The blog
May 4, 2025
Cinnamon and Gunpowder: A Fiery Tale of Food, Freedom, and Friendship on the High Seas
Jessica’s Bookshelf – Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown
Cinnamon and Gunpowder book review
Genre: Historical Fiction / Adventure
✍️ **Synopsis:**
Set in 1819, Cinnamon and Gunpowder is a swashbuckling, slow-simmering tale of captivity, cuisine, and unexpected camaraderie. The story follows Owen Wedgwood, a brilliant but snobbish chef who is kidnapped by the fierce and fiery pirate captain Mad Hannah Mabbot. She gives him an ultimatum: cook her a gourmet meal every Sunday, or die. As weeks go by and exotic spices mix with sharp tongues and sharper secrets, what unfolds is a delightful feast of plot twists, moral questions, and mouth-watering food scenes — all served with a side of high-seas adventure.
👍🏻 **What I Liked:**
The writing is sumptuous — I could practically smell the cloves and cardamom with each turn of the page. As someone who spends her real life juggling business and the beautiful chaos of family, I loved how this story captured the rhythms of a kitchen and the tension of transformation. Watching Wedgwood’s pretentious edges soften as he navigated danger, discovery, and an evolving sense of purpose reminded me how we’re all just one wild experience away from being cracked open in the best way. Also, as a vegetarian who loves flavor, I adored how food is used as both a weapon and a bridge.
👎🏻 **What I Didn’t Like:**
There were moments where the plot drifted — not unlike a dinghy lost at sea. Some of the philosophical tangents and political undertones (British colonialism, corporate exploitation) felt a little underdeveloped compared to the otherwise richly layered characters and action. But the heart of the story still held strong.
🤔 **Meaningful Quote:**
“Men who cannot tolerate themselves will seek to destroy the things they cannot have.”
(This one gave me chills. Isn’t that the truth — in life, in relationships, in business. It’s the core of so many bad decisions and broken hearts.)
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 Stars
⚡️ Would I Recommend It?
Yes — especially if you love immersive fiction, flawed but evolving characters, and stories that tie your senses up in spices, danger, and unexpected tenderness. Think Pirates of the Caribbean meets Julie & Julia — but make it literary.
“A meal is not just sustenance. It is a gift, a message, a truce”
Cinnamon and Gunpowder
If you’ve read Cinnamon and Gunpowder, I’d love to hear what you thought! Did it leave you craving an adventure… or just a perfectly brewed cup of tea?
Next on My Reading List:
Go As a River by Shelley Reed
Sincerely,
Jessica
