Reviews

The Taster by V.S. Alexander

booktalkwithkarla's review

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

In The Taster, Magda Ritter put her life on the line nightly as a taster for Adolph Hitler. Magda was one of many tasters. In this novel by V.S. Alexander, Magda’s role puts her in the position of offering the reader insider information of Hitler’s moods, motivations, and machinations. The premise was a good one, but I wasn’t thrilled with the execution. I didn’t connect with Magda and reading about Hitler wasn’t enjoyable. 

vintage_b's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 This was hauntingly beautiful. We all seem to think we know the events that surrounded WWII. Why did so many allow the atrocities to happen? However, V.S. Andrews paints a very real picture of what life was like for many Germans during that time. The writing was so well done one could forget they are reading a fictional telling of events. I recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, with a warning that there are some difficult topics discussed. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

elizpalmtree's review

dark emotional sad tense

4.0

agucif's review

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

izzy_21's review

5.0

4.75

alicegdrs's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

irurian's review

3.0

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westallmm's review

5.0

Great book for anyone who is into WWII historical fiction. I enjoy hearing about the war from various perspectives and this is a whole new one for me. Based on a true story, and included in your Audible Membership. Totally worth the listen.

ristretto_and_romance's review

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, War, and Rape

janefre's review

4.0

Incredible story, riveting, and couldn’t put it down.