Book Review and Giveaway: Taste

Author: Kate Evangelista

Publication Date: April 30, 2012
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

This book was going to transport me to somewhere that I was going to fall madly in love with; I was sure of that. The colors on the front as well as the elegant black dress indicated to me that I was about to read a brilliantly written novel full of gothic detail and one that was sure to transport me to another world far more magical than my own. The title gave me a sense of the mythical and magical unknown. My first reaction was literally, “Ok, what kind of creatures am I up against this time? Vampires, Zombies, Werewolves, etc.?” I stared at the cover of this book until I began to daydream. After all, the beauty is inside the pages!

No matter what I say, my words can never do this book justice. From the first page until the last page I wanted more of Phoenix’s story. We are transported to a fantastical world along with Phoenix McKay as she begins her journey at a place called Barinkoff Academy. (I love that school name). At this school there is only one rule; do not be caught on campus after sunset! Of course, as I was hoping she would, Phoenix breaks this rule right away. She is then introduced to what are known as the “Night Students” and they are something so elegant and exotic that Phoenix is so determined to know everything about them.

Phoenix becomes caught up in the world of the Night Students because she breaks curfew night after night and finally she comes to know several of them, some which approve of her and others do not! The type of imagination that Kate Evangelista possesses is one that parallels J.K. Rowling. I was reading about the Night Students and as she begins to unravel their world, I was thinking, “How did she come up with all of this.” It’s brilliant! The Night Students are of magical descent and unfortunately for Phoenix, their pastime is “tasting” the flesh of humans.

Phoenix is a riveting and exhilarating character to read and follow. She is determined to uncover all the unknown secrets that the Night Students share even if it means she faces dire consequences. Her character is fearless. Even standing in the face of these Night Students and being threatened for her life never slows her down. She just throws out some snooty comment that readers cannot help to laugh at and usually ends up getting herself into even more trouble. She is so forward and abrasive, that I immediately made a strong connection with her.

The detail used in this book really reflects the beauty and effectiveness of Kate’s writing. From the Academy to the characters that are the Night Students, it was all remarkably described in avid and revealing detail. The school, I imagined to be incredibly gothic, from the stone walls to the large columns and all the way to the sweeping gardens, I was continually impressed with how far Evangelista took us and how much more in tune I was becoming with Phoenix’s surroundings. Even the people had an essence of mystery and I could picture them all within my mind. I love books like that! I love when I have enough detail to form a character’s appearance in my head!

For everyone’s information, this is how you write a love triangle! Wow!! It was neither sappy nor revolting, but just right. I was so pleased with the two characters that Kate wrote to be Phoenix’s love interests. They were so different, yet their love and admiration for Phoenix made them the same. They even semi-fought over her at one point, but at the end of the day they both connected over one thing; her protection! Demitri and Luka were both very masculine and chivalric and for awhile I could not choose a side. I eventually just left that up to Phoenix! Well done, Kate! The best love triangle that I have read all year.

This book has so many more details that I could share with you, but I absolutely do not want to give any of it away at all. I highly recommend that you purchase a copy of this book for yourself and take a journey with Phoenix, or just enter my giveaway below!! I am here to tell you that you will not be disappointed. Transport yourself to Barinkoff Academy and let the walls share their secrets with you. I am hoping and praying that there will be more stories to come from Phoenix, Luka, and Demitri! Exceptionally well written book with just enough gothic “taste” to send chills up your spine!

Kate Evangelista and I are going to help all my amazing readers start their Mondays off right! Kate offered to allow me to giveaway a free e-copy of her book, Taste! I was more than willing to accept and I am sure some of you guys are going to really enjoy this! She has PDF, MOBI, LIT, and EPUB files available so if and when one of you guys take home the prize I will first contact you to see what type of file you would like and then I will let her know! I hope you all enjoy this giveaway and good luck!! (:

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