Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy!

tl;dr
Unique and tantalizing flavor combinations, and easy-to-follow instructions make this a great book for beginner bakers looking to expand their skill set.

Thoughts
I bake a lot, and I have all my favorite recipes already, so the only reason I'd grab a cookbook these days is if I thought it would be a good gift for a beginner baker, or if it had a lot of recipes I've never tried. This book fulfills both of those prompts. Beginner bakers who have tried a few bake mixes and are ready to take more control over their work will find a lot of great tips and easy-to-follow recipes. A brief guide on tools and what they do is also useful for bakers who are newer to the experience. The last chapter moves on to slightly more complex concepts like yeasted doughs or using tangzhong, which is a great launchpad into more difficult baking. The recipes themselves are inspired by people, history, and global movements, and feature a lot of flavor combinations I've never tried in a cupcake before. The golden milk cupcakes and the arroz con leche both look especially tasty (can you tell I like cinnamon?) 

Of note, the introduction to the book also covers a lot of ground discussing food insecurity and how it's tied to other social issues. It's a good primer, especially for younger readers, and I found it a very encouraging read. He also highlights groups currently doing work to alleviate food insecurity including his own, along with some of my favorites like No Kid Hungry, and World Central Kitchen.

Overall, a great cookbook with some unique recipes great for beginner bakers.