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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Death of parent
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I didn’t know what to expect going into this read. The description of this most definitely peaked my interest! Basic question, if you were giving the opportunity to have one last meal with someone who died, especially a loved one , would you? Most of us would…so this book inadvertently does just that! It combines grief, love and food together…something that we as humans do at funerals. I loved the synopsis of this, though unfortunately this book has an extremely slow start. It follows Kostya (of Ukrainian descent) through his own journey of grief as he lost his father. During his childhood he developed the ability to taste dishes from the dead that were in his proximity. Throughout the years he kept it to himself and decided to be creative with his abilities.
This book touches on so many aspects of a person’s grief process and the emotions behind it. Aftertaste has several references to Ukrainian dishes and other dishes and since this is heavily culinary based, someone with a passion for food/cooking would highly enjoy this. There isn’t much of a horror/sci-fi nor fantasy aspect but more so ghostly appearances from time to time. I was hoping to have an equal amount of fantasy/scifi, culinary and love. The connection between Kostya and Maura could’ve been written in better instead of him seeming like an obsessive stalker and her some weird psychic. I did enjoy the bits of twists and turns that this book gave! But towards the end it definitely became a beautiful story.
Overall I give this 4.1 stars as it was lackluster in the beginning but ended up on a beautiful high note.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this arc read!
This book touches on so many aspects of a person’s grief process and the emotions behind it. Aftertaste has several references to Ukrainian dishes and other dishes and since this is heavily culinary based, someone with a passion for food/cooking would highly enjoy this. There isn’t much of a horror/sci-fi nor fantasy aspect but more so ghostly appearances from time to time. I was hoping to have an equal amount of fantasy/scifi, culinary and love. The connection between Kostya and Maura could’ve been written in better instead of him seeming like an obsessive stalker and her some weird psychic. I did enjoy the bits of twists and turns that this book gave! But towards the end it definitely became a beautiful story.
Overall I give this 4.1 stars as it was lackluster in the beginning but ended up on a beautiful high note.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this arc read!
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The ending went a little off the rails but the rest read like a paranormal The Bear and I was ALL IN, babes.
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Explores the life of someone w/clairgustance as he deals with guilt, death, love, ghosts and a culinary career. Fascinating premise, but I didn't like or root for any of the characters, and frankly didn't find a satisfying end to the meal. So to speak.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated