A review by tamtasticbooks
Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

challenging dark emotional 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

4.75

For some reason, I thought this book was gonna be a silly goofy time, but it turns out that the only silly goofy thing was me, and this book is actually devastating, introspective, and truly unique.
 
Aftertaste starts with Konstantin losing his father at a young age, and then the way grief settles in him. He starts tasting a dish in his throat, so flavorful, but doesn't understand what it means. As he grows up, he receives more of these tastes, and finally acts upon one of them and makes the dish he's tasting for the client in front of him.
 
There is grief, so much loss, terror, depression, consequences, love, and betrayal in here. There are bad decisions, ghosts, ignorance, and determination. so much is going on it this book, and it is so so so well done. I was surprised by just how much I loved it. By about 25%, I didn't want to put it down. I recommend it to everyone, particularly those who enjoy sci-fi, and to those who enjoy reading about grief.
 
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the e-ARC!
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