Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Taste by Kate Evangelista Review and Giveaway


Taste by Kate Evangelista
Review Copy provided by Author
Published by Crescent Moon Press
Available NOW!!!
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:  Tempting, Titillating, and Totally Tantalizing 
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.

One word:  Sexy.
Two words:  Completely hypnotic.
Three words:  Absolutely insanely hott!!!!!  (Yes, that’s hott with 2 t’s!!!)

This was definitely one of my favorite novels to read so far this year.  It was new and fresh, full of seduction, and never without a dull moment.  Kate Evangelista creates a world where nightmares can be freedom and where flesh-eating monsters can be sexy!  From the first chapter, I was completely hooked!

One thing I really hate about some stories is how they take forever to get to any action…you just keep reading and reading and wondering when something is going to happen.  That is NOT the case with Taste!  Kate jumps straight to the action and introduces us straight away to a nightmare world beyond our own, but there’s something seductive about her world.  I don’t care how revolting the sound of tasting flesh is, I still am completely attracted to these beyond beautiful, dangerous creatures.  I never felt the need to skip a few paragraphs because I was bored with description.  I relished every aspect of her world, and I loved that she didn’t get caught up in the color of the sky or the kind of stone of the castle.  She blended the right amount of description with the right amount of action so I never got bored.

The story follows Pierce McKay who is plucked from her high profile boarding school into a deadly society of zombie-like creatures.  Pierce is broken and lost after the death of her mother, and driven by a need for answers, she launches herself into their dangerous realm.  I really connected with Pierce—I understood her need for answers because I am the same way.  I’m sorry, but I discovered a race of super hot creatures that no one else knew about and one of them saved my life, I would not hesitate to try and discover the truths of their world.  Pierce does just this, without ever thinking, and I admire her bravery and curiosity.  She was a fun heroine—plagued by doubts, but she doesn’t let those get in the way of her decisions.  She doesn’t let anything hold her back.

But the best part of the story?  Of course it’s the guys!  There are two love interests for Pierce—Demitri and Luka (could you get any hotter names??)

Demitri is dark and mysterious, hidden behind a mask of unfeeling, but Pierce gets to him the moment he saves her.  I absolutely love Demitri!  He’s sexy and protective—more than once offering up a pummeling or two on Pierce’s behalf.  But, Demitri has secrets that hold him back, and if you’re like me, you will love discovering his truths and lies.  Plus….there’s this one scene between Demitri and Pierce…and let me just tell you, WOW!  Hold on a bit….I’m going to go read it again!  (About 5 minutes later)….Just as I suspected….even hotter the second time!!!!

And then there is Luka…and I love him, too!  I seriously can’t decide who I want her to end up with!  I would be completely happy with either, which is completely new to me because I always have an overwhelming opinion on the romance!  Luka doesn’t have Demitri’s dark eyes and dark hair—his appearance is bright and electrifying, but every bit as smoldering as Demitri’s.  But he also has his secrets, and he can be just as dark and broody.  And, of course, Pierce feels a pull towards him as well.  Such a lucky girl!  I’m jealous!

The only flaw I saw was that the ending felt rushed. I wanted to see more about how things ended up, so I am hoping that there is a sequel in the works.

I ABSOLUTELY, IRREVOCABLY recommend you go buy this book and read it today!  Kate Evangelista creates a world where the darkness is more enticing than the light, where the devils are sexier than the angels, and where everything wrong just feels so right! 
 I can’t wait to see more from this budding debut author!  Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win Taste!

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