Tantalize
Leitich Smith, Cynthia, 2010.
Tantalize.
Somerville: Candlewick Press.
336 pages, hardcover.
$16.99
ISBN 9780763627911.
Format: book
Rating: 4.0/5.0 stars
Plot Summary
When her parents are killed and she’s left in the care of her Uncle Davidson, who isn’t much of a role model, Quincie Morris works tirelessly to revive their former restaurant: Sanguini’s with an entirely new original theme: vampire. With her family’s dear old friend Vaggio in the kitchen cooking up delectable menu items sure to please even the fussiest vampire/carnivore, there is hope for her business to be a success. But, with only a month to go before re-opening, Vaggio is brutally murdered and Quincie is tasked with finding a replacement chef – or give up her dream.
Add to the mix Quincie’s hybrid werewolf best friend Kieren, who is forcing her to take matters into her own hands in trying to make the first move because he won’t. Fearing harming her again, Kieren is struggling to control his inner monster as he prepares to join a wolf pack and must leave Quincie.
With just weeks to go, Quincie finds a replacement chef, but she isn’t entirely sure that he will be able to be converted into a believable Dark Lord offering up meals for guests: predator or prey?
Critical Evaluation
Smith writes with a blend of intense horror and comic relief, blending the two so that readers laugh out loud at some of the absurdity. For example, I love Smith’s style when crafting signs for Mitch, such as: “Gay Republican, Wiccan Veteran, Needs Luv & $” (p. 63) or “Pro-Choice Amish, Laid-off Tech Worker, Needs Booze & $” (p. 92), or “Homeless Indie, Pro-Life Vampire, Needs Blood” (p. 274). The use of Mitch and his signs not only show Smith’s strength in writing humor, but also show the transition of Mitch from mortal to vampire, for those who pay close attention to these little details.
I equated Tantalize to a great Disney/Pixar film, intended for a variety of audiences because not every viewer (reader) will have the same experience while watching (reading). For my teens, this was an all-absorbing intense book about vampires, werewolves and teen romance. As an adult reader, I found myself laughing far more often – having picked up on some of Smith’s greatest lines and titles throughout the book.
These snip its of humor or sarcasm, combined with the realism of teen experiences like when Quincie complains that her fangs ache like her first day without pain meds when she got braces, makes the writing more believable. Anyone, especially teens, can relate to that feeling as many have had that kind of braces pain. Having Quincie take the lead in trying to seduce Kieren is another common element with teenagers, although the hesitation may be for other reasons and probably not fear of inflicting wolf injuries to her.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this – my first ever vampire or werewolf novel.
Reader’s Annotation
As Quincie struggles to hold on to her werewolf boyfriend who is about to leave her, forever – she also works tirelessly to revitalize her parents’ restaurant Sanguini’s, converting it into a new vampire-themed restaurant. When her dearest father-figure/friend/chef is murdered in the restaurant, Quincie is forced to find a new chef who can play the part of the new Dark Lord; but just how much is he playing?
Information About the Author
Cynthia Leitich Smith was born in Missouri, is a tribal member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and has lived in many places before settling in Austin, Texas with her author husband Greg Leitich Smith and multiple cats.
Cynthia loves to write for readers of all ages, but has a special fondness for children and teens. She has published five children’s books including Holler Loudly, Santa Knows (with husband Greg), Indian Shoes, Rain is Not My Indian Name, and Jingle Dancer. She has published four YA novels including Tantalize, Eternal, Blessed and Diabolical. In addition, she has created a graphic novel Kieren’s Story telling the Quincie/Kieren story from his werewolf point of view. She has also published short stories for both children and YA in collections with other notable authors.
(Smith, 2011).
Genre:
Fiction: Paranormal & Horror – monsters
(per Teen Genreflecting3, though Cyn refers to it as a Gothic Fantasy)
Read-Alikes
Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix
Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox
Curriculum Ties
Tantalize could support a study on character development and the use of humor and dialogue as a means to further extend characters in writing.
Booktalking Ideas
1) scene Quincie encouraging Kieren's little sister to close the door on her
2) homeless buddy with all his bizarre, yet brilliant ironic signs
Book Trailer Links
Book Trailer by a Reader
Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8 and up / YA
Challenge Issues
werewolves, vampires, paranormal, monsters, violence, murder
First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as teens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district’s policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district’s philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.
Awards
Borders Original Voices Nominee, 2008
Chapters – Junior Advisory Board Pick
Texas Book Festival, 2007
National Book Festival, 2007
As my very first paranormal/fantasy involving werewolves and vampires, I felt it worthy of inclusion in this collection – more so out of respect and admiration for its author than for the actual book – and my teen girls love it. Once I read Joni’s brand new book, maybe I’ll better understand why!
School Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, The Horn Book, Kirkus Reviews
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