The Baker and the Bard - Review
- TheLittLibrarian
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
*I received a physical copy from Feiwel & Friends. All reviews are my own.*
A while ago, I was pleasantly surprised when Feiwel & Friends sent me a copy of The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught. This was a completely unexpected gesture, and out of sheer curiosity, I decided to give it a read. For those wondering how creators and influencers often receive free books, the answer is simple: they sign up for virtual book tours, create NetGalley and Edelweiss accounts, or simply ask the publisher for a gifted ARC to read and discuss before the publication date. In some rare cases, publishers might send out a book just because, and I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of this title. Let's see if these publishers know my heart!
"Juniper and Hadley have a good thing going in Larkspur, spending their respective days apprenticing at a little bakery and performing at the local inn. But when a stranger places an unusual order at the bakery, the two friends (and Hadley’s pet snake, Fern) set out on a journey to forage the magical mushrooms needed to make the requested galette pastries.
Along the way, Juniper and Hadley stumble across a mystery too compelling to ignore: Something has been coming out of the woods at night and eating the local farmers' crops, leaving behind a trail of glowing goo. Intent on finally going on an adventure that could fuel their bardic craft, Hadley tows Juniper into the woods to investigate.
What started as a simple errand to pick mushrooms soon turns into a thrilling quest to save some furry new friends―and their caretaker, a soft-spoken little fey named Thistle―who are in danger of losing their home."
No, they do not know my heart. The Baker and the Bard are about two individuals who go out on a mission to find a special ingredient to make a last-minute dessert dish for a mysterious high-ranking customer. During the journey, they stumble upon a small town mystery of disappearing crops and glowing goop at the scene of the crime. They have a decision to make: Find the ingredients for the pastry they have to make at the end of the day, or play hero and figure out what's causing all the ruckus in this tiny village.
Despite its simplicity and artistic beauty, I didn't care for the story. The Baker and the Bard is my first introduction to a "Cozy Mystery," and honestly, I'm perplexed about the concept. Mysteries aren't cozy. They are typically filled with tension and unpredictable outcomes. The idea of a relaxed, laid-back sleuthing novel is a new one for me, and it didn't quite sit right. Am I the drama? I think I'm the drama in this one.
Overall, I rated this book 2-stars. In no way am I ungrateful to the publishers for sending me a copy of this comic, but I won't lie and wonder why they sent it to me. What was it in me that said, 'She'll be perfect to review this novel!'? The story was very simplistic to the point that it should've been labeled as a middle-grade graphic novel instead of a Young Adult. I was not mad at the art style, as it saved me from the meager 1-star rating I was aiming for, and I opted for 2. The book wasn't for me. I like drama, and this was the equivalent of waking up a sleeping baby panda.
The Baker and the Bard is available now!
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