All We Hunger For

by Anna Mercier

A 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 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Food

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 23, 2026

About the author

Anna 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.

Reviews

[Sophie ❦]

DNF 59%

I don’t even know what to say. I like the writing and the idea behind the plot is interesting, but it doesn’t feel like a lot of work was put into the characters and relationships. The romance and friendships happen off page for the most part and we’re just told about what happened and how they’re all close now. I just don’t care enough about any of them to want to continue. And to whoever is calling this a slow burn, please, stop.

─ ✦ ────

✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: Magic, a baking contest AND a brewing revolution? You don’t have to twist my arm to get me to read this, I’m in 🙂‍↕️

⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

[BookishKB · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍰✨ All We Hunger For ✨🍰

I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I ended up reading it in one sitting. I love a magical baking setup, and this one delivered, but it went deeper than I expected. It is not just cozy fantasy. It leans into rebellion, class divide, and hope as an act of rebellion. I would definitely check TW's for this book before starting. It doesn't shy away from sensitive topics such as stravation.

The worldbuilding and magic system were interesting, though I did find myself wanting more of the “before” lore. We get pieces of it throughout the story, but it felt more sprinkled in than fully explored.

The ending was rushed and I was left with so many questions. But still a solid 4 star read!

💫What to Expect
• Magical baking
• Food competition
• Hidden identity FMC
• Broody MMC
• Forbidden romance
• Class divide and rebellion

_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4 Stars
📅 Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

| 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.

[Brynn Keel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to continue my magical baking streak with another fantasy novel :)

Only this time, instead of cozy and whimsical vibes, we get politics, manipulation, revolution and a whole lot of scheming.

The premise was honestly really interesting.

In Anespérer, magic comes alive through artistic skill, whether that’s music, art or cooking. After the death of the Souverain of Culinary Arts, a massive baking competition begins to select a replacement for the ruling council.

Of course, someone from the slums like Elara would never normally be allowed to compete. But thanks to some behind-the-scenes help and a fake identity, she enters the competition anyway.

I think, the competition and magic elements were probably my favorite parts.

Watching Elara use baking and magic together was really fun, and I liked seeing her slowly gain support from the poorer side of the city.

At the same time, we follow Nikolas, who spends most of the book desperately trying to earn recognition from his father. He initially sees Elara as someone easy to manipulate for political purposes… but quickly realizes she’s much smarter than he expected.

From there, the story becomes packed with political schemes, manipulation, murder plots, secrets, betrayals… and tbh, at one point my brain needed a break...

I think that’s where my biggest issue with the book comes in.

There were a lot of interesting ideas here, but sometimes it felt like too much was happening at once. The political side of the story was engaging, but also overcrowded at times.

The romance also didn’t fully work for me. I never really felt a strong emotional connection between Elara and Nik. Most of the time they felt more argumentative than romantic, and honestly, the book probably would’ve worked almost the same without adding the romance into the mix.

Overall, this is one of those books where I admired the ideas more than I emotionally connected with the story.

Still, not a bad read by any means, and definitely an interesting mix of fantasy, politics and magical baking.

⭐ 3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC.

[cyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly feel kinda bad for giving this book 3 stars because I think there was a lot of love and heart put into this book, but like so many things in this novel just pissed me off man

All We Hunger For is a debut following Elara Rousseau, daughter of a now dead rebellion leader from the slums, who gets sneaked into the Great French Bake Off for a chance to compete for... the position of Souverain. That's right guys, as long as you can bake a good pie, you will be able to take the spot of what's essentially a member of the council! How cool. Oh, education? Nah that doesn't matter that much don't worry about it haha. During the first contest, Elara wins the attention of the crowd and resident boy-failure Nikolas Dupont, who becomes her Patron as part of his 'nefarious' plans to use her as a political pawn. The book might try to convince you that Nik is capable, smart, or manipulative, but don't worry; he has no fucking clue what he's doing.

The book started off well. Kind of. The Objet d’Art is illogical, but the world building was unique (and very French), the characters were interesting, and I was intrigued by the baking contest. The introduction of Nik working in a funeral home delighted me because we rarely see anything like that in a book. Unfortunately, things started going downhill as more and more of the political intrigue was introduced. It was still readable, for the most part, but it really fell apart in the last third of the book. There were plot twists and political moves that seemingly came out of nowhere and just left me confused. A lot of things weren't explained, or were just glossed over, and it made me feel increasingly frustrated with how the book was turning out.

The characters in this book also turned out pretty lacklustre. There were attempts at giving Elara and Nik depth, and whilst Elara mostly succeeded, Nik's character fell short. I was hoping for him to war with himself and carve out a character development plot, but he kinda just skipped over the hard part and jumped straight into realising his father sucked and that he's going to help the rebels. Then he fell in love with Elara and lost most of what made his character compelling. Their relationship happened pretty quickly, so much so that it didn't feel earned. They were still pretty endearing together and some of Nik's romantic gestures were very tender, but there was so much potential for more.

The side characters were cute but I guarantee you that they'll disappear from my memory tomorrow. I only really liked Fernand, but Blai and Chantal were okay, I guess. They exist! Huzzah! There were little side relationships buried in the plot, but they add absolutely nothing to the story. Which really sucks because it could have been really cool if the book chose to focus on them. The main antagonist was just a moustache twirling villain. Given who he is, I would have expected a lot more from him, but he does his job as a super evil guy, so there's that.

I really liked the magic system, and the cooking contest was really fun to read about. It's fast paced, and the writing is decent for a debut. There was clearly a lot of love for baking and the the arts. Anna Mercier does a good job at addressing the importance of artistry for people, and how art isn't just found in paintings or sculptures. I just felt like the scope of what the author was trying to accomplish was too big for a single book. We didn't have much time to stew in anything. I'm also half convinced that the author barely knows anything about politics.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC; all thoughts are my own.

[bibi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy to read!

2.5-3 stars I haven’t entirely decided yet, here is my super long review
-

Let me start by saying this premise has a lot of potential. A culinary arts based fantasy with a subplot romance sounds really cool and unique, but unfortunately there were a lot of issues I ended up noticing that sort of damaged the execution.

I wish there had been some sort of glossary provided in the book. Most of the main terminology is not in English and it’s not explained as to what they are, you kind of just have to guess based on who is referred to by what title, etc. but even then it’s a bit confusing. This was one of my main gripes all throughout the book. I guess you could just google everything but yeah 👍

Yes, you are thrown into the story with characters who obviously already understand the world they live in, but you as the reader don’t know any of it and there is not as much world building as you might expect to help you understand.

I get that it would feel a bit counterintuitive for the characters to explain things that they obviously already know, so I think something at the beginning or end of the book solely for the reader to at least get a sense of what the world-specific terminology means would be helpful.


Now for my thoughts on the actual story. Overall, it was not BAD, the rebellion storyline with the baking competition is interesting in theory but the stakes felt oddly low at least for the competition part despite the things happening throughout because it never feels like Elara is going to lose. Her opponents have little to no dialogue, shes the center of attention more often than not and obviously she’s the main character. It started to feel like it didn’t really matter and the plot as a whole for me really started to unravel at the 75% mark.

There is this big emphasis on characters having secrets and how there’s going to be this tell-all about the truths from the past. Most of Elara’s character is based around the fact that she is held back by her mother’s actions in the past, and her development comes from breaking free from that.

Her mom was a part of/led a group of rebels that wanted to retaliate against the government. The act of them doing so is a huge thread that runs through the entire books, and a lot of it is because of how it reflects on Elara, who is seen as the daughter of a rebel leader, to the point where even just in the first few pages you are shown that no one in town wants to be associated with her. She has to operate under a different name to even get a chance at making a life for herself. All of the other characters get past this quite quickly once they find out about it with the exception of Nik but he really isn’t upset about it for long.

Nik’s initial intentions are to mislead and manipulate Elara, but he gives up on that pretty early on because he likes her determination and wants to keep his father from harming her. I think it’s quite established that Nik is no longer doing things solely for his benefit, he’s actively trying to bond with Elara despite his own emotional conflicts and storyline.

However, when things about Nik are revealed to Elara by the person they both agree not to trust, she immediately believes everything, says Nik has lied to her, and all of the other characters are also suddenly on board with that line of thinking?? I found it really annoying that the last quarter of the book is Nik being treated like some monster who incited every terrible action in the book because of a choice HIS MOM MADE. When elara’s entire character is based around her mom having made “bad” decisions and her not wanting to be known for that. It felt like a very convenient yet forced way to cause division between Elara and Nik in the third act when they haven’t even been together long enough to consider it a “break up”.

Additionally, Elara recognizes that he’s lying to her literally from the first time they meet. They understand that about each other and yet the concept of Nik ever lying becomes this huge deal when he’s already been quite honest with her by that point. And the stuff the third act conflict is based on ends up being mostly a lie told by Nik’s father which.. why did Elara even believe him in the first place? 🫩


All in all, I liked the side characters, I liked the general concept, and the writing was fine. The romance wasn’t really a standout to me, but it wasn’t a detractor or anything.

It’s not a bad book by any means, like I said it has a lot of potential. I think it will definitely appeal to some people for the cooking and fantasy aspects!

[Emily Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

A debut novel & worth the hype - for lovers of The Hunger Games & other revolutionary YA stories. In a world of magie, Elara Rousseau is snuck into a baking competition with lots on the line, as a class rebellion brews below the surface. There's romance and heartbreak, excitement and yearning... all of which you'll want to devour.

[Sierraaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Emily Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this one! Rtc

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

‘All We Hunger For’ is much more than what may seem to be a cozy baking challenge; it’s also commentary on social classes. It doesn’t just dip its toes into the treatment of the working class, this story is about actually about rebellion and a brewing change, which was a surprising treat to see handled. The author did not hold back in how blatantly some characters could believe an entire group of people were inhuman, deserving of nothing at all.

(Note, there is clearly French roots/inspiration taken from by names and places, even the history of their own rebellion due to the divide between the aristocracy and the working class in 1789)

This was a surprising read that had amazing descriptions when it came to the cooking/baking and just describing scenes in general. It was also easy to understand our two main characters, their goals believable even if you didn’t necessarily agree. Both our main characters are from the Restes, the poor working class, but both have somewhat different motivations. Elara a rebel in her own way who just wants her own bakery in the Restes, while Nik has shoved any notions of rebellion aside believing he can change things by climbing the ladder of the aristocracy.

This was a solid YA fantasy with a romance subplot, though insta-love, it was an easy book to sit and feel engrossed in as it moved quick. I saw a lot of comparing this book to bake off shows and I definitely agree, though the “trials” did not feel overdone like the trope currently is as there was more to this book than trials.

The romance for me was the weakest part, as it didn’t feel like there was really any foundation for the two of them to trust or feel so strongly for the other, but again, that’s the woes of insta lust lol. And the fact this is a standalone so I don’t think there was enough time to build that foundation. (I honestly wanted Elara to get back with her ex, I felt more tension between them lol)

Some scenes towards the middle and end felt a bit fast and discombobulated at times so i found myself confused a bit. But I really enjoyed the ending, it was a realistic conclusion.

I enjoyed Elara’s growth in this book, I think her story arc alone is a good reason to read this book, there was a lot of meaning behind the plot of this book.

*ARC courtesy of netgalley*

[Jewnifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished All We Hunger For and overall I thought it was a good, entertaining story. I did feel like the book lacked some clarity at times, and the shorter length didn’t leave much room for deeper world building. The romance also felt a little rushed for me. Honestly, Fernand, her mom, and Gaeten could’ve had an entire book of their own.

One of my favorite parts was the cooking competition and the way food brought out emotions and memories. That concept felt really unique and added a lot of heart to the story.

For a debut YA standalone, I think this was a strong start, and I’d definitely read more from this author. I’m interested to see how her writing grows and develops in future books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle (easy.vesey.reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️!

I enjoyed this book and I think it had a lot of potential, but ultimately fell flat for me. I think it started off with so much promise and I liked the writing style but then things went downhill. I also loved the unique magic system and the concept of a magical baking competition but the rest of the plot was just kind of ok. Like something was missing for me and yet I can’t quite figure out exactly what it was that was missing. I think I was just expecting more!

Thank you to Henry Holt/Fierce Reads for the advanced copy!

[Hannah Grace Whitmill · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book was a really good fantasy and I enjoyed the story immensely. I liked the themes that seemed almost dystopian at times. The beginning was kind of slow, but it really picked up in the middle and the ending was phenomenal. I definitely enjoyed this book. My only complaint is I felt the romance was kind of forced. Like there wasn't really any chemistry between the characters in my opinion. And I felt the side characters were very flat. Other than that? I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Emma Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Elia · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[violetxrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

All We Hunger For

Advance bound Galley Arc Reader - Thank you for sending me this book in a giveaway on Goodreads

This review contains spoilers, sorry

Read this if you like politically injustice stories with a strong FMC who likes to bake.

This book has a very unique concept. “All We Hunger For” Is a very politically heavy book. The story was enjoyable for the most part. It's about a baker's girl named Elara born in a city full of prejudice. The citizens in the city judge people based on their social class, where they're from, and family ties. All the main character, Elara, wants is to have the opportunity to open up her own bakery.

Her mother, in the past, was a part of a rebellion against the nation's oppressive government. Her mother's rebellion did not succeed and had consequences for the people in the Restes. Her mother died, and Restes was put under stricter guard. Because of her family name, she gets shunned, being known as the daughter of a failed rebel.

Seven Arts Sociétés rule the city, each art has one Souverain. Other social classes are Directeur, Professionelle, Aspirant, and no class, which are citizens who do jobs others don’t want to do; the upper class considers them lowly and sees itself as above them.

When the Sociétés Art Culinaires Souverain dies, the city holds Object ďArt. Elara entered the competition under a fake name (Elouise Auclair). She entered intending to lose, only to have been chosen as one of the favored with the male lead Nik as her patron.

When reading, I have been rooting for Elara. She is very likable. I want her to succeed. I feel bad that people judge her when she is just trying her best.

Nik is a young man who wants his father’s approval. His father is the Souverain of Sociétés Art Humains. His father wanted Nik to find a pawn to do what he says and vote him in as Grand Souverain. That is why he wanted to become Elara's patron. At this time, he knew her as Elouise Auclair.

The book has some heavy topics, such as the death of loved ones, friends, and family through murder. They neglect their people, and they treat them harshly. Starving them, forcing them to do work they won’t do. Dangerous work that can get them killed while being treated like garbage. Elara's mom and the others just wanted to make things better for everyone. The system they live in is so corrupt. The Souverain only cares about themselves. At this point in the novel, I just want Nik to open his eyes and see that his father's way will never lead to a better future.

The book was interesting, kind of dark, and it made me mad at times with how they treat the people in the Restes. Also, how people judge Elara.

[Victoria ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

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."

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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....

[Bethany Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cynthia Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A single action. A single brave soul. That's all it took for the war to begin.

All We Hunger For is a standalone fantasy that blends baking, magic, and political tension in a way that feels both cozy and high stakes. It sounds like an odd pairing, but it works surprisingly well. I found myself sneaking away to turn a few more pages during the day.

The story follows Elara and Nik, two characters from opposite ends of Anespérer’s rigid society. Elara wants nothing more than to bake and live quietly, far away from her mother’s legacy and the dangers tied to her art. Nik, on the other hand, is driven by his need for his father’s approval after his mother’s death. Both are thrown together to try and win the baking contest put on by the Counsil.

He'd been assured this part would become easier with practice, that his mind would compartmentalize and adapt. He understood all those things. But he didn't feel them.

What stood out most to me was how seamlessly the baking competition tied into the broader political conflict. The magic system, which is rooted in artistic expression, felt intuitive without being over explained, maintaining a sense of mystery while still making the stakes clear. The urban setting added to the tension, emphasizing the stark divide between the ruling class and the city’s poor.

The dual POVs worked especially well here. Rather than slowing the story down, they deepened the emotional impact and made the gradual unraveling of “truths” feel earned. The side characters were memorable, and the pacing of reveals kept me constantly questioning who truly held the power...and at what cost.

Overall, All We Hunger For is a creative, character-driven fantasy that explores ambition, grief, and rebellion through the lens of art and food. I’d highly recommend it to readers who enjoy political fantasy with cozy elements, morally complicated choices, and a romance that simmers alongside revolution.

It's a nice dream. But we live in a cruel world where art-a part of a person's very soul- determines power, fame, and fortune. Except it isn't based on merit or dedication. It's based on usefulness and what you can bring to the Sociétés.

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for granting me the honor of reading the ARC. These thoughts are purely my own.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

All We Hunger For --- 4.5****
I ADORED this Book! I cannot express how refreshing it was to read a true YA Fantasy novel. I could barely put this story down. I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest review.

To start - this cover is stunning and I hope I can get my hands on a special edition when it comes out!

This is a charming story of a girl who loves to bake - and who loves her city very much '-'
Elara, is basically conned into a baking competition that incorporates magic (magie) into the foods in order to create special dishes amplified by the magic. By winning the competition she could hold a position of power that would help the Restes (the area of the city she is from) and improve life for the city as a whole. The story follows her through her memories of her mother, where she learned both magic and cooking, as she works to prove that she is good enough and strong enough to win this competition. Once she is forced into it, she figures she may as well go all in! Her family name is one of ill repute since her mother was the head of a rebellion years ago. Elara goes from being an outcast to being Favored in this competition through her found family and their help to showcase her power and her love of the city. She is working to bring awareness to the injustices and inequality of the castes and the segregation throughout the rich and poor and those with magic and without.
She is paired up with Nikolas Dupont who is also working to better his people and the city as a whole. Nik wants nothing more than to please his father and earn his freedom to create any magic and art he desires. He is constantly working to be better and stronger for his father. His friends and found family (Chantal and Blai) bring Elara into their folds and assist her in every way they can. Even when she pulls up trouble from the past and endangers everyone.
Through twists and turns and manipulation on all parts, this story unfolds with a gentle, sweet romance with no unnecessary spice that detracts from the plot. The competition is magical and spectacular and it's easy to get wrapped up in the spectacle of it.
The ending was sweet - a magical HEA (or was it?) -

This book has the magical vibes of Six of Crows and Harry Potter and a little of the Night Circus!
Fun, enchanting and very enjoyable!

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

✧˖°. ⤷ thank you to netgalley, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) & Anna Mercier for the ARC. honest thoughts as always, from me to you ♡

☁️ author: Anna Mercier
☁️ genre: YA Fantasy
☁️ mood: whimsical / slow-burn / ambitious / bittersweet

🌙 Mini Synopsis
In the world of Anespérer, magic breathes through art — and Elara Rousseau, a girl from the slums, finds herself smuggled into the Objet d'Art, a high-stakes baking competition where the winner earns a seat among the ruling elite. What follows is equal parts gilded spectacle and quiet rebellion, wrapped in flour-dusted ambition and dangerous secrets.

🍃 thoughts
The synopsis was doing so much work here, and honestly? It earned my immediate attention. A culinary arts fantasy built around a magical baking contest as a vehicle for class struggle and rebellion is such a genuinely fresh concept, and I was so ready to be swept away by it. And in some ways, I was — the overarching storyline has real intrigue, and several of the side characters were genuinely fun to spend time with. The world Mercier has built in Anespérer is creative and imaginative, and you can feel the potential humming underneath it all.
Where it stumbled for me was in the execution. The pacing felt uneven in places — certain moments that deserved to breathe were rushed past, while others dragged. Some of the worldbuilding terminology got a little tangled, and I wished it had been woven in more naturally. Most of all, I wanted more from the characters. A few felt a bit flat where I was hoping for complexity, especially given the richly layered setting they were placed in. It's not a bad book — it just didn't fully deliver on the promise of its premise for me personally.

🌸 favorite things
♡ The baking as magic system — what a concept. The idea of creativity and craft being the source of power is so tactile and sensory, and when it worked, it really worked 🥐
♡ The competition setting gave the story a natural structure and built-in tension that kept me turning pages
♡ The found family undertones among the competitors — a soft little highlight that I didn't know I needed ♡

✧ verdict from my little reading nook → ★★★☆☆

[kelsey ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Anticipated Release date: June 23, 2026
Genre: high fantasy
Series: standalone

“Because hope required abandoning reason to invest in a future that wasn’t promised.”

Take Top Chef (I’m assuming, I’ve actually never seen the show) except the winner gains a top position of power in the government, because in this world, people can imbue food with magic (magie). 

Prepared to be hungry while reading this, the food that Mercier describes sounds delicious. 

All We Hunger For draws on French influence, from the cuisine to the atmosphere. It felt refreshing in a genre so often dominated by England-based fantasy worlds.

As a debut and a standalone fantasy, this is incredibly promising! Mercier delivers a mix of political intrigue, rebellion against social injustice, a creative high-stakes competition, and, to top it off, a sprinkle of romance. 

I was easily pulled into the world; however, this is the one area that I think needed more detail, and I believe a map could've remedied this for me (maybe there will be a map in the final publication). Some of the contestants are mentioned to be from a different... country? Also, is Anespérer its own country... town? couldn't visualize how big it was when our main characters were going back and forth between Restes and where the competition takes place. It wasn't a big hindrance while reading, but I found myself questioning it a few times. 
 
Speaking of, I adored both of our main characters, Elara and Nik. Elara's resilience was inspiring, and you can't help but root for her. And Nik, while flawed, has a satisfying character arc. 

I will keep an eye out for future titles by this author!

What to expect
Somewhere between YA and NA 
Dual 3rd person POV
Political intrigue/social injustice
High-stake trials
Minor romance subplot 

Thank you, McMillan's Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Quote taken from an uncorrected proof subject to change in the final version.

[bells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read COUNTLESS stories about deadly trials and tournaments. But a magical baking competition? Now THAT is new.

The combination of a baking competition, social gap, and underlying political tension is such an unexpectedly delicious mix. A total chef’s kiss. No pun intended. (Okay, maybe a little.)

The baking competition itself was SO entertaining to read. The magical ingredients and techniques. The creativity in how magic and culinary skills blend together was genuinely fun to experience. It had this cozy, whimsical vibe that made the whole story feel alive.

Both the FMC and MMC were actually really likable. They both have depth, they both have ambition, and you can clearly feel how passionate they are about what they do. Their rivalry was such a treat. Exactly the kind of competitive tension I love to see.

Elara especially stood out to me. I loved how determined she was to challenge the corrupt social system and fight for fairness. That drive gave her character a lot of weight and purpose.

However, the romance between Elara and Nik needed a little more seasoning. I can absolutely see the potential. The ingredients are all there. But the chemistry felt a bit rushed to me. Like the emotional build-up didn’t fully marinate before the story decided to serve the dish.

Another thing that held it back a bit was the pacing. I usually enjoy fast-paced stories, but this one felt a little uneven, especially in the middle. Some moments were really immersive and engaging, but others moved a bit too quickly when they probably needed more room to breathe. The ending also felt slightly rushed when I would’ve loved to linger in the resolution just a little longer.

But overall, this was such a fun and creative read. Cozy, whimsical, and packed with entertaining magical baking challenges that kept me invested the whole time.


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Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

All We Hunger For by Anna Mercier
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

All We Hunger For takes place in Anesperer, a world where magic exists but can also be dangerous. Elara Rousseau dreams of winning the high-stakes baking competition, Objet d’Art, while honoring her mother’s memory through her recipes. When she gets the chance at a better future—by posing as someone else—she takes the risk, only to realize her secret may not be as safe as she hoped. Especially not from Nikolas Dupont, a young man determined to prove himself to his powerful father.

Nikolas Dupont is the son of a formidable Souverain whose leadership has left his city in shambles. With poverty rising and little aid for the struggling citizens, the beginnings of a Revolution are starting to form. As Elara’s Patron, Nikolas is meant to guide her through the competition, but he quickly realizes Elara is hiding more than she lets on. Nik finds himself torn between earning his father’s approval and choosing a future that could mean safety and freedom for both himself and Elara.

This YA novel had such a fun and unique premise. It gave me strong vibes of shows like Chopped and The Great British Bake Off, where competitors are thrown into a high-pressure culinary competition and will do whatever it takes to win the Souverain’s favor. Elara’s goal of bringing her mother’s memory to life through baking was really touching, especially as she navigates secrets about her past and begins uncovering truths her mother kept hidden. At the same time, the growing tension of the Revolution adds another layer to the story.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a creative mix of magic, competition, and political tension.