A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

Written by T. Kingfisher

Narrated by Patricia Santomasso

Fourteen-year-old Mona isn't like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can't control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt's bakery making gingerbread men dance.

But Mona's life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona's city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target. And in an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards, the assassin may be the least of Mona's worries . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781666134384

T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher, also known as Ursula Vernon, is the author and illustrator of many projects, including the webcomic “Digger,” which won the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story and the Mythopoeic Award. Her novelette “The Tomato Thief” won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette, and her short story “Jackalope Wives” won the Nebula Award for Best Story. She is also the author of the bestselling Dragonbreath, and the Hamster Princess series of books for children. Find her online at RedWombatStudio.com.

Reviews for A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

[Efrat Maor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Like it. This is very clearly a teens/YA book, would have been to have it labeled as such. So the expectations would match the book.
And narrator is great, but sounds nothing like any 14 yo heroine, which made it a ut hard to imagine her as such.

[Mya Ngo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun and unique story plot. It dragged a bit in the beginning but it got much more interesting after a few chapters.

[Eleanor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Story was pretty great but the best part was the narrator she was extremely talented

[Eliana RodS · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting book, the magic is quirky and fun. It also has a nice conversation about "small gifts" and what they can potentially be if you don't dismiss them; as well as the burden that they carry.

[Lee Tatum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful novel! It's a YA book the same way Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series is YA. As in, not really. Mona is cut from the same cloth as Tiffany, though she's a bread wizard instead of a chalk witch. T. Kingfisher is my favorite living fantasy author, and for me, she's assumed Sir Terry's mantel. I read this book about 6 months ago, and listening to the audiobook brought back all the initial joy & enjoyment of the First Read.

[Phoebe Marsh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cute cosy and comfy book, loved every moment of it

[Michelle Young · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great YA story. Good narration and plot. I wish it were a series.

[rissarooslife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written and narrarated.
Super cute, cozy book that kept you interested.

[Emily · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very cute! Definitely for YA/teen reading but could be a lovely book to read together as a family. Doesn’t really stand up to adult scrutiny but it’s a really great world, and I’d be interested to read more.

[mkucenty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is pure awesomenress in a form of baking :)]

[htandb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book, quirky and funny like other books by Kingfisher that I've read. Aimed at the YA audience, yet entertaining for older readers

[vinniewaffle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So creative, fun and lovely. Mona was such a good character and the humor superb!

[Jojo Tisnado · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved every part of it. Hilarious and inspiring, is definitely in my top list now.

[Lucia Garcia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A really enjoyable adventure! I liked the ease of the narrative and the story has some brave, smart and funny characters.

[Joanna Disch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Man muss Backen nicht als sein Hobby betrachten, um dieses Buch zu mögen, aber es hilft ? Extra Kudos für geniale Sidekicks.

[Ka'iulani Kauahi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very entertaining read and narrator does a great job.

14 year old girl main character kicks butt but also reflects on why she had too be the one to do it in a city full of adults.

[Miriam Fucikova · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Funny, easy to read, goodhearted. I loved all of it!

[Gerard Neaux · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A little gem of a book for adults and children alike. There's a war and difficult themes but written in an accessible, sensible way, with warmth and good values in mind. The plot isn't anything you haven't seen before but the characters, situations, and magic make for a very entertaining read. Despite this being placed in the Clocktaur world there's no reference to the big miracles or paladins, but the magic and implementation are equally ingenious.

[Maya Schneider · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The narrating was amazing, I loved every minute! The story was a very good one too, I'm a big fan of Bob. :D

[יניב רוזנפלד-כהן · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a feel good wholesome book with tons of humor, great characters and heroic moments. I highly recommend it!

[Daren Lewis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A delightful story of a young wizard’s coming of age in a rather short span.

[Beth · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So creative! I loved the story, the premise, the characters. Very well done. An enjoyable read!

[Judy Engela · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Super cute, well-read, and a core story that lives up to the cosy expectations!

[cheryl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun, light story. I found it creative and entertaining.

[Elder Fitton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was just sweet and easy to follow along with, enjoyed it whole heartedly

[lisa marianne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator is excellent. This was a simple and entertaining story. I don't mean simple as is it were simplistic and anyone could write it. I mean that it's easy to follow and comes alive for the reader - it's hard to make a vibrant world and characters that flow so well through the plot and narrator's perspective that you don't even notice how it all comes alive.
Also, I was not ready for the ending.

[Ziggx Snyman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book
It's a very relaxed non serious read perfect for relaxing to

[Charlie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such a great story. It had great characters and the plot was very good. The narrator is fantastic!

[Lillian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an absolute joy to listen to! The narrator is wonderful, and the story manages to balance a lighthearted, cosy fantasy atmosphere with some surprisingly high stakes - not to mention questioning common fantasy genre assumptions about heroism. Will definitely become one of my comfort reads.

[Mollie Hettinger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was so good! I love unusual fantasy stories, and the focus on the development of the characters was well done.