Review: Taste by Kate Evangelista

Title: Taste

Author: Kate Evangelista

Published: April 30th 2012 by Crescent Moon Press

Book Description:

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.

 Check out! ICE's wicked drawing of the characters

My Thoughts:

                When I first stumbled upon this book, (thanks to Ms. Evangelista herself for requesting for a review) my first thoughts were “A YA book written by a Filipino like me? Awesome! Academy with day and night students? Sounds like the anime/manga Vampire Knights. Sweet!” 
I have mentioned in my profile that I’m a big anime fan and reading the premise of the story got me so excited, and also hoping that I won’t be disappointed in the end. But Alas! Ms. Evangelista did such an awesome job on this one that I read it in one sitting. I just couldn’t stop myself!

                The story begins with our heroine, Phoenix who overslept in the library and broke the most important rule of the Academy: No students after sunset. After meeting a few peculiar people, including the gorgeous Demitri and Luka, she finds out the reason behind the rules, and soon she is thrown to a century old secret wherein she could possibly the one who can save them. From what? Read this book to find out. *winks*

                It’s been a while since I’ve last read a good book that really hooked me, to the point that I couldn’t put it down and have this HUGE urge to finish it in one sitting (or else I might die thinking about what may happen next!) At first, I honestly wasn’t sure about this yet when the “night students” appeared with their perfect looks, not to mention the love interests are the epitome of beauty (and manliness! Haha!). I mean, come on! I’ve read a lot of books with perfect guys already and this one just added to the pile. But beyond those lovely looks, there’s definitely something more, plus the story is something I haven't read before which actually made me more interested with Taste.

                The characters are very likeable, from the heroine, down to the minor characters. Phoenix is a broken, teenage girl after her mom died and her dad buried himself with his work. She felt lonely and alone, and I really felt sad for her. Although there were times that she might be a bit weak and dependent, she still has her strong qualities like her determination to help them. Definitely not a damsel in distress. And then there’s Demitri. He’s strong, swoon-worthy, and very responsible and devoted when it comes to his people. *sighs* He has this aura of mystery and authority emanating around him which makes him seem like a cold-hearted person (but he’s actually a really sweet guy!). Then Luka came along! Two hot guys? Yes please! He’s the complete opposite of Demitri, with his carefree attitude. Although deep inside, there’s something more to this gorgeous guy! One thing I hate about love triangles: I am torn between them! But if you ask me, I’m definitely Team Luka.

                The storyline is unique, and the world building is amazing! I can easily imagine their kingdom, their cultures, and I love it when people say “Hail to the King!” when mentioning the word King. It’s also very amusing when Ms. Evangelista included Kikaron (a.k.a Chicharon here in our country = Philippines) in the story. There were a lot of twists and turns that I didn’t quite expected, which is Whale-tastic because I love it when books are unpredictable and full of surprises.

                Overall, Taste is awesome, addicting, a page-turner and a unique novel. It definitely filled my hunger for a good YA Paranormal/Romance story. I definitely recommend this to everyone who loves the same genre. Come on guys! Have a Taste of this great novel by Kate Evangelista! (no pun intended)

                 

I give this book 4.5 whales.

Oh! And I also drew a quick fanart for this novel. I got so inspired after reading it that I really had to draw them, anime style! I hope you'll like it Ms. Evangelista!