Chef: From Chef to Crafter to Conqueror, Book 1

...it reminds me of an Asian version of Sterlings "Island in the sea of time" series. The amount of research it takes to write a book like this is immense. In-depth alternate history is a favorite of mine and I have to say, well done! This hits so many of my buttons. Thanks!

The main character is so unpredictable and creative that he draws you in with the cooking yet slays as a warrior. Looking forward to the next book.

I enjoyed this book. The Asian take on the modern guy gets sent back in time theme was refreshing. I would say that the book could benefit from some good editing. Things like simple sentence structure flaws were common and distracting. The switch back and forth between story lines was sometimes jarring. Easily fixed faults aside, I look forward to reading the next installment.

Not a lot happens in the book, which is almost impressive given its decent length. The author has opted to regularly go on tangents that seem entirely unnecessary, including a flashback that takes significant time without any discernable benefit to the story.The author appears to have some fairly baseless opinions that are presented as if they are simply true, which happens rare enough that it didn't hurt the book too much, but it did take me out of the story each time it happened.I read another review before reading the book that claimed that "finally a book that gives an eastern culture perspective " or something to that affect, which was a significant factor in me deciding to read it. The culture displayed in this book, however, is just western feudalism attached to an eastern setting. At best a few stories are told that originate in East Asian culture and that is the extent of it. It's like taking 2 or 3 passages from an East Asian classic or two and changing some names to fit the setting and writing the rest as if it were a regular western novel, then deciding that counts as their culture. I suppose it was an unfair expectation set by a reviewer rather than the book. It still disappointed me. Just read something translated from actual East Asian authors if that is what you're looking for.Past all this, the book is acceptable if you have nothing better to read. It's nothing special and not worth pushing to the front of your queue if you have other books to read.

Very few books incorporate the huge Mongol empire and it is a pleasure to read such an account. Makes me want to bone up on my Eastern history of the Middle Ages. Enjoying the food descriptions as well. I get hungry after every one of Lord So’s meals!

Chef is the first book in the From Chef To Crafter To Conqueror series by Gabriel Rathweg.I'm deeply upset that I can't continue this journey immediately. I'll have to wait for the next addition to this series. It has been such a remarkably engaging read, in all honesty. I've enjoyed the comingling of Sci-Fi and historical drama that has played out within these pages.While I've understood very little of the vernacular relating to the samurai armor, and their amazing weaponsmiths, I'm enjoyed discovering them and their meanings. Following along as MC tackles surviving and escape pod crashing through atmosphere, landing on a parallel earth, and facing the time dilation of him landing in the distant past all while suffering through the loss of those dead to him. That he has a rapidly humanizing AI to keep him company, and informed, is simply an asset to this adventure.I most vehemently enjoyed the transitions between following Dan Po, Marco, Masamune; and deciphering MC's current circumstances. Tacking it all together with the background noise of the Mongolian conquest and the presense of true Oni's creates a beyond enjoyable experience as a whole.

Ohhh, that was a good one. Hard to put down. Great characters. Just the right amount of pages. Now you have gone and did it, made me want to read the sequel. That's only happened twice since I've been reading with my pad. Also, I seem to dwell a lot on sections of the novel, they just keep running through my thoughts. Really good novel. Gabriel * kudos *

Entertaining and engaging characters and a good storyline. I am looking forward to book 2 which I am buying immediately.

I am so happy to read this book. The story line is awesome, it's superbly well written, it's very entertaining and fantastical. Keep up the good work! Thank you. I can't wait for the next book!!

Well crafted characters and an interesting world. I really enjoyed this and can't wait for the next installment of the series

I like the two stories inside the tale. The first person perspective did get a little confusing at times. That could be corrected by perspective headline when switching stories.

The old writing adage of “show, don’t tell” has been completely missed by the author. Whilst there was some vestige of interesting world building, the characters all were the same (Marco Polo swearing using a modern word seemed so incongruous) and there were pages of irrelevant details that made every event boring.It seemed like the hero would draw his weapons and then ponder for hours before anything happened.As for the AI … really?! At times it can read his thoughts, then it can’t; then it is independent, then it can’t make decisions?!?!I struggled through but the writing was atrocious and I will not read another!

The writing is pleasant. I like the trope "An American Yankee at kings Artur Court" and variations , but I think that mixing Marco Polo is too much.