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All We Hunger For: Deluxe Edition
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Expected 23 Jun 26A young woman sneaks her way into a magical baking contest but gets pulled into an elusive aristocrat's lavish world and his nefarious plan as rebellion brews in their city―for fans of A Magic Steeped in Poison.
In Anespérer, where magic comes alive through artistic skill, Elara Rousseau knows she'll never be selected for the Objet d’Art. The high-stakes baking competition will elect a new Souverain to join the ruling council, and someone from the slums would never be considered. But when a brooding figure from her past sneaks her into the Objet, Elara has the chance to compete for a better future... as long as no one uncovers her traitorous secret.
Nikolas Dupont will do whatever it takes to impress his powerful father, a Souverain who hasn't officially recognized his son―like handpick a contestant to win and become his father's political pawn. But Elara is more than he bargained for, and she ignites his own subdued passions.
Against all odds, Elara excels and becomes a hero to the city's poor, all while Nik’s faith in his father crumbles and the sparks between them burn brighter. As the competition heats up, Elara and Nik must choose: fight to win the competition and secure a future of safety for them both, or use the power of Elara’s art to spark a revolution.
In Anespérer, where magic comes alive through artistic skill, Elara Rousseau knows she'll never be selected for the Objet d’Art. The high-stakes baking competition will elect a new Souverain to join the ruling council, and someone from the slums would never be considered. But when a brooding figure from her past sneaks her into the Objet, Elara has the chance to compete for a better future... as long as no one uncovers her traitorous secret.
Nikolas Dupont will do whatever it takes to impress his powerful father, a Souverain who hasn't officially recognized his son―like handpick a contestant to win and become his father's political pawn. But Elara is more than he bargained for, and she ignites his own subdued passions.
Against all odds, Elara excels and becomes a hero to the city's poor, all while Nik’s faith in his father crumbles and the sparks between them burn brighter. As the competition heats up, Elara and Nik must choose: fight to win the competition and secure a future of safety for them both, or use the power of Elara’s art to spark a revolution.
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 23, 2026
8 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Anna Mercier
1 book23 followersAnna Mercier is a young adult fantasy author. She's the co-host of the Turning to Story podcast with fellow author Lyssa Mia Smith. All We Hunger For is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 26, 2025
| ARC Review |
This is a great read if you want a book that revolves around a baking contest and a world full of corruption where those of the working class are merely seen as disposable. It features a cute romance subplot with hidden identities and betrayal. It’s also a standalone, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for an easy read that delves into rebellion and has a found family trope. It follows Elara as she tries to make something out of herself but gets shunned by her family name, since her mother was a rebellion leader against their oppressive government. She then becomes part of a national baking contest, where the winner ascends to become one of the seven ruling leaders of art.
☜♡☞ My thoughts ☜♡☞
This book started off really well! I loved the vibes to it and the whole baking contest concept. The romance was also cute—I liked the tension building up between Elara and Nik as they begrudgingly worked together. I loved Blai, they were such a comedic relief throughout the story! Wish there were more scenes with him. I also wish I got to see more of him with Fernand, I’m not sure if it was just me, but it felt like a relationship between them was hinted? Or I could be delusional, who knows since this is a standalone.
It wasn’t until a little bit over the 50% mark that things started to go downhill. I’m not sure what it was exactly, but I know the romance started to feel instalovely since there were like barely any interactions before they started to fall head over heels for each other, which I’m not a big fan of. There were also moments that gave me the cringe and I don’t like how Nik’s character came to be towards the end. I feel like there was room for more growth to his character, but it was just rushed at the end. The ending also felt anticlimactic. The whole antagonist of the story wasn’t as exciting as I initially thought; there was no depth to his character or motives, so it all ended up feeling dull. There were also stuff that I think should’ve been explored deeper.
Regardless, this book was, for the most part, enjoyable, and the writing style was really good for a debut. Though it didn’t hit as strongly as it did in the beginning, I see a lot of potential in this author’s writing and look forward to trying out her next works.
This is a great read if you want a book that revolves around a baking contest and a world full of corruption where those of the working class are merely seen as disposable. It features a cute romance subplot with hidden identities and betrayal. It’s also a standalone, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for an easy read that delves into rebellion and has a found family trope. It follows Elara as she tries to make something out of herself but gets shunned by her family name, since her mother was a rebellion leader against their oppressive government. She then becomes part of a national baking contest, where the winner ascends to become one of the seven ruling leaders of art.
☜♡☞ My thoughts ☜♡☞
This book started off really well! I loved the vibes to it and the whole baking contest concept. The romance was also cute—I liked the tension building up between Elara and Nik as they begrudgingly worked together. I loved Blai, they were such a comedic relief throughout the story! Wish there were more scenes with him. I also wish I got to see more of him with Fernand, I’m not sure if it was just me, but it felt like a relationship between them was hinted? Or I could be delusional, who knows since this is a standalone.
It wasn’t until a little bit over the 50% mark that things started to go downhill. I’m not sure what it was exactly, but I know the romance started to feel instalovely since there were like barely any interactions before they started to fall head over heels for each other, which I’m not a big fan of. There were also moments that gave me the cringe and I don’t like how Nik’s character came to be towards the end. I feel like there was room for more growth to his character, but it was just rushed at the end. The ending also felt anticlimactic. The whole antagonist of the story wasn’t as exciting as I initially thought; there was no depth to his character or motives, so it all ended up feeling dull. There were also stuff that I think should’ve been explored deeper.
Regardless, this book was, for the most part, enjoyable, and the writing style was really good for a debut. Though it didn’t hit as strongly as it did in the beginning, I see a lot of potential in this author’s writing and look forward to trying out her next works.
November 24, 2025
This book was hard to put down! The main character was lovable and someone I was rooting for the entire time. This book is unique, using a food competition with magic. The French terms were amazing and made the book setting authentic. The author used descriptions and emotions to keep you engaged. Like the man character Elara, the author knows how to win a crowd. Grab Google Translate and get reading! Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book!
November 16, 2025
first, i would like to thank NetGalley, Anna Mercier, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this ARC!
this book was such an interesting read. it’s not the usual type of fantasy book i reach for, but i found the magic system to be fun and unique, and the characters had good depth to them.
in All We Hunger For, we follow Elara as she enters a magical baking competition in order to help an old “friend” and escape her tragic past. but things get dicey when she meets Nikolas, her patron for the competition who unbeknownst to her sees her as the enemy and just wants to use her for his own gain. but as the competition progresses and secrets as revealed, the two will be forced to work together to survive in a world who sees them as lesser humans all because they were born and raised in the southern portion of the city. can these two find it in them to put their differences aside to save their city from a civil war?
i really loved Elara’s character! she may have been viewed as naive and selfish by most people in her life, but she was nothing more than an orphan doing her best to survive in a society that doesn’t want her to. and as for Nik, i enjoyed how he slowly lerned to open up more, especially to Elara. i thought they were very cute together and made a nice duo for the revolution
the side characters were mostly great too! Chantal gave off the perfect older sister vibes, and i really enjoyed Gaetan being the father figure Elara never had. Blai and Fernand were awful though so i’m just going to forget about them🫣
overall i think this was a fun read, i just wish the epilogue could have been longer to show Elara and Nik making up with each other. but it was a good ending nevertheless, and i enjoyed getting to read and review it early.
this book was such an interesting read. it’s not the usual type of fantasy book i reach for, but i found the magic system to be fun and unique, and the characters had good depth to them.
in All We Hunger For, we follow Elara as she enters a magical baking competition in order to help an old “friend” and escape her tragic past. but things get dicey when she meets Nikolas, her patron for the competition who unbeknownst to her sees her as the enemy and just wants to use her for his own gain. but as the competition progresses and secrets as revealed, the two will be forced to work together to survive in a world who sees them as lesser humans all because they were born and raised in the southern portion of the city. can these two find it in them to put their differences aside to save their city from a civil war?
i really loved Elara’s character! she may have been viewed as naive and selfish by most people in her life, but she was nothing more than an orphan doing her best to survive in a society that doesn’t want her to. and as for Nik, i enjoyed how he slowly lerned to open up more, especially to Elara. i thought they were very cute together and made a nice duo for the revolution
the side characters were mostly great too! Chantal gave off the perfect older sister vibes, and i really enjoyed Gaetan being the father figure Elara never had. Blai and Fernand were awful though so i’m just going to forget about them🫣
overall i think this was a fun read, i just wish the epilogue could have been longer to show Elara and Nik making up with each other. but it was a good ending nevertheless, and i enjoyed getting to read and review it early.
October 15, 2025
Adored this one! Rtc
August 1, 2025
I was lucky enough to read an early version of this, as I am friends with the author *hair flick* - I am so thrilled everyone will get to meet her characters, and experience this rich world, and fall in love as much as I did ❤️ Anna is one to watch, folks!
November 24, 2025
ALL WE HUNGER FOR by Anna Mercier is a Young Adult Fantasy novel set in Anespérer where magic is invoked through art and is carefully guarded by an elite organization. It's Great British Bakeoff, but fold in a generous helping of YA Fantasy, stir in a cup of rebellion against an unfair system, and a tablespoon of swoony romance. I requested this eARC because the author is one of the two leads of my favorite writing podcast, Turning to Story. Fellow readers, it was so, so good! The world building was top notch, the magic system original, and the forbidden romance filled with sparks. Before I gush on, here's the setup:
Meet Elara Rousseau, an orphan who has grown up in the destitute Restes area of the city. Haunted by the death of her mother, she agrees to enter a magical baking competition to help an old friend. Due to the poor area that she's from, most look down on her and don't expect her to have a chance at winning the contest and becoming the next Souverain of Arts Culinaires. Together with her sponsor — the handsome and broody Nikolas Dupont — she does everything she can to win the competition before her entire world comes crashing down on her.
Nikolas (Nik) is stuck in many roles he doesn't want. He's the bastard of a cruel, powerful man. He's an Aspirant to Directeur in Art Humains. To try to gain favor with his father, he makes a plan that will show him his true value as a son. Not everything goes according to plan.
When enemies and surprising allies are revealed, Elara and Nik must work together to keep her alive, and to help bring down the corruption that is destroying Anespérer and its people. Fighting a mutual attraction, Nik helps Elara as she competes for her life and the lives of all of the people in the Restes.
Will Elara win the competition despite efforts to sabotage her at every turn? Will Nik see his father for the horrible man that he is and make the right decisions? Will the people of Restes every have justice for how they've been mistreated? Read this excellent book to find out.
What I loved most:
- the unique magical system kept me fascinated throughout the book. Not only was it such a great hook, but it's described so beautifully as if painted in the air in front of me.
- This forbidden love romance was seriously so, so sparkling hot. They start out as near enemies, and by the end... well, I'll let you read to find out
- Revolution! I'm a sucker for revolution plots and themes and this book has them in droves. Bravo!
- The author has a great job of helping the reader understand the background and motivations of the characters. Not a single one of these characters feels wooden or two-dimensional. That is difficult to achieve.
- Settings like these are cinematic and I could totally see this book being made into a movie
What didn't work:
- I couldn't think of anything. It all worked so well for me. Bravo!
ALL WE HUNGER FOR is a colorful, creative, and inspiring read brimming with adventure, romance, and danger, with a strong cast of characters and a unique magic system. I highly recommend it. Run, don't walk, to purchase this fantastic novel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for providing me with an eARC of this book for my honest feedback.
Meet Elara Rousseau, an orphan who has grown up in the destitute Restes area of the city. Haunted by the death of her mother, she agrees to enter a magical baking competition to help an old friend. Due to the poor area that she's from, most look down on her and don't expect her to have a chance at winning the contest and becoming the next Souverain of Arts Culinaires. Together with her sponsor — the handsome and broody Nikolas Dupont — she does everything she can to win the competition before her entire world comes crashing down on her.
Nikolas (Nik) is stuck in many roles he doesn't want. He's the bastard of a cruel, powerful man. He's an Aspirant to Directeur in Art Humains. To try to gain favor with his father, he makes a plan that will show him his true value as a son. Not everything goes according to plan.
When enemies and surprising allies are revealed, Elara and Nik must work together to keep her alive, and to help bring down the corruption that is destroying Anespérer and its people. Fighting a mutual attraction, Nik helps Elara as she competes for her life and the lives of all of the people in the Restes.
Will Elara win the competition despite efforts to sabotage her at every turn? Will Nik see his father for the horrible man that he is and make the right decisions? Will the people of Restes every have justice for how they've been mistreated? Read this excellent book to find out.
What I loved most:
- the unique magical system kept me fascinated throughout the book. Not only was it such a great hook, but it's described so beautifully as if painted in the air in front of me.
- This forbidden love romance was seriously so, so sparkling hot. They start out as near enemies, and by the end... well, I'll let you read to find out
- Revolution! I'm a sucker for revolution plots and themes and this book has them in droves. Bravo!
- The author has a great job of helping the reader understand the background and motivations of the characters. Not a single one of these characters feels wooden or two-dimensional. That is difficult to achieve.
- Settings like these are cinematic and I could totally see this book being made into a movie
What didn't work:
- I couldn't think of anything. It all worked so well for me. Bravo!
ALL WE HUNGER FOR is a colorful, creative, and inspiring read brimming with adventure, romance, and danger, with a strong cast of characters and a unique magic system. I highly recommend it. Run, don't walk, to purchase this fantastic novel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for providing me with an eARC of this book for my honest feedback.
November 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Anna Mercier’s “All We Hunger For” is a gorgeously imagined YA fantasy that combines the coziness of a magical baking competition with the tension of political uprising and class inequality. The result is an atmospheric, inventive debut that’s as enchanting as the pastries baked within its pages.
At the heart of the story is Elara Rousseau, an orphan from the impoverished Restes who never expected to be chosen for the famed Objet d’Art, a magical baking contest that can determine the next Souverain. When she’s smuggled into the competition by a figure from her past, she sees a chance not just to win, but to change her future. What she doesn’t know is that her assigned patron, Nikolas Dupont, initially sees her as a pawn in his own desperate attempts to gain recognition from his powerful father. As the competition intensifies and political tensions rise, the two are forced into an uneasy partnership that slowly transforms into something tender.
One of Mercier’s greatest strengths is the worldbuilding. The magic system where artistic skill translates into literal power is one of the book’s most richly realized features. The enchanted pastries, alchemical baking sequences, and high-stakes challenges create a sensory, immersive backdrop that feels wholly original. The story shines brightest in these moments, where creativity, magic, and emotion mix like ingredients in a bowl. It’s no wonder I found myself wishing for even more detail, depth, and page space dedicated to exploring this world.
Thematically, the book balances whimsy with weight. Mercier tackles issues of class disparity, corruption, and the complexities of resisting unjust systems. Beneath the frosted surfaces and glittering aristocratic halls lie questions of what and who is worth fighting for. Elara’s resilience, despite being dismissed as naive or selfish by those around her, makes her an easy protagonist to root for. Nik’s struggle to reconcile loyalty, survival, and evolving conscience adds nuance to the political threads.
However, the pacing did seem to prevent the story from reaching its full potential. After a strong and captivating first half, the plot accelerates quickly, leaving several promising elements like character development, the romance arc, and the antagonist’s motivations feeling underbaked. The central relationship felt a bit rushed and lacking in chemistry due to limited interactions before emotions intensified. Similarly, the villain’s role and the resolution of the conflict come together swiftly, resulting in an ending that feels more like a sprint than a satisfying glide.
Still, even with these imperfections, “All We Hunger For” remains an engaging, memorable debut. Its combination of revolution, magic, and the intimate artistry of baking creates a world both comforting and compelling.
Ultimately, this is a story brimming with creativity and heart; it’s one that leaves you simultaneously satisfied and wishing you could stay just a little longer in its pages. Fans of high-concept fantasy, magical competitions, and class-driven political stories will find much to savor here.
Anna Mercier’s “All We Hunger For” is a gorgeously imagined YA fantasy that combines the coziness of a magical baking competition with the tension of political uprising and class inequality. The result is an atmospheric, inventive debut that’s as enchanting as the pastries baked within its pages.
At the heart of the story is Elara Rousseau, an orphan from the impoverished Restes who never expected to be chosen for the famed Objet d’Art, a magical baking contest that can determine the next Souverain. When she’s smuggled into the competition by a figure from her past, she sees a chance not just to win, but to change her future. What she doesn’t know is that her assigned patron, Nikolas Dupont, initially sees her as a pawn in his own desperate attempts to gain recognition from his powerful father. As the competition intensifies and political tensions rise, the two are forced into an uneasy partnership that slowly transforms into something tender.
One of Mercier’s greatest strengths is the worldbuilding. The magic system where artistic skill translates into literal power is one of the book’s most richly realized features. The enchanted pastries, alchemical baking sequences, and high-stakes challenges create a sensory, immersive backdrop that feels wholly original. The story shines brightest in these moments, where creativity, magic, and emotion mix like ingredients in a bowl. It’s no wonder I found myself wishing for even more detail, depth, and page space dedicated to exploring this world.
Thematically, the book balances whimsy with weight. Mercier tackles issues of class disparity, corruption, and the complexities of resisting unjust systems. Beneath the frosted surfaces and glittering aristocratic halls lie questions of what and who is worth fighting for. Elara’s resilience, despite being dismissed as naive or selfish by those around her, makes her an easy protagonist to root for. Nik’s struggle to reconcile loyalty, survival, and evolving conscience adds nuance to the political threads.
However, the pacing did seem to prevent the story from reaching its full potential. After a strong and captivating first half, the plot accelerates quickly, leaving several promising elements like character development, the romance arc, and the antagonist’s motivations feeling underbaked. The central relationship felt a bit rushed and lacking in chemistry due to limited interactions before emotions intensified. Similarly, the villain’s role and the resolution of the conflict come together swiftly, resulting in an ending that feels more like a sprint than a satisfying glide.
Still, even with these imperfections, “All We Hunger For” remains an engaging, memorable debut. Its combination of revolution, magic, and the intimate artistry of baking creates a world both comforting and compelling.
Ultimately, this is a story brimming with creativity and heart; it’s one that leaves you simultaneously satisfied and wishing you could stay just a little longer in its pages. Fans of high-concept fantasy, magical competitions, and class-driven political stories will find much to savor here.
October 15, 2025
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of All We Hunger For by Anna Mercier, courtesy of Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
----------------
A solid 3 out of 5 stars, and a book I blew through in 48 hours, but it still left something to be desired.
For me, the appeal of the story was simple: Take the wholesome art of baking, add in a magic/alchemy system, a competition, and a revolution? It's like the book was written for me.
If I went strictly on vibes, I'd say this book was delicious enough that I couldn't put it down. It was atmospheric, sections of the dialogue were comical enough that I'd laugh out loud, and sentimental enough that I found myself highlighting a handful of sections so that I could come back to them, just to relive the heaviness of what the author was trying to convey.
Given the state of the world right now, I find myself drawn to the stories that speak about the things that matter: People. The communities that we make. The things worth fighting for. The reality of how easily the corrupt can grow to power and the dangers that lie when they do. The author set the stage for such a beautiful story that held so much potential.
"In an Instant, Elara understood why Fernand had chosen her as the match to his flame. A fire could not burn without first igniting. It took friction, and friction could not be created unless there was resistance.".
The only true problem is that I wanted more. I think the story would have benefited from either the addition of maybe 300 pages, so that the author could carve out more details, or if this were the first in a duology. Our main characters, Elara and Nik had so much potential, and yet the relationship between them holds no heat. No true chemistry, and I think that came down to pacing. We spent more time alone with our characters than we did watching them interact, and because of that, I didn't feel invested. We went from zero to a hundred in what they felt for one another.
In the end, the story just wraps up too quickly. I prefer to walk towards our finale, not sprint - and that's exactly what happened. The ending felt rushed and too clean for all the stakes.
Overall, I enjoyed the story for what it was. I found beauty in the found family element, and as always, I found a side character that stole my heart. A one, Blai.
"Revolution." Their eyes sparked. "Rebellions are brief, violent, and often unsuccessful. They are bursts of energy and passion that cannot be sustained. But a revolution..." they pressed a hand against the tattoo and closed their eyes. "A revolution is when a rebellion lasts and changes everything."
----------------
A solid 3 out of 5 stars, and a book I blew through in 48 hours, but it still left something to be desired.
For me, the appeal of the story was simple: Take the wholesome art of baking, add in a magic/alchemy system, a competition, and a revolution? It's like the book was written for me.
If I went strictly on vibes, I'd say this book was delicious enough that I couldn't put it down. It was atmospheric, sections of the dialogue were comical enough that I'd laugh out loud, and sentimental enough that I found myself highlighting a handful of sections so that I could come back to them, just to relive the heaviness of what the author was trying to convey.
Given the state of the world right now, I find myself drawn to the stories that speak about the things that matter: People. The communities that we make. The things worth fighting for. The reality of how easily the corrupt can grow to power and the dangers that lie when they do. The author set the stage for such a beautiful story that held so much potential.
"In an Instant, Elara understood why Fernand had chosen her as the match to his flame. A fire could not burn without first igniting. It took friction, and friction could not be created unless there was resistance.".
The only true problem is that I wanted more. I think the story would have benefited from either the addition of maybe 300 pages, so that the author could carve out more details, or if this were the first in a duology. Our main characters, Elara and Nik had so much potential, and yet the relationship between them holds no heat. No true chemistry, and I think that came down to pacing. We spent more time alone with our characters than we did watching them interact, and because of that, I didn't feel invested. We went from zero to a hundred in what they felt for one another.
In the end, the story just wraps up too quickly. I prefer to walk towards our finale, not sprint - and that's exactly what happened. The ending felt rushed and too clean for all the stakes.
Overall, I enjoyed the story for what it was. I found beauty in the found family element, and as always, I found a side character that stole my heart. A one, Blai.
"Revolution." Their eyes sparked. "Rebellions are brief, violent, and often unsuccessful. They are bursts of energy and passion that cannot be sustained. But a revolution..." they pressed a hand against the tattoo and closed their eyes. "A revolution is when a rebellion lasts and changes everything."
October 17, 2025
Welcome to Anespérer... where magic is brought to life through artistic skill...
Elara Rosseau knows she will never be chosen for the Objet d'Art... a high-stakes baking competition that will determine the next Souverain...they would never choose someone from the Restes after all.
Until she's snuck in by a brooding figure of her past, and given the opportunity of a lifetime to embrace a better future... so long as no-one discovers her traitorous secret...
Nik Dupont was plucked from the streets by his powerful father, and will do anything to be able to gain the official recognition as his son... like handpick the most unlikely of contestants to become his father's personal political pawn...
And as Elara displays her unlikely talent and becomes a hero for the poor... as her and Nik become closer and feelings begin to blossom... while Nik's feelings for his father crumble... they must form the most unlikely of bonds and fight together for their future...
Or start a revolution.
If I were to be honest, I wasn't 100% in love with this at first. I found it really hard to fully enjoy the story sometimes. Some of the characters in the beginning seemed overly snobbish or overly full of themselves, but I kept an open mind and pushed forward with this story. And I am glad I did... because I was swept away by the magic contained within these pages, and my dislike for the way some of the characters fell away.... replaced with the feelings of wanting more...of wanting to know more about the enchanted pastries, of the magic... and wanting to figure out more of the world woven between the stakes of rebellion and order... and what was something I would rate 3 stars rose to 4...
Albeit there are still slight issues with the overall pacing of the story, there are moments where it flows way too quickly, the events falling too quickly into place to where it feels more like a blur than actual sense ... another issue I had was the fact that there seemed to be no actual romantic connection between the main characters... but this is an issue I think also weaves together with the problematic fast pace of this book... still, the pretense of a world where something so simple as baking still enchanted my mind and tugged at all the right strings, and I can't wait to see where this leads...
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group; Henry, Holt & Co. (BYR); and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and the rest of my reviews can be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
Elara Rosseau knows she will never be chosen for the Objet d'Art... a high-stakes baking competition that will determine the next Souverain...they would never choose someone from the Restes after all.
Until she's snuck in by a brooding figure of her past, and given the opportunity of a lifetime to embrace a better future... so long as no-one discovers her traitorous secret...
Nik Dupont was plucked from the streets by his powerful father, and will do anything to be able to gain the official recognition as his son... like handpick the most unlikely of contestants to become his father's personal political pawn...
And as Elara displays her unlikely talent and becomes a hero for the poor... as her and Nik become closer and feelings begin to blossom... while Nik's feelings for his father crumble... they must form the most unlikely of bonds and fight together for their future...
Or start a revolution.
If I were to be honest, I wasn't 100% in love with this at first. I found it really hard to fully enjoy the story sometimes. Some of the characters in the beginning seemed overly snobbish or overly full of themselves, but I kept an open mind and pushed forward with this story. And I am glad I did... because I was swept away by the magic contained within these pages, and my dislike for the way some of the characters fell away.... replaced with the feelings of wanting more...of wanting to know more about the enchanted pastries, of the magic... and wanting to figure out more of the world woven between the stakes of rebellion and order... and what was something I would rate 3 stars rose to 4...
Albeit there are still slight issues with the overall pacing of the story, there are moments where it flows way too quickly, the events falling too quickly into place to where it feels more like a blur than actual sense ... another issue I had was the fact that there seemed to be no actual romantic connection between the main characters... but this is an issue I think also weaves together with the problematic fast pace of this book... still, the pretense of a world where something so simple as baking still enchanted my mind and tugged at all the right strings, and I can't wait to see where this leads...
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group; Henry, Holt & Co. (BYR); and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and the rest of my reviews can be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
October 12, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna Mercier, and
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
~*~*~*~
Anna Mercier’s All We Hunger For delivers one of the most creatively conceived fantasy settings I’ve encountered this year: a high-stakes magical baking contest set against a backdrop of simmering political revolution and deep class disparity. This is the literary equivalent of a perfectly layered cake—beautifully styled, wonderfully complex, and utterly unique.
The true brilliance of this standalone lies in its unique magic system. In the city of Anespérer, artistic skill is the conduit for power, and watching Elara Rousseau channel her desperate ambition into literal culinary enchantment during the Objet d’Art competition is a delight. Mercier seamlessly weaves together the tension of the bake-off (think The Great British Bakeoff with lethal, magical stakes) with heavy themes of aristocracy, poverty, and systemic injustice. This world is rich and thoroughly realized, making the time spent within its pages feel instantly rewarding and deeply atmospheric.
The character dynamics are equally compelling. Elara is a clever, determined heroine from the slums, forced to navigate the lavish world of the aristocrats, including the brooding Nikolas Dupont. Their enemies-to-something-more connection sparks genuinely, and thankfully, the romance supports the main plot rather than derailing it. Watching Nikolas's internal conflict—his duty to his powerful father versus his dawning belief in Elara's cause—adds a necessary layer of tension that keeps the political unrest central to the narrative.
My only wish, and the reason this didn't quite achieve a five-star score, is that I simply wanted more. The creativity, the worldbuilding, and the stakes are set so high that the story's pace felt almost too fast at times. With a setup this fascinating—a rebellion sparked by enchanted pastries—the political maneuvering and the emotional depth of the central themes deserved a few more pages to fully breathe and settle. The ending is satisfying, but it leaves you feeling slightly hungry, wishing the story had lingered just a little longer in the delectable world it so successfully built.
All We Hunger For is a stunning, original debut that is easy to devour. If you enjoy creative, high-concept YA fantasy where class politics and rebellion are served up with a generous dose of magic and romance, this is a must-read.
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Anna Mercier’s All We Hunger For delivers one of the most creatively conceived fantasy settings I’ve encountered this year: a high-stakes magical baking contest set against a backdrop of simmering political revolution and deep class disparity. This is the literary equivalent of a perfectly layered cake—beautifully styled, wonderfully complex, and utterly unique.
The true brilliance of this standalone lies in its unique magic system. In the city of Anespérer, artistic skill is the conduit for power, and watching Elara Rousseau channel her desperate ambition into literal culinary enchantment during the Objet d’Art competition is a delight. Mercier seamlessly weaves together the tension of the bake-off (think The Great British Bakeoff with lethal, magical stakes) with heavy themes of aristocracy, poverty, and systemic injustice. This world is rich and thoroughly realized, making the time spent within its pages feel instantly rewarding and deeply atmospheric.
The character dynamics are equally compelling. Elara is a clever, determined heroine from the slums, forced to navigate the lavish world of the aristocrats, including the brooding Nikolas Dupont. Their enemies-to-something-more connection sparks genuinely, and thankfully, the romance supports the main plot rather than derailing it. Watching Nikolas's internal conflict—his duty to his powerful father versus his dawning belief in Elara's cause—adds a necessary layer of tension that keeps the political unrest central to the narrative.
My only wish, and the reason this didn't quite achieve a five-star score, is that I simply wanted more. The creativity, the worldbuilding, and the stakes are set so high that the story's pace felt almost too fast at times. With a setup this fascinating—a rebellion sparked by enchanted pastries—the political maneuvering and the emotional depth of the central themes deserved a few more pages to fully breathe and settle. The ending is satisfying, but it leaves you feeling slightly hungry, wishing the story had lingered just a little longer in the delectable world it so successfully built.
All We Hunger For is a stunning, original debut that is easy to devour. If you enjoy creative, high-concept YA fantasy where class politics and rebellion are served up with a generous dose of magic and romance, this is a must-read.
October 19, 2025
‘All We Hunger For’ is an emotionally resonant debut that blends fantasy, romance, and revolution inside a world where magic is channeled through art—and power is closely guarded by the elite.
Anna Mercier expertly created a layered setting in Anespérer, where creativity is a source of both beauty and rebellion.
Elara Rousseau, a gifted baker from the slums, is a compelling protagonist—resilient, ambitious, and painfully aware of the cost of hope. Her entry into the Objet d’Art competition, and into the heart of a class struggle, drives a compelling story.
The romance between Elara and Nikolas Dupont is quietly powerful, threaded with tension. Mercier resists melodrama, opting instead for emotional depth and believable conflict. Just as strong is the book’s political undercurrent—exploring privilege, resistance, and the price of change with nuance and care. Given the current political atmosphere in my country….this hit home.
My only gripe was in the pacing. Some subplots move too quickly or resolve a little too neatly, especially in the second half. But that’s a minor quibble in a novel this immersive and heartfelt.
A standout in the YA fantasy space, ‘All We Hunger For’ is a story of fire, flavor, and finding your voice when the world would rather you stay silent.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Anna Mercier expertly created a layered setting in Anespérer, where creativity is a source of both beauty and rebellion.
Elara Rousseau, a gifted baker from the slums, is a compelling protagonist—resilient, ambitious, and painfully aware of the cost of hope. Her entry into the Objet d’Art competition, and into the heart of a class struggle, drives a compelling story.
The romance between Elara and Nikolas Dupont is quietly powerful, threaded with tension. Mercier resists melodrama, opting instead for emotional depth and believable conflict. Just as strong is the book’s political undercurrent—exploring privilege, resistance, and the price of change with nuance and care. Given the current political atmosphere in my country….this hit home.
My only gripe was in the pacing. Some subplots move too quickly or resolve a little too neatly, especially in the second half. But that’s a minor quibble in a novel this immersive and heartfelt.
A standout in the YA fantasy space, ‘All We Hunger For’ is a story of fire, flavor, and finding your voice when the world would rather you stay silent.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
November 8, 2025
This story had me hooked from the very start. I absolutely loved the intent behind her magic, the realistically revealed character backstories, the magical tattoos (and the story behind it), her realistic relationships and friendships and their challenges, and her struggle to live and thrive in an imperfect but enthralling dystopian world. The combination of magic elements (reminiscent of Harry Potter, Paper Magician, and others) is both familiar and unique, and the world is filled with corruption, power, and struggles reminiscent of stories like Hunger Games, and yet somehow remains entirely its own. Reading the baking competition hit perfectly this year for me as this is when I LIVE for Holiday Baking Championship. Anna Mercier has mixed together all my favorite ingredients and baked it with intent and charm and I cannot wait to read more! I will be recommending this to everyone, rereading it in June, and anxiously awaiting the sequel. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review this wonderfully magical unputdownable story!
November 8, 2025
Thanks Netgalley and Macmillian Childrens Publishing group for the ARC.
Its hard to believe this is a debut novel! All I ask for in a fantasy novel is to be able to build this world in my mind as the author intended - everything takes shape with ease.
This is an interesting take on an uprising and rebellion/revolution disguised as a magical baking contest. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, this is like a cousin to that. Unique enough that I hoped there was a second book in the series to start right away!
Also if youre reading this and in your 30s like myself, this is a YA novel and it reads as such. Its supposed to be fantastical and the romance isn't set up the same way as an adult romance.
Congratulations Anna, I hope theres a series out of these!
Its hard to believe this is a debut novel! All I ask for in a fantasy novel is to be able to build this world in my mind as the author intended - everything takes shape with ease.
This is an interesting take on an uprising and rebellion/revolution disguised as a magical baking contest. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, this is like a cousin to that. Unique enough that I hoped there was a second book in the series to start right away!
Also if youre reading this and in your 30s like myself, this is a YA novel and it reads as such. Its supposed to be fantastical and the romance isn't set up the same way as an adult romance.
Congratulations Anna, I hope theres a series out of these!
November 7, 2025
This is one of those sweet, hopeful books that deals with changing things, found family, rebellion, deciding when and what to stand for and weighing the cost. The characters are likable, the plot is unique enough - centering around a baking contest. The themes, though not unique to this book, were well developed and interesting. And the best part? This is a stand alone book in a world of trilogies and long series! I loved this! This book is a break from the normal reading I do - a breath of something fresh. I really enjoyed the story as a whole and loved the characters. I hope to see more from this author.
November 25, 2025
I love the concept of a book being about different societies that are based on forms of art! I have never read a revolutionary book that has had a focus on cooking, and I think the analogies between social themes and the art of cooking pair well.
The only thing I wish from this book was a stronger connection between characters and just stronger character development in general. Elara and Nik’s relationship seemed to come out of no where and lacked chemistry in my opinion. I also would’ve loved more build on the platonic relationships Elara and Nik built with Blai and Chantal!
I enjoyed this read and would absolutely recommend it to a friend.
The only thing I wish from this book was a stronger connection between characters and just stronger character development in general. Elara and Nik’s relationship seemed to come out of no where and lacked chemistry in my opinion. I also would’ve loved more build on the platonic relationships Elara and Nik built with Blai and Chantal!
I enjoyed this read and would absolutely recommend it to a friend.
September 2, 2025
Some books are meant to be devoured, and this is one of them! Central to the story is a magical baking competition, a rebellion, and a romance that oh-so-deliciously peels back the layers, until Elara’s and Nik’s hearts are exposed to each other—along with their secrets. The character work in this book is so well done, and every last scene—whether baking-sweet moments or ones rich with emotional depth—showcases Mercier’s fine craft so that Elara and Nik come alive on the page as they wrestle with duty and circumstance—and their complicated feelings for each other.
October 15, 2025
All We Hunger For by Anna Mercier completely surprised me—in the best way. I expected a light fantasy romance and got a beautifully layered story about art, ambition, and class divides, wrapped in lush writing and slow-burn chemistry. Elara is a heroine you can’t help but root for—flawed, driven, and deeply human—and her connection with Nikolas feels natural and earned. The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and the magic-through-baking concept is so good with fun Katniss Everdeen twists. Overall it’s an enchanting, heartfelt read that lingered with me even after I finished.
October 27, 2025
**ARC review**
Anna Mercier's debut novel, All We Hunger For, serves up a captivating premise combining a high-stakes magical baking competition with a brewing rebellion. The delicious-sounding magic and slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance provide a compelling emotional core. While the creative world-building is a treat, the overall pacing is sometimes uneven, leaving some plot points feeling a bit underbaked. Despite these minor flaws, it’s a confident and highly entertaining fantasy debut.
Anna Mercier's debut novel, All We Hunger For, serves up a captivating premise combining a high-stakes magical baking competition with a brewing rebellion. The delicious-sounding magic and slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance provide a compelling emotional core. While the creative world-building is a treat, the overall pacing is sometimes uneven, leaving some plot points feeling a bit underbaked. Despite these minor flaws, it’s a confident and highly entertaining fantasy debut.
October 11, 2025
I was lucky enough to read this book early, and it was such a delight! Mercier crafts such a vivid fantasy world that I could clearly picture in my mind from the very first pages. The descriptions of the magical baked treats are so visceral and captivating...and these CHARACTERS! I fell in love with them and was rooting for them all the way through. They have some truly sweet moments in between all the action that I found myself wanting to reread. I loved every minute I spent with this book!
November 17, 2025
This book doesn’t pause for a moment in the story telling! It’s a phenomenal YA novel that will appeal to adults as well. A teen girl is trying to stop a violent history from repeating itself but who does she trust to help her? Or does it take everyone? It was well written and a story that moves quickly but not so fast that you can’t keep up. Will absolutely buy it for my middle school library!
November 29, 2025
This was an excellent book with an adorably cute romance. Elara gets shunned because of her mother lead a rebellion against the government. I loved that there was a baking contest in the novel. Gives her a chance to prove her worth and get away from the family name. It was enjoyable and I can’t wait to see if there is gonna be more written. I loved all the characters and side characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and share my thoughts.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and share my thoughts.
December 2, 2025
3.5 ✨
Inizierei col dire che non ritengo di essere in target con questo libro, si rivolge chiaramente verso un pubblico più giovane ma nel complesso sono riuscita ad apprezzarlo. È un romanzo godibile e si vedono chiaramente gli spunti di ispirazione da cui ha preso forma: Hunger Games, Master Chef e The Selection.
Distopia con un pizzico di fantasy, apprezzabile, ma non tra le letture più belle di quest'anno!
Inizierei col dire che non ritengo di essere in target con questo libro, si rivolge chiaramente verso un pubblico più giovane ma nel complesso sono riuscita ad apprezzarlo. È un romanzo godibile e si vedono chiaramente gli spunti di ispirazione da cui ha preso forma: Hunger Games, Master Chef e The Selection.
Distopia con un pizzico di fantasy, apprezzabile, ma non tra le letture più belle di quest'anno!
August 21, 2025
This book is delectable, and truly channels that same special magic of settling on the sofa to watch The Great British Bakeoff. Layer in a charming romance and a tense rebel plot, with the cherry on top of unique, deep worldbuilding, and this is a treat of a YA Fantasy debut you will NOT want to miss!
September 5, 2025
official review for official reasons:
From start to finish, All We Hunger For blends romance and rebellion into a decadent, deadly baking competition. With lush prose, Mercier whisks up a sumptuous feast for fans of slow-burn passion and whimsical world-building.
unofficial review for unofficial reasons:
ANNA MERCIER IS A CRAFT QUEEN AND THIS BOOK SHOULD BE CALLED ALL WE YEARN FOR
From start to finish, All We Hunger For blends romance and rebellion into a decadent, deadly baking competition. With lush prose, Mercier whisks up a sumptuous feast for fans of slow-burn passion and whimsical world-building.
unofficial review for unofficial reasons:
ANNA MERCIER IS A CRAFT QUEEN AND THIS BOOK SHOULD BE CALLED ALL WE YEARN FOR
October 24, 2025
This is a YA book about a woman from the poor side of town whose mother was put to death for be a rebel against those in charge. There are elements of everyone having the ability to do magic with-in the job (cooking, art, farming, mortuary) to which the individual has the most talent. The story line is interesting though it does drag in parts.
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