April's Reviews > Taste

I Totally Loved It! Awesome-sauce. A delicious book to taste and devour. Full Review at: Books4Juliet

The moment I started reading Taste, I couldn't put it down. It was a total page-turner book that kept me awake until past 3 in the morning! It was engrossing and very captivating.

The story started when Phoenix McKay accidentally broke the one and only rule at Barinkoff Academy: No students on campus after curfew. Falling asleep at the library isn't a good thing after all. Now she must face her fate as the last bell chimed in and she was left trapped inside the campus with the Night Students. But it seems that all the luck in the world suddenly bestowed upon her! Who wouldn't want to be saved by a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous, overall swoon-worthy and not to mention hot (as in literally hot!) guy Demitri? The guy who happens to appear out of nowhere every time she needs of saving. I wouldn't care being left at the academy with this drool-worthy-kind of guy (*giggling*). All of sudden, Phoenix's sad and hollow life was thrown into the magnificent yet strange world of the flesh-eaters--beautiful, almost cut to perfection--each of them exudes a deliciously unique smell--they called themselves "zhamvys". And Phoenix might just be the one they need to survive.

I cannot love a book with weak, not to mention annoying characters. For me to really enjoy the story, the characters should be likable at least. But in this case, I didn't have any issues at all. From the time Phoenix had spoken in my head when I started this book, I immediately liked her. She has the brain (since Barinkoff only accept students with exceptional intelligence) and she definitely has the gut to be called "heroine". She doesn't annoy me even the tiniest bit and that's totally a big deal to me. Her wit and humor always left me grinning like crazy and she didn't fail to amaze me. And then there's Demitri. He's strong (and hot), dependable (and hot), handsome (and hot), and ever-devoted to his people (and hot!). He's also a mysterious and frustrating kind of guy, but there was something deep within his cold persona--characteristics that only add to his hotness. Yeah, you really should meet this guy! But oh, there's Luka! It seems that Taste isn't contented on giving the readers one hot guy (did I just say hot again?) and it gives us two! Just when I thought I want Demitri for myself for Phoenix, Luka came into the picture. The mystery that surrounds his character seems dark but who can't give a beautiful boy the benefit of the doubt? With his playful and carefree spirit, he tried to overshadow his true self--the depth of his soul and the goodness in his heart. Who's the guy to root for? I loved Demitri but I also loved Luka, and then *confusion* but then Demitri won over in the end. It was hard to choose between two great guys. 

I have a heart for Dray, too. The guy who mean well for the zhamvy people even if risking his life was one way to do it. Obviously, Kate Evangelista crafted not only one or two amazing characters but a lot more. There are people to hate but more people to love. I want to see them again in her future books. I let them in and I'm glad I did!

Readers who hate slow beginning will appreciate this book. The excitement I felt from the start lasted up to the time I closed the book. The pacing of the story was perfect. There was no boring parts but only heart-thumping ones. The author was never out of surprises. She had completely blown me away with her unexpected revelations. I was so curious about the story especially the secrets behind Demitri and Luka's characters, but the author  never left my questions unanswered. Kudos to the author, she gave me lots of open-mouthed moments! Well, I guess my curiosity paid off (*grins*).



The awesome characters, the beautiful setting, the unique and original story, the romance that will make your knees wobble, and the unexpected ending that will make you smile and dream and swoon--What's not to love? Let this book blow your mind away. Kate Evangelista has written an extraordinary story that is beautiful, engaging and totally delicious. I absolutely loved it! She nailed every aspect of this book. I tasted and devoured it. It left me satisfied, but then again, it made me hungry for more.