Celestial Banquet

Every 10 years, the three major gods of the Continent host the Celestial Banquet, a competition in which five teams, each sponsored by a minor god, risk everything for a priceless reward. Determined to honor her deceased father’s memory, 16-year-old noodle chef Cai convinces the local god, Kama, to assemble a team for the first time in a century. Joined by wealthy playboy Seon and wandering warrior Tala, Cai competes against the best chefs on the Continent in a tournament designed to test her like never before, as the gods are capricious and cruel and the losers of the contest rarely leave in one piece, if at all. As each round claims new victims, Cai must reexamine the role of cooking in her life and contend with competing affections for Seon and her childhood friend Bo. In this dazzling East Asian–influenced fantasy, Lim (Night for Day, for adults) weaves together deadly magic, deliciously described dishes, and intensely personal stakes to deliver a tale that satisfies all the senses. The inclusion of a love triangle sometimes detracts from the heightened atmosphere of the banquet; nevertheless, the story’s ingredients blend seamlessly. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jenny Bent, Bent Agency. (June)