell him exactly that cuz he doesn't start out believing it. He's been brought back from death by the Worm King who wanted to use all these strong warriors(orcs, fae,...) to fight against his enemies (the guy couldn't let anyone rest in peace & had to torture them again!!). So Razgaif finds it difficult to move from having the will to only serve & fight to doing what his heart wants.
Also he's been feeling dead for years that this second chance at life seems unreal to him, and you cannot stop yourself from crying when you see him do things for the first time & actually feel it inside than just doing it for the sake of it🥺 His grey life suddenly becomes colorful when he follows his passion & starts the restaurant of his dreams. Along this new journey, he heals a part of himself that has been damaged for years, one that hasn't experienced joy for centuries & also comes to the realisation that he can be happy without worrying about his past or his future, and that everyone deserves their own family even though it's not by blood.
Astra's the little girl who truly made Razgaif feel life was worth living & gave him a purpose. She lives in the orphanage & crosses paths with Razgaif when he wanders through the city without any idea as to what he wants to do after his retirement. She's indeed his first customer in a sense & her smile and contentment at having good food is what ignites him to give life to his passion of cooking that died centuries ago when he was first killed.
To be honest, she seems more like an adult than a kid considering the amount of wisdom she has!! Even after going through a rough few years & having grown up in an orphanage, she's extremely optimistic & never loses hope. She's literally the sunshine, not just in Razgaif's life but to everyone who has ever crossed paths with her. She's the sweetest kiddo & I adore her sm & want nothing but to see her keep being the happiest & kindest child.
There's an interesting cast of characters who work in Razgaif's restaurant & also help him with setting the place - Calfe (half dwarf half elf), Clyth (demonkin), Bao Su (far fox), Waldruk (half vampire half orc), Flynn (undead dwarf & an excellent cook but don't tell Razgaif I told that cuz he doesn't consider him as a competition), Rib Digger (patchwork - a golem who seems to be a mix of different creatures), etc,. The way these people go from being complete strangers to being ready to off anyone who might raise a hand against the other was so moving to read about. They truly embody the line "Family not by blood but by heart."
I could keep going on & on about this book cuz I absolutely loved this & would even write a thesis on it but it isn't released yet, so I'm keeping it short & will be returning to elaborate further after the release & to also add more quotes.
Overall, if you're looking for THE COZY FANTASY OF THE YEAR, look no further & pre-order this book cuz it comes out in the fall which is absolutely perfect & you wouldn't regret it cuz it's got a lovely found family who would die for one another & an amazing plotline you wouldn't be able to put down. And I can already see myself rereading this again with a warm cup of hot chocolate during fall.
Extremely grateful to the author, Bindery Books & NetGalley for the ARC!!! Thank you very much for letting me read one of my all time favourite cozy fantasy reads.
Immediate thoughts after finishing:
now that I've gone and finished this, there's gonna be a gaping hope in my chest till I find the next read that I could savor & obsess over!! this was such a wonderful journey & I'm gonna miss the characters a lot😭😭
Publication date - October 14, 2025
When I say this book literally changed my life for the better, I ain't kidding!! It's exactly what I needed - the warm hug & the comforting hand over my shoulder that said "it's okay if you feel stuck at the moment, it's even okay to feel dead inside & to just go over the motions everyday but never let that stop you from believing that you deserve something better or that your life can change." This isn't a quote from the book but it's exactly how I felt when I read this cuz this book literally was the COMFORTING SHOULDER that I needed and it filled me with HOPE!!!!🥺😭
(I'll try to not spoil anything & get to the review right now👇🏻)
What can you expect
🍵Cozy fantasy but you're gonna need some tissues since you'd be ugly crying at multiple points (trust me, I DID!!!!)
🍵Second chance at life
🍵Highlighting the need to live life for yourself over others
🍵Journey of self discovery
🍵Paternal bonds
🍵Found family (one of the best!!!!)
🍵Finding new friends & healing the wounds of the old ones
We follow Rottgor/Razgaif, the undead orc who is offered a second chance at life after serving the Kingdom as the undead knight for centuries, and now he has no idea what to do with his retirement much less believe that he deserves this life. After ruminating for a long time, he decides to follow his heart & reignite his passion for cooking that he had when he was alive centuries ago & we follow him doing just that while also making a lot of new friends, overcoming his self loathing phase, finding his new family, etc.
When I say cozy fantasy, you might expect something so linear & simple but this one's not that!! Even though this book feels like the hot chocolate that warms you during the cold & harsh winter mornings, it's not just warm but is also dark, rich & has a lot of depth in flavor. It's got a wonderful cast of characters who go through troubles of their own (some inner & some caused by external factors aka people🥲), and also has a world that's unique & has a system and hierarchy of it's own. So if you're definitely getting more than just a cozy fantasy in this beautiful story.
Worldbuilding
The world is simple yet layered & reminds me so much of a lot of isekai manga & anime cuz we have all sorts of creatures living alongside humans & magicians. We have vampires, dwarves, orcs, warlocks, undead people,...all living in harmony or so you might think cuz just like our world, we have some idiots who are always against a certain group of people here too, who keep causing trouble to everyone else who are living in peace🤦🏻♀️. This discrimination against the living & the undead disrupts the daily life of a lot of people, and you'd witness some of our characters fall prey to this hostility.
Writing & pacing
Not gonna lie but it took me a while to get into because the first few chapters come across as info dumpy as we're introduced to the world, and how the system works, the hierarchy & everything back to back which was a lot to take in. But once you cross that & get into Razgaif's journey, it becomes so much interesting and I wasn't able to put it down from there, in fact I had to take breaks in between deliberately cuz I wanted to spend more time with these characters!!!
Also the writing comes off as both descriptive & introspective - like when the author describes the setting, the food, the characters, etc., you feel as if you're walking beside Razgaif & exploring this city for the first time with eager eyes, and you do all that while also going through an internal examination of your own as he does the same. And I absolutely loved that & would love to read more from the author in the future cuz I'm someone terrible at imagining things in my mind but this book brought everything in life before my eyes & I had the best time reading it.
Characters
Razgaif/Rottgor deserves the whole world & I wanted to get into the book and tell him exactly that cuz he doesn't start out believing it. He's been brought back from death by the Worm King who wanted to use all these strong warriors(orcs, fae,...) to fight against his enemies (the guy couldn't let anyone rest in peace & had to torture them again!!). So Razgaif finds it difficult to move from having the will to only serve & fight to doing what his heart wants.
Also he's been feeling dead for years that this second chance at life seems unreal to him, and you cannot stop yourself from crying when you see him do things for the first time & actually feel it inside than just doing it for the sake of it🥺 His grey life suddenly becomes colorful when he follows his passion & starts the restaurant of his dreams. Along this new journey, he heals a part of himself that has been damaged for years, one that hasn't experienced joy for centuries & also comes to the realisation that he can be happy without worrying about his past or his future, and that everyone deserves their own family even though it's not by blood.
Astra's the little girl who truly made Razgaif feel life was worth living & gave him a purpose. She lives in the orphanage & crosses paths with Razgaif when he wanders through the city without any idea as to what he wants to do after his retirement. She's indeed his first customer in a sense & her smile and contentment at having good food is what ignites him to give life to his passion of cooking that died centuries ago when he was first killed.
To be honest, she seems more like an adult than a kid considering the amount of wisdom she has!! Even after going through a rough few years & having grown up in an orphanage, she's extremely optimistic & never loses hope. She's literally the sunshine, not just in Razgaif's life but to everyone who has ever crossed paths with her. She's the sweetest kiddo & I adore her sm & want nothing but to see her keep being the happiest & kindest child.
There's an interesting cast of characters who work in Razgaif's restaurant & also help him with setting the place - Calfe (half dwarf half elf), Clyth (demonkin), Bao Su (far fox), Waldruk (half vampire half orc), Flynn (undead dwarf & an excellent cook but don't tell Razgaif I told that cuz he doesn't consider him as a competition), Rib Digger (patchwork - a golem who seems to be a mix of different creatures), etc,. The way these people go from being complete strangers to being ready to off anyone who might raise a hand against the other was so moving to read about. They truly embody the line "Family not by blood but by heart."
I could keep going on & on about this book cuz I absolutely loved this & would even write a thesis on it but it isn't released yet, so I'm keeping it short & will be returning to elaborate further after the release & to also add more quotes.
Overall, if you're looking for THE COZY FANTASY OF THE YEAR, look no further & pre-order this book cuz it comes out in the fall which is absolutely perfect & you wouldn't regret it cuz it's got a lovely found family who would die for one another & an amazing plotline you wouldn't be able to put down. And I can already see myself rereading this again with a warm cup of hot chocolate during fall.
Extremely grateful to the author, Bindery Books & NetGalley for the ARC!!! Thank you very much for letting me read one of my all time favourite cozy fantasy reads.
Immediate thoughts after finishing:
now that I've gone and finished this, there's gonna be a gaping hope in my chest till I find the next read that I could savor & obsess over!! this was such a wonderful journey & I'm gonna miss the characters a lot😭😭
April 17, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
4 ⭐️ Everything about this book appealed to me. the cover, the blurb, the character names, EVERYTHING. And I wasn't disappointed.
If you crave a cosy fantasy, i can recommend this. The world building, setting, and magic system woven into this story is so well done that they come to life so easily when reading. The overall story is heartfelt with just a little comedy. This book felt like it warmed my soul.
4 ⭐️ Everything about this book appealed to me. the cover, the blurb, the character names, EVERYTHING. And I wasn't disappointed.
If you crave a cosy fantasy, i can recommend this. The world building, setting, and magic system woven into this story is so well done that they come to life so easily when reading. The overall story is heartfelt with just a little comedy. This book felt like it warmed my soul.
October 7, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
I really thought I was going to love this, or I obviously would have never requested this from the NetGalley catalog. Even stopped and went back several times, just to make sure it wasn't just that I was in the mood for it. Really can't say even what was wrong. There was plot and character development, but it just wasn't for me.
It seems like there were tons of people who really loved this book, though. Just because I didn't like the book doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it, which is why I gave it a 3 star rating. Not everyone likes the same books, and that's perfectly fine. :)
I really thought I was going to love this, or I obviously would have never requested this from the NetGalley catalog. Even stopped and went back several times, just to make sure it wasn't just that I was in the mood for it. Really can't say even what was wrong. There was plot and character development, but it just wasn't for me.
It seems like there were tons of people who really loved this book, though. Just because I didn't like the book doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it, which is why I gave it a 3 star rating. Not everyone likes the same books, and that's perfectly fine. :)
September 29, 2025
ARC
eARC recieved from NetGalley
I love to visualize when I read - and Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife made it ridiculously easy:
Lush descriptions? ✅
World-building that practically breathes on its own? ✅✅
Deston J. Munden paints such vivid, immersive scenes that I could close my eyes and still walk through the setting. Fair warning to those who may need it: the level of detail might feel a bit much if you’re trying to read it all in one go, but honestly? It's worth the time.
The opening chapters focus heavily on the world-building, and it pays off. You can feel how much the author cares—not just about the story, but about every character in it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Munden has a whole folder somewhere with character bios, family trees, and what they eat for breakfast.
Speaking of bios, we need character illustrations—would work wonders. And honestly, someone needs to make a tie-in cookbook too.
This book was an absolute delight. It showed up at just the right time (because a professor made me cry LMAO—we're not gonna talk about that 😭), and it gave me exactly what I needed. It's cozy, magical, heartfelt, and occasionally overwhelming (in a good way?). Around the 60% mark, I did find myself stumbling a bit due to a sudden info dump + character backstory overload, but I hung in there.
TLDR: If you’re into cozy fantasy, rich world-building, lovable characters, and stories that feel like a warm hug (with a hint of existential crisis), this will be perfect for you.
mid-reading notes:
- the plot is exhaustive, and I am exhausted.
- the names of the moons are prettyyy 🥹 Mari, Yari, and Awi
- need character art for this novel so bad
- a cookbook being paired with this would be amazing
pre-read જ⁀➴
╰┈➤ a cozy read after so long - let's gooo 🙂↕️🙂↕️
eARC recieved from NetGalley
I love to visualize when I read - and Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife made it ridiculously easy:
Lush descriptions? ✅
World-building that practically breathes on its own? ✅✅
Deston J. Munden paints such vivid, immersive scenes that I could close my eyes and still walk through the setting. Fair warning to those who may need it: the level of detail might feel a bit much if you’re trying to read it all in one go, but honestly? It's worth the time.
The opening chapters focus heavily on the world-building, and it pays off. You can feel how much the author cares—not just about the story, but about every character in it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Munden has a whole folder somewhere with character bios, family trees, and what they eat for breakfast.
Speaking of bios, we need character illustrations—would work wonders. And honestly, someone needs to make a tie-in cookbook too.
This book was an absolute delight. It showed up at just the right time (because a professor made me cry LMAO—we're not gonna talk about that 😭), and it gave me exactly what I needed. It's cozy, magical, heartfelt, and occasionally overwhelming (in a good way?). Around the 60% mark, I did find myself stumbling a bit due to a sudden info dump + character backstory overload, but I hung in there.
TLDR: If you’re into cozy fantasy, rich world-building, lovable characters, and stories that feel like a warm hug (with a hint of existential crisis), this will be perfect for you.
mid-reading notes:
- the plot is exhaustive, and I am exhausted.
- the names of the moons are prettyyy 🥹 Mari, Yari, and Awi
- need character art for this novel so bad
- a cookbook being paired with this would be amazing
pre-read જ⁀➴
╰┈➤ a cozy read after so long - let's gooo 🙂↕️🙂↕️
May 25, 2025
A huge thank you to Bindery Books at Cozy Quill and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💖
"Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife” has all the cosy fantasy vibes I love: found family, magical food, and a heartfelt main character trying to find their place.
The story is charming and has some sweet, touching moments, but I struggled with the pacing, especially near the end. Some plot points felt rushed, and a few relationships lacked emotional depth. The worldbuilding showed promise but sometimes asked me to suspend disbelief a bit too much, and the writing didn’t always click for me.
It’s a comforting, low-stakes read perfect for when you want something soft and whimsical. It's not a favourite, but still enjoyable
"Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife” has all the cosy fantasy vibes I love: found family, magical food, and a heartfelt main character trying to find their place.
The story is charming and has some sweet, touching moments, but I struggled with the pacing, especially near the end. Some plot points felt rushed, and a few relationships lacked emotional depth. The worldbuilding showed promise but sometimes asked me to suspend disbelief a bit too much, and the writing didn’t always click for me.
It’s a comforting, low-stakes read perfect for when you want something soft and whimsical. It's not a favourite, but still enjoyable
March 26, 2025
Rottgor is forced into a very late retirement and now has to figure out what to do with his (after)life. When I saw this show up on NetGalley I immediately applied for an ARC because this book is SO up my alley: cozy fantasy, found family, tasty food. Unfortunately the book just didn't deliver for me. It was such a struggle to finish this one and if this wasn't an ARC and I wasn't determined to give it my best I would've DNF'd for sure. Is it all bad? Of course not, there's actually some really interesting world building. But unfortunately it was not the cozy fantasy of my dreams.
The Good:
- As I said I really like the worldbuilding. It takes place in a city built by Rottgor and his undead buddies after defeating their necormancer overlord. Now, centuries later, the living and undead live side by side. The whole idea of the undead finding new purpose in life is really sweet.
- The magic system: I love how everyone has magic that is very unique to them and their personality. I also love how the magic has an aura of its own that you can even hear and smell.
- I loved reading the flashbacks of the MC's previous life. It's a very unique view on Orcish society and culture.
The Could be better:
- The writer used new terms for races or entirely new races (I'm not quite sure which), but didn't quite manage to describe them in a way that made it really hard for me to picture them or understand really what they were. (Though props for introducing half elf half dwarf combos. Why do combinations like these not appear more often in fantasy?)
- Some plot holes in the story that challenged my suspension of disbelief. Like the orphans are too poor for food or shoes, but they live in a literal mansion and the city government takes good care of its orphans? Also the dialogue as was just not believable at times. Astra sounds more like a 15 year old than a 9/10 year old.
The Bad:
- The most important part of a book to me are the characters. While I liked Rottgor and all the side characters well enough on their own, the interactions just didn't add up. How is Calfe basically willing to kill/die on behalf of Rottgor just after meeting him and having one lunch together? One meeting with Astra and Rottgor immediately has deep paternal feelings for her (not in a creepy way mind you, it never went there). The employees are all hired/introduced at the same time and there's an instant back and forth between everyone. It was overall way too sweet even for me. And I love cute and sweet stories.
- The pacing was way off. Too much of the story was spent on Rottgor second guessing himself and despairing. It took 20% for him to even settle on opening a restaurant. At about 40% the restaurant opened. There is no time really spent on actually trial and error because the restaurant is an instant hit. And let me tell you something: I devoured 4 long books on magical farming life. I can handle a slow pace. But I cannot stand if the slow pace is filled with navelgazing instead of doing something, really, anything at all. I'd rather read the MC trying out twenty soup recipes rather than doubting themselves over and over again. The book isn't even that long, but felt at least twice as long than it was.
Now I did get a very early ARC, so I don't know, maybe there's going to be another round of edits. I really hope it will, because I had such high hopes from this premise. Thanks NetGalley and Cozy Quill from Bindery Books for granting me this ARC. All opinions are my own.
The Good:
- As I said I really like the worldbuilding. It takes place in a city built by Rottgor and his undead buddies after defeating their necormancer overlord. Now, centuries later, the living and undead live side by side. The whole idea of the undead finding new purpose in life is really sweet.
- The magic system: I love how everyone has magic that is very unique to them and their personality. I also love how the magic has an aura of its own that you can even hear and smell.
- I loved reading the flashbacks of the MC's previous life. It's a very unique view on Orcish society and culture.
The Could be better:
- The writer used new terms for races or entirely new races (I'm not quite sure which), but didn't quite manage to describe them in a way that made it really hard for me to picture them or understand really what they were. (Though props for introducing half elf half dwarf combos. Why do combinations like these not appear more often in fantasy?)
- Some plot holes in the story that challenged my suspension of disbelief. Like the orphans are too poor for food or shoes, but they live in a literal mansion and the city government takes good care of its orphans? Also the dialogue as was just not believable at times. Astra sounds more like a 15 year old than a 9/10 year old.
The Bad:
- The most important part of a book to me are the characters. While I liked Rottgor and all the side characters well enough on their own, the interactions just didn't add up. How is Calfe basically willing to kill/die on behalf of Rottgor just after meeting him and having one lunch together? One meeting with Astra and Rottgor immediately has deep paternal feelings for her (not in a creepy way mind you, it never went there). The employees are all hired/introduced at the same time and there's an instant back and forth between everyone. It was overall way too sweet even for me. And I love cute and sweet stories.
- The pacing was way off. Too much of the story was spent on Rottgor second guessing himself and despairing. It took 20% for him to even settle on opening a restaurant. At about 40% the restaurant opened. There is no time really spent on actually trial and error because the restaurant is an instant hit. And let me tell you something: I devoured 4 long books on magical farming life. I can handle a slow pace. But I cannot stand if the slow pace is filled with navelgazing instead of doing something, really, anything at all. I'd rather read the MC trying out twenty soup recipes rather than doubting themselves over and over again. The book isn't even that long, but felt at least twice as long than it was.
Now I did get a very early ARC, so I don't know, maybe there's going to be another round of edits. I really hope it will, because I had such high hopes from this premise. Thanks NetGalley and Cozy Quill from Bindery Books for granting me this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Read
December 8, 2025DNF @ 33%
I said I'd give this until 33% and I have. I am probably going to soft DNF this one, for now. I just don't have the patience for it right now, but I might in the future. If I still can't get into it the second time, I'll unhaul it. I'm very sad about this, just so you know.
Not rating.
r/Fantasy BINGO 2025: Cozy SFF. (Hard Mode: The author is new to you.)
I said I'd give this until 33% and I have. I am probably going to soft DNF this one, for now. I just don't have the patience for it right now, but I might in the future. If I still can't get into it the second time, I'll unhaul it. I'm very sad about this, just so you know.
Not rating.
r/Fantasy BINGO 2025: Cozy SFF. (Hard Mode: The author is new to you.)
May 13, 2025
A heartfelt, cozy tale that could thaw even the coldest undead hearts. This book hooked me from the start with the premise of a powerful death knight and his second-second chance to live the life he'd always dreamed. There were beautiful descriptions of food, complex characters, and enough undead action to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Keep an eye out for this one, releasing in October.
Keep an eye out for this one, releasing in October.
Read
October 17, 2025A charmingly cozy tale of fatherhood, belonging, redemption, and recognizing that you are worthy of gentleness & joy & following your passion.
The living and the undead exist - a bit tensely - side by side in the necropolis. After centuries of protecting the leaders of his city, undead orc knight Rottgor is (lovingly) forced into retirement. He stumbles back into his pre-death passion of cooking, opening up a community restaurant.
But when he meets a young orphan girl named Astra and discovers a dark connection to his past, Rottgor must figure out how to keep her safe while honoring both his history and his future.
I listened to the audiobook during a road trip where I desperately needed to be cheered up, and it hit the spot. (The narrator was also WONDERFUL.)
The plot is relatively low-stakes, but there’s still darkness and groundedness in the more painful parts of life. Rottgor has a brutal inner voice and struggles with guilt over his past and opening up to tenderness and love. There’s also some tension between the living and the undead, with one major antagonist leaning into hatred and weaponizing a fear of those who are othered, especially among those living in poverty. But the arcs overall are quite sweet and I never doubted things would be okay in the end. There’s plenty of hope.
I thought there was an interesting collection of characters and an interesting world, though we only got a small peek into it. The descriptions of food were delightful, too! Some of the dialogue was a bit awkward and inconsistent, and I’m always side-eyeing benevolent rulers (especially when one of our main characters is an underfed orphan - and the crown KNOWS this). Lady Cleo was a major player, and she needed to be nudged about quite a few things!
It’s a slow, detailed-filled story, which will probably divide readers. If you don’t mind lingering in the small moments, I think you’ll enjoy this.
Overall it’s so sweet, and I adored the messaging around finding your passion and purpose - and that it’s never too late to do so. Also reading about healthy, loving, caring, involved fathers is always great. The family dynamics overall were quite moving.
CW: racism, slavery, xenophobia, grief, war, hate crime, death, body horror
Follow me on social media for book recommendations!
(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
The living and the undead exist - a bit tensely - side by side in the necropolis. After centuries of protecting the leaders of his city, undead orc knight Rottgor is (lovingly) forced into retirement. He stumbles back into his pre-death passion of cooking, opening up a community restaurant.
But when he meets a young orphan girl named Astra and discovers a dark connection to his past, Rottgor must figure out how to keep her safe while honoring both his history and his future.
I listened to the audiobook during a road trip where I desperately needed to be cheered up, and it hit the spot. (The narrator was also WONDERFUL.)
The plot is relatively low-stakes, but there’s still darkness and groundedness in the more painful parts of life. Rottgor has a brutal inner voice and struggles with guilt over his past and opening up to tenderness and love. There’s also some tension between the living and the undead, with one major antagonist leaning into hatred and weaponizing a fear of those who are othered, especially among those living in poverty. But the arcs overall are quite sweet and I never doubted things would be okay in the end. There’s plenty of hope.
I thought there was an interesting collection of characters and an interesting world, though we only got a small peek into it. The descriptions of food were delightful, too! Some of the dialogue was a bit awkward and inconsistent, and I’m always side-eyeing benevolent rulers (especially when one of our main characters is an underfed orphan - and the crown KNOWS this). Lady Cleo was a major player, and she needed to be nudged about quite a few things!
It’s a slow, detailed-filled story, which will probably divide readers. If you don’t mind lingering in the small moments, I think you’ll enjoy this.
Overall it’s so sweet, and I adored the messaging around finding your passion and purpose - and that it’s never too late to do so. Also reading about healthy, loving, caring, involved fathers is always great. The family dynamics overall were quite moving.
CW: racism, slavery, xenophobia, grief, war, hate crime, death, body horror
Follow me on social media for book recommendations!
(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
September 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐- Delightfully cozy, warm & hearty! 🍜🥰🥘😍
A big thank you to Cozy Quills, Bindery books - this was the first arc novel I was approved for on NetGalley! I waited to read this as they had mentioned they would be releasing the epub format later.
🌟 This was a beautiful story, with a rich and unique world. The diversity of magic and magical beings was creative and powerful. I loved the cultural infusion and values reflected in the words and setting. It had an eclectic cast of character's, and the blend of their personalities made for an entertaining dynamic. The friendships were heartwarming, and certainly a highlight in the story. I enjoyed the sense of humor in the writing, and it had many sweet and endearing moments.
🌟 The central focus of food was comforting and magical. I loved how it represented nourishment for the body and soul (magic). Food in many cultures is at the core of connecting people, and it was great to see Razgaif's restaurant bringing a community of people together with the love and passion he poured into his cooking. His core magic of abundance and rejuvenation through food was beautiful, and I loved how it manifested itself in different ways.
🌟 While the book was cozy in its theme, it was mixed with a good dash of action and suspense in the second half. The conflicts arising from the tensions between the Undead & the Living, made the story more engaging throughout. The Six Shadow warriors and their past of defeating the evil King, rebuilding the city, and now protecting the current peace was interesting. We see another conflict play out testing the friendship between Razgaif (warrior Orc) & Tityli (Fae queen), the only two remaining Shadow warriors, as their purposes are challenged. The blossoming relationship between Razgaif and the little girl Astra, was at the core of the story and explored many interesting threads.
🌟 The core theme encompassed the journey of re-discovering your purpose, starting fresh, and reinventing yourself. It's a challenging and daunting endeavor, but following your passion and inspiration is deeply fulfilling. Sometimes we can get stuck, and we need the push to start living our life. The story metaphorically represented the fears and doubts that exist in our minds, which prevent us from actualizing our potential. The strength to break free and overcome our fears in pursuit of our true purpose in life, was embodied in the magic and in the friendships that support you along the way.
🌟 The only note I would have is that it was a bit cheesy or rushed in a few parts. The arc of a few events and character's, with their reflections and emotions were somewhat drawn out, and could have been better delivered. Some of the character's development either didn't feel as natural or a bit overdone/overstated in the second half of the book.
Overall, the story felt unique and original. If you love cozy fantasy - you should definitely check it out!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary e-arc of this story. All opinions expressed here are my own.
A big thank you to Cozy Quills, Bindery books - this was the first arc novel I was approved for on NetGalley! I waited to read this as they had mentioned they would be releasing the epub format later.
🌟 This was a beautiful story, with a rich and unique world. The diversity of magic and magical beings was creative and powerful. I loved the cultural infusion and values reflected in the words and setting. It had an eclectic cast of character's, and the blend of their personalities made for an entertaining dynamic. The friendships were heartwarming, and certainly a highlight in the story. I enjoyed the sense of humor in the writing, and it had many sweet and endearing moments.
🌟 The central focus of food was comforting and magical. I loved how it represented nourishment for the body and soul (magic). Food in many cultures is at the core of connecting people, and it was great to see Razgaif's restaurant bringing a community of people together with the love and passion he poured into his cooking. His core magic of abundance and rejuvenation through food was beautiful, and I loved how it manifested itself in different ways.
🌟 While the book was cozy in its theme, it was mixed with a good dash of action and suspense in the second half. The conflicts arising from the tensions between the Undead & the Living, made the story more engaging throughout. The Six Shadow warriors and their past of defeating the evil King, rebuilding the city, and now protecting the current peace was interesting. We see another conflict play out testing the friendship between Razgaif (warrior Orc) & Tityli (Fae queen), the only two remaining Shadow warriors, as their purposes are challenged. The blossoming relationship between Razgaif and the little girl Astra, was at the core of the story and explored many interesting threads.
🌟 The core theme encompassed the journey of re-discovering your purpose, starting fresh, and reinventing yourself. It's a challenging and daunting endeavor, but following your passion and inspiration is deeply fulfilling. Sometimes we can get stuck, and we need the push to start living our life. The story metaphorically represented the fears and doubts that exist in our minds, which prevent us from actualizing our potential. The strength to break free and overcome our fears in pursuit of our true purpose in life, was embodied in the magic and in the friendships that support you along the way.
🌟 The only note I would have is that it was a bit cheesy or rushed in a few parts. The arc of a few events and character's, with their reflections and emotions were somewhat drawn out, and could have been better delivered. Some of the character's development either didn't feel as natural or a bit overdone/overstated in the second half of the book.
Overall, the story felt unique and original. If you love cozy fantasy - you should definitely check it out!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary e-arc of this story. All opinions expressed here are my own.
November 15, 2025
This is great for fans of D&D and Legends and Lattes. The found family element of this was so touching.
September 9, 2025
I am very much reminded of the long form fan-fiction I read in the aughts. Not horrible, but clearly in great need of an editor with a lot of patience and fortitude. The idea and world is wonderful, it's original, it's clever. It could host some great stories. But it's not well put together as far as actual substance. There isn't enough explanation behind the world building so that a reader can really understand. The characters are sometimes two dimensional, and sometimes straight up contradictory. Conversations are unnatural sounding, and descriptions are in need of some fresh vocabulary. I really wanted to like it, I tried. But I had to absolutely drag myself through the last half of the book. I skimmed, I admit it. But nothing I saw made me feel like I missed out by doing that. I almost feel like it would be a better comic. Illustrations would get rid of the lack of clear description and would get rid of a TON of the 'oh, woe is me, I am such a sad undead orc who doesn't deserve happiness'. I was over that by 3 chapters in. Mostly over them talking about it, and never actually doing anything. Clearly, they all need a nice, undead therapist to talk to, versus each other.
Also, the idea of dwarvish fantasy vape pen is really, really stupid and felt even stupider every time it was mentioned.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
Also, the idea of dwarvish fantasy vape pen is really, really stupid and felt even stupider every time it was mentioned.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
September 14, 2025
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑.𝟱
꒰ After centuries of servitude, Rottgor Onyx-Ax of the Famine Blade has been released from his duties as the Lord Commander of the Death Knights. He was given a rare opportunity for a Seclusion, which is essentially retirement for the undead, and got a second chance to experience the life he missed. However, he faces a dilemma because he has only known battle and bloodshed, and he feels a familiar sensation he has forgotten while having his first dinner after being ‘released’—A feeling that his old self, Razgaif the Younger, had for his passion for cooking. ꒱
Release Date: October 14, 2025 ⟢
This is the first book I’ve read by Deston J. Munden, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Despite the dark atmosphere, it has been described as a cozy fantasy similar to elements found in 'Legends & Lattes', which I absolutely agree with due to its themes of comfort, food, found family, and creating a new business/restaurant aspect. However, I also noticed that there is greater tension related to political issues, prejudice between the living and the dead, and the exploration of grief and self-discovery.
We witness Rottgor's journey as he learns to live again and discovers his place in the world from a new perspective. My favorite parts included the moments when he questions his identity and tries to find himself while learning to forgive himself for the actions and deaths he's committed under the regime of 'The Worm King'.
I have a soft spot for the found-family trope, so while I liked the characters overall, I wished some of them had more presence or impact in the story. We saw a lot of Astra, but it was hard to view her as anything other than a child who gives advice like an adult.
The worldbuilding was okay, good, but also a bit wonky. I especially liked the political tension between the undead and the living, which added depth to the story. However, I found it difficult to keep track of all the characters because so many creatures were mentioned. There was also a unique and interesting prejudice among the living towards the undead that festered within the community, which was different since we've usually seen the undead as villains.
The disconnect I had was the quick development of some relationships. For example, Clythe, whom Rottgor met during dinner on the first night of his Seclusion, immediately offered his assistance in finding a location for Rottgor's new home and business. Also with his significant relationship develops with Astra, an orphan girl, leading to a father-daughter bond.
Also, the pacing was very slow, especially in the first half of the book. You may think it necessary to simmer and get to know more of the world, history, and people of the world, but it became a bit of an info dump because of how broad it was for a standalone. But in the end, I was pretty pleased at how it all came about, how the community came together, and with Rottgor reclaiming his orc heritage.
Overall, I was pretty satisfied with the turn of events and could say this is a fantasy with cozy elements. Kudos to Deston J. Munden for the lovely book, and a huge thank you to NetGalley, Bindery Books, and for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
.𖥔 ݁ ˖
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑.𝟱
⌗ ❝ You may not have chosen to be undead, but you’ve already had centuries stolen from you. Why not spend the last bits finding the happiness you craved? ❞
꒰ After centuries of servitude, Rottgor Onyx-Ax of the Famine Blade has been released from his duties as the Lord Commander of the Death Knights. He was given a rare opportunity for a Seclusion, which is essentially retirement for the undead, and got a second chance to experience the life he missed. However, he faces a dilemma because he has only known battle and bloodshed, and he feels a familiar sensation he has forgotten while having his first dinner after being ‘released’—A feeling that his old self, Razgaif the Younger, had for his passion for cooking. ꒱
Release Date: October 14, 2025 ⟢
This is the first book I’ve read by Deston J. Munden, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Despite the dark atmosphere, it has been described as a cozy fantasy similar to elements found in 'Legends & Lattes', which I absolutely agree with due to its themes of comfort, food, found family, and creating a new business/restaurant aspect. However, I also noticed that there is greater tension related to political issues, prejudice between the living and the dead, and the exploration of grief and self-discovery.
❝ Is this all I am? Will I only ever be known for death and plagues? History may remember a warrior, a hero. I see only a weapon. ❞
We witness Rottgor's journey as he learns to live again and discovers his place in the world from a new perspective. My favorite parts included the moments when he questions his identity and tries to find himself while learning to forgive himself for the actions and deaths he's committed under the regime of 'The Worm King'.
I have a soft spot for the found-family trope, so while I liked the characters overall, I wished some of them had more presence or impact in the story. We saw a lot of Astra, but it was hard to view her as anything other than a child who gives advice like an adult.
❝ Serve. Bend. Break. Your will is mine. ❞
The worldbuilding was okay, good, but also a bit wonky. I especially liked the political tension between the undead and the living, which added depth to the story. However, I found it difficult to keep track of all the characters because so many creatures were mentioned. There was also a unique and interesting prejudice among the living towards the undead that festered within the community, which was different since we've usually seen the undead as villains.
The disconnect I had was the quick development of some relationships. For example, Clythe, whom Rottgor met during dinner on the first night of his Seclusion, immediately offered his assistance in finding a location for Rottgor's new home and business. Also with his significant relationship develops with Astra, an orphan girl, leading to a father-daughter bond.
Also, the pacing was very slow, especially in the first half of the book. You may think it necessary to simmer and get to know more of the world, history, and people of the world, but it became a bit of an info dump because of how broad it was for a standalone. But in the end, I was pretty pleased at how it all came about, how the community came together, and with Rottgor reclaiming his orc heritage.
Overall, I was pretty satisfied with the turn of events and could say this is a fantasy with cozy elements. Kudos to Deston J. Munden for the lovely book, and a huge thank you to NetGalley, Bindery Books, and for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
❝ You have a lot of titles, my friend, much like I do.” She laughed. “But truthfully, can you even remember that far back? It’s been hundreds of years since you’ve been living. How long can a dream live without nourishment? How long has it been since you’ve thought about you—you underneath all that bloody history? Who was Razgaif? ❞
.𖥔 ݁ ˖
October 1, 2025
What a cozy and heartwarming read!
In this book we follow Rottgor as he’s forced to retire from serving the court so he decides to open up a restaurant to spend the rest of his afterlife there. During his first few days adjusting to his new life he meets Astra an orphan who introduces him to the town. However not everything is easy especially as some people around town are not so welcoming, and the fatherly bond that’s between him and Astra might be in danger due to her heritage.
Personally this was the perfect book at the perfect time for me, not only has it been perfect with the chilly weather, but also for my slump. I loved seeing Rottgor slowly getting back to a slower paced life and returning to cooking which he loved doing growing up. I also loved Astra as a character, she had such a bright outlook on everything even when the situation was dire. I also loved the bond that the two had, since they really brought out the best in each other. Special shoutout to all the side characters from Thess, to Tytli to all the staff at the restaurant because they really contributed a lot to the story and created such a welcoming and chaotic family.
The town was giving me mediaeval vibes and I loved it! The plot was really good as well and I enjoyed the bit of action scenes by the end!
If you’re a fun of cozy stories I cannot not recommend this one to you!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this book we follow Rottgor as he’s forced to retire from serving the court so he decides to open up a restaurant to spend the rest of his afterlife there. During his first few days adjusting to his new life he meets Astra an orphan who introduces him to the town. However not everything is easy especially as some people around town are not so welcoming, and the fatherly bond that’s between him and Astra might be in danger due to her heritage.
Personally this was the perfect book at the perfect time for me, not only has it been perfect with the chilly weather, but also for my slump. I loved seeing Rottgor slowly getting back to a slower paced life and returning to cooking which he loved doing growing up. I also loved Astra as a character, she had such a bright outlook on everything even when the situation was dire. I also loved the bond that the two had, since they really brought out the best in each other. Special shoutout to all the side characters from Thess, to Tytli to all the staff at the restaurant because they really contributed a lot to the story and created such a welcoming and chaotic family.
The town was giving me mediaeval vibes and I loved it! The plot was really good as well and I enjoyed the bit of action scenes by the end!
If you’re a fun of cozy stories I cannot not recommend this one to you!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
October 18, 2025Thank you Cozy Quill, Bindery Books, and NetGalley for the e-ARC 🤎
4.5/5 ⭐️ sweet, cozy, and heartwarming!! Omg, I enjoyed this SOOO much 🥧🥐🥞 giving this a 4.5 because it made me feel happy. And sometimes you just need a happy book!
It had me feeling warm and fuzzy. This was a really beautiful story! I was hooked from the start. The writing is lovely — the descriptions of the food had me drooling. Every meal sounded hearty and amazing. I love that the story was centered around food and its connecting point for the characters. I had a mental visual on the restaurant and the other environments described. It was easy to picture this world and why the restaurant was a place for people to escape, eat food, connect, and feel safe! Great world building! The characters were complex and everyone including side characters had a moment to shine and play an important role in the story. Some of the relationships between them could have been fleshed out more.
I also enjoyed that there were some tense action packed moment. Having that tension written in kept the story multidimensional. Life isn’t perfect… it’s not always going to be cozy and warm! These scenes didn’t disrupt the flow of the plot. They
This was a perfect autumn read — it’s exactly what I’ve been needing. It was Like a warm fuzzy blanket. It makes you laugh and tear up a bit. Wholesome!!
4.5/5 ⭐️ sweet, cozy, and heartwarming!! Omg, I enjoyed this SOOO much 🥧🥐🥞 giving this a 4.5 because it made me feel happy. And sometimes you just need a happy book!
It had me feeling warm and fuzzy. This was a really beautiful story! I was hooked from the start. The writing is lovely — the descriptions of the food had me drooling. Every meal sounded hearty and amazing. I love that the story was centered around food and its connecting point for the characters. I had a mental visual on the restaurant and the other environments described. It was easy to picture this world and why the restaurant was a place for people to escape, eat food, connect, and feel safe! Great world building! The characters were complex and everyone including side characters had a moment to shine and play an important role in the story. Some of the relationships between them could have been fleshed out more.
I also enjoyed that there were some tense action packed moment. Having that tension written in kept the story multidimensional. Life isn’t perfect… it’s not always going to be cozy and warm! These scenes didn’t disrupt the flow of the plot. They
This was a perfect autumn read — it’s exactly what I’ve been needing. It was Like a warm fuzzy blanket. It makes you laugh and tear up a bit. Wholesome!!
October 17, 2025
An absolutely delightful read! It was warm and cozy while also covering some heavy themes like overcoming trauma and grief. I really enjoyed the world and the characters. If you like Legends and Lattes or The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches I think you'd find a lot to enjoy in this book as well.
November 30, 2025
This book is perfect for those who seek out cozy fantasies. The lessons in love, forgiveness, stepping out of your comfort zone, and appreciating your roots, are beautifully woven into the plot and make for a beautiful and touching story. Bonus points for World of Warcraft vibes!
catalogged
April 30, 2025DNF on page 132, mid-sentence even
ugh. cozy fantasy is real hit or miss for me, and this was a huge miss. think it could have gone through one (maybe two) vicious revisions and turned out as something so so charming, but in this form: not for me.
ugh. cozy fantasy is real hit or miss for me, and this was a huge miss. think it could have gone through one (maybe two) vicious revisions and turned out as something so so charming, but in this form: not for me.
November 10, 2025
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife by Deston J. Munden is a cosy fantasy novel that follows Rottgor, an orc knight who, guided equally by heart and stomach, decides to retire from battle and open a restaurant where the living and undead can gather in community. It’s a charming premise, and Deston J. Munden uses it to explore themes of purpose, change, and belonging.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its setting. A city near the necropolis is a fresh and intriguing backdrop for the cosy fantasy genre, and the cooking descriptions themselves are wonderfully comforting. Rottgor’s journey as an unwilling retiree—someone who lingers in the familiar even as life nudges him elsewhere—is thoughtfully handled and often relatable. The central conflict, with its clear parallel to real-world social tensions, is cleverly woven into the fantasy world.
However, the book’s slow pacing occasionally works against it. While the necropolis is a promising setting, the city itself never fully comes alive; its descriptions felt a bit generic and didn’t deliver the eerie-yet-homely atmosphere I hoped for. Similarly, Rottgor’s inner demons are emphasized so frequently that the emotional beats lose some of their impact.
The story also introduces many side characters, perhaps too many, which left some emotional threads, such as the found family element, feeling rushed and less resonant. As the narrative moved into its second half, my interest waned, and I found myself increasingly disconnected from the protagonist.
Overall, Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife offers a cosy and creative take on fantasy, with warm culinary moments and thoughtful themes. But uneven pacing, repetitive emotional notes, and an overcrowded cast kept it from fully enchanting me.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its setting. A city near the necropolis is a fresh and intriguing backdrop for the cosy fantasy genre, and the cooking descriptions themselves are wonderfully comforting. Rottgor’s journey as an unwilling retiree—someone who lingers in the familiar even as life nudges him elsewhere—is thoughtfully handled and often relatable. The central conflict, with its clear parallel to real-world social tensions, is cleverly woven into the fantasy world.
However, the book’s slow pacing occasionally works against it. While the necropolis is a promising setting, the city itself never fully comes alive; its descriptions felt a bit generic and didn’t deliver the eerie-yet-homely atmosphere I hoped for. Similarly, Rottgor’s inner demons are emphasized so frequently that the emotional beats lose some of their impact.
The story also introduces many side characters, perhaps too many, which left some emotional threads, such as the found family element, feeling rushed and less resonant. As the narrative moved into its second half, my interest waned, and I found myself increasingly disconnected from the protagonist.
Overall, Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife offers a cosy and creative take on fantasy, with warm culinary moments and thoughtful themes. But uneven pacing, repetitive emotional notes, and an overcrowded cast kept it from fully enchanting me.
November 5, 2025
A book with a tender pulse. It holds up a mirror to our world: how easily we turn away from those we deem different, and how quick we are to measure worth by likeness. I wish I could speak to closed minds the way Astra does: with a quiet kind of courage, soft enough to disarm, strong enough to change hearts.
If you can, get the audiobook that brings the story to life more than the slower written word does.
If you can, get the audiobook that brings the story to life more than the slower written word does.
December 14, 2025
A wonderful read! Full of love, adventure, and delicious-sounding food! A joy to read!
April 3, 2025
Bof, qué decir de este libro.
Es muy bonito, muy mono, cozy. No tengo palabras, es perfecto.
Los personajes son todos geniales (vamos a obviar al mamarracho de Vom), todos tienen profundidad. Los personajes secundarios no están solo ahí, participan en la historia.
La crisis de Rottgor me ha llegado al corazón y la manera en la que ha sanado ha sido preciosa🥹 Este libro tiene un found family que bofbofbof
No sabría decir cual ha sido mi personaje preferido. Quizá Tytli, quizá Thess, aunque Astra es monísima y Calfe es muy gracioso HAJJAJA Los quiero a todos. Leedlo por favor
Es muy bonito, muy mono, cozy. No tengo palabras, es perfecto.
Los personajes son todos geniales (vamos a obviar al mamarracho de Vom), todos tienen profundidad. Los personajes secundarios no están solo ahí, participan en la historia.
La crisis de Rottgor me ha llegado al corazón y la manera en la que ha sanado ha sido preciosa🥹 Este libro tiene un found family que bofbofbof
No sabría decir cual ha sido mi personaje preferido. Quizá Tytli, quizá Thess, aunque Astra es monísima y Calfe es muy gracioso HAJJAJA Los quiero a todos. Leedlo por favor
November 1, 2025
When I saw the blurb and cover for this book, I really wanted to read it and immediately checked to see if my Library had it, but they did not. I was disappointed, figuring that I would have to wait a while until they got a copy of the book before I could read it. But then I won a giveaway and I was so excited because it was the first time that I hadever won a giveaway on Goodreads and it was a book that I was really looking forward to read!
This book started out really slow, but I ended up really enjoying it. It fits well into the cozy fantasy genre, even though it does have enough moments attention to keep it interesting. It’s a story about identity and found family and recovering from trauma and lots and lots of food
I really love how the characters build their own community in this book and find ways to forgive themselves and others even when it’s hard.
I also really loved that this book was not a romance at all. The biggest relationship was the father-daughter bond, which was not a relationship that is over-explored in fiction.
This world is rather light on world building so if you really need to know the ins and outs of how the world works, and how the undead and the dead coexist with people who are alive, then you may be disappointed in this book. Personally, I spent a little bit of time confused and then just shrugged it off and said I would enjoy the ride.
Favorite character: Mohek, the carpenter.
If you liked this book, I would recommend Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle
This book started out really slow, but I ended up really enjoying it. It fits well into the cozy fantasy genre, even though it does have enough moments attention to keep it interesting. It’s a story about identity and found family and recovering from trauma and lots and lots of food
I really love how the characters build their own community in this book and find ways to forgive themselves and others even when it’s hard.
I also really loved that this book was not a romance at all. The biggest relationship was the father-daughter bond, which was not a relationship that is over-explored in fiction.
This world is rather light on world building so if you really need to know the ins and outs of how the world works, and how the undead and the dead coexist with people who are alive, then you may be disappointed in this book. Personally, I spent a little bit of time confused and then just shrugged it off and said I would enjoy the ride.
Favorite character: Mohek, the carpenter.
If you liked this book, I would recommend Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2025
DNFed at 25%
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife has all the bones for a fun, cozy fantasy story. Sadly the execution left me wanting for more. My main gripe with this novel is the prose, which inevitably leads to my secondary issue with the pacing.
"How long can a dream live without nourishment? How long has it been since you’ve thought about you —you underneath all that bloody history?"
Let me start off by saying that prose is so personal that you might feel very differently picking up this book. I'm not a huge fan of tons of descriptions à la Tolkien and Munden might have just taken a page from his book. Every character we encounter gets described in (superfluous) detail including appearance, personality, clothes, familial relations, relation to the MC, etc. People I can't imagine we'll all encounter again. The same goes for the world-building which is incredibly extensive. To me it felt like an inorganic barrage of facts that went in one ear out the other, but to my fellow readers these small details like the casual mention of the names of the three moons in the sky might add to their mental image of the world Munden has built. I recognize a lot of care has been taking in the writing of the novel, but in my opinion it needed to be edited a bit more rigorously to make for an engaging read.
"He slunk through the shadows, an unfamiliar rumbling quaking through his stomach. When Algarus had mentioned hunger, Rottgor hadn’t expected this. At this rate, all his retirement coin might end up in the pit of his stomach. He came upon the Rattling Ribcage, mind muddled by the rumbling in his stomach."
Parts of sentences and words are repeated or concepts are rehashed to relate in four sentences what could have been said in one. This makes the pacing extremely slow. The story hasn't even really started 25% in where I DNFed. I did enjoy the characters so far and the society the story is set in does seem filled with potential.
I would recommend this novel to people who seem intrigued by the idea of Legends and Lattes written in prose reminiscent to Tolkien's. This could be the perfect story for detail-oriented readers that appreciate world-building over plot momentum.
Thank you Deston J. Munden and Bindery Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife has all the bones for a fun, cozy fantasy story. Sadly the execution left me wanting for more. My main gripe with this novel is the prose, which inevitably leads to my secondary issue with the pacing.
"How long can a dream live without nourishment? How long has it been since you’ve thought about you —you underneath all that bloody history?"
Let me start off by saying that prose is so personal that you might feel very differently picking up this book. I'm not a huge fan of tons of descriptions à la Tolkien and Munden might have just taken a page from his book. Every character we encounter gets described in (superfluous) detail including appearance, personality, clothes, familial relations, relation to the MC, etc. People I can't imagine we'll all encounter again. The same goes for the world-building which is incredibly extensive. To me it felt like an inorganic barrage of facts that went in one ear out the other, but to my fellow readers these small details like the casual mention of the names of the three moons in the sky might add to their mental image of the world Munden has built. I recognize a lot of care has been taking in the writing of the novel, but in my opinion it needed to be edited a bit more rigorously to make for an engaging read.
"He slunk through the shadows, an unfamiliar rumbling quaking through his stomach. When Algarus had mentioned hunger, Rottgor hadn’t expected this. At this rate, all his retirement coin might end up in the pit of his stomach. He came upon the Rattling Ribcage, mind muddled by the rumbling in his stomach."
Parts of sentences and words are repeated or concepts are rehashed to relate in four sentences what could have been said in one. This makes the pacing extremely slow. The story hasn't even really started 25% in where I DNFed. I did enjoy the characters so far and the society the story is set in does seem filled with potential.
I would recommend this novel to people who seem intrigued by the idea of Legends and Lattes written in prose reminiscent to Tolkien's. This could be the perfect story for detail-oriented readers that appreciate world-building over plot momentum.
Thank you Deston J. Munden and Bindery Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Read
November 22, 2025My thanks to Netgalley and Bindery for the ARC of this anticipated read, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
I loved so much about this book! The writing was really nice, I loved the world and our main character was such a cool guy to follow. The focus on community and family is central to this book which is my favorite thing about cosy fantasy. Sadly, the reading experience was uneven for me, which ended up ruining the fun and the emotional connection I wish I could have maintained with the story and the characters.
Indeed, each compliment and joy I felt towards every elements of this book during the first half sadly came crashing down during the second part. The writing was all over the place: sentences or even paragraphs that seemed out of order, scenes missing some information or giving too much and bringing a lot of repetition which made scenes long for nothing. I’m upset because I can definitely see how the plot, characters and writing can be so well crafted, but I kept getting less and less attached to what happened during the story because of the constant issues in the writing.
It’s obviously okay for an ARC to have some editorial work left to be done I truly don’t mind (or else I wouldn’t ask for ARCs), though here it really ended up spoiling my reading experience.
I hope these issues are resolved with the finished story that is already out, and either way some readers might be less bothered than me if not. Furthermore, the basis of the book is really strong like, I said at the start of my review: there is much to love here. I think if the premise is up to your alley and you like cosy fantasy definitely go for it!
I loved so much about this book! The writing was really nice, I loved the world and our main character was such a cool guy to follow. The focus on community and family is central to this book which is my favorite thing about cosy fantasy. Sadly, the reading experience was uneven for me, which ended up ruining the fun and the emotional connection I wish I could have maintained with the story and the characters.
Indeed, each compliment and joy I felt towards every elements of this book during the first half sadly came crashing down during the second part. The writing was all over the place: sentences or even paragraphs that seemed out of order, scenes missing some information or giving too much and bringing a lot of repetition which made scenes long for nothing. I’m upset because I can definitely see how the plot, characters and writing can be so well crafted, but I kept getting less and less attached to what happened during the story because of the constant issues in the writing.
It’s obviously okay for an ARC to have some editorial work left to be done I truly don’t mind (or else I wouldn’t ask for ARCs), though here it really ended up spoiling my reading experience.
I hope these issues are resolved with the finished story that is already out, and either way some readers might be less bothered than me if not. Furthermore, the basis of the book is really strong like, I said at the start of my review: there is much to love here. I think if the premise is up to your alley and you like cosy fantasy definitely go for it!
April 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books/Cozy Quill for the chance to review.
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife was an unexpectedly enjoyable read for me. The world-building and character descriptions were so detailed and immersive that I found my imagination capable of creating vivid scenes. I had not yet wholly experienced the sensation of a "cozy read" until I read this story.
The synopsis was the main reason for my desire to read this ARC. It was endearing and heartfelt. While I was reading this, that same sense of feeling stayed with me. Every character provided depth and importance to the story, which provided an overarching family feel. I couldn't help but feel an attachment to the restaurant employees. So much so that I wished I could become one.
What made this story unique for me was the magic system. Not only does the bloodline have an impact on the character Rune's ability, but their personalities entwine with it and make it unique. It was a beautiful way to express that your ancestry does not determine who you will become.
The plot included PTSD, adoption, found family, loyalty, love, self-reclamation, and political outrage. Some of these topics may be perceived as heavy points of content, but I found that the author included them in a delicate, non-confronting manner. Every aspect came together beautifully to portray the overall self-reclamation plot point.
I enjoyed every minute spent reading this story! I will definitely grab a copy on release as I also fell in love with the cover art!
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife was an unexpectedly enjoyable read for me. The world-building and character descriptions were so detailed and immersive that I found my imagination capable of creating vivid scenes. I had not yet wholly experienced the sensation of a "cozy read" until I read this story.
The synopsis was the main reason for my desire to read this ARC. It was endearing and heartfelt. While I was reading this, that same sense of feeling stayed with me. Every character provided depth and importance to the story, which provided an overarching family feel. I couldn't help but feel an attachment to the restaurant employees. So much so that I wished I could become one.
What made this story unique for me was the magic system. Not only does the bloodline have an impact on the character Rune's ability, but their personalities entwine with it and make it unique. It was a beautiful way to express that your ancestry does not determine who you will become.
The plot included PTSD, adoption, found family, loyalty, love, self-reclamation, and political outrage. Some of these topics may be perceived as heavy points of content, but I found that the author included them in a delicate, non-confronting manner. Every aspect came together beautifully to portray the overall self-reclamation plot point.
I enjoyed every minute spent reading this story! I will definitely grab a copy on release as I also fell in love with the cover art!
August 5, 2025
3.5 Stars
Thank you to Bindery Books/Cozy Quill for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife delivers all of the things I want in cozy fantasy. There's a great cast of characters that bring all of the lovable vibes, imaginative world building and magic, and a heart-warming storyline, with a bit of low stakes conflict to keep the story interesting. The found family aspect and various characters were definitely the highlight of this book, for me.
While I really loved the cozy story, I did feel like there were some plot holes and moments that needed more explanation. There were times that I felt the pacing of the story felt somewhat repetitive, and it moved too fast in other areas, which left me questioning some parts of the story. I also found some of the violence seemed to be a bit much for this type of cozy read.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Cozy Fantasy
* Found Family
* Second Chances
* Low Stakes with Some Violence
* Following Your Dreams
* Lovable Characters
* Comfort Food
𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)
If you are a fan of cozy fantasy, that is similar to Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, then I would recommend Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife.
Thank you to Bindery Books/Cozy Quill for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife delivers all of the things I want in cozy fantasy. There's a great cast of characters that bring all of the lovable vibes, imaginative world building and magic, and a heart-warming storyline, with a bit of low stakes conflict to keep the story interesting. The found family aspect and various characters were definitely the highlight of this book, for me.
While I really loved the cozy story, I did feel like there were some plot holes and moments that needed more explanation. There were times that I felt the pacing of the story felt somewhat repetitive, and it moved too fast in other areas, which left me questioning some parts of the story. I also found some of the violence seemed to be a bit much for this type of cozy read.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Cozy Fantasy
* Found Family
* Second Chances
* Low Stakes with Some Violence
* Following Your Dreams
* Lovable Characters
* Comfort Food
𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)
If you are a fan of cozy fantasy, that is similar to Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, then I would recommend Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife.
March 25, 2025
Let's talk about Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife by Deston J. Munden.
What do you get when you mix the afterlife, good food, a touching story, and a chance to re-live your life? Why you get this cozy fantasy from Deston J. Munden. This wonderful tale takes you into the world of Necropolis, with it's wonderful characters ranging from the living to the unliving to the not so undead...we have orcs, elves, dwarves, and even dragons!
And we also have wonderful, glorious food that always brings people together.
In following the end of his service, we meet Rottgor - an Dark Knight who has been serving for centuries and has finally retired. Now the question is - what should he do? When bits and pieces of his former life come back to him, he realizes that food has always held a huge spot in his heart and in his livelihood. Taking upon by a set of characters who would become his found family, Rottgor endeavors into bringing his love of food alive all the while balancing an unexpected newcomer into his world - Astra. The little girl, with her canny words, and go lucky attitude gives Rottgor the will to move forward with an outstanding idea - to open a restaurant for the living and the unliving! But things are afoot, and people want to bring harm to those who are different (not alive) and also there is something, something...just a bit different about Astra.
If you like a good cozy read, a world of fantasy, wonderful characters, and good food - you'll enjoy this little treat.
✨ Found family
✨ World building
✨ Magical creatures
✨ Magic wielding
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books/Cozy Quill for the chance to review.
What do you get when you mix the afterlife, good food, a touching story, and a chance to re-live your life? Why you get this cozy fantasy from Deston J. Munden. This wonderful tale takes you into the world of Necropolis, with it's wonderful characters ranging from the living to the unliving to the not so undead...we have orcs, elves, dwarves, and even dragons!
And we also have wonderful, glorious food that always brings people together.
In following the end of his service, we meet Rottgor - an Dark Knight who has been serving for centuries and has finally retired. Now the question is - what should he do? When bits and pieces of his former life come back to him, he realizes that food has always held a huge spot in his heart and in his livelihood. Taking upon by a set of characters who would become his found family, Rottgor endeavors into bringing his love of food alive all the while balancing an unexpected newcomer into his world - Astra. The little girl, with her canny words, and go lucky attitude gives Rottgor the will to move forward with an outstanding idea - to open a restaurant for the living and the unliving! But things are afoot, and people want to bring harm to those who are different (not alive) and also there is something, something...just a bit different about Astra.
If you like a good cozy read, a world of fantasy, wonderful characters, and good food - you'll enjoy this little treat.
✨ Found family
✨ World building
✨ Magical creatures
✨ Magic wielding
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books/Cozy Quill for the chance to review.
December 3, 2025
this cozy fantasy has my HEART, omg, its amazing and i was sobbing multiple times.
found families is one of my favorite tropes/genres and i was really rooting for rottgor to find himself and to build something nice, like the restaurant and all of the people rallying around him. i adored the writing style and the really fun and diverse mix of characters that are all actually rather unique and loveable, i could even understand the "villain" characters, even though i dont feel like the stakes were particularly high or realistic, the actual antagonist fell a little flat and the resolve happened in just one chapter.
you were also kinda thrown into the world, not a lot was explained but it worked really well for me on my first read, i didnt particularly need to know everything or needed everything explained, but i get why other people might critique that.
i really just thought this was fun and lovely and full of whimsy
found families is one of my favorite tropes/genres and i was really rooting for rottgor to find himself and to build something nice, like the restaurant and all of the people rallying around him. i adored the writing style and the really fun and diverse mix of characters that are all actually rather unique and loveable, i could even understand the "villain" characters, even though i dont feel like the stakes were particularly high or realistic, the actual antagonist fell a little flat and the resolve happened in just one chapter.
you were also kinda thrown into the world, not a lot was explained but it worked really well for me on my first read, i didnt particularly need to know everything or needed everything explained, but i get why other people might critique that.
i really just thought this was fun and lovely and full of whimsy
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