RECIPEARIUM

In this fantasy, an expert in preparing orgasm-inducing food courses enters a kingdom to seek retribution on his master’s behalf.

Morminiu is a phril (male) whose destination is the Royal Carami—a city inside a giant monster. As the capital of the Green Kingdom, the Carami accommodates the noble Houses. Morminiu first sees Hitissh Leomi of the House of Lormont and requests his protection and freedom of ascent. Morminiu is a Recipear, like his master, Hitissh Plabos, the kingdom’s former Master Recipear. Recipearium is an art form that involves mastering Recipes, as a course can provide phrils with gastric orgasms. Morminiu, a proficient Recipear, garners fame among those in the Carami. But his real purpose is revenge for Plabos; Morminiu blames Leomi for his master’s banishment from the kingdom. After months in the kingdom, Morminiu gradually rises in title and, at the House of Phriliras, believes he’s found a suitable companion in High Priestess Valiria. But he’s also amassed enemies, such as the current Master Recipear, Harissh Tathar. As it turns out, Plabos has his share of foes as well, and Morminiu comes to realize that his vengeance may be directed at the wrong target. Gurgu’s (Chronicles From the End of the World, 2011, etc.) intent in this offbeat fantasy is clearly to provoke readers, as he fills his pages with startling imagery. Along with a high volume of “excretia” and “vomitus,” there are intermittent Recipes that sometimes include exploding worms or raw meat. But the author has created engaging characters within a bizarre, indelible world. Phrils and phriliras (females), for one, resemble humans and use swords as weapons. But both genders evidently have the same sexual organs (vulbas) and some, like Morminiu, have gills. Moreover, the protagonist has depth; he seems to have genuine feelings for Valiria and, at one point, questions whether Plabos’ Recipes are art or simply vice. And with Gurgu’s rich descriptions, readers won’t likely forget characters reside in a huge creature: “The walls were formed by thousands of thin bones connected by dense cartilage, looking like a fence of deformed and bent poles held together with mud.”

An engrossing and disconcerting revenge tale that’s gleefully outlandish.