The wonderful Kate Evangelista will be launching her new book, “Til Death”, on March 15th at National Book Store Glorietta 1. Come and meet Kate and find out more about her YA and NA novels, which have been published internationally. đ
Tag: Kate Evangelista
New Release: “Savor” by Kate Evangelista
When Kate Evangelista released her first novel, “Taste”, I definitely wasn’t alone in experiencing “second lead syndrome”, gravitating more toward Luka Visraya rather than the male lead (see, now I forgot his name! *facepalm*).
So now we get an entire book about Luka. Hell, yeah! đ
Mature and explicit content. Not recommended for readers below 18-years-old.
Yup, youâve got to be that old to read my story. Consider yourself warned.
Iâm Dakota Collins, a tough talking, eye patch wearing, workaholic photography student. Why am I important? Well, maybe because I get to spend an entire month with Vicious, only the sickest indie rock band out there.
You see, I needed a subject for my Spring Showcase introspective in order to graduate. During a chance encounter at a club Iâd been sent to cover for the Daily Gossip, our ironically named college paper, the features writer I usually teamed up with introduced me to the bandâby accident, I might add. It involved a run in with a scary, bald bodyguard. Anyway, long story short, I signed a contract to take pictures of Vicious.
I should have known their handsome yet way too serious for his own good bassist, Luka Visraya, wouldnât be able to keep his hands to himself. Heâs gorgeous and all, but the way he smiles spelled trouble with a capital L. Iâm in for a long month with him around.
Crazy shit happens and then some. So, if you want the skinny on Vicious and the events revolving around my stay at Lunar Manor, read my story.
Here’s an excerpt:
Purchase Links: Amazon â Barnes & Noble â The Book Depository â Crescent Moon Press
About Kate Evangelista: When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn’t going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master’s courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she lives in the Philippines and writes full-time.
Author Links: Website â„ Twitter â„ Facebook Page â„ Goodreads â„ Add Savor to Goodreads
Cover Reveal: “Reaping Me Softly” by Kate Evangelista
Filipino author Kate Evangelista’s follow-up to her debut novel, Taste, is yet another YA paranormal romance with an interesting premise.
Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as sheâs learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy sheâs had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.
At last they have something in common, but that doesnât mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianneâs world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianneâs life. But will Niko break his own Reaperâs code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?
Publication Date: 30 October 2012
Wow, this is yet another exquisite work by artist Liliana Sanches, who also created the cover of “Taste”. I like that the aesthetic consistency with “Taste” despite the different publishers gives Evangelista’s books a signature look and feel.
But what’s with guys named Niko and themes of death/the Underworld? (See also: Nico di Angelo) đ
More info on Kate’s website: click!
Add to Goodreads:
“Taste” by Kate Evangelista
Title: Taste
Author: Kate Evangelista
Read Date: 30 April 2012
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Reading Advice: Read this while munching on some pork cracklings! *insert evil The Count laughter here*
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At Barinkoff Academy, there’s only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.
When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesnât realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.
One of the things that I look for in romance stories, especially when they decide to go down Love Triangle Lane, is a certain amount of uncertainty about the story’s One True Pairing (OTP). It doesn’t matter if there seems to already be a fated OTP (see Korean drama “The Moon That Embraces The Sun”); what’s fun for me is watching the second lead be his awesome self enough for me to re-think which team I want to be on. I hate it when writers make the second lead despicable or strangely unattractive just to steer us towards the direction of the main hero. I want to be able to choose who to root for. Occasionally, I even want to be able to chastise the heroine and tell her “I told you so.”
I mention this because it’s one of the things I liked about Kate Evangelista’s new YA novel, “Taste.” The two heroes who are vying for Phoenix’s heart are equally attractive, yet any girl could likewise conceivably have doubts about them both. The OTP eventually becomes obvious as we go further into the story, of course, but the second lead remains a worthy choice.
Kate Evangelista created a vivid world and detailed mythology for “Taste” that seems both fresh and familiar. I’m sure that when readers start to talk about the primary conceit of the bookâwhat the Night Students like Demitri and Luka turn out to beâthere will be numerous invocations of certain popular YA titles and how those have also re-invented particular mythologies.
If I sound like I’m skirting this Creature Issue, I apologize. I don’t want to spoil that revelation for other readers because it’s fun to see all the guesses that are floating around in Goodreads, Twitter, and book blogs. Apparently, vampires are leading the survey. *chuckles* As for me, I’ll just say that I didn’t see it coming. I suspected in the beginning that maybe Ms. Evangelista invented a totally new supernatural creature, but apparently not. So yeah, it’s certainly a fascinating twist, although, to be honest, I’m not sure if everyone is going to drink this mythological Kool-Aid.
While I like Phoenix’s courage and inquisitiveness and Demitri’s intensity, it was Luka and the secondary characters like his sister Yana, and Demitri’s younger brother Dray, who captivated me. Their personal stories and their motivations make them easy to root for.
Overall, “Taste” is an entertaining read that will appeal to fans of paranormal YA romance. I look forward to seeing what other stories Ms. Evangelista has in store for us.
p.s. Filipino readers should keep their eyes peeled for a Pinoy reference in the story! (Oh, great. Now, I’m hungry.) đ
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Disclosure: This review is based on an ARC provided by Kate Evangelista.
Trailer and Excerpt Reveal: “Taste” by Kate Evangelista
I’m happy to join other bloggers in unveiling the book trailer and excerpt for Kate Evangelista’s Taste, which will be published next month by Crescent Moon Press! Go, Filipino authors! đ
At Barinkoff Academy, there’s only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.
When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesnât realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.
Cover Reveal: “The Raven Boys” and “Taste”
Maggie Stiefvater recently announced that her new project is a 4-book series called The Raven Cycle. The first book is The Raven Boys.
Filled with mystery, romance, and the supernatural, The Raven Boys introduces readers to Richard âDickâ Campbell Gansey, III and Blue Sargent. Gansey has it allâfamily money, good looks, devoted friendsâbut heâs looking for much more than that. He is on the hunt to find Glendower, a vanished Welsh king. Legend has it that the first person to find him will be granted a wishâeither by seeing him open his eyes, or by cutting out his heart.
Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys thereâknown as Raven Boysâcan only mean trouble. When Gansey and his Raven Boy friends come into her life, Blue realizes how true this is. She never thought her fortune would be a problem. But she was wrong.
Maggie has additional info about her main characters, and a song that inspired her while she was writing, here: click!
I’m excited to read this come September 18th, and hope that Maggie will continue to exceed the quality of her writing with each new novel.
I’m likewise excited to read the new YA supernatural romance by Filipino author Kate Evangelista, entitled Taste.
At Barinkoff Academy, there’s only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.
When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesnât realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.
The lovely cover is by artist Liliana Sanchez.
There’s no release date set for Taste just yet, however, there’s more info about the book here: click!
I’m curious to see how a Filipino author will spin a supernatural YA tale with non-native characters, settings, and mythology. I know that good writers can mask their ethnicity when they write fantasy, but when the author’s own culture bleeds through the stories a little, sometimes it makes for a more interesting read.
The Girl Who Read and Other Stories 