Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Book Review: What Kings Ate And Wizards Drank

What Kings Ate And Wizards Drank

By:  Krista D. Ball

Publish Date:  January 15, 2013

Publisher:  Tyche Books Ltd

Format:  eBook, 252pg

Genre:  Non-Fiction

Series:  1st book in Fantasy Lovers Guide series

Recommendation:  WOW! The things I learned. The thoughts it all sparked...

Synopsis:
A Fantasy Lover's Food Guide Equal parts writer's guide, comedy, and historical cookbook, fantasy author Krista D. Ball takes readers on a journey into the depths of epic fantasy's obsession with rabbit stew and teaches them how to catch the blasted creatures, how to move armies across enemy territories without anyone starving to death, and what a medieval pantry should look like when your heroine is seducing the hero.

Learn how long to cook a salted cow tongue, how best to serve salt fish, what a "brewis" is (hint: it isn't beer), how an airship captain would make breakfast, how to preserve just about anything, and why those dairy maids all have ample hips.

What Kings Ate will give writers of historical and fantastical genres the tools to create new conflicts in their stories, as well as add authenticity to their worlds, all the while giving food history lovers a taste of the past with original recipes and historical notes.

First Sentence:
It was early 2011 and I was neck-deep in writing the second ook of my epic fantasy series when Tina Moreau called me up.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

**I read this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
An insider look to foods and drinks in fantasy worlds to help make the story feel more authentic to the time. The types of food available can also help draw a darker or enlightened picture of a world. How long does it take to make rabbit stew? And catching the rabbit? How about dressing a deer? Spices and breads and so much more to look into!

We love food. So why not make learning about it fun too? Krista does that here.

For those writing, Krista gets you thinking more in depth of what you are creating. For those loving history, this shares in fun foods at different centuries along with recipes.

This book opened my eyes to how food can reflect and create a world. Food is touched on in different aspects of living. From the poor to the rich. On the move or city living. Even sailors/pirates out at sea. So many aspects and all live very differently. This book of information helped me thinking on the foods in stories, even worlds I've created. Krista tells you how things work and suggestions for the heroes on the run in the woods. How to survive with or without food. Some references are given to help match the food in your land, culture, stature in society, and along with taxes.

Even specific diets. Some of us can think out the diets from what we know of history, but this pins it down for us. There are reasons why there may not be many children born in a time frame. The woman may have been missing certain items from their diet that could result in miscarriages.

Krista presented this book in a fashion that reading about food and history felt like sitting down and talking with an old friend. This book was NOT like reading a history book. Krista made the topic fun. She shares recipes and her experiences. Yes, she's tried making some of the foods and drinks and shares how it was to make it or even taste it. Some good, some not so good. lol. There are myths that surround foods and the times, Krista talks about that and if they are true, false, or a touch of both and why.

But the neat thing with food, it touches different aspects of world and people. Krista talked about health in the middle ages and further back. There are herbs for all things from health to sick to in foods and drinks. Then on to who healers are, even a few thoughts to get you thinking as to a history to your healer choice.

This book was fun to read and learn. I will be using it as a reference guide to help me along. It can be used for anyone wanting to write fantasy, historical, steampunk or Victorian era.

23 comments:

  1. Love the idea behind this book, added it to my tbr list :)

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    1. Finley Jayne, Oh yes. Do hope you get to read it. I so enjoyed this. :) Thank you!

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  2. ha wow that looks interesting, a book about the history of food mm

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    1. It's about 50% on British food history, just because so much epic fantasy is quasi-Dark Ages Britain. However, I do talk about ancient Rome, Canadian First Peoples, West Africa, South America, Mexico, and several other places to show their own unique ways of food storage and commodity trading.

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    2. Lily B. I really loved reading it. And Krista is right on, well it's her book so I'd hope so, but it's so neat to read and learn all this. :D Thank you!

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  3. Hey Mel, thanks so much for taking the time to review the book. If anyone in the comments has questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer as best as I can :)

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    1. Hey Krista! It was my pleasure! I loved reading this and learning. It's really helped me think on a wider picture with the stories and world. :)

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  4. Sounds curious! I'm a self-proclaimed foodie and it would be interesting to take a different look at food I think. Thanks for review. :)

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    1. Victoria S. It was magnificent to read. I really enjoyed learning and the fun Krista made it. Thank you.

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  5. Oh I enjoy these kinds of books and I know a few people who would enjoy it as well. Great way to explore history.

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    1. Oh great Melissa (B&T) Hope you enjoy it as much as I have. And those you know too. ;) Thank you!

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  6. Wow! It has been ages since I visited. How are you?! Ready for Spring, I bet!

    As usual, I find out about a very interesting book when I stop by. I just may have to get me a copy to help with my writing. Thanks for the great review!

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    1. Hey Michelle! Wow, it has been ages. lol. Doing well. Lots going on, but it's good. :) Hope you are doing well too.

      And glad to share a cool new book with you. :) Hope it helps! :D

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  7. What an interesting idea! I've noticed that most of the books I've read never mention the characters eating, but never gave it much thought beyond that. Thanks for the great review!

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    1. Alexia, I use to think on food at times of years, and that some meant poverty or sickness had swept through. But this really brings in so much more to the mind. :) Thank you!

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  8. what a fun idea! I don't think I've ever heard of something like that but I love the idea for it. And themost interesting thing? It sounds really great! Thanks for the nice review.

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    1. Melliane, I think that no one had heard of it before, and Krista is the perfect pick to write it. :) Thank you!!

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  9. This sounds like a book I would enjoy. To learn more about herbs and get a better idea of how they did things back then, as well as from a fantasy perspective- definetly will check this out.

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    1. Greg, I do hope you give it a try. I really did enjoy Krista's manner in writing this and what she shared. :) Thank you!

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