Book review: 'Evertaster' is a fun read

"EVERTASTER," by Adam Glendon Sidwell, Future House Publishing, $9.99, 296 pages (f)

“Evertaster” by Adam Glendon Sidwell is an entertaining piece of young adult fiction. It has a unique story that will appeal both to children and adults.

Eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville has a very unique sense of taste. Being a very picky eater, Guster refuses to eat his mother's cooking. Desperate to feed her son, she takes him to New Orleans to try and find him something to eat.

While they are searching the shops, Guster and his family find a very old pastry shop. There they meet a man who tells them of a legendary recipe called the Gastronomy of Peace. It is a perfect recipe, one that chefs around the world try to get their hands on.

Determined to find the recipe, Guster and his family take off on a dangerous journey. The Johnsonvilles have many adventures along the way. They also try to silence Guster’s rumbling stomach and find something for him to eat that won't make him feel sick.

“Evertaster” is a book that has several laugh-out-loud moments. Sidwell is a talented comedian, and that is certainly reflected in his writing. The characters are quirky and likable. With names like Guster and Zee Gastronimatii, there is little room for mistakes.

While it is obvious that Sidwell is a talented writer, sometimes the storyline is skewed by an excessive use of metaphors. While creative, the metaphors eventually become distracting.

While “Evertaster” will probably never reach the notoriety of “Harry Potter,” it is certainly a book that deserves recognition. With chapter titles like “Sky Demons” and “The Mighty Sugarbacks Treasure,” readers will be anxious to see what adventures Guster will experience.

Fans of “Michael Vey” by Richard Paul Evans and “Charlie And The Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl will enjoy “Evertaster.”

Food is a driving point for the story, and readers should be advised not to read “Evertaster” on an empty stomach.

Overall, “Evertaster” is a fun read. Readers will love the characters and storyline.

Shelby Scoffield is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a graduate student at California State University, Stanislaus.