Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife ARC Review

The last few weeks I've been blessed with several ARCs by NetGalley, including Deston J. Munden's latest release, Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife.

Genre: Cozy Fantasy

Category: Cozy Read

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Rating: 3/5 Stars

Plot: 3/5 stars

Characters: 3/5 stars

World: 3/5 stars

Pairings: Butternut squash soup + pumpkin bread + apple cider OR blackberry and elderberry crumble + coffee with chocolate cold foam

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An undead orc knight leaves battle behind for a new kind of afterlife—one with good food, good friends, and maybe even fatherhood.

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His greatest fear wasn't his true death––it was following his dream.

PLOT

After centuries as an undead soldier in the city of Necropolis, both as a slave and a willing knight, Rottgor is weary and out of touch. Time has eroded memories of his first life, and he has no idea who he is outside of his role. Being (lovingly) forced into retirement leaves him feeling adrift, with no answers as to what he wants to do with his time. Service is all he's ever known. But a random act of kindness from a stranger sets him on the path to self-discovery and new ways to serve his community.

On his journey, Rottgor meets people of all backgrounds: elves, dwarves, vampires, fellow orcs, and beings of mixed heritage. But most important is Astra, an orphan with her own dark history that must remain a secret. Rottgor is struck with a desire to protect her, as well as those being threatened by a group who claim the undead are meant to be used as tools and have no rights of their own.

As he settles into his new way of life, memories of his life-before-death begin to resurface—the good and the bad. This helps guide him, but also forces him to reckon with his past. While reconnecting with his identity and heritage, he sheds the name given to him when he was raised from the dead, adopting his original name and role: Razgaif the Younger, siefu and Champion of the Onyx-Ax.

My only issue with the plot is the lack of a real conclusion with the main villain: he just ran away. Did he give up entirely? Or will he return in another installment, perhaps one featuring Astra? I think that would be cool.

I also had trouble with the writing style at times, particularly with dialogue or names that didn’t roll off the tongue easily. There were also scenes or conversations that didn't feel totally clear, and moments where I'd have liked more show than tell. But tucked between these brief moments I wasn't vibing with the writing style are powerful lines and messages.

This is a story about rekindling old passion after years of “being dead” and how following your creativity gives you life. It’s about reconnecting with your inner child and how the magic of food connects people from all walks of life.

CHARACTERS

Comfort wasn't happiness, only the absence of struggle.

Razgaif is a character I could relate with to an extent; I know all too well what it's like to be paralyzed by fear or indecision, and how important it is to have someone who can push you when you need it. As the story progressed, he started making more of his own choices, with a little help at first. Watching him gain confidence, reignite his fire, actively reach for what he wanted, and eventually becoming a single parent was so satisfying.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel a connection to any of the other characters, and some of the side characters bled together in my mind. That said, a couple did stand out: Calfe, Razgaif’s mysterious yet friendly landlord with connections to the underground community and a taste in literature, and Rib-Digger, a Frankenstein-like monster of few words but great care and wisdom. Calfe provides comedic relief with his blunt, teasing, no-nonsense attitude, and Rib-Digger is just so wholesome.

Raz and Astra's dynamic is for fans of grumpy dads and the unique kid they take on, like Geralt and Ciri. At one point, they had me misty-eyed, and it wasn't even that emotional of a scene.

WORLD

Munden's blending of grotesque, spooky elements with coziness makes this a PERFECT spookytime read. In some ways, it felt a bit like the stop-motion animated films we all love to watch around this time of year. The contrast makes the cozy aspects stronger than a more low-stakes book might be. D&D fans will especially appreciate the diversity of the characters, the epic enchanted weapons, and the gritty atmosphere.

This story takes place in Necropolis, a city in Dargath—a country already established in the author’s first book. I'm unsure if reading the first book will help readers connect more with the world, but I didn't have any trouble keeping up with the information given. If anything, I wanted more elaboration on the magic system: where it came from, why the scents of characters' magic changed, what runes other characters had, how the runes could be altered, etc.

I appreciate what Munden was trying to achieve, especially with how difficult it can be to create a cozy story with epic elements, though not all of it was a hit for me. Much of the information was sprinkled into the narrative as things unfolded: names, lore, and history briefly given as needed, never to be mentioned again. For some, this is perfect. Others may not enjoy it.

Finally, I must admit that selecting a pairing for this book was a feat in itself. Razgaif mentions numerous delicious meals, sweet treats, and beverages throughout the story that I believe deserves its own cookbook.

TL;DR

Despite the long chapters and writing style not always being to my taste, I enjoyed Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife. Munden's balancing of cozy vibes with higher stakes, spooky elements, and more epic worldbuilding makes this a standout among its genre, especially for D&D fans. This is a heartwarming story about reconnecting with yourself, forgiveness, and friendship. Here you'll find found family, enchanted weapons and tools, animal and mystical companions, a unique magic system, and no shortage of delicious meal ideas.