With a tongue-in-cheek title, the story of A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking was indeed humorous although its have some darkest moment near the end. This is the first book of T. Kingfisher that I'd read and will not be the last since I like her writing style and her voice. 

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking (quite a handful title, isn't it?) is about a wizard (or witch) named Mona, a 14 year old girl with magic connected to bread and everything baking that live in the bakery in city surrounded by canal called Riverbraid. In the morning, she discover a dead body. Not a very good condition to start the day since she also accused of murder. While she free of any charge, Mona then find herself to be target of assassin that targeted magicker, aka people with magic. Running for her life, Mona's fate will change when she must defend the Riverbraid with only her magic. Now, what the bread wizard can do to defense her city from upcoming attack and siege? 

While this book can be categorized into YA or middle grade, at first I find Mona's voice sounds like adult, lol. Well, maybe she comment everything with sarcasm and skepticism, also Mona always think that her magic is a minor ones. Actually I praised T. Kingfisher to write such a unique magic system. Yeah, Mona's magic might be minor because all she did was enchant dough, flour or bread. But, the way Kingfisher described how Mona's magic work is the highlight of this book. Imagine my surprise when reading about carnivorous and homicidal sourdough starter named Bob! Bob is such a delight, although its just a sourdough starter, its can be used as a weapon to attack people! Another Mona's invention was the gingerbread man cookies. Sadly, these gingerbread didn't have name, but its sentient and have intelligence as well. Kingfisher also explain that with some of ingredients, Mona was able to make gingerbread act like what she instructed, such as causing mischief in the middle of enemy camps. Also, gigantic gingerbread as golem. 'Nuff said.

Not only Mona, but others characters also have their spotlight. Mona's aunt, Tabitha is a force to be reckon with because not only she love Mona unconditionally, she also support Mona in the upcoming siege against Riverbraid. Spindle, the 10 years old street orphan, maybe start as a brat, but he also become Mona's sidekick and thanks to him, Mona can meet the ruler of the Riverbraid, the Duchess and appeal her case, therefore saved the Duchess from the upcoming coup d'etat. The story of this book is pretty straightforward and simple. Black and white too, because the good and the evil already defined from the start. There's no "oh, no, top ten anime betrayal" scene, except from the villain side. However, while the story feels cozy for about 60-70% mark, it turn almost depressing in the end. Mona don't want to be a hero and she think that the Duchess should be protect her citizens, magickers included. So, while the story have good and cozy feeling, Kingfisher also try to balance its with some touch of reality.

I have a blast reading a Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking. I also like the message that Kingfisher imbued her story, like great things can be start from mundane or little things. Mona's magic might be minor or insignificant at first, but I will read more about carnivorous sourdough starter or sentient gingerbread that can beat Mona in the card game. Really recommended if you want a fantasy that simple, straightforward, completed with unique magic system, a heroine with sarcasm and wittiness but also show some reality especially about the aftermath of the war/siege.