I really enjoyed reading this book, it was one of the most original stories I've read in a long time! It was just such a refreshing twist on zombies and it was a really good love story!
The main character is Phoenix McKay, and she is simply a typical seventeen year old girl with her own issues. She's a little rebellious and really hurting inside since the death of her mother. She has been sent off to Barinkoff Academy, a prestigious boarding school and feels somewhat abandoned by her emotionally distant father. Her character was likable, even if there were a couple of time when I wanted to yell at her, "No! What are you doing?" lol. I was happy reading about her and the things she was going through, and she was easy to relate to.
There are not one but two love interests that Phoenix has to decide between. Dark haired & obsidian-eyed Demitri. He is serious and protective of Phoenix, but can be a little domineering. And then there is Luka, with his blond hair, ice blue eyes and mischievous smile, he's more relaxed and teasing than Demitri. Both guys are extremely handsome, the kind of sexy that leaves you breathless when they smile, so Phoenix really has her work cut out for her!
I don't want to give away too much of the story, so I'm not going to go into the plot too much. Suffice it to say it was a very interesting read and kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end (I didn't want to put it down). I didn't know what was going to happen till the end of the book, so it wasn't predictable. There was action, mystery, danger, suspense, and (my favorite) romance!
Kate's writing is really descriptive and flows so well that I wouldn't have known that this was her debut novel if I hadn't read it. It definitely doesn't read like a first book, if this is how she starts out, then I can't wait to see what else she writes! Overall, it was a really good book and I'm so glad I got to read it!

***Title provide by the Author in exchange for an honest review***
Also published on my blog http://www.bookliaison.com ( )

This is an unusual and very entertaining paranormal story. I normally do not read this genre, but having read Savor by Kate Evangelist, curiosity got the best of me.

I loved this book! So creative and unique! I am now more than hoping her novel RELISH will be published soon. I cannot wait to see what happens with these characters as they change and evolve in this fantastic world Kate has created. ( )

Spunky Phoenix has no idea what she is getting into when she falls asleep in the library. Wow!! And after getting threatened she allows her curiouslty to get the best of her and go back again. This tie Luka the cute and mysterious Luka saves her instead of Demitri.

Luka is a sweet and mysterious guy who wants to know more of this day student Phoenix. he breaks rules to try. A young man who is racked with guilt and trying to forget his past and the responsibilities his life should entail he comes off as a free spirited and dangerous man. One that Phoenix should have a connection with. he has one for her unfortunately hers is for the sexy and uptight Demitri.

Demitri okay who doesn’t want him. His brooding serious ways. He puts his responsibilities above everything else even himself. But dang that sex on legs has a thing for Phoenix. Phoenix who aggravates him to no end. He likes her so much he allows her to do the most serious act in his world. This has consequences no one could expect.

Phoenix ends up in a world unlike her own. One that helps with her feeling of isolation and not feeling loved. how is that? Well everyone she runs into cares for her and envelops her with kindness and love. Especially Luka and Demitri although Demitri doesn’t always show it.

this is a sweet story of how love can overcome obstacles in anyones path. How love makes you crazy and protective. A story of allowing yourself to release your guilt and take on what you are. Where the character’s find their strength and themselves through the love of each other. ( )

Title : Taste
Series : -
Author : Kate Evangelista
Pages : 259 (my ecopy was 243)
Release Date : April 30th
Publisher : Crescent Moon Press
Format : eARC (ePub)
Source :
**An eARC was provided from the author in exchange of an honest review**




My Opinion :


Taste by Kate Evangelista is a debut novel that rocked my socks off. I couldn't find them anymore XD

I received an eARC of Taste from the author; I was totally thrilled when she first contacted me for the Trailer and Excerpt Reveal of Taste, because I had set my eye on the book previously. Then, she contacted me again and offered me the offer to review Taste. And I squealed of delight and, of course, accepted the offer. Then, I started the book, and totally fell in love with the book and the characters.

Taste is about Phoenix, a girl who has been sent to an Academy by her cold father. Then, she gets out after the school's curfew, and she meets those weird people who say they are going to feast on her flesh. But then, she has no idea those people are Zhamvyrs; zombies. But, they aren't your typical Hollywood ugly and brain eating zombies. They are a race that has stopped eating human flesh, and is now dying from a substitute to human flesh that they created. And, she falls in love with Demitri, although Luka is a close second.

Taste is a great book; fast-paced and keeps you turning the pages; you can't wait to find out what happens to the awesome and attaching characters Evangelista has created.

In Taste, you get to know Phoenix a little. One thing you need to know about her; she doesn't follower orders, she actually does the exact opposite. Which, gives her a reckless yet determined side. I grew attached to her, since she was such and awesome character.

Then there'S the swoon-worthy face-sucking-worthy (*giggles*) Demitri. I think that something that didn't help me also fall in love with him is the fact that his name is almost like Dimitri from Vampire Academy's name. And, by the way, I love Dimitri AND Demitri.

Luka was a close second for Phoenix... as well as for me. He was just... um... awesome. Yep, that's the word I was looking for!

I really hate Vladimir, but that's probably because he'S a total jerk and the evil guy in the book.

Anyways, Taste is a debut you DON'T want to miss!



RATING

4 roses! ( )

Taste has an interesting premise. Rather than the norm vampire, werewolves or angels this book contained Zhamvis... flesh eating zombie-like monsters who still have functioning brains. The whole concept of underground Zhamvi civilization was cool. The book was good but despite being this close it wasn't great. Why? Because for most of the book it seemed that the writer was not sure about the plot.

The blurb reminded me of [b:Vampire Knight, Volume 1|263145|Vampire Knight, Volume 1|Matsuri Hino|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1329232329s/263145.jpg|255083] but apart from there being Day students and the elusive Night students, there are no further similarities. The Day students have no idea of the existence of a whole different group of students who go to their school. The Night Class here is comprised of Zhamvis. Phoenix in an act of total carelessness misses her curfew by falling asleep in the library and stumbles upon the secret world of Zhamvis. And the rest, we can say, is history.

There is nothing new about the story. It is a blend of everything that has already been tried a lot in YA genre. Everything was fairly predictable from start to end. The love triangle between Demitri, Luka and Phoenix was kind of obvious and it kind of sucked that one guy would get the girl while the other one got his heart broken. I also found a bit of inconsistency in the book and a few plotholes. Like in the beginning Luka makes Demitri kneel in front of him and Demitri tell Phoenix that he had saved her life from Luka. Later we find out that Luka and Demitri are working together against the Traditionalists and Luka would never taste human flesh. Also Phoenix's strengths and powers while she was Dray's lab-rat is also debatable.

But I really liked Kate's writing. It kept me reading on even if the storyline won no brownie points from me. Her description of the Zhamvi city, her character building was amazing. I especially liked Dray, the shy clumsy scientist who was trying to save his race. But the main protagonists were too unoriginal for me.

Taste was a really nice effort for a debut author. Kate Evangelista has a lot of promise as a writer and I am sure I will read more of her books, if she writes, in the future. ( )