Tantalize, By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Title: Tantalize
Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith
Publish Date: February 13, 2007
Publisher: Candlewick

Price: Hardcover $16.99
Pages: 336
ISBN: 0763627917
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Occult/Supernatural/Fantasy
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: In Austin's very first Vampire themed restaurant, there is more cooking in the kitchen the just food. A murder has taken place and Orphan Quincie is left with a plateful of mystery and dark romance.

Summary: This vampire story is a matter of taste. Literally. Orphaned Quincie Morris (a nod to Stoker’s Dracula that hopefully readers will recognize) and her Uncle Davidson have decided to re-vamp their inherited Italian restaurant to save it from the competition. Struggles ensue when her best friend (who is also a hybrid shape-shifter wolf) starts getting the blame when bodies start turning up. Including the head chef.

Evaluation: Though at first it seems like a overdone werewolf-vampire struggle complete with a tasty love-triangle, it turns out to have it’s strength in the “tasty” rather then the rest. Generally, I wasn't as impressed with the ending as I was the quirky story line that keeps you guessing like a "feast." The metaphors were delicious! The epicurean in me wanted to sink my fangs into the table of contents alone. It gave it a little edge in a market that is over-flooded with vampire tales.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Orphans, Working Teens, Empowering and, Romance, and Problem Solving

Reason this Book was Chosen: What’s on the Menu? The table of Contents! Smith delivers a vampire feast that plays on the temptations of the feast, the “drink,” and of course the delicious nature of the unknown. Teens who love to vamp it up will love this. So will teens with a culinary appreciation!

Author Website: http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/cls/cyn_books/tantalize/tantalize.html

Official Book Trailer: