Apr 24, 2007

TANTALIZE by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 2007.

Vampires, werewolves, and shape-shifters, oh my! This gothic fantasy—the first by prolific author Cynthia Leitich Smith—has everything, including mystery, romance, thrills, and moments that will have the reader catching her breath with surprise, fear, suspense and, occasionally, risking a sigh of relief.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I began to read Tantalize (Candlewick Press, 2007). Bram Stoker? Anne Rice? Buffy? But, no, none of the above—the talented Smith supplies her own unique voice and gives her version of human vs. nonhuman—well, nonhuman, partially human, and undead human—a rich, passionate color of its own.

Sanguini’s: A Very Rare Restaurant is the hub of the action, serving menus for both “predator” (“chilled baby squirrels, simmered in orange brandy, bathed in honey cream sauce” (p. 173)) and “prey” (“roasted tomato and wild mushroom stew in red wine sauce and vegetable stock” (p. 172)). Werepeople, shape-shifters and, of course, vampires are everywhere during the nightly dinner rush, although only a few are the real thing. But, when people begin to die, it is imperative that seventeen-year-old restaurateur Quincie discover just who is who—or what.

Smith does an excellent job of drawing readers into the pages of her imagination. Every detail is precise and thorough, without becoming heavy-handed or causing the pace to drag. Smith offers just enough to keep her readers coming back for seconds, thirds, fourths …. And, when the last page is inevitably reached, one is left satisfied, yet hungering for more.

Smith is known for her contemporary multicultural writings, and I suppose Tantalize is about as “multicultural” as it gets. But her first foray into the goth aspect of fantasy is, without a doubt, a winner and, I hope, just a taste of courses yet to be served.

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For more about Cynthia Leitich Smith and Tantalize, check out my interview with her, right here on Teen Fiction at Suite101.com.

Enter curious!