What do you think?
Rate this book
Flavour Hacker #2
Intergalactic Feast
FEAST boggles the mind, delivers a sucker-punch to the senses, and launches food into the far future. It blends rich, evocative memories with impossible dreams. Just add water!
It has been three months since Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko won Interstellar MegaChef with their groundbreaking new food simulation, Feast.
But victory is only the beginning. Saras is busy promoting their invention as the public face of Feast, while Ko keeps fighting battles to steer its development at XP Inc. And then there’s the kiss. They’ve decided to just be friends for now, at least until the sim’s impending launch, but the memory of that heady night hangs over them.
And sometimes it seems the whole galaxy is lined up against them. Saraswati’s secret past is coming under scrutiny, while old rivals are running smear campaigns against her. The cookery world is divided over Feast, proclaiming it a bold new invention and a betrayal of the chef’s art by turns.
And others see Feast’s darker potential—not as an experience, but as a weapon...
It has been three months since Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko won Interstellar MegaChef with their groundbreaking new food simulation, Feast.
But victory is only the beginning. Saras is busy promoting their invention as the public face of Feast, while Ko keeps fighting battles to steer its development at XP Inc. And then there’s the kiss. They’ve decided to just be friends for now, at least until the sim’s impending launch, but the memory of that heady night hangs over them.
And sometimes it seems the whole galaxy is lined up against them. Saraswati’s secret past is coming under scrutiny, while old rivals are running smear campaigns against her. The cookery world is divided over Feast, proclaiming it a bold new invention and a betrayal of the chef’s art by turns.
And others see Feast’s darker potential—not as an experience, but as a weapon...
- GenresScience Fiction
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2026
16 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 29, 2026
Review originally on JamReads
Intergalactic Feast is the second book in the sci-fi duology Flavour Hackers, written by Lavanya Lakshminarayan, published by Solaris Books. An equally smart instalment to its predecessor that deals with the aftermath of MegaChef, putting the focus on the consequences of the commodification of creation and how the own characters have to deal with their own success.
Saras and Serenity won Interestellar MegaChef three months ago with Feast, their invention that allowed people to taste dishes and feel memories attached to them through a complex simulation; but that victory was just the beginning. What started as a small idea is being turned into a big industry product; Saras is busy with the promotion side, while trying to keep her past out of public scrutiny, and, at the same time, Serenity is dealing with the development battles at XP Inc. A superb story that acts as a dissection of the commercialization and how it affects the creators.
It is in the character of Saraswati that we find the most acute symptoms of how creators are turned into public figures; she's forced to become a spectacle, to assist many acts and to be always under the scrutiny of others. A person who is being consumed by the world, who can only find peace outside of that spotlight; trying to maintain distance with Ko while both would love to have something more than just friendship.
Serenity becomes the spectator of how XP Inc turns Feast into something different, with her participation; she is painfully aware how the intent behind the creation is eliminated in favour of profit chasing. She's still involved in the creation, but at the same time, she feels how each step Feast is closer to commercialization is a step Feast is further from Saras and her.
The writing is as immersive as in the first part of the duology, putting that special care on capturing the sensory experience that is attached to food, trying to show those things that make it special; but there's a layer that puts the effort on showing us how those same feelings can also be used by capital in many ways against us, either trying to get money or even inspire different things. A contrast that shines in this novel.
Pacing is the only aspect I found to be lacking a bit, as it feels irregular at moments; probably a consequence of this novel's nature.
Taking all into account, Intergalactic Feast is a worthy sequel to Interestellar MegaChef, making the Flavour Hackers duology a series that I heartily recommend if you want well-crafted sci-fi with a big foodie touch.
Intergalactic Feast is the second book in the sci-fi duology Flavour Hackers, written by Lavanya Lakshminarayan, published by Solaris Books. An equally smart instalment to its predecessor that deals with the aftermath of MegaChef, putting the focus on the consequences of the commodification of creation and how the own characters have to deal with their own success.
Saras and Serenity won Interestellar MegaChef three months ago with Feast, their invention that allowed people to taste dishes and feel memories attached to them through a complex simulation; but that victory was just the beginning. What started as a small idea is being turned into a big industry product; Saras is busy with the promotion side, while trying to keep her past out of public scrutiny, and, at the same time, Serenity is dealing with the development battles at XP Inc. A superb story that acts as a dissection of the commercialization and how it affects the creators.
It is in the character of Saraswati that we find the most acute symptoms of how creators are turned into public figures; she's forced to become a spectacle, to assist many acts and to be always under the scrutiny of others. A person who is being consumed by the world, who can only find peace outside of that spotlight; trying to maintain distance with Ko while both would love to have something more than just friendship.
Serenity becomes the spectator of how XP Inc turns Feast into something different, with her participation; she is painfully aware how the intent behind the creation is eliminated in favour of profit chasing. She's still involved in the creation, but at the same time, she feels how each step Feast is closer to commercialization is a step Feast is further from Saras and her.
The writing is as immersive as in the first part of the duology, putting that special care on capturing the sensory experience that is attached to food, trying to show those things that make it special; but there's a layer that puts the effort on showing us how those same feelings can also be used by capital in many ways against us, either trying to get money or even inspire different things. A contrast that shines in this novel.
Pacing is the only aspect I found to be lacking a bit, as it feels irregular at moments; probably a consequence of this novel's nature.
Taking all into account, Intergalactic Feast is a worthy sequel to Interestellar MegaChef, making the Flavour Hackers duology a series that I heartily recommend if you want well-crafted sci-fi with a big foodie touch.
April 17, 2026
There’s a certain kind of sequel that doesn’t try to outdo its predecessor with scale, but instead deepens the wound it left behind. Intergalactic Feast is exactly that kind of book. Where Interstellar Mega Chef dazzled with invention, spectacle, and the thrill of possibility, this second installment lingers in the aftermath, quietly, almost uncomfortably, asking what success costs when the world decides your creation no longer belongs to you.
Lavanya Lakshiminarayan doesn’t just continue Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko’s journey; she dissects it. The narrative operates less like a conventional sci-fi progression and more like a slow autopsy of ambition. Saras and Ko may have created history with Feast, a system that allows people to taste memories, but history, as the book repeatedly reminds us, is static. It fossilizes. And in that fossilization, it strips creators of agency.
What makes this book thematically compelling is how it reframes innovation not as triumph, but as surrender. Feast begins as something intimate, almost sacred. A merging of sensory experience and emotional memory. Food here is not sustenance; it is identity, nostalgia, grief, and love, all plated and served. But once externalized, memory loses its sanctity. It becomes editable, marketable and weaponizable.
This is where the book hits its sharpest note, the commodification of the personal. Saraswati’s arc, in particular, is painfully real. She is no longer just a creator; she becomes a spectacle, a subject of scrutiny, a narrative others feel entitled to rewrite. There’s a quiet violence in how the world consumes her, not just her invention, but her very self. Her vulnerability is not dramatized for effect; it is allowed to exist in uncomfortable, lingering silences.
Ko’s trajectory offers a parallel tension. Positioned within the machinery of XP Inc., she becomes both witness and participant in the transformation of Feast into something corporatized and distorted. Her conflict is less visible but equally potent, the slow erosion of intent. Through her, the book explores a different kind of helplessness not being excluded from power, but being complicit in it.
The genius of the book lies in its dual sensory and intellectual engagement. On one level, the food writing is exquisite, lush, textured, almost hypnotic. You don’t just read about dishes; you inhabit them. The layering of spices, the warmth of textures, the emotional recall embedded in each bite, it’s immersive in a way that feels almost invasive. But beneath that sensory richness lies an unsettling question like If memories can be packaged into flavors, what happens to authenticity? Does a memory still belong to you if someone else can taste it better than you remember it?
✍️ Strengths :
🔸The idea of Feast is not treated as a gimmick but as a philosophical lens. The book interrogates memory, identity, and commodification with impressive nuance.
🔸Saraswati is one of the most compelling protagonists in recent sci-fi, deeply flawed, emotionally layered, and achingly human.
🔸The integration of food and science fiction is executed with rare finesse. The descriptive passages are vivid without being indulgent.
🔸There’s a persistent softness beneath the high-stakes narrative, particularly in the Saras–Ko relationship, which feels organic and grounding.
🔸The critique of corporate appropriation, media sensationalism, and cultural backlash is sharp without being heavy-handed.
✒️ Areas for Improvement :
▪️The narrative occasionally lingers too long in introspection, causing certain sections to feel sluggish, especially in the middle act.
▪️While Saras and Ko are richly drawn, some supporting characters feel more functional than fully realized.
▪️The central ideas, loss of ownership, commodification, are powerful but sometimes reiterated without adding new dimensions.
In conclusion, what ultimately lingers after finishing the book is not the spectacle, but the discomfort. The book doesn’t offer clean resolutions or comforting answers. Instead, it leaves you sitting with a question that feels increasingly relevant in a world obsessed with visibility and virality, when something deeply personal becomes universally consumable, what part of it, if any, remains yours? Reading this book feels like consuming a carefully curated meal that starts with wonder and ends with unease. Some courses delight, others challenge, and a few leave a bitter aftertaste, but all of them stay with you. It’s not always an easy read, but it is a necessary one and perhaps that is its greatest achievement, it doesn’t just tell a story about the future of food and technology; it quietly forces you to confront the present.
Lavanya Lakshiminarayan doesn’t just continue Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko’s journey; she dissects it. The narrative operates less like a conventional sci-fi progression and more like a slow autopsy of ambition. Saras and Ko may have created history with Feast, a system that allows people to taste memories, but history, as the book repeatedly reminds us, is static. It fossilizes. And in that fossilization, it strips creators of agency.
What makes this book thematically compelling is how it reframes innovation not as triumph, but as surrender. Feast begins as something intimate, almost sacred. A merging of sensory experience and emotional memory. Food here is not sustenance; it is identity, nostalgia, grief, and love, all plated and served. But once externalized, memory loses its sanctity. It becomes editable, marketable and weaponizable.
This is where the book hits its sharpest note, the commodification of the personal. Saraswati’s arc, in particular, is painfully real. She is no longer just a creator; she becomes a spectacle, a subject of scrutiny, a narrative others feel entitled to rewrite. There’s a quiet violence in how the world consumes her, not just her invention, but her very self. Her vulnerability is not dramatized for effect; it is allowed to exist in uncomfortable, lingering silences.
Ko’s trajectory offers a parallel tension. Positioned within the machinery of XP Inc., she becomes both witness and participant in the transformation of Feast into something corporatized and distorted. Her conflict is less visible but equally potent, the slow erosion of intent. Through her, the book explores a different kind of helplessness not being excluded from power, but being complicit in it.
The genius of the book lies in its dual sensory and intellectual engagement. On one level, the food writing is exquisite, lush, textured, almost hypnotic. You don’t just read about dishes; you inhabit them. The layering of spices, the warmth of textures, the emotional recall embedded in each bite, it’s immersive in a way that feels almost invasive. But beneath that sensory richness lies an unsettling question like If memories can be packaged into flavors, what happens to authenticity? Does a memory still belong to you if someone else can taste it better than you remember it?
✍️ Strengths :
🔸The idea of Feast is not treated as a gimmick but as a philosophical lens. The book interrogates memory, identity, and commodification with impressive nuance.
🔸Saraswati is one of the most compelling protagonists in recent sci-fi, deeply flawed, emotionally layered, and achingly human.
🔸The integration of food and science fiction is executed with rare finesse. The descriptive passages are vivid without being indulgent.
🔸There’s a persistent softness beneath the high-stakes narrative, particularly in the Saras–Ko relationship, which feels organic and grounding.
🔸The critique of corporate appropriation, media sensationalism, and cultural backlash is sharp without being heavy-handed.
✒️ Areas for Improvement :
▪️The narrative occasionally lingers too long in introspection, causing certain sections to feel sluggish, especially in the middle act.
▪️While Saras and Ko are richly drawn, some supporting characters feel more functional than fully realized.
▪️The central ideas, loss of ownership, commodification, are powerful but sometimes reiterated without adding new dimensions.
In conclusion, what ultimately lingers after finishing the book is not the spectacle, but the discomfort. The book doesn’t offer clean resolutions or comforting answers. Instead, it leaves you sitting with a question that feels increasingly relevant in a world obsessed with visibility and virality, when something deeply personal becomes universally consumable, what part of it, if any, remains yours? Reading this book feels like consuming a carefully curated meal that starts with wonder and ends with unease. Some courses delight, others challenge, and a few leave a bitter aftertaste, but all of them stay with you. It’s not always an easy read, but it is a necessary one and perhaps that is its greatest achievement, it doesn’t just tell a story about the future of food and technology; it quietly forces you to confront the present.
March 28, 2026
Another smart installer of an interesting science fiction series exploring culture and how it’s used for power and control too. The character work in these is fascinating - I highly recommend it
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
April 7, 2026
If I’m a foodie and a sci‑fi reader, "Intergalactic Feast" feels like someone finally wrote a book that speaks to both parts of my brain at the same time. It’s not just space stuff with a little food on the side,it’s food that drives the sci‑fi, and sci‑fi that makes the food feel even more meaningful.
The story is about Saras and Serenity, two chefs who invent Feast,a food simulation system that lets people taste dishes and feel the memories tied to them. As a sci‑fi fan, that idea alone hooks me,it’s like a softer, more emotional version of all those stories where “tech goes too far,” except here it happens through a plate of food.
From the food side, I’m completely at home. The book describes spices, textures, smells, and flavors in such clear, sensory detail that I feel like I’m in the kitchen with them, tasting along. I imagine the way a dish hits my tongue, how the warmth spreads, how one bite can suddenly pull me back to a childhood memory.
What really gets me is how the story slowly shows what happens when something that started as a beautiful, personal idea turns into a big industry product. I see companies, politicians, and TV people twisting Feast into competitive, and sometimes manipulative.
As a sci‑fi reader, I recognize that pattern, invention, fame, then power starts playing games with it. But as a foodie, it hits me in a different place,like watching a tiny, honest home kitchen being turned into a glossy chain that doesn’t really care about the people eating there.
So for me, reading this book feels like eating a long, complicated meal, some parts are fun, creative, and comforting, other parts are a little tense and uncomfortable, but in a way that makes me think. It’s the kind of story I’d want to talk about over chai or coffee afterward, asking my friends,
“If you could taste any memory as a dish, what would yours be?” and then laughing, worrying, and daydreaming about food, tech, and the future all at once.
The story is about Saras and Serenity, two chefs who invent Feast,a food simulation system that lets people taste dishes and feel the memories tied to them. As a sci‑fi fan, that idea alone hooks me,it’s like a softer, more emotional version of all those stories where “tech goes too far,” except here it happens through a plate of food.
From the food side, I’m completely at home. The book describes spices, textures, smells, and flavors in such clear, sensory detail that I feel like I’m in the kitchen with them, tasting along. I imagine the way a dish hits my tongue, how the warmth spreads, how one bite can suddenly pull me back to a childhood memory.
What really gets me is how the story slowly shows what happens when something that started as a beautiful, personal idea turns into a big industry product. I see companies, politicians, and TV people twisting Feast into competitive, and sometimes manipulative.
As a sci‑fi reader, I recognize that pattern, invention, fame, then power starts playing games with it. But as a foodie, it hits me in a different place,like watching a tiny, honest home kitchen being turned into a glossy chain that doesn’t really care about the people eating there.
So for me, reading this book feels like eating a long, complicated meal, some parts are fun, creative, and comforting, other parts are a little tense and uncomfortable, but in a way that makes me think. It’s the kind of story I’d want to talk about over chai or coffee afterward, asking my friends,
“If you could taste any memory as a dish, what would yours be?” and then laughing, worrying, and daydreaming about food, tech, and the future all at once.
April 13, 2026
What would it be like for a dish to embody your life and have another person alter it?
Interstellar Mega chef left you marveling. Intergalactic Feast opens with its aftermath. Lavanya Lakshiminarayan brings back our favourites in flavour hacker book two!
Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko have created history through Feast, the invention that allows you to taste memories. They have become ensnared by its aftermaths, where Saraswati is under intense scrutiny, her entire existence made an event. And Ko sits within XP Inc., seeing what she created be molded into something else.
History. A single point in time unable to become anything other than itself.
The story progresses amidst fractures, smear tactics, cultural reaction, corporate scheming, and a world debating whether the Feast is art, abuse, or something worse. Why? Because once our memories have been externalized, they are not ours alone anymore. They can be edited. Curated. Commercialized.
It’s not only the magnitude of the concept that makes the premise scary and profound; it’s the price paid. The transformation of the personal into the collective in an instant. The shift in power away from the creator when making anything.
The meals are as beautiful and rich and sensory and almost disarmingly so, the pairing of science fic and food a unique highlight again. Each one of them has the potential to be twisted, perverted, used for purposes other than intended.
A tale of creation leading to destruction.
But then there is the question that stays with you until the end, Once consumed by the world, how much of what you created is left in your hands?
Interstellar Mega chef left you marveling. Intergalactic Feast opens with its aftermath. Lavanya Lakshiminarayan brings back our favourites in flavour hacker book two!
Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko have created history through Feast, the invention that allows you to taste memories. They have become ensnared by its aftermaths, where Saraswati is under intense scrutiny, her entire existence made an event. And Ko sits within XP Inc., seeing what she created be molded into something else.
History. A single point in time unable to become anything other than itself.
The story progresses amidst fractures, smear tactics, cultural reaction, corporate scheming, and a world debating whether the Feast is art, abuse, or something worse. Why? Because once our memories have been externalized, they are not ours alone anymore. They can be edited. Curated. Commercialized.
It’s not only the magnitude of the concept that makes the premise scary and profound; it’s the price paid. The transformation of the personal into the collective in an instant. The shift in power away from the creator when making anything.
The meals are as beautiful and rich and sensory and almost disarmingly so, the pairing of science fic and food a unique highlight again. Each one of them has the potential to be twisted, perverted, used for purposes other than intended.
A tale of creation leading to destruction.
But then there is the question that stays with you until the end, Once consumed by the world, how much of what you created is left in your hands?
April 17, 2026
Intergalactic Feast is a dazzling sequel that serves far more than a futuristic spectacle. What begins after Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko’s triumph with their revolutionary food simulation, Feast, quickly transforms into a layered story about fame, identity, ambition, and the cost of success. The idea of food becoming memory, sensation, and dream is brilliantly imagined, making the novel feel inventive and immersive from the very first page.
Yet beneath the sci-fi brilliance lies a deeply human story. Saraswati’s struggle with public scrutiny and her hidden past gives the narrative emotional weight, while Ko’s battle to protect their creation adds urgency and tension. The conflict between innovation and tradition is especially compelling, raising thoughtful questions about art, technology, and ownership. And then comes the other themes of the book that truly shape the book and the relationship of Saras and Ko: xenophobia, culture as political and soft power, and the subtleties that make or break a civilization.
The relationship between Saras and Ko brings warmth to the chaos, evolving naturally amid the high stakes surrounding them. Their bond feels tender, believable, and central to the story’s heart. Lakshinarayan builds questions that really tug at you, and while showing the sad possibilities of the political intricacies of this world, leaves some consequences for the reader to imagine as well.
Bold, imaginative, and emotionally resonant, Intergalactic Feast is a rare sequel that expands both its world and its soul.
Yet beneath the sci-fi brilliance lies a deeply human story. Saraswati’s struggle with public scrutiny and her hidden past gives the narrative emotional weight, while Ko’s battle to protect their creation adds urgency and tension. The conflict between innovation and tradition is especially compelling, raising thoughtful questions about art, technology, and ownership. And then comes the other themes of the book that truly shape the book and the relationship of Saras and Ko: xenophobia, culture as political and soft power, and the subtleties that make or break a civilization.
The relationship between Saras and Ko brings warmth to the chaos, evolving naturally amid the high stakes surrounding them. Their bond feels tender, believable, and central to the story’s heart. Lakshinarayan builds questions that really tug at you, and while showing the sad possibilities of the political intricacies of this world, leaves some consequences for the reader to imagine as well.
Bold, imaginative, and emotionally resonant, Intergalactic Feast is a rare sequel that expands both its world and its soul.
April 6, 2026
Book Name: Intergalactic Feast: Flavour Hacker Book 2 by Lavanya Lakshminarayan
This book is like stepping into a world that is both strange and familiar at the same time. Intergalactic Feast is not just about food or science fiction, it’s about ambition, identity, and the fragile emotions that come with success. I loved how the story continues Saras and Ko’s journey after their big win, showing that reaching the top is only the beginning, not the end.
There’s something so fascinating about the idea of “Feast” , food as an experience, a memory, almost like living a dream. But what stayed with me was the deeper layer beneath it, the pressure of fame, the fear of being exposed, and the quiet tension between holding on and letting go. Saraswati’s character especially feels very real, flawed yet strong, trying to navigate a world that is constantly questioning her worth.
The writing is vivid and imaginative, yet it carries an emotional softness that makes you connect with the characters. I also really enjoyed how the relationship between Saras and Ko is handled , it feels natural, not forced, and adds warmth to an otherwise high-stakes story.
This book is creative, emotional, and thought-provoking in its own unique way. It made me think about how far innovation should go, and what we might lose in the process. A beautiful blend of imagination and feeling.
This book is like stepping into a world that is both strange and familiar at the same time. Intergalactic Feast is not just about food or science fiction, it’s about ambition, identity, and the fragile emotions that come with success. I loved how the story continues Saras and Ko’s journey after their big win, showing that reaching the top is only the beginning, not the end.
There’s something so fascinating about the idea of “Feast” , food as an experience, a memory, almost like living a dream. But what stayed with me was the deeper layer beneath it, the pressure of fame, the fear of being exposed, and the quiet tension between holding on and letting go. Saraswati’s character especially feels very real, flawed yet strong, trying to navigate a world that is constantly questioning her worth.
The writing is vivid and imaginative, yet it carries an emotional softness that makes you connect with the characters. I also really enjoyed how the relationship between Saras and Ko is handled , it feels natural, not forced, and adds warmth to an otherwise high-stakes story.
This book is creative, emotional, and thought-provoking in its own unique way. It made me think about how far innovation should go, and what we might lose in the process. A beautiful blend of imagination and feeling.
April 17, 2026
Just finished Intergalactic FeaST by Lavanya Lakshminarayan 🚀🍩
Okay so imagine this: what if you could create and experience food using technology—like memories + flavors + emotions all mixed together? That’s what this book is about.
It follows two characters dealing with the success (and chaos) of their invention called “Feast.” At first it sounds amazing… but soon things get messy—people start fighting over it, questioning it, and even using it in dangerous ways.
What I liked about this book:- - Super unique idea (sci-fi + food = 🤯) - Feels futuristic but also relatable - A bit of romance in the background
What stayed with me:-
It’s the idea that even something as simple and emotional as food can be turned into power.
The book really made me think — if we could recreate memories and feelings through technology, would it still feel real? Or would we slowly lose what makes those moments special?
Also, the way success can turn into pressure so quickly… one moment you’ve created something amazing, and the next, the whole world has an opinion about it.
And somewhere in all that chaos — the small, human moments still matter the most. The relationships, the trust, the feelings you can’t simulate.
Overall it’s really interesting, different, and makes you think about how far technology can go. Worth the read if you like sci-fi with a twist.
Okay so imagine this: what if you could create and experience food using technology—like memories + flavors + emotions all mixed together? That’s what this book is about.
It follows two characters dealing with the success (and chaos) of their invention called “Feast.” At first it sounds amazing… but soon things get messy—people start fighting over it, questioning it, and even using it in dangerous ways.
What I liked about this book:- - Super unique idea (sci-fi + food = 🤯) - Feels futuristic but also relatable - A bit of romance in the background
What stayed with me:-
It’s the idea that even something as simple and emotional as food can be turned into power.
The book really made me think — if we could recreate memories and feelings through technology, would it still feel real? Or would we slowly lose what makes those moments special?
Also, the way success can turn into pressure so quickly… one moment you’ve created something amazing, and the next, the whole world has an opinion about it.
And somewhere in all that chaos — the small, human moments still matter the most. The relationships, the trust, the feelings you can’t simulate.
Overall it’s really interesting, different, and makes you think about how far technology can go. Worth the read if you like sci-fi with a twist.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It always makes me a little nervous to get a sequel to one of my favorite books — because these characters I adore have been living so long in my head by then, and I feel protective! — but I shouldn't have worried about Lavanya Lakshminarayan. The follow-up to Interstellar Megachef is everything I could have wanted, and more. Saraswati's famous and rich now, but her past is catching up with her in a way that's colliding with her explosive current struggles (Earthling xenophobia, her feelings for Serenity Ko, the pressures of launching Feast, the government's distrust of her, to name a few). Ko is finally on top of the world in her career, which is all she's ever wanted, but her feelings for Saras are bursting out of her in the worst ways, and she's starting to doubt, well, everything. Plus all the themes I wanted so badly to see explored more: the line between political idealism and authoritarianism, food as colonialism, the ethics of AI, the dangers of cultural hegemony, just... all of it... everything. With a swoony queer romance right at the center! Will there be a third book? I sure would love a third book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion | Solaris for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion | Solaris for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
FEAST continues right where Interstellar MegaChef left off and pushes ahead further into the chaos of politics, food culture, protests, betrayals, and horniness - it’s a guaranteed Ur-drama!
One of the reasons I enjoyed Book #1 so much is one of the reasons I didn’t enjoy Book #2 as much. The book starts off with an extreme level of horniness from one of our leads, and it was too much for me. It was desperation which aligns well with their character but this isn’t something I like to read that’s constant in the book. I can see how some might find the characters a bit frustrating in this book with their decisions and actions, but again, these are characters and not everyone is every book is meant to be likeable - how boring would that be!
Other than that, this book delves further into the relationships established in the first book, featuring a lot of interpersonal drama. The heat intensifies from all directions, and it feels like Saraswati is in a pressure cooker!
I would recommend this for anyone looking for a Sci-Fi adventure with a queer-normative cast of main characters, an imaginative premise, and action/drama that doesn’t seem to let up from the start!
Thank you to Solaris for the eARC via NetGalley - all opinions are my own.
One of the reasons I enjoyed Book #1 so much is one of the reasons I didn’t enjoy Book #2 as much. The book starts off with an extreme level of horniness from one of our leads, and it was too much for me. It was desperation which aligns well with their character but this isn’t something I like to read that’s constant in the book. I can see how some might find the characters a bit frustrating in this book with their decisions and actions, but again, these are characters and not everyone is every book is meant to be likeable - how boring would that be!
Other than that, this book delves further into the relationships established in the first book, featuring a lot of interpersonal drama. The heat intensifies from all directions, and it feels like Saraswati is in a pressure cooker!
I would recommend this for anyone looking for a Sci-Fi adventure with a queer-normative cast of main characters, an imaginative premise, and action/drama that doesn’t seem to let up from the start!
Thank you to Solaris for the eARC via NetGalley - all opinions are my own.
April 13, 2026
FEAST is a wildly imaginative and immersive read that pushes the boundaries of storytelling, blending food, technology, and human emotion in a way that feels both futuristic and deeply personal. What starts as a story of success quickly unfolds into something far more complex layered with ambition, identity, and the cost of creating something revolutionary.
The concept itself is fascinating, but what truly holds your attention is the tension beneath it all. As Saraswati and Ko navigate fame, scrutiny, and the weight of their invention, the narrative explores questions that go beyond innovation what does it mean to create, to disrupt, and to be judged for it? The conflict between tradition and progress is handled with nuance, making the story feel relevant despite its futuristic setting.
At its heart, the book is also about relationships fragile, evolving, and tested under pressure. The emotional undercurrents, combined with the high-stakes world-building, keep you invested throughout.
Bold, thought-provoking, and refreshingly original, FEAST is not just about the future of food it’s about the future of choices, consequences, and connection. A compelling read that lingers long after the final page.
The concept itself is fascinating, but what truly holds your attention is the tension beneath it all. As Saraswati and Ko navigate fame, scrutiny, and the weight of their invention, the narrative explores questions that go beyond innovation what does it mean to create, to disrupt, and to be judged for it? The conflict between tradition and progress is handled with nuance, making the story feel relevant despite its futuristic setting.
At its heart, the book is also about relationships fragile, evolving, and tested under pressure. The emotional undercurrents, combined with the high-stakes world-building, keep you invested throughout.
Bold, thought-provoking, and refreshingly original, FEAST is not just about the future of food it’s about the future of choices, consequences, and connection. A compelling read that lingers long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Advanced reader's copy review
I loved this book and this series so much, except for the characters. But to start with what I liked. I loved the opening chapter. It instantly emphasized the core themes about food and friendship, and was just such a wholesome scene. I loved all the food scenes and musings on food and cooking so much. I also love the entire planetary world. It doesn’t expand as much in this book as I expected it to, but I was still so fascinated with everything, old and new. So I truly did love everything except the characters. Ko was insufferable, and Saras was too self-pitying, and maybe they do belong together because I would not wish them on anyone else. Optimism Mahd’vi was compelling and complex, but did not get nearly enough page time for me, especially since her scheming drove the plot. I did like the plot, seeing the implications of Feast and its dangers. There was a great action packed climax too. The very end really came full circle back to the beginning, and that was a sign of amazing writing to me. So overall I recommend this series.
Thank you Solaris Books and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I loved this book and this series so much, except for the characters. But to start with what I liked. I loved the opening chapter. It instantly emphasized the core themes about food and friendship, and was just such a wholesome scene. I loved all the food scenes and musings on food and cooking so much. I also love the entire planetary world. It doesn’t expand as much in this book as I expected it to, but I was still so fascinated with everything, old and new. So I truly did love everything except the characters. Ko was insufferable, and Saras was too self-pitying, and maybe they do belong together because I would not wish them on anyone else. Optimism Mahd’vi was compelling and complex, but did not get nearly enough page time for me, especially since her scheming drove the plot. I did like the plot, seeing the implications of Feast and its dangers. There was a great action packed climax too. The very end really came full circle back to the beginning, and that was a sign of amazing writing to me. So overall I recommend this series.
Thank you Solaris Books and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
April 8, 2026
FEAST boggles the mind, delivers a sucker-punch to the senses, and launches food into the far future. It blends rich, evocative memories with impossible dreams. Just add water!
It has been three months since Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko won Interstellar MegaChef with their groundbreaking new food simulation, Feast.
But victory is only the beginning. Saras is busy promoting their invention as the public face of Feast, while Ko keeps fighting battles to steer its development at XP Inc. And then there’s the kiss. They’ve decided to just be friends for now, at least until the sim’s impending launch, but the memory of that heady night hangs over them.
And sometimes it seems the whole galaxy is lined up against them. Saraswati’s secret past is coming under scrutiny, while old rivals are running smear campaigns against her. The cookery world is divided over Feast, proclaiming it a bold new invention and a betrayal of the chef’s art by turns.
And others see Feast’s darker potential—not as an experience, but as a weapon...
It has been three months since Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko won Interstellar MegaChef with their groundbreaking new food simulation, Feast.
But victory is only the beginning. Saras is busy promoting their invention as the public face of Feast, while Ko keeps fighting battles to steer its development at XP Inc. And then there’s the kiss. They’ve decided to just be friends for now, at least until the sim’s impending launch, but the memory of that heady night hangs over them.
And sometimes it seems the whole galaxy is lined up against them. Saraswati’s secret past is coming under scrutiny, while old rivals are running smear campaigns against her. The cookery world is divided over Feast, proclaiming it a bold new invention and a betrayal of the chef’s art by turns.
And others see Feast’s darker potential—not as an experience, but as a weapon...
March 9, 2026
An incredible part two to round out this duology. Lakshminarayan has created a really rich future world, with complex political dynamics, vibrant food traditions, and a diversity of cultural backgrounds. The queernormative world with a gentle treatment towards nature and immigration that we discover in the first novel is upended in this new installment, revealing the ugliness behind the most progressive future society one can dream of. Which is really realistic in a way that kind of hurts to read, but kept me waiting for a hopeful ending. I really enjoyed watching Saras and Ko deal with the unintended consequences of their choices - Ko's technological innovation and Saras's web of lies. And also the will-they-won't-they of it all. I did see this is meant to be a duology and it wrapped up nicely, but I would read a book 3 if it happened for sure.
NetGalley gave me a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CWs - Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Racial slurs, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Classism, Deportation, Genocide, Sexual content, Religious bigotry
NetGalley gave me a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CWs - Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Racial slurs, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Classism, Deportation, Genocide, Sexual content, Religious bigotry
March 22, 2026
I’ve only read a couple of sci-fi books so far, and I definitely NEED to read more.
Intergalactic Feast left me craving a feast—like, who wouldn’t want to relive their happiest memories through food?!
The story revolves around friendships, trust, betrayals, lies, politics, and of course… FOOD.
This quote from Book 1 sums it up perfectly:
All historic moments of diplomacy are marked by promises of equality and performances of goodwill, carefully woven together to cloak their true purpose: the establishment of power.
I definitely enjoyed the second book more than the first—but only because Interstellar MegaChef set up such a strong foundation for it. Ko and Saras’ friendship, along with the romance, added a fun and flavorful element to the story. The side characters also played a major role in making the experience feel so immersive.
Overall, a MUST READ.
Intergalactic Feast left me craving a feast—like, who wouldn’t want to relive their happiest memories through food?!
The story revolves around friendships, trust, betrayals, lies, politics, and of course… FOOD.
This quote from Book 1 sums it up perfectly:
All historic moments of diplomacy are marked by promises of equality and performances of goodwill, carefully woven together to cloak their true purpose: the establishment of power.
I definitely enjoyed the second book more than the first—but only because Interstellar MegaChef set up such a strong foundation for it. Ko and Saras’ friendship, along with the romance, added a fun and flavorful element to the story. The side characters also played a major role in making the experience feel so immersive.
Overall, a MUST READ.
March 13, 2026
More ravenous lesbians, my new favorite subgenre!
Overall, I loved this book and devoured it in two sittings. Stayed up past my bedtime on a work night and everything. There were a couple aspects that were frustrating, like Serenity Ko's repeated disaster bisexualing (babygirl, please see a therapist) and Saraswati's inability to ask for help or be honest without being forced, but the food scenes were marvelous, the commentary on cultural imperialism and responsible use of technology was on point, and the worldbuilding was whimsical and elaborate without infodumping. I dithered between 4 or 5 stars because some aspects of the writing could have used tighter editing and the romance was incredibly frustrating, but ultimately went with 5 because it's an excellent example of a cozy SF novel that isn't trite or cliché and I want it to have good sales.
Overall, I loved this book and devoured it in two sittings. Stayed up past my bedtime on a work night and everything. There were a couple aspects that were frustrating, like Serenity Ko's repeated disaster bisexualing (babygirl, please see a therapist) and Saraswati's inability to ask for help or be honest without being forced, but the food scenes were marvelous, the commentary on cultural imperialism and responsible use of technology was on point, and the worldbuilding was whimsical and elaborate without infodumping. I dithered between 4 or 5 stars because some aspects of the writing could have used tighter editing and the romance was incredibly frustrating, but ultimately went with 5 because it's an excellent example of a cozy SF novel that isn't trite or cliché and I want it to have good sales.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 rounded up. I loved Intersteller Megachef, and the totally vibrant sci-fi vibes it had, while taking a serious look at humanity. Intergalactic Feast was a wonderful follow up, and much more emotionally fraught at times. Our two main characters, Serenity Ko and Saraswati, continue right where we left off in book one and have to keep working together (whilst doing a terrible job ignoring their feelings for each other). Serenity Ko has grown a lot as a person since book one, and she is learning how to work in a team, but is also having to grapple with her family's opinion on her futuristic take on food. Now that Saraswati is more prominent in the public's eye after the events of book one, she has to navigate a complex web of politics and Earthling prejudice. Her past continues to haunt her, as well as the fact that no one knows the truth about her, in spite of the wonderful found family she's built. I found this book nearly impossible to put down, especially in the final half, and was completely emotional at the end and how the character arcs left off at the end of the book. There definitely seems to be some set up for future stories, and I know I will be very excited to read them!
A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Almost 5 stars plated dish. Sequel fantasy story. The story moves on from cooking show competition to an entrepreneurial food start up. The tech: extraordinaire food taste experience exploding straight into your mind. The hurdles: a people who have an undeserved and exaggerated sense of their own world’s food culture and a generalised hatred within their media for anything human especially where food is concerned and a nasty family dynasty waiting in the wings to misuse the tech and take over the universe if not stopped. Let the food fight and mind games begin. Thank you to Rebellion and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Intergalactic Feast" by Lavanya Lakshminarayan continues the Flavour Hacker duology with Saraswati Kaveri and Serenity Ko navigating fame after winning "Interstellar MegaChef" with their revolutionary food simulation, Feast. Three months on, Saras promotes the invention amid smear campaigns and scrutiny of her past, while Ko battles corporate pressures at XP Inc. and unresolved romantic tension from a pivotal kiss, all against a backdrop where Feast sparks culinary divides and fears of weaponization.
March 22, 2026
A wonderful follow up to Interstellar Megachef!
January 2, 2026
I was fascinated to see how Lakshiminaryan would up the stakes for the sequel that already was interrogating the colonialist nature of its fictional food scene, but to see it actually go into the ways that food culture can be used as propaganda is instructive and informative. We also get more into the queer relationship of Serenity and Saraswati, and more of the political intrigue while we're at it. Fucking fantastic cap to the duology, and Lakshiminaryan is on my auto request list for the future.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews