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Feast
In nineteenth-century France, a young woman with a magical sense of taste saves a duc from poison, and her new role as poison taster thrusts her into the world of the nobility, where secrets and danger lurk around every corner.
Minha is born on the backstreets of late nineteenth-century London, the daughter of an Indian spice merchant and an English prostitute. She has a remarkable an incredible sense of taste. She can taste the earth in which potatoes were grown or the tree on which fruits have ripened. She can smell each ingredient—and identify a single false note. But Minha’s gift and her mixed-race heritage provoke mistrust and rejection, even within her own family. Escaping alone to France, Minha chances upon work in the Château de Bellefalaise, where for the first time her strange abilities are lauded.
As official poison taster for Duc Nicolas, Minha must taste every morsel of food that will pass his lips. Others in the household are hostile to her, but when she discovers a man hiding in the stables, their unexpected meeting turns into the first true connection she’s felt since arriving in France.
But mystery and paranoia continue to swirl around the château, with the Duc’s poisoner unidentified and antagonism toward Minha growing. She knows it’s only a matter of time before fingers begin pointing her way. Will she run again, or is this the time to stand and fight?
A thoroughly addictive novel about food, possession, race, love, and a young woman fighting to build a fulfilling life against all odds, this is a gorgeously written debut by author Catherine Kurtz.
Minha is born on the backstreets of late nineteenth-century London, the daughter of an Indian spice merchant and an English prostitute. She has a remarkable an incredible sense of taste. She can taste the earth in which potatoes were grown or the tree on which fruits have ripened. She can smell each ingredient—and identify a single false note. But Minha’s gift and her mixed-race heritage provoke mistrust and rejection, even within her own family. Escaping alone to France, Minha chances upon work in the Château de Bellefalaise, where for the first time her strange abilities are lauded.
As official poison taster for Duc Nicolas, Minha must taste every morsel of food that will pass his lips. Others in the household are hostile to her, but when she discovers a man hiding in the stables, their unexpected meeting turns into the first true connection she’s felt since arriving in France.
But mystery and paranoia continue to swirl around the château, with the Duc’s poisoner unidentified and antagonism toward Minha growing. She knows it’s only a matter of time before fingers begin pointing her way. Will she run again, or is this the time to stand and fight?
A thoroughly addictive novel about food, possession, race, love, and a young woman fighting to build a fulfilling life against all odds, this is a gorgeously written debut by author Catherine Kurtz.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Catherine Kurtz
1 book28 followersCatherine Kurtz was born in Cambridge, was brought up in London and now lives in Kent. She completed an art foundation at Wimbledon School of Art before studying fine art at Chelsea School of Art. Upon graduating, Kurtz was made artist-in-residence at the Royal Ballet School. She is a painter represented by The Redfern Gallery, a member of the Guild of Food Writers, and grand jury member of the International Chocolate Awards. Her journalism has been published in a variety of publications including the Spectator’s Scoff, ckbk and Celebrated Living. In her fiction she explores the female experience, her mixed-race heritage and the power of creativity. She has an MA in creative writing from West Dean College and is currently working on her next exhibition and her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 3, 2026
Date Read: 1 July '26
⭐️2 | 🎧4
Random thoughts I had while reading the book (spoilers ahead):
> Loved the beginning - all the descriptions were great and the idea of almost supernatural sense of smell and taste was very promising.
> Gorgeous cover.
> I love the gothic dark tone of the book.
> We lost the plot completely after Minha starts working for the duke.
> Everything is very convenient in this story, even all the bad stuff.
> Oh, look at that. We get a random rape scene to speed the plot along 🙃
> The pacing is all over the place. We spent forever at the duke's house, then all of a sudden it's been 9 months and she's giving birth. Oops, nvm the boy is now a toddler.
> She names the child Frog... Let me clarify - she names her child Frog in a book that is set in France. I mean, considering all the jokes and insults I've heard about the French and frogs this is either really funny or really rude, and I have no idea which.
Overall:
I loved the tone of the whole book, all the descriptions and the beginning were great, but we go nowhere with the plot and it feels like it wasn't planned out at all. I wouldn’t have minded all that if we had a nice character exploration, but we only get Minha and she's just not written well imo.
⭐️2 | 🎧4
Random thoughts I had while reading the book (spoilers ahead):
> Loved the beginning - all the descriptions were great and the idea of almost supernatural sense of smell and taste was very promising.
> Gorgeous cover.
> I love the gothic dark tone of the book.
> We lost the plot completely after Minha starts working for the duke.
> Everything is very convenient in this story, even all the bad stuff.
> Oh, look at that. We get a random rape scene to speed the plot along 🙃
> The pacing is all over the place. We spent forever at the duke's house, then all of a sudden it's been 9 months and she's giving birth. Oops, nvm the boy is now a toddler.
> She names the child Frog... Let me clarify - she names her child Frog in a book that is set in France. I mean, considering all the jokes and insults I've heard about the French and frogs this is either really funny or really rude, and I have no idea which.
Overall:
I loved the tone of the whole book, all the descriptions and the beginning were great, but we go nowhere with the plot and it feels like it wasn't planned out at all. I wouldn’t have minded all that if we had a nice character exploration, but we only get Minha and she's just not written well imo.
2026
December 9, 2025📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
June 29, 2026
3.5/5
Thank you to Berkley, the author, and Netgalley for the gifted eARC and physical finished copy of the book!
A heartfelt novel, filled with poetic prose and vivid descriptions of decadent 19th century French food!
Told in Minha's (aka Min) third person POV, the story comes to us in two time frames - the before and after of a pivotal loss in seventeen year old Min's life. There is a dark atmosphere to the setting right from the start, which marks Min's arrival to a mysterious French chateau owned by a rich duke and filled with staff who dislike her colored appearance.
The book essentially revolves around Min and her journey as she gains employment as the duke's poison taster, owing to her extraordinary smell and taste capabilities. If I had to say, I'd classify this as a magical realism novel more than a fantasy since there is seemingly nothing extraordinary about the people and locations in the book. The plot does lag quite a bit in the middle, with most of the crucial aspects of Min's life occurring in the first or last parts. I felt Min's pain and anger several times in the story as she was betrayed over and over by people she trusted, and while I liked the neat ending as a way for the reader to gain a modicum of relief at the conclusion of her journey, I recognized that it had a fantastical element in itself.
As a woman of color, it's impossible not to read stories like these and come away with an internal feminine rage at what powerful men are able to get away with. As a reader, I could see how some might like this slow moving work while others may not find it as enjoyable. Recommended only if you don't mind single character focused stories that are essentially one woman's journey through life, with a revolving door of side characters.
cw: racism, sexual assault/rape, discrimination
Thank you to Berkley, the author, and Netgalley for the gifted eARC and physical finished copy of the book!
A heartfelt novel, filled with poetic prose and vivid descriptions of decadent 19th century French food!
Told in Minha's (aka Min) third person POV, the story comes to us in two time frames - the before and after of a pivotal loss in seventeen year old Min's life. There is a dark atmosphere to the setting right from the start, which marks Min's arrival to a mysterious French chateau owned by a rich duke and filled with staff who dislike her colored appearance.
The book essentially revolves around Min and her journey as she gains employment as the duke's poison taster, owing to her extraordinary smell and taste capabilities. If I had to say, I'd classify this as a magical realism novel more than a fantasy since there is seemingly nothing extraordinary about the people and locations in the book. The plot does lag quite a bit in the middle, with most of the crucial aspects of Min's life occurring in the first or last parts. I felt Min's pain and anger several times in the story as she was betrayed over and over by people she trusted, and while I liked the neat ending as a way for the reader to gain a modicum of relief at the conclusion of her journey, I recognized that it had a fantastical element in itself.
As a woman of color, it's impossible not to read stories like these and come away with an internal feminine rage at what powerful men are able to get away with. As a reader, I could see how some might like this slow moving work while others may not find it as enjoyable. Recommended only if you don't mind single character focused stories that are essentially one woman's journey through life, with a revolving door of side characters.
cw: racism, sexual assault/rape, discrimination
June 14, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC copy of Feast by Catherine Kurtz.
I originally chose this book because (1) the cover is stunning and immediately caught my attention as a self-proclaimed foodie and (2) the story was super intriguing. From the second I saw that our MC Minha was able to smell and taste all of the ingredients in a meal (including POISON) I thought the possibilities where this story could go were endless. Though the journey Catherine takes you on with Minha is quite unexpected, it was absolutely delightful (in a break your heart and make you sob kind of way). Minha’s story is one of hardship, one thing after another, and doesn’t let up, and it is also a story of resilience and strength, because she doesn’t let up either. Where she could’ve (and I so badly wanted her to) unleash her feminine rage, she chose distance, acceptance, and growth.
Now the food was its own character in this story opening you up to the different phases that a specific herb, fruit, and all has to go through before ending up in our kitchens and plates. What a fun way to think about and visualize the food. To me using this gift as a metaphor of her purpose and power… beautiful!
I originally chose this book because (1) the cover is stunning and immediately caught my attention as a self-proclaimed foodie and (2) the story was super intriguing. From the second I saw that our MC Minha was able to smell and taste all of the ingredients in a meal (including POISON) I thought the possibilities where this story could go were endless. Though the journey Catherine takes you on with Minha is quite unexpected, it was absolutely delightful (in a break your heart and make you sob kind of way). Minha’s story is one of hardship, one thing after another, and doesn’t let up, and it is also a story of resilience and strength, because she doesn’t let up either. Where she could’ve (and I so badly wanted her to) unleash her feminine rage, she chose distance, acceptance, and growth.
Now the food was its own character in this story opening you up to the different phases that a specific herb, fruit, and all has to go through before ending up in our kitchens and plates. What a fun way to think about and visualize the food. To me using this gift as a metaphor of her purpose and power… beautiful!
July 5, 2026
There was a lot to like about this speculative historical fiction novel. The premise immediately caught my attention, with a protagonist who has an extraordinary sense of taste, and the rich, vivid descriptions of food were a real highlight. I liked the first part of the book, when the focus was on Minha (the FMC) and her role as the poison taster. As the story went on though, it shifted in a different direction. The focus moved away from Minha’s unique ability and toward the realities of being a woman in the 19th century. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but it didn’t feel as original as the initial premise. It ended up reading like many other historical fiction novels with female protagonists, which made it the whole book less distinctive than I’d hoped.
Overall, it was a decent enough read, but I expected the original premise to play a much bigger role throughout the story.
Overall, it was a decent enough read, but I expected the original premise to play a much bigger role throughout the story.
June 13, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 This book had me at the description of potatoes on the back cover (Dr. Seuss could write a book about all the ways I would consume those golden nuggets of the earth). So prepare yourself with a good nourishing meal, and dive into this richly atmospheric journey back in time.
The spices and flavors of the late nineteenth century are an integral part of this tale, as Minha uses her sharp taste buds to rise from the bottom caste of London society to become the official poison tester for a chateau in France. Intrigue pours out of this beautiful and unique debut that uncovers a dark and deadly part of history that we don’t often think about.
📖 Book Review 📖 This book had me at the description of potatoes on the back cover (Dr. Seuss could write a book about all the ways I would consume those golden nuggets of the earth). So prepare yourself with a good nourishing meal, and dive into this richly atmospheric journey back in time.
The spices and flavors of the late nineteenth century are an integral part of this tale, as Minha uses her sharp taste buds to rise from the bottom caste of London society to become the official poison tester for a chateau in France. Intrigue pours out of this beautiful and unique debut that uncovers a dark and deadly part of history that we don’t often think about.
June 19, 2026
Not for me. I hate giving a poor review to a first time author but I really struggled with this book. It was marketed as an adult fairy tale, but it was pedestrian at best. I'm not a fantasy reader, but even I could recognize that there was no fantasy. The characters were totally flat, the writing itself, clearly a first attempt. The idea was interesting, and maybe this author has more intriguing ideas, but I think much more practice and editing is needed.
Read
June 24, 2026What drew me initially to this book was the sumptuous cover and very intriguing synopsis; I was expecting a feast for the senses, and I'm glad to say the author delivered in spades. Set in nineteenth-century France, Minha is a girl fleeing England after her grandfather's death who is blessed with a remarkable sense of taste and smell. She can not only detect exact ingredients in dishes but also the origins and even methods of preparation. When she finds work washing dishes at Château de Bellefalaise, she correctly detects rat poison in a duck dish to be served at a celebration for the Duc. After thwarting the possible assassination, Duc Nicholas employs her as his personal poison-taster. What stood out the most to me while reading was the sensory descriptions of the food, and the way roasted meats, rich sauces, ripe fruits and fresh herbs leapt off the page and made my mouth water. Another was the characterization of Minha, who's family life was filled with loneliness, survival and prejudice due to her mixed-race heritage. Her quiet resilience and acceptance of others despite their discrimination towards her kept me invested in her story, even in some of the darker moments (fyi check trigger warnings). The middle waned a bit for me, and the ending felt just a tad predictable and wrapped up too neatly with a bow, but still I appreciated sharing her journey as a reader. Recommended to those who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction with touches of vivid food descriptions and survival stories about multiracial outsiders navigating a harsh, restrictive society in search of belonging. Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2026
Book rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: identity, racism, food,
📖 Read if you like: The River Muse, Chocolat, Butter
Thank you @BerkleyPub this #gifted book. It was truly a feast for the senses.
#BerkleyPartner #BerkleyBookstgram
This was a feast for the senses. It was a sumptuous novel about food and flavour, where the culinary arts were given a touch of magical realism and taste was a central character. For Minha has the gift of remarkable senses. With one taste she can identify not only ingredients, but their origins, soil in which they were grown and how they were prepared. She can sense harmony and discover discord, as well as the bitter notes of poison.
Minha is the daughter of an Indian spice merchant traveling the seas and an English woman of the night. Often defined by the colour of her skin, Minha has known only rare bursts of kindness. As a child she follows her mother around London as she sells her company, but she is soon left to live with her grandparents in Kent. When her beloved grandfather passes and her grandmother scorns her very being, Minha decides to seek an adventure of her own in his homeland. When she unexpectedly lands the role of poison taster in a grand French chateau, Minha is thrust into a world of hostility and secrets. The nobility may be gilt in gold, but their servants are as sharp as knives and there are plenty of misdeeds and malcontent to go around.
The food descriptions were a delight to me, but the antagonism and growing hostility towards Minha was difficult to read as someone who shares her colouring though it was probably an accurate level of racism for the times. I liked Minha and her hope, but I found her to be too naive and conciliatory. I wanted her to stand up for herself and take action even if an endless array of bias does encourage one to quietly move through life. This is probably me projecting onto the character rather than a more fitting trait.
There was an underlying mystery with the Duc’s attempted poisoning, but this was not a primary point to the plot merely the reason for Minha’s presence that is until the end. The mystery man was obvious to me from the start and I was irked that Minha continuously self-sacrificed for this stranger who after months remained selfish and demanding. In a world where kindness was scarce I understand her initial attraction to him, but she eventually turned into a doormat that lead to horrible trauma. I found the progression frustratingly inevitable.
The pacing was slow in the middle with tone between the first and second half very different. A somewhat twisted fairytale made way for the Minha’s unraveling and story of survival. The descriptions of culinary creations were lyrical and kept me hooked with decadent descriptions and vivid imagery, but the greater plot meandered in a field of hostility and midnight visits to the stables. I appreciated the deeply human perspective of a mixed race woman trying desperately to find her place in a world that does not want her, but I was searching for more of a plot.
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: identity, racism, food,
📖 Read if you like: The River Muse, Chocolat, Butter
Thank you @BerkleyPub this #gifted book. It was truly a feast for the senses.
#BerkleyPartner #BerkleyBookstgram
This was a feast for the senses. It was a sumptuous novel about food and flavour, where the culinary arts were given a touch of magical realism and taste was a central character. For Minha has the gift of remarkable senses. With one taste she can identify not only ingredients, but their origins, soil in which they were grown and how they were prepared. She can sense harmony and discover discord, as well as the bitter notes of poison.
Minha is the daughter of an Indian spice merchant traveling the seas and an English woman of the night. Often defined by the colour of her skin, Minha has known only rare bursts of kindness. As a child she follows her mother around London as she sells her company, but she is soon left to live with her grandparents in Kent. When her beloved grandfather passes and her grandmother scorns her very being, Minha decides to seek an adventure of her own in his homeland. When she unexpectedly lands the role of poison taster in a grand French chateau, Minha is thrust into a world of hostility and secrets. The nobility may be gilt in gold, but their servants are as sharp as knives and there are plenty of misdeeds and malcontent to go around.
The food descriptions were a delight to me, but the antagonism and growing hostility towards Minha was difficult to read as someone who shares her colouring though it was probably an accurate level of racism for the times. I liked Minha and her hope, but I found her to be too naive and conciliatory. I wanted her to stand up for herself and take action even if an endless array of bias does encourage one to quietly move through life. This is probably me projecting onto the character rather than a more fitting trait.
There was an underlying mystery with the Duc’s attempted poisoning, but this was not a primary point to the plot merely the reason for Minha’s presence that is until the end. The mystery man was obvious to me from the start and I was irked that Minha continuously self-sacrificed for this stranger who after months remained selfish and demanding. In a world where kindness was scarce I understand her initial attraction to him, but she eventually turned into a doormat that lead to horrible trauma. I found the progression frustratingly inevitable.
The pacing was slow in the middle with tone between the first and second half very different. A somewhat twisted fairytale made way for the Minha’s unraveling and story of survival. The descriptions of culinary creations were lyrical and kept me hooked with decadent descriptions and vivid imagery, but the greater plot meandered in a field of hostility and midnight visits to the stables. I appreciated the deeply human perspective of a mixed race woman trying desperately to find her place in a world that does not want her, but I was searching for more of a plot.
June 8, 2026
Feast , a debut novel by Catherine Kurtz could not be more aptly named! Feast is truly a feast for the senses. Rich in voice, characters, and emotion, Feast propels the reader into the world of gourmand flavors, mixed-race judgmental attitudes, the harsh reality of never feeling wanted or belonging, and just how cruel a world can be to an outsider. Kurtz's novel Feast also envelopes the reader in the gift of the senses.
Minha, begins her life with the acute awareness of taste and smell. Her first memories are being born and smelling the yeasty bread aroma from the bakery her parents live above, and the subtle spices wafting from her father, an Indian spice merchant who sails the seas. She grows knowing an incredible palate, centered on her sense of smell and taste. She can identify not only the subtle notes of the food's spices and ingredients, but also the soil and sea it is grown nearby. For all the richness of her abilities, she lives a very starved emotional existence. Her mother works the London streets, taverns and clubs to grudgingly sustain Minha. Minha's father sailed out to sea soon after her birth, leaving her mother to exist as best as she can with a baby. As a small child, Minha's mother takes her to her Grandparents' home in Kent to stay, to keep her from the dangers of the streets. Her grandmother is prejudiced of her dark Indian skin, but she finds love and acceptance from her grandfather, Armand.
Armand's homeland is France and he tells Minha much about it. At his death, she escapes her grandmother's never ceasing cruelness to see the country her grandfather loved. She finds no acceptance there either. In fact she is more ostracized than ever and only finds employment as an odd circumstance arises. Her acute sense of smell detects poison in a duck dish to be served at a celebration of Duc Nicholas. She saves him and becomes his poison taster in residence.
So many obstacles to happiness and belonging assault Minha. Will she ever find love and belonging? Are there friendships to be had amongst the sadness?
I confess, I love to cook and bake. I would not say I have a ability to taste and identify many ingredients, but I do smell every spice and addition to my recipes. It helps me fully experience the joy I find in preparing foods. I was enchanted by Minha's unique gift of her palate. I reveled in her senses. When she felt joy, when she sensed danger, when she tasted fear and sadness. Kurtz created a complex character in Minha. She is a masterful storyteller with a wonderful gift of bringing her characters to life. As a reader, one loves them, hates them, and most of all becomes completely immersed in their world.
I am so thankful to Berkely Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced reader's copy of Feast by Catherine Kurtz, publishing TOMORROW!!!, June 9, 2026. Taste and see the talent of Catherine Kurtz, read Feast!
#Feast #NetGalley
Minha, begins her life with the acute awareness of taste and smell. Her first memories are being born and smelling the yeasty bread aroma from the bakery her parents live above, and the subtle spices wafting from her father, an Indian spice merchant who sails the seas. She grows knowing an incredible palate, centered on her sense of smell and taste. She can identify not only the subtle notes of the food's spices and ingredients, but also the soil and sea it is grown nearby. For all the richness of her abilities, she lives a very starved emotional existence. Her mother works the London streets, taverns and clubs to grudgingly sustain Minha. Minha's father sailed out to sea soon after her birth, leaving her mother to exist as best as she can with a baby. As a small child, Minha's mother takes her to her Grandparents' home in Kent to stay, to keep her from the dangers of the streets. Her grandmother is prejudiced of her dark Indian skin, but she finds love and acceptance from her grandfather, Armand.
Armand's homeland is France and he tells Minha much about it. At his death, she escapes her grandmother's never ceasing cruelness to see the country her grandfather loved. She finds no acceptance there either. In fact she is more ostracized than ever and only finds employment as an odd circumstance arises. Her acute sense of smell detects poison in a duck dish to be served at a celebration of Duc Nicholas. She saves him and becomes his poison taster in residence.
So many obstacles to happiness and belonging assault Minha. Will she ever find love and belonging? Are there friendships to be had amongst the sadness?
I confess, I love to cook and bake. I would not say I have a ability to taste and identify many ingredients, but I do smell every spice and addition to my recipes. It helps me fully experience the joy I find in preparing foods. I was enchanted by Minha's unique gift of her palate. I reveled in her senses. When she felt joy, when she sensed danger, when she tasted fear and sadness. Kurtz created a complex character in Minha. She is a masterful storyteller with a wonderful gift of bringing her characters to life. As a reader, one loves them, hates them, and most of all becomes completely immersed in their world.
I am so thankful to Berkely Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced reader's copy of Feast by Catherine Kurtz, publishing TOMORROW!!!, June 9, 2026. Taste and see the talent of Catherine Kurtz, read Feast!
#Feast #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Berkley and netgalley for this eARC
Sadly, I have to give this a 2/5.
It was just not for me and I was so disappointed in everything. The cover was giving dark romance vibes and the last line in the summary was “A thoroughly addictive novel about food, possession, race, love, and a young woman fighting to build a fulfilling life against all odds…” But it sadly was not addicting. And the line on the front of the book “indulge your senses”? I was not indulged. But if I had to read an aroma being described as a ‘fug’ one more time I was gonna scream.
The main character Minha just has things happen to her throughout the entire story, and the only thing she does is run away. I was honestly expecting a little bit of backbone and possibly a more “sophisticated” person, but she was just a scared girl who never stuck up for herself and was so dull, even with her descriptions of food and smell, that I was bored to tears. I would have rather read a story of her mother with this perfect palate power, because at least Judith would have used that power to idk become influential? Or been part of the sensuous, dark romance I expected it to be.
Honestly, it’s on me for having expectations. The story ended up being predictable, and almost parable- or fairy tale like in how every character fit into a fairy tale stereotype. Some were villains for the sake of being mean. Others were good and could do no wrong. And one guy was clearly a villain but Min couldn’t see it which leads to her downfall. Minha has a Very Bad Thing happen to her (which shouldn’t happen to anyone) and because of that she loses her sense of smell/taste and is cast out of the castle. Then, FIVE YEARS pass in the span of a chapter where she forages the forest and steals at night from a village and lives in a cave with her son Frog. Yes she named her son Frog and no one bats an eye at the name… I don’t want to give out too many spoilers, but she helps reveal the mystery poisoner, she returns to her grandparents’ home and suddenly…! I’m sure you can guess what happens in the safety of her grandparents’ home, that she now inherited since they were both dead.
IDK this was not the book for me. I don’t even have the words any more, I was just disappointed. Minha was such a cardboard cut out of a character, she had no depth, I couldn’t feel her emotions, and I didn’t even get a sense of the food she was tasting. She (and the book as a whole) just didn’t speak to me. I would’ve DNFd if this wasn’t an ARC, which I feel like I have the obligation to finish. But clearly based on the GR score and the glowing reviews there, people do like this book and story. Just not me.
Sadly, I have to give this a 2/5.
It was just not for me and I was so disappointed in everything. The cover was giving dark romance vibes and the last line in the summary was “A thoroughly addictive novel about food, possession, race, love, and a young woman fighting to build a fulfilling life against all odds…” But it sadly was not addicting. And the line on the front of the book “indulge your senses”? I was not indulged. But if I had to read an aroma being described as a ‘fug’ one more time I was gonna scream.
The main character Minha just has things happen to her throughout the entire story, and the only thing she does is run away. I was honestly expecting a little bit of backbone and possibly a more “sophisticated” person, but she was just a scared girl who never stuck up for herself and was so dull, even with her descriptions of food and smell, that I was bored to tears. I would have rather read a story of her mother with this perfect palate power, because at least Judith would have used that power to idk become influential? Or been part of the sensuous, dark romance I expected it to be.
Honestly, it’s on me for having expectations. The story ended up being predictable, and almost parable- or fairy tale like in how every character fit into a fairy tale stereotype. Some were villains for the sake of being mean. Others were good and could do no wrong. And one guy was clearly a villain but Min couldn’t see it which leads to her downfall. Minha has a Very Bad Thing happen to her (which shouldn’t happen to anyone) and because of that she loses her sense of smell/taste and is cast out of the castle. Then, FIVE YEARS pass in the span of a chapter where she forages the forest and steals at night from a village and lives in a cave with her son Frog. Yes she named her son Frog and no one bats an eye at the name… I don’t want to give out too many spoilers, but she helps reveal the mystery poisoner, she returns to her grandparents’ home and suddenly…! I’m sure you can guess what happens in the safety of her grandparents’ home, that she now inherited since they were both dead.
IDK this was not the book for me. I don’t even have the words any more, I was just disappointed. Minha was such a cardboard cut out of a character, she had no depth, I couldn’t feel her emotions, and I didn’t even get a sense of the food she was tasting. She (and the book as a whole) just didn’t speak to me. I would’ve DNFd if this wasn’t an ARC, which I feel like I have the obligation to finish. But clearly based on the GR score and the glowing reviews there, people do like this book and story. Just not me.
June 24, 2026
3.75 Stars <3 -------
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you so much to Goodreads and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own!
For starters, let me just say that I honestly really enjoyed this book. Usually, I read fantasy or romance stories, but this specific story had a pretty decent hold on my attention even as someone with ADHD. I actually found the writing style to be more elegant than other authors and full of imagery on every page. Kurtz really knows how to "show" and not just "tell". Every time a flavor came up within the story for the main character, Minha, the descriptions were so on par for each dish. As a foodie, this entire story made me salivate while reading. The author does an amazing job with details and I never really felt like the writing was lacking.
While I did enjoy reading, there were some aspects that ticked the stars down just a little bit. Firstly, I found that Minha's character needed to be a little less of a pushover in order to be a more interesting character for more readers. I did enjoy her as a person, don't get me wrong, but usually, as far as I know, readers like myself look for assertive protagonists that have a back-bone and stand up for themselves when faced with adversity. A character, in my opinion, does not need to be strong-willed throughout the entire book, but I would've liked to have seen Minha grow in her mind more and snap back at those who opposed her.
Another thing that threw me off guard was a huge time jump with little snippets of information in between. In order to keep from spoiling, I will not say much, other than the fact that I wished to see more of the adventures during the time skipped.
In the end, the story is great and did what it needed to do. There were moments where I felt happy, and moments that filled me with sadness or anger. The characters in this book are not that of fantasy (though the tags may say fantasy for some reason). They are, instead, people with real life flaws and personalities that you may relate to (or know of others who act the same). I found that this allowed me to connect more to characters, especially Minha.
PS: I am not sure if the story mentioned it enough to harm anyone is a similar circumstance as me, but there is definitely a place for a trigger warning (SA). So to those who have been affected, just be aware its a slight mention!
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you so much to Goodreads and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own!
For starters, let me just say that I honestly really enjoyed this book. Usually, I read fantasy or romance stories, but this specific story had a pretty decent hold on my attention even as someone with ADHD. I actually found the writing style to be more elegant than other authors and full of imagery on every page. Kurtz really knows how to "show" and not just "tell". Every time a flavor came up within the story for the main character, Minha, the descriptions were so on par for each dish. As a foodie, this entire story made me salivate while reading. The author does an amazing job with details and I never really felt like the writing was lacking.
While I did enjoy reading, there were some aspects that ticked the stars down just a little bit. Firstly, I found that Minha's character needed to be a little less of a pushover in order to be a more interesting character for more readers. I did enjoy her as a person, don't get me wrong, but usually, as far as I know, readers like myself look for assertive protagonists that have a back-bone and stand up for themselves when faced with adversity. A character, in my opinion, does not need to be strong-willed throughout the entire book, but I would've liked to have seen Minha grow in her mind more and snap back at those who opposed her.
Another thing that threw me off guard was a huge time jump with little snippets of information in between. In order to keep from spoiling, I will not say much, other than the fact that I wished to see more of the adventures during the time skipped.
In the end, the story is great and did what it needed to do. There were moments where I felt happy, and moments that filled me with sadness or anger. The characters in this book are not that of fantasy (though the tags may say fantasy for some reason). They are, instead, people with real life flaws and personalities that you may relate to (or know of others who act the same). I found that this allowed me to connect more to characters, especially Minha.
PS: I am not sure if the story mentioned it enough to harm anyone is a similar circumstance as me, but there is definitely a place for a trigger warning (SA). So to those who have been affected, just be aware its a slight mention!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Catherine Kurtz, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC.
This book's title embodies the way it is written--this is a literary feast for anyone who loves lyrical, descriptive, immersive experiences in their reading and this one provides that in spades. The FMC, Minha, experiences the world through her exceptional sense of taste and smell and the author's description of Minha's experiences with food and drink immerse the reader in them with her. I enjoyed this from the book. However, the book was at times hard to read because it felt like Minha could never catch a break and was constantly experiencing shame, discrimination, disdain, and suffering and could not find any positive experiences for herself in the time she was in France. Between being shunned because she is a foreigner and a brown woman, to being resented because--as the duc's poison tester--she gets to taste all the culinary delicacies that were denied to other household staff, to being brutally taken advantage of by a person she sought to help and bring back from the brink of starvation, the hits just seemed to keep on coming for Minha. You really just wanted to see Minha get a win somewhere. And I personally wanted to see Minha stand up for herself, but you never really get that; not even at the end, when she is trying to take a stand, her friend, Camille, is really the one that puts everything on the table on Minha's behalf.
The story was intriguing and, contrary to other reviewers' opinions, I did not think that the resolution was altogether too fast. However, I do wish that the confrontation with the duc and Alexandre had been slightly more dramatic and that you were able to see Alexandre bear out the consequences of his actions. This book is darker than I was expecting so I would take care in picking it up if you are sensitive to child neglect and sexual assault. Overall, I think this is definitely an interesting read and something outside of my typical genre since this is mainly a piece of historical fiction with no romance guiding or underlying it. If you're looking for something outside your comfort zone and something a little different, Feast is a great book to check those boxes. I would recommend to friends. Four stars from me.
This book's title embodies the way it is written--this is a literary feast for anyone who loves lyrical, descriptive, immersive experiences in their reading and this one provides that in spades. The FMC, Minha, experiences the world through her exceptional sense of taste and smell and the author's description of Minha's experiences with food and drink immerse the reader in them with her. I enjoyed this from the book. However, the book was at times hard to read because it felt like Minha could never catch a break and was constantly experiencing shame, discrimination, disdain, and suffering and could not find any positive experiences for herself in the time she was in France. Between being shunned because she is a foreigner and a brown woman, to being resented because--as the duc's poison tester--she gets to taste all the culinary delicacies that were denied to other household staff, to being brutally taken advantage of by a person she sought to help and bring back from the brink of starvation, the hits just seemed to keep on coming for Minha. You really just wanted to see Minha get a win somewhere. And I personally wanted to see Minha stand up for herself, but you never really get that; not even at the end, when she is trying to take a stand, her friend, Camille, is really the one that puts everything on the table on Minha's behalf.
The story was intriguing and, contrary to other reviewers' opinions, I did not think that the resolution was altogether too fast. However, I do wish that the confrontation with the duc and Alexandre had been slightly more dramatic and that you were able to see Alexandre bear out the consequences of his actions. This book is darker than I was expecting so I would take care in picking it up if you are sensitive to child neglect and sexual assault. Overall, I think this is definitely an interesting read and something outside of my typical genre since this is mainly a piece of historical fiction with no romance guiding or underlying it. If you're looking for something outside your comfort zone and something a little different, Feast is a great book to check those boxes. I would recommend to friends. Four stars from me.
June 17, 2026
I received a copy of Feast from the publisher, but all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Feast is the debut novel from artist and author Catherine Kurtz. And while we’re often told never to judge a book by its cover, this is one exception- because the cover is absolutely stunning. Featuring Catherine’s own artwork, it’s a book that is as beautiful on the outside as it is within and deserves a place on any bookshelf.
Set in the late nineteenth century, Feast follows Minha, a young girl of mixed heritage whose extraordinary sense of taste and smell changes the course of her life. After correctly identifying poison in a wealthy duc’s food, she is recruited as his poison taster, thrusting her into a world of privilege, danger, and intrigue.
At its heart, this is a story about otherness. Minha faces prejudice because of her darker skin, but also because of the remarkable abilities that make her different from those around her. While Minha is undoubtedly the central character, food itself feels like a protagonist in its own right. Kurtz’s descriptions of elaborate feasts, flavours, and aromas are wonderfully evocative, creating a richly sensory reading experience. The writing is drenched in atmosphere and immerses the reader completely in the world of the château.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. As a foodie, I especially loved the detailed descriptions of food and scent, which brought every scene vividly to life. The plot itself is relatively straightforward. I’ve seen Feast described as a thriller, and while I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as one, there is a steady sense of tension that runs throughout the story.
What I loved most was watching Minha grow in confidence and strength as she came to understand her identity. Even when she loses the very thing that sets her apart, and makes others fear her, she learns to draw power from her differences rather than hide from them. Her journey was compelling and deeply satisfying to follow.
If you enjoy beautifully descriptive writing and immersive historical fiction, I would wholeheartedly recommend Feast. Catherine Kurtz is a talent to watch. Her lyrical style and atmospheric storytelling reminded me of writers such as Maggie O’Farrell and Jessie Burton, and I look forward to seeing what she writes next.
Feast is the debut novel from artist and author Catherine Kurtz. And while we’re often told never to judge a book by its cover, this is one exception- because the cover is absolutely stunning. Featuring Catherine’s own artwork, it’s a book that is as beautiful on the outside as it is within and deserves a place on any bookshelf.
Set in the late nineteenth century, Feast follows Minha, a young girl of mixed heritage whose extraordinary sense of taste and smell changes the course of her life. After correctly identifying poison in a wealthy duc’s food, she is recruited as his poison taster, thrusting her into a world of privilege, danger, and intrigue.
At its heart, this is a story about otherness. Minha faces prejudice because of her darker skin, but also because of the remarkable abilities that make her different from those around her. While Minha is undoubtedly the central character, food itself feels like a protagonist in its own right. Kurtz’s descriptions of elaborate feasts, flavours, and aromas are wonderfully evocative, creating a richly sensory reading experience. The writing is drenched in atmosphere and immerses the reader completely in the world of the château.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. As a foodie, I especially loved the detailed descriptions of food and scent, which brought every scene vividly to life. The plot itself is relatively straightforward. I’ve seen Feast described as a thriller, and while I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as one, there is a steady sense of tension that runs throughout the story.
What I loved most was watching Minha grow in confidence and strength as she came to understand her identity. Even when she loses the very thing that sets her apart, and makes others fear her, she learns to draw power from her differences rather than hide from them. Her journey was compelling and deeply satisfying to follow.
If you enjoy beautifully descriptive writing and immersive historical fiction, I would wholeheartedly recommend Feast. Catherine Kurtz is a talent to watch. Her lyrical style and atmospheric storytelling reminded me of writers such as Maggie O’Farrell and Jessie Burton, and I look forward to seeing what she writes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Feast by Catherine Kurtz is a lush, atmospheric historical novel that feels equal parts gothic fairy tale and sensory experience. Set in late nineteenth-century France, the story follows Minha, a young mixed-race woman gifted with an extraordinary sense of taste and smell. After fleeing England following the death of her beloved grandfather, she unexpectedly finds herself employed as the poison taster for Duc Nicolas after detecting poison in one of his elaborate banquet dishes.
What stood out most to me was Kurtz’s writing. The descriptions of food, spices, gardens, kitchens, and countryside were absolutely intoxicating. You can practically smell the roasting meats, rich sauces, and fresh herbs wafting off the page. The sensory detail made the novel feel immersive in a way that very few books achieve.
Minha herself was easy to root for. Her life is filled with loneliness, prejudice, and survival, and the novel doesn’t shy away from how isolating it is to exist between worlds — too “other” for the aristocracy, but never fully accepted anywhere else either. There’s a quiet resilience to her character that kept me invested throughout, even during some of the story’s darker moments.
The book does take a much heavier turn than I initially expected, so I would definitely recommend checking content warnings beforehand. While I loved the haunting, fairytale quality of the story, parts of the second half felt a little rushed compared to the beautifully developed beginning. Still, the atmosphere, writing, and originality easily carried the story for me.
If you enjoy historical fiction with touches of magical realism, richly detailed food writing, gothic undertones, and stories about outsiders searching for belonging, Feast is absolutely worth picking up.
Feast by Catherine Kurtz is a lush, atmospheric historical novel that feels equal parts gothic fairy tale and sensory experience. Set in late nineteenth-century France, the story follows Minha, a young mixed-race woman gifted with an extraordinary sense of taste and smell. After fleeing England following the death of her beloved grandfather, she unexpectedly finds herself employed as the poison taster for Duc Nicolas after detecting poison in one of his elaborate banquet dishes.
What stood out most to me was Kurtz’s writing. The descriptions of food, spices, gardens, kitchens, and countryside were absolutely intoxicating. You can practically smell the roasting meats, rich sauces, and fresh herbs wafting off the page. The sensory detail made the novel feel immersive in a way that very few books achieve.
Minha herself was easy to root for. Her life is filled with loneliness, prejudice, and survival, and the novel doesn’t shy away from how isolating it is to exist between worlds — too “other” for the aristocracy, but never fully accepted anywhere else either. There’s a quiet resilience to her character that kept me invested throughout, even during some of the story’s darker moments.
The book does take a much heavier turn than I initially expected, so I would definitely recommend checking content warnings beforehand. While I loved the haunting, fairytale quality of the story, parts of the second half felt a little rushed compared to the beautifully developed beginning. Still, the atmosphere, writing, and originality easily carried the story for me.
If you enjoy historical fiction with touches of magical realism, richly detailed food writing, gothic undertones, and stories about outsiders searching for belonging, Feast is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy
"But as each new tune struck up, there was a burst of new rhythm, new response, new joy at the business of being alive."
I'm torn about my rating...I am closer to 4 than 3, but not quite. It took me awhile to get into #feast, but I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. Such great writing, with luscious descriptions of food. Our main character Minha has an overwhelming ability to taste and sense food and is forced into being a poison-taster for Duc Nicolas, so while we get those descriptions, we also experience her senses of distaste and disgust at the overly seasoned food (and having to eat SO much of it!). She is a runaway, and although she finds shelter at the Duc's estate, she also finds resentment and dislike from the estate's chef and laundress, who are both cruel unhappy people.
But this is only part of Minha's story. We are taken back to her early childhood, when her mother mostly resents her, too. Minha goes to live with her grandparents, and while her grandfather is kind and loving, her grandmother is not. She runs away from that home, too.
Many things happen to Minha along the way, and she is a sad character. I enjoyed some parts of her story more than others, and although there are a few too many coincidences (some predictable, some not), I found myself thinking of her once I finished the book. I appreciated sharing her journey. To sum, I found the writing really good, but think the book could use some editing. I also found a few plot points to be a bit contrived.
Thanks to @bookbrowse First Impressions program and @netgalley for the advance copy. Much appreciated!
I'm torn about my rating...I am closer to 4 than 3, but not quite. It took me awhile to get into #feast, but I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. Such great writing, with luscious descriptions of food. Our main character Minha has an overwhelming ability to taste and sense food and is forced into being a poison-taster for Duc Nicolas, so while we get those descriptions, we also experience her senses of distaste and disgust at the overly seasoned food (and having to eat SO much of it!). She is a runaway, and although she finds shelter at the Duc's estate, she also finds resentment and dislike from the estate's chef and laundress, who are both cruel unhappy people.
But this is only part of Minha's story. We are taken back to her early childhood, when her mother mostly resents her, too. Minha goes to live with her grandparents, and while her grandfather is kind and loving, her grandmother is not. She runs away from that home, too.
Many things happen to Minha along the way, and she is a sad character. I enjoyed some parts of her story more than others, and although there are a few too many coincidences (some predictable, some not), I found myself thinking of her once I finished the book. I appreciated sharing her journey. To sum, I found the writing really good, but think the book could use some editing. I also found a few plot points to be a bit contrived.
Thanks to @bookbrowse First Impressions program and @netgalley for the advance copy. Much appreciated!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you love detailed descriptions of food then you will absolutely adore Feast. My advice would be to savour it over as long a reading period as you can and treat every description of a meal as if you really were eating the food described.
I read a lot of historical fiction and despite the dates at the top of each chapter, I would say this is really set in the time of the great fairy tales. If I had to think of one author whose work this connotes to me it would be Charles Perrault, the inventor of the fairy tale in Europe. Minha’s London is not the London of the 1880s and her rural France is not that of the turn of the 19th into the 20th centuries. I cannot speak to Kent - it’s not a county I know well.
But this isn’t a weakness - it’s a strength. It allows Kurtz to delve into the abuse of her main character in a way that is believable but remote enough that although Minha is clearly overwhelmed, we the readers are not. Minha is not Tess of the D’Urbervilles. She is one of those young women in fairy tales whose kindness is paid back by monstrous and mindless violence and who, because of the reassurance we have from the fairy tale world she inhabits and with which we are so used to processing evil, we know is going to be OK. More than that, our experience of the fairy tale genre lets us know that Minha is going to mature from abused heroine into wise old crone, dispensing wisdom and kindness from her garden.
Trigger warnings for violence, sexual violence and trauma. But if you can read Perrault’s Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty, you can read Feast.
In three words: fairytale heroine survives
I read a lot of historical fiction and despite the dates at the top of each chapter, I would say this is really set in the time of the great fairy tales. If I had to think of one author whose work this connotes to me it would be Charles Perrault, the inventor of the fairy tale in Europe. Minha’s London is not the London of the 1880s and her rural France is not that of the turn of the 19th into the 20th centuries. I cannot speak to Kent - it’s not a county I know well.
But this isn’t a weakness - it’s a strength. It allows Kurtz to delve into the abuse of her main character in a way that is believable but remote enough that although Minha is clearly overwhelmed, we the readers are not. Minha is not Tess of the D’Urbervilles. She is one of those young women in fairy tales whose kindness is paid back by monstrous and mindless violence and who, because of the reassurance we have from the fairy tale world she inhabits and with which we are so used to processing evil, we know is going to be OK. More than that, our experience of the fairy tale genre lets us know that Minha is going to mature from abused heroine into wise old crone, dispensing wisdom and kindness from her garden.
Trigger warnings for violence, sexual violence and trauma. But if you can read Perrault’s Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty, you can read Feast.
In three words: fairytale heroine survives
June 22, 2026
Feast by Catherine Kurtz is a richly atmospheric historical fantasy novel that blends mystery, sensory wonder, and dark fairytale elements into a captivating story of survival, identity, and transformation.
One of the novel’s most remarkable strengths is its unique central concept. Minha’s extraordinary ability to experience flavors with impossible depth creates a fascinating foundation for the story, transforming taste into both a gift and a burden that shapes every aspect of her life.
The historical setting of 19th-century London and France is beautifully immersive. From the poverty of London’s soot-covered streets to the elegance and secrecy of Château de Bellefalaise, the novel creates a vivid contrast between hardship and luxury.
Minha’s journey as the Duc’s personal poison-taster introduces a compelling atmosphere of danger and intrigue. The connection between food and power becomes increasingly complex as every meal carries the possibility of both beauty and betrayal.
The novel also explores deeper themes of identity and self-worth. When Minha loses the ability that defined her, she is forced to question who she is beyond her extraordinary talent and discover the strength that remains within her.
With its blend of historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, and literary storytelling, Feast offers a distinctive reading experience for those who enjoy dark fairytales, atmospheric worlds, and character-driven narratives.
For readers who enjoy historical fantasy, culinary fiction, gothic-inspired settings, and stories about resilience and transformation, Feast delivers a memorable and enchanting journey.
One of the novel’s most remarkable strengths is its unique central concept. Minha’s extraordinary ability to experience flavors with impossible depth creates a fascinating foundation for the story, transforming taste into both a gift and a burden that shapes every aspect of her life.
The historical setting of 19th-century London and France is beautifully immersive. From the poverty of London’s soot-covered streets to the elegance and secrecy of Château de Bellefalaise, the novel creates a vivid contrast between hardship and luxury.
Minha’s journey as the Duc’s personal poison-taster introduces a compelling atmosphere of danger and intrigue. The connection between food and power becomes increasingly complex as every meal carries the possibility of both beauty and betrayal.
The novel also explores deeper themes of identity and self-worth. When Minha loses the ability that defined her, she is forced to question who she is beyond her extraordinary talent and discover the strength that remains within her.
With its blend of historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, and literary storytelling, Feast offers a distinctive reading experience for those who enjoy dark fairytales, atmospheric worlds, and character-driven narratives.
For readers who enjoy historical fantasy, culinary fiction, gothic-inspired settings, and stories about resilience and transformation, Feast delivers a memorable and enchanting journey.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Berkley Publishing and NetGalley, for sending me an e-ARC of Feast! All thoughts expressed in this review reflect only my honest opinion.
I've always loved fairy tales - I love the magic and the romance and the comforting notion that good always conquers evil. When I received an email inviting me to read and review Catherine Kurtz's upcoming novel, Feast, the premise intrigued me and its description as a "dark fairy tale" sold me. I requested it on NetGalley and began reading it promptly!
Perhaps I should have paid a bit more attention to the qualifier "dark" - while this historical fiction/magical realism hybrid does have some fairy tale elements, it was much darker than I expected. Readers sensitive to plots centering on sexual assault should read this story with caution. As a reader who loves happy endings, what motivates me to keep reading unhappy storylines is hope that things will get better. Somewhere around the 60% mark on my Kindle, I remember feeling like poor Minha's story was totally hopeless and wondering if we would ever see a light at the end of the tunnel.
And that's about when the key element of fairy tales began to kick in - because in fairy tales (and any story worth reading, IMO), good always conquers evil. Slowly but surely, a spark of hope began to flicker in Minha's tale. I absolutely love the way that this hope enters the story. The way that Minha learns to stand up for herself confidently and take control of her life is so beautiful. I loved the ending of this story and I'm so glad I stuck through the more tragic parts, because they made the happy ending all the more bright.
Feast is unlike any book I've read, and if you are a historical fiction fan who loves food and a touch of magic, I think you'll like reading this one. Catherine Kurtz has a beautiful talent for captivating writing and this is a story that I think will sit with me for a while.
I've always loved fairy tales - I love the magic and the romance and the comforting notion that good always conquers evil. When I received an email inviting me to read and review Catherine Kurtz's upcoming novel, Feast, the premise intrigued me and its description as a "dark fairy tale" sold me. I requested it on NetGalley and began reading it promptly!
Perhaps I should have paid a bit more attention to the qualifier "dark" - while this historical fiction/magical realism hybrid does have some fairy tale elements, it was much darker than I expected. Readers sensitive to plots centering on sexual assault should read this story with caution. As a reader who loves happy endings, what motivates me to keep reading unhappy storylines is hope that things will get better. Somewhere around the 60% mark on my Kindle, I remember feeling like poor Minha's story was totally hopeless and wondering if we would ever see a light at the end of the tunnel.
And that's about when the key element of fairy tales began to kick in - because in fairy tales (and any story worth reading, IMO), good always conquers evil. Slowly but surely, a spark of hope began to flicker in Minha's tale. I absolutely love the way that this hope enters the story. The way that Minha learns to stand up for herself confidently and take control of her life is so beautiful. I loved the ending of this story and I'm so glad I stuck through the more tragic parts, because they made the happy ending all the more bright.
Feast is unlike any book I've read, and if you are a historical fiction fan who loves food and a touch of magic, I think you'll like reading this one. Catherine Kurtz has a beautiful talent for captivating writing and this is a story that I think will sit with me for a while.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Feast is one of those novels that quietly pulls you in and then surrounds you completely. Catherine Kurtz takes a premise that could have felt whimsical—a girl who can taste everything, down to the soil a potato grew in—and turns it into something haunting, intimate, and surprisingly moving.
Minha is a wonderfully compelling heroine: sharp, observant, and achingly human. Her extraordinary gift is both her escape and her prison, and the novel explores that tension with real tenderness. I loved the contrast between the grimy alleys of London and the opulent, secret‑laden halls of Château de Bellefalaise; the setting feels almost fairytale‑like, but with a dark undercurrent that keeps the pages turning.
The sensory writing is a standout. Kurtz doesn’t just describe taste—she immerses you in it. Every dish Minha samples becomes a doorway into someone’s life, their intentions, their history. It’s clever, atmospheric, and often unsettling in the best way.
As Minha’s gift falters, the story deepens into a thoughtful exploration of identity and survival. Who is she without the ability that has defined her entire existence? The emotional stakes rise quietly but powerfully, and I found myself rooting for her all the way through.
A sumptuous, shadowy, and original historical novel—perfect for readers who enjoy a touch of magic woven through rich period detail. I devoured it.
My thanks to Catherine Kurtz, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Minha is a wonderfully compelling heroine: sharp, observant, and achingly human. Her extraordinary gift is both her escape and her prison, and the novel explores that tension with real tenderness. I loved the contrast between the grimy alleys of London and the opulent, secret‑laden halls of Château de Bellefalaise; the setting feels almost fairytale‑like, but with a dark undercurrent that keeps the pages turning.
The sensory writing is a standout. Kurtz doesn’t just describe taste—she immerses you in it. Every dish Minha samples becomes a doorway into someone’s life, their intentions, their history. It’s clever, atmospheric, and often unsettling in the best way.
As Minha’s gift falters, the story deepens into a thoughtful exploration of identity and survival. Who is she without the ability that has defined her entire existence? The emotional stakes rise quietly but powerfully, and I found myself rooting for her all the way through.
A sumptuous, shadowy, and original historical novel—perfect for readers who enjoy a touch of magic woven through rich period detail. I devoured it.
My thanks to Catherine Kurtz, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Indeed as the title reveals, this is a feast both of food and words. Not only is the cover inviting, the story itself is a sweet, inviting tale of a girl who finds a place for herself where it always was.
Minha or “Min,” a dark-skinned girl growing up in late 19th C London whose father was an Indian merchant and her mother who as a daughter of the working class went to the big city to find her way. Because of Minha’s skin color she is rejected by many but she has a special talent - the gift of scent! Like her mother, after being sent to her grandparents who live as servants on a grand estate, Min journeys to France where her extraordinary scent causes her to detect poison and she becomes a food taster to the “duc.” It’s difficult to write a synopsis without giving this precious story away, suffice it to say Min is a girl looking for acceptance, friendship and love. After being brutally betrayed she eventually finds all three.
Minha is such a special character: open, accepting and forgiving. Her extraordinary gift of scent makes this delightfully written book a “feast” of scents, spices, food that can at times make one salivate! The writing is so very poignant. Minha’s story is also one of discrimination and you feel for her plight but because she’s a kind soul, others less bigoted show her warmth. Indeed Minha doesn’t realize at times how many lives she’s touched.
I liked how the book ended. While I would have preferred a Cinderella kind of ending, the one that happened is in keeping with Minha’s character.
I’d like to thank NetGalley/BookBrowse and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me to read this fine ARC.
Minha or “Min,” a dark-skinned girl growing up in late 19th C London whose father was an Indian merchant and her mother who as a daughter of the working class went to the big city to find her way. Because of Minha’s skin color she is rejected by many but she has a special talent - the gift of scent! Like her mother, after being sent to her grandparents who live as servants on a grand estate, Min journeys to France where her extraordinary scent causes her to detect poison and she becomes a food taster to the “duc.” It’s difficult to write a synopsis without giving this precious story away, suffice it to say Min is a girl looking for acceptance, friendship and love. After being brutally betrayed she eventually finds all three.
Minha is such a special character: open, accepting and forgiving. Her extraordinary gift of scent makes this delightfully written book a “feast” of scents, spices, food that can at times make one salivate! The writing is so very poignant. Minha’s story is also one of discrimination and you feel for her plight but because she’s a kind soul, others less bigoted show her warmth. Indeed Minha doesn’t realize at times how many lives she’s touched.
I liked how the book ended. While I would have preferred a Cinderella kind of ending, the one that happened is in keeping with Minha’s character.
I’d like to thank NetGalley/BookBrowse and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me to read this fine ARC.
March 31, 2026
Minha was born with the ability to taste and smell deeply, so deeply in fact, that she can taste where a food has been grown. Her sense of smell is so powerful that she can smell all of the ingredients in a dish. And the very thing that she is so good at becomes the thing that turns her life upside down.
Her father was a sailor and left Minha and her mother shortly after Minha was born. Her mother eventually took Minha to her grandparents home and left her there. Minha grew very close to her grandfather who was the only person in her life that really loved her. Her grandmother never seemed to care much for the girl. So, after her grandfather died Minha left as a stowaway on a boat heading for France.
Once in France she went to work helping Duc Nicolas’ family prepare for a party. Her powerful sense of smell detected poison in a duck prepared for the Duc. She saved the Duc from death and he hired her as a poison taster. She was grateful for the job but there were others in the Duc’s household that resented her. Then she met a poor starving man living near the stables and nursed him back to health by bringing him food from the Duc’s household.
It seems Minha was always helping others, but no one ever seemed to care about her. The very people she helped were the ones that treated her the worst. Just when she starts believing she has finally found her place in the world, she is brutally abused and betrayed.
Her father was a sailor and left Minha and her mother shortly after Minha was born. Her mother eventually took Minha to her grandparents home and left her there. Minha grew very close to her grandfather who was the only person in her life that really loved her. Her grandmother never seemed to care much for the girl. So, after her grandfather died Minha left as a stowaway on a boat heading for France.
Once in France she went to work helping Duc Nicolas’ family prepare for a party. Her powerful sense of smell detected poison in a duck prepared for the Duc. She saved the Duc from death and he hired her as a poison taster. She was grateful for the job but there were others in the Duc’s household that resented her. Then she met a poor starving man living near the stables and nursed him back to health by bringing him food from the Duc’s household.
It seems Minha was always helping others, but no one ever seemed to care about her. The very people she helped were the ones that treated her the worst. Just when she starts believing she has finally found her place in the world, she is brutally abused and betrayed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Minha is a young woman in the late 1800's, with a special gift. The daughter of a prostitute and Indian spice merchant, she is initially raised in London by her mother until she is of an age where she can no longer be hidden; she is brought to her grandparents' house outside of London. It is not an easy existence being of darker skin, but she shares a special relationship with her grandfather, who exposes her to his garden. Because of him and his teachings, she discovers her gift of taste. She can smell individual ingredients and her time with him is almost idyllic, until her grandfather passes. Immediately upn his death, she feels rejected by her grandmother and feels forced to leave, eventually making her way to France.
While in France, she finds her way into a household where she becomes the official poison taster for the duc of a Chateau; still ostracized by the household staff, she finds peace in the stables where she stumbles upon a man who she helps nurse to health. Given all her struggles so far, it seems too good to be true that she starts having feelings for this man that seem could be reciprocated. And things are not good, as Minha's troubles get worse.
I won't go further into the plot, which takes us through twists and turns, with the timeline accelerating from months to years in a few chapters. The book started out strong for me, but then it moved quickly into many plot twists; initially I enjoyed the great description of the food and tastes. But then it seems that plot elements are thrown in, rather than allowing the reader to enjoy more sensory aspects. The special focus on taste was what drew me to the book to begin with.
This is a 2.5 up to a 3 star rating for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing group for an ARC in exchange for a book review.
While in France, she finds her way into a household where she becomes the official poison taster for the duc of a Chateau; still ostracized by the household staff, she finds peace in the stables where she stumbles upon a man who she helps nurse to health. Given all her struggles so far, it seems too good to be true that she starts having feelings for this man that seem could be reciprocated. And things are not good, as Minha's troubles get worse.
I won't go further into the plot, which takes us through twists and turns, with the timeline accelerating from months to years in a few chapters. The book started out strong for me, but then it moved quickly into many plot twists; initially I enjoyed the great description of the food and tastes. But then it seems that plot elements are thrown in, rather than allowing the reader to enjoy more sensory aspects. The special focus on taste was what drew me to the book to begin with.
This is a 2.5 up to a 3 star rating for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing group for an ARC in exchange for a book review.
July 1, 2026
My heart kept breaking for Minha! She is a most wonderful young woman who had such terrible things happen but even at the most darkest, she still tried to help others in need (even when I was yelling that a certain character did not deserve it!) and found the silver lining in all the bad things.
I will admit, I was drawn to this book due to the little blurb that Minha was blessed to be able to taste every flavor, where it was grown, and even if there was poison in it. Now that is an amazing power! And I really enjoyed the descriptions of the food when she was the food taster (though it was balanced by the horribleness of the situation as people were very anti mixed race and looked down on her, trying to get her dismissed). This was definitely a realistic historical fiction tale and not fantasy, despite her gift. I think it was more like a sensitivity, especially with what happens later. It was an interesting and heartbreaking slice of life for one with Minha's background and what it could be like living in France and England and how little power she had, but still fought hard for her rights and happiness.
I think it was well done for a debut and I would recommend it if you like sumptuous food descriptions plus a look at a time in history of what it would be like to be like Minha, yet still remain positive and find a happy ending despite all she goes through. Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this.
I will admit, I was drawn to this book due to the little blurb that Minha was blessed to be able to taste every flavor, where it was grown, and even if there was poison in it. Now that is an amazing power! And I really enjoyed the descriptions of the food when she was the food taster (though it was balanced by the horribleness of the situation as people were very anti mixed race and looked down on her, trying to get her dismissed). This was definitely a realistic historical fiction tale and not fantasy, despite her gift. I think it was more like a sensitivity, especially with what happens later. It was an interesting and heartbreaking slice of life for one with Minha's background and what it could be like living in France and England and how little power she had, but still fought hard for her rights and happiness.
I think it was well done for a debut and I would recommend it if you like sumptuous food descriptions plus a look at a time in history of what it would be like to be like Minha, yet still remain positive and find a happy ending despite all she goes through. Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this.
July 14, 2026
Situated in both France and England, this tale certainly grips your heart on certain points while following the life of Minha. Cursed in that time with roots from her Indian sailor dad, I couldn’t stop pretending how beautiful she would be with the eye of present day. I constantly envisioned Simone Ashley from Bridgerton, dressed in tatters. Still the most beautiful woman on earth.
Anyways, that’s how I envisioned Minha while she was horribly treated by almost anyone she came across. Purely because of her skin color. These constant jabs on this poor girl really made me sick. I loved the people who treated her with kindness, who were able to see the person she was underneath.
The descriptions of taste and flavor were sometimes quite jumbled for me. I got the point it made; the details with which she was able to taste, but the whole first half of the book was quite overwhelming with it and thus underwhelming for me.
I couldn’t handle the pure cruelty with which she was treated by several characters, without any of them getting repercussions on the page. The heartbreak, cruelty and rape she goes through thanks to that monster Alexandre with all of its results literally made me gasp and hold my heart.
I’m happy with how the story ended for Minha and Frog. Money can’t buy happiness (I wanted Frog actually to become duc at first) and I’m happy they found peace in her old home.
Read as part of Ladies Who Lit Bookclub, book of July
Anyways, that’s how I envisioned Minha while she was horribly treated by almost anyone she came across. Purely because of her skin color. These constant jabs on this poor girl really made me sick. I loved the people who treated her with kindness, who were able to see the person she was underneath.
The descriptions of taste and flavor were sometimes quite jumbled for me. I got the point it made; the details with which she was able to taste, but the whole first half of the book was quite overwhelming with it and thus underwhelming for me.
I couldn’t handle the pure cruelty with which she was treated by several characters, without any of them getting repercussions on the page. The heartbreak, cruelty and rape she goes through thanks to that monster Alexandre with all of its results literally made me gasp and hold my heart.
I’m happy with how the story ended for Minha and Frog. Money can’t buy happiness (I wanted Frog actually to become duc at first) and I’m happy they found peace in her old home.
Read as part of Ladies Who Lit Bookclub, book of July
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Get your taste buds ready for a delicious serving of historical fiction, a touch of magical realism, and what home really means. In this novel set in France in 1899/1900, young Minha has the gift of smell that is beyond the norm. She can tell from a mere sniff all the ingredients in a dish or where a particular fruit was picked. With this gift, she finds herself in the employ as the Duc’s poison taster and “trick pony”. While she's not thrilled with the arrangement, she has to survive, but what comes next makes things nearly impossible. The author’s use of language is mouthwatering and her descriptions make you want to book the next flight to Paris for a good dinner. Minha’s story is well told, but what keeps this book from a 5 for me, was the pacing and a few dark and odd moments. The start of the book is slow and the last couple of chapters are too long and drawn out. The food description is great, but pages of it at the end..I was full. As for the dark moments..prepare for sexual violence. And finally the odd…for me it was how Minha survived in the last ⅓ of the book. It was a bit unbelievable. All in all though, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it! Thank you to Penguin Publishing, Bookbrowse.com, and NetGalley.com for the free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Feast by Catherine Kurtz
Minha was born with an extraordinary ability to taste. Her senses of smell and taste were so finely sensitive that even as a child she could distinguish all the flavors and ingredients in a dish. Her beloved grandfather patiently helped her refine her palate further. After his death she stowed away on a ship to France and, quite by accident, became the food taster to the Duc Nicholas de Bellefalaise when she saved his life from a poisoning attempt. Minha was thus required to taste every single food and drink to insure the Duc’s safety. Soon, however, she was off to fend for herself again.
Many of Minha’s experiences will resonate with readers. The author, who is also a food writer, describes food in exquisite detail. This reader was entranced by sumptuous descriptions of sweet and savory dishes.
The writing is truly moving in several places, and those passages lift the book to a higher and more meaningful level. (No spoilers here!). The plot itself though seemed somewhat predictable. And, with the exception of the determined and resourceful Minha, the characters didn’t truly stand out. However, FEAST is altogether an enjoyable book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and comment. It will be well received by many book groups and individual readers.
Minha was born with an extraordinary ability to taste. Her senses of smell and taste were so finely sensitive that even as a child she could distinguish all the flavors and ingredients in a dish. Her beloved grandfather patiently helped her refine her palate further. After his death she stowed away on a ship to France and, quite by accident, became the food taster to the Duc Nicholas de Bellefalaise when she saved his life from a poisoning attempt. Minha was thus required to taste every single food and drink to insure the Duc’s safety. Soon, however, she was off to fend for herself again.
Many of Minha’s experiences will resonate with readers. The author, who is also a food writer, describes food in exquisite detail. This reader was entranced by sumptuous descriptions of sweet and savory dishes.
The writing is truly moving in several places, and those passages lift the book to a higher and more meaningful level. (No spoilers here!). The plot itself though seemed somewhat predictable. And, with the exception of the determined and resourceful Minha, the characters didn’t truly stand out. However, FEAST is altogether an enjoyable book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and comment. It will be well received by many book groups and individual readers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Net Galley!
If I judged this book by the cover, it would earn higher praise. It has all the pieces to be a wonderful historical fiction novel, but a lackluster main character holds it back.
Minah is on her own in the world with only a super-human taste and love for food to guide her. She ends up working in a duc's home as a poison tester and is widely disliked by most the other staff; understandably so as she gets to taste all his gourmet food. However, her lack of a backbone or personality don't help matters. Minah is desperate to be liked which backfires on her immensely, and she mistreats the one other character who tries to help her.
The plot jumps back and forth in time. This really confused me at first when I was just getting to know the characters, but made more sense as the book continued. The start of each chapter states the location in Europe. As someone who is not good with geography, this added more confusion at the start, especially as her taste buds often related produce to its home soil.
The cover and tagline hint at a romantic, sensual story, but the pages did not pick up on that hint. I finished this book because I received an advanced copy and I kept hoping it would get better.
If I judged this book by the cover, it would earn higher praise. It has all the pieces to be a wonderful historical fiction novel, but a lackluster main character holds it back.
Minah is on her own in the world with only a super-human taste and love for food to guide her. She ends up working in a duc's home as a poison tester and is widely disliked by most the other staff; understandably so as she gets to taste all his gourmet food. However, her lack of a backbone or personality don't help matters. Minah is desperate to be liked which backfires on her immensely, and she mistreats the one other character who tries to help her.
The plot jumps back and forth in time. This really confused me at first when I was just getting to know the characters, but made more sense as the book continued. The start of each chapter states the location in Europe. As someone who is not good with geography, this added more confusion at the start, especially as her taste buds often related produce to its home soil.
The cover and tagline hint at a romantic, sensual story, but the pages did not pick up on that hint. I finished this book because I received an advanced copy and I kept hoping it would get better.
June 9, 2026
Minha grows up half Indian in London with a mother making a living through prostitution. When she is seven, she is sent to live with her grandparents in the country. Her grandmother never really accepts her, but her grandfather is kind to her. After he dies, Minha leaves for his home in France, where she eventually becomes a poison taster. The story alternates between her present in France and her childhood.
Based on the poison-taster premise, I expected this to be more suspenseful and more intriguing. Instead, the book is slower and more focused on Minha’s life, her isolation, and the ways she tries to survive in places where she has very little protection. That is not a bad thing, but it was not quite the book I thought I was getting. It also made some plot choices related to sexual violence and pregnancy that did not work well for me.
I think this may work better for readers who are stronger fans of historical fiction and want a slower, character-focused story about a mixed-race girl trying to find a place for herself. For me, it was interesting and readable, but I wanted more tension and strangeness from the plot based on what I expected from the synopsis.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Based on the poison-taster premise, I expected this to be more suspenseful and more intriguing. Instead, the book is slower and more focused on Minha’s life, her isolation, and the ways she tries to survive in places where she has very little protection. That is not a bad thing, but it was not quite the book I thought I was getting. It also made some plot choices related to sexual violence and pregnancy that did not work well for me.
I think this may work better for readers who are stronger fans of historical fiction and want a slower, character-focused story about a mixed-race girl trying to find a place for herself. For me, it was interesting and readable, but I wanted more tension and strangeness from the plot based on what I expected from the synopsis.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Feast is a dark fairy tale about Minha (Min) and her extraordinary sense of taste. Set in the 19th century, she flees London to France in hopes of a better life. Not long after her arrival, she finds herself at the Château de Bellefalaise in hopes of finding work, her remarkable gift saves the Duc from being poisoned. Saving his life, Min is now the official ‘poison taster’ while they investigate who wants to harm the Duc. But what will happen when she begins to lose her sense of taste?
Minha is a character you find yourself rooting for, and you can’t help but be pulled into her story. Kurtz does a fantastic job with the description and detail of the scents and food throughout the book. From the cover throughout the story, you find yourself completely engrossed in the ‘feast.’
This is a book for fans of historical fiction with a touch of fairy tale and those who are a foodie at heart. I look forward to what is to come next from Kurtz!
Thank you to Catherine Kurtz, Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Minha is a character you find yourself rooting for, and you can’t help but be pulled into her story. Kurtz does a fantastic job with the description and detail of the scents and food throughout the book. From the cover throughout the story, you find yourself completely engrossed in the ‘feast.’
This is a book for fans of historical fiction with a touch of fairy tale and those who are a foodie at heart. I look forward to what is to come next from Kurtz!
Thank you to Catherine Kurtz, Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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