Member Reviews

I am very grateful for the opportunity to read a short sampler of this book. It helped me determine that the book is simply not for me. I don't think that's through any fault of the author; I am just very picky about the sci-fi/fantasy I read these days. I like the idea of the premise but the opening didn't grip me like I was hoping for. I think short samplers are a great idea and I'd love to see more of them on netgalley.

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I was immediately fascinated by the blurb of this book. What an interesting take/twist on a psychic medium, a unique way to communicate with someone I the Afterlife. I don't often read samplers, but I just couldn't resist this one, and it certainly left me desperate to read more!
An emotional story about a young boy dealing with the upheaval of moving to a new country having to learn a different language and culture as well as trying to make new friends which is further complicated with the grief over the loss of his father and his guilt over the last angry conversation they had.
When a game he used to play with his father suddenly evolves and reappears back in his life, he isn't sure what to think. He can suddenly taste emotions and a food/meal without ever having eaten it, of course he embraces it. It takes away some of the feelings of loneliness he is having and reminds him of happy memories with his father. He tries to explain it to his mother, wanting reassurance and loving understanding from her. Instead, he is taken to different types of Doctor who poke, prod and medicate him, then when he can not stand that any longer, he agrees with those thinking he made it all up for attention.
I loved the descriptive comparisons using food such as 'lying being like carving a roast' and felt like I wanted to reach through the book to hug the confused, scared, emotional young boy dealing with this 'gift' he has discovered he has.
Would definitely love to read more of the book to see how Kostya develops his gift and manages to keep it hidden from those who would think he has mental issues or that he is simply making it up for attention. It will be interesting to read about the young boy growing, maturing into a young man who he wants to open a restaurant that serves closure. Does he finally deal with his own grief and forgive himself for that last argument with his father. Does he see his gift as some sort of penance for that, or will he feel its a positive gift to help others. I also wonder what people will think about the service he is offering ..it's sort of an extension of visiting a psychic medium to communicate with someone in the Afterlife.
It's a really interesting, intriguing idea/concept and a genius twist on being a psychic medium. The possibilities are endless for different directions this book could take. So yes I would really like to read more!!

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Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury for the sampler of Aftertaste! This was only a short section from the beginning of the book but gave some great insight into Kostya’s background and his relationship with his father, and gave an intriguing hint to his ability to taste things that aren’t there. I look forward to reading more when the book is out!

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This sampler of Aftertaste was the absolute perfect amuse bouche which whet my appetite and has me obsessively waiting for more.

The sample chapters give the impression of a rich and captivating story that I can't wait to dive into and devour fully! I'll just make sure to have a snack at hand while I'm reading I think.

Straight to the top of my 2025 TBR list!

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This book was already on my radar so I was thrilled with the opportunity to read a sampler of the opening chapters. This has certainly whet my appetite for the remainder of the book.

From the short few chapters I was given to read I am intrigued by the concept of tasting food ‘from the dead’, and where this will take Kostya throughout the story. The family dynamics introduced early between Kostya and his immigrant parents added depth and the start of an interesting back story for the main character.

I can tell that this is going to be a descriptive and engaging ‘foodie’ book with the language used to describe Kostya’s ‘aftertastes’, as well as the emotive language used in discussion of the loss of his father and his subsequent actions.

I cannot wait to read the full book to give a complete review of my thoughts but I am already fascinated by this story.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the sampler of Aftertaste.

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