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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
emotional
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
Books, like the best meals, are crafted by combining the best ingredients, and the ingredients list for Aftertaste is a whole bunch of my favorite things:
-A high pressure culinary scene and evocative food writing in the style of the great Anthony Bourdain.
-A taste of magical realism through Kostya's ability that runs straight into a unique riff on the hungry ghost mythology (to compare it another book making waves this year, imagine a foul-mouthed, light-hearted take on the ghostly aspects of Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng)
-And while I'm not a big fan of romance stories, I must admit that Kostya and Maura's relationship feels real (supernatural aspects and all), nuanced, and, most importantly, fun to read, which might just be the reason I clicked that fifth star.
Lavelle has taken these ingredients and crafted a book like a great meal--worth devouring and raving about, the latter of which I plan to do vocally on the weekly "What we're reading" thread in the work chat. My best of 2025 list is shaping up to be an unwieldy beast, but unless I happen upon some truly perfect books, Aftertaste is going to be near the top.
-A high pressure culinary scene and evocative food writing in the style of the great Anthony Bourdain.
-A taste of magical realism through Kostya's ability that runs straight into a unique riff on the hungry ghost mythology (to compare it another book making waves this year, imagine a foul-mouthed, light-hearted take on the ghostly aspects of Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng)
-And while I'm not a big fan of romance stories, I must admit that Kostya and Maura's relationship feels real (supernatural aspects and all), nuanced, and, most importantly, fun to read, which might just be the reason I clicked that fifth star.
Lavelle has taken these ingredients and crafted a book like a great meal--worth devouring and raving about, the latter of which I plan to do vocally on the weekly "What we're reading" thread in the work chat. My best of 2025 list is shaping up to be an unwieldy beast, but unless I happen upon some truly perfect books, Aftertaste is going to be near the top.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
We measure our life with food. We commemorate birthdays, holidays, weddings, funerals, graduations, baby showers, retirements… simply waking up in the mornings… with food. Food defines cultural experiences, travel, lifelines. Smells, tastes, elicit long forgotten memories both cherished and heartbreaking.
Konstantin Duhovny realizes at 11 years old that he has a rare gift. He can taste Spirits. He doesn’t know how, he doesn’t know why, but he knows these Aftertastes are messages from beyond the veil. This gift haunts him for the next 20 years, until he meets a Steven Tyler look alike in a speakeasy… and a lavender haired psychic on a roof. Suddenly… he has a passion and a purpose.
Aftertaste is an inventive spin on ghost stories, that is equally as evocative in embracing love as it is in grief. Are they not two sides of the same coin? The writing style is creative and engaging. And although I am not a chef, I watch a lot of cooking competitions/shows (truly) and I devoured the food imagery and context.
Be patient when you read Aftertaste, and savor it like a nuanced meal. It is worth the adventure!
Konstantin Duhovny realizes at 11 years old that he has a rare gift. He can taste Spirits. He doesn’t know how, he doesn’t know why, but he knows these Aftertastes are messages from beyond the veil. This gift haunts him for the next 20 years, until he meets a Steven Tyler look alike in a speakeasy… and a lavender haired psychic on a roof. Suddenly… he has a passion and a purpose.
Aftertaste is an inventive spin on ghost stories, that is equally as evocative in embracing love as it is in grief. Are they not two sides of the same coin? The writing style is creative and engaging. And although I am not a chef, I watch a lot of cooking competitions/shows (truly) and I devoured the food imagery and context.
Be patient when you read Aftertaste, and savor it like a nuanced meal. It is worth the adventure!
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The premise was great but a lot was going on in this book. The book started slow for me and there is a lot of inner dialogue, which I am not opposed to, but it was making it difficult for me to get into the book.
The main character, Konstantin, was a bit wishy-washy. One minute he was grieving, next he was being stubborn, followed by doubting himself; however, you can see his confidence grow by the second half of the book.
I think this book is definitely for foodies. As my father-in-law says when it comes to my husband and me and our love for food - people eat to live but we (my husband and me) live to eat. Food bonds people, brings families and friends together, food is culture, history, and ancestry.
I will say, Aftertaste, made me think about my loved ones, my grief with their passings, and what my meal would be if I could bring them back.
The main character, Konstantin, was a bit wishy-washy. One minute he was grieving, next he was being stubborn, followed by doubting himself; however, you can see his confidence grow by the second half of the book.
I think this book is definitely for foodies. As my father-in-law says when it comes to my husband and me and our love for food - people eat to live but we (my husband and me) live to eat. Food bonds people, brings families and friends together, food is culture, history, and ancestry.
I will say, Aftertaste, made me think about my loved ones, my grief with their passings, and what my meal would be if I could bring them back.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated
medium-paced
”A meal could contain so many things he couldn’t say, every bite a way to travel through time.”
”A recipe could tell you who someone had been, what they had loved, the things that sustained them. It was a way for others to carry them along, to bring them back, to keep them close once they had gone. A way to never really die.”
This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read and it was a five-star read less than 50 pages in.
This was a fantastic read and I LOVE how the concept was executed!! I could not have predicted how much I would love this book, but it quickly became a new favorite of mine.
While the food descriptions were a big part of this book, the characters and their relationships play an equally as important role in making this book what it is. Getting to see their relationships blossom and grow on the page was nothing short of amazing. The ending absolutely gutted me, but it was so fitting for the book.
This book is so many things in one—it’s a story about love, grief, how food can connect us with others and bring back memories, and the dangers that can accompany the supernatural/spiritual world. It’s also a love letter to New York City and its culinary scene.
This is one that I can see many readers enjoying, even if it’s not in their typical genre. It’s just so good!!!
”A recipe could tell you who someone had been, what they had loved, the things that sustained them. It was a way for others to carry them along, to bring them back, to keep them close once they had gone. A way to never really die.”
This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read and it was a five-star read less than 50 pages in.
This was a fantastic read and I LOVE how the concept was executed!! I could not have predicted how much I would love this book, but it quickly became a new favorite of mine.
While the food descriptions were a big part of this book, the characters and their relationships play an equally as important role in making this book what it is. Getting to see their relationships blossom and grow on the page was nothing short of amazing. The ending absolutely gutted me, but it was so fitting for the book.
This book is so many things in one—it’s a story about love, grief, how food can connect us with others and bring back memories, and the dangers that can accompany the supernatural/spiritual world. It’s also a love letter to New York City and its culinary scene.
This is one that I can see many readers enjoying, even if it’s not in their typical genre. It’s just so good!!!