Plot Summary
In the wake of her parents' death, orphan Quincie has inherited the family's Italian restaurant and been left in the the care of her distracted, Jimmy Buffet-like uncle Davidson. Looking to inject a little excitement into the place, she and her uncle decide to adopt a vampire theme to the Austin restaurant. That seems like plenty for one high school senior to tackle, but there's more--Quincie's first love, a werewolf hybrid, is about to leave to embark on an initiation ritual. Then the restaurant's long-time cook, Vaggio, is murdered. Quincie hires Henry Johnson as the head chef. Will she be able to transform him into a red-hot chef before opening night? What about her first love, Kieran? What if the new chef tries to seduce her with his vampish ways? Rumors of attacks by werewolves circle after the death of Vaggio. Quincie doubts that it could Kieran, but clearly some terrible force is out there threatening the community. Who killed Vaggio, and who is next on the list?
Critical Evaluation
While I had to work hard to keep up with all of the plot lines criss-crossing this novel, I took great pleasure in reading Leitich-Smith’s imaginative depiction of a setting in Tantalize. In this novel, Austin, TX is a one-off version of itself, a place in which werewolf moms try to keep their identities on the down-low by driving mini-vans about town. In spite of the werewolves and vampires that populate the city, though, it’s still Austin, and the the novel features narrator Quincie strutting about town in red cowboy boots, the enormous bat colony hanging underneath the Congress Street bridge, and a mixed population boasting strong Mexican influences. Leitich-Smith is also playful with describing the family restaurant evoking the sounds and smells and motions of a busy restaurant that is remaking itself into a vampire-themed Italian restaurant.
Reader’s Annotation
Fans of Twilight might want to check this one out to see how Quincie compares to Bella and how Austin, TX stacks up to Forks, WA as a vampire hang-out spot.
Information about the Author
According to the author’s website, “She is a member of the Authors Guild, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Writers' League of Texas, and Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. She graduated with degrees in news/editorial and public relations from the White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas, Lawrence in 1990 and from The University of Michigan Law School in 1994. She also studied abroad in Paris, France during the summer of 1991 via a program sponsored by Tulane Law School and the University of Paris IV.
Cynthia has worked as a popcorn popper and cashier in a movie theater, a waitress (in a Mexican chain restaurant, and at a country club restaurant and pool), an attendant at a gas station, a receptionist at a law firm, a telephone operator at a bank, a law clerk (for a legal aid, for a small firm, for a government agency, and for a federal appeals judge), and an English tutor for students of migrant farm families. She has also worked as a reporter (for small-town and big city newspapers) and in public relations (for a non-profit agency, for a greeting card company, and for an oil company). In addition, Cynthia has taught legal writing and writing for children and young adults.
Cynthia was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Her previous states of residence are: Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, and Oklahoma. She is a tribal member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Today, she lives in Austin, Texas, with her four cats and her husband, award-winning children's book author Greg Leitich Smith.”
Genre
Gothic Fantasy
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking Ideas
Read the passage in which Vaggio’s body is discovered. In addition to everything else, this novel is a whodunit with the lingering questions--who was the perpetrator and when will he (or she?) strike next?
Reading Level/ Interest Age
14+
Challenge Issues
There could be individuals who would take issue with the paranormal elements and sexual references in Tantalize. If the book were challenged, I would turn to ALA's Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials.
Why Included?
This was a novel assigned in my LIBR 265 course, and I’m glad to have now read another Gothic Fantasy novel in addition to Twilight. Vampires are hot right now, and I want to be in on the conversation!
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