by Kate Evangelista
Publication Date: April 30, 2012
Published by Crescent Moon Press
Format Reviewed: eBook
Synopsis:
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.
My Thoughts:
Phoenix McKay attends a prestigious, super-elite boarding school in the mountains of Russia. To most of the students, this is academic paradise, but to Phoenix it is just a reminder of her mother's death and that ever since, her father has turned away from her. One night, Phoenix accidentally misses curfew and breaks the one and only rule - no students on campus after sunset - and faces expulsion. Not knowing how to get back to the dorms, she wanders the halls of Barinkoff trying to find someone who can help her. That was her first mistake. Phoenix stumbles onto the secret of Barinkoff; the Night Students. They are eerily beautiful and just as dangerous. She is saved by Demetri, a dark and sexy boy who helps her get back to safety. However, now that Phoenix knows there are secrets she makes it her mission to find out the rest of them. And boy does she...
They are Zhamvy, or zombies, but not like the Hollywood type eating brains and decaying. They are more like the current vampire myth: strong, quick-healing, fast, and utterly breathtaking They live in secret and no one, save few, know of their existence They crave human flesh, but have turned to a synthetic to help them stave off the hunger. But what is keeping them from devouring humans just might be making them sick. Faced with the idea of helping a dying race, Phoenix knows that she must do it because she wished someone had done the same for her mother.
I loved this book! The cover is stunning and makes me wish I had a physical copy. Phoenix is a great character and I love how she doesn't back down. No matter what is thrown her way, she stands up for herself and those she cares about. She is passionate and a character I cheered her on throughout the entire story. You can feel her pain and anguish over her mother's death and her exile from her father. Once inside the Zhamvy kingdom, Phoenix is forced to confront feelings that she wants to keep hidden, but instead of turning into a whiny girl, she faces everything head-on, never mind the consequences.
Now the boys...I know Demitri was her savior, but there is just something about Luka that I love. Demetri is loyal, stubborn and infuriating and while I found myself liking him, he was just too broody for me. On the other hand is Luka, the flaxen-haired boy who has some skeletons in his closet. And those have made him the charming and fun boy I officially have a crush on. While Demitri is the one Phoenix first encounters, once I met Luka there was no coming back. Sigh. But, Demetri is good for Phoenix. He is grounded and she is not, but they both care for one another, but won't give into each other fully.
I also really liked the character of Yana, Luka's sister, the Gothic Lolita. She added depth to the story and a bit of humor. Taste is like nothing I have seen before. Zombies aren't your usual romantic leading men, so it was a complete and utter surprise to see something so different. This seems to be a burgeoning genre: Zombie Romance and I look forward for more adaptations of this theme. I know some have been put off by the idea of zombie love, but I don't see it as anything different than vampires. I am hooked and I want more! This book combines passion, duty, romance, history, and zombies. It is a must read for any fan of paranormal romance! I can't wait to read more from Ms. Evangelista.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Book Trailer:
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When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.
About the Author:
When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.
Fanatsic review! There is a Twitter Party coming up this friday Dec 14, 7/8C! You can ask Kate all your questions about Taste and win a copy of Taste. Join and use Hashtag #BreakCurfew
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