The Taster

By: V.S. Alexander

Narrated by: Carol Monda

Publisher's summary

Amid the turbulence of World War II, a young German woman finds a precarious haven closer to the source of danger than she ever imagined - one that will propel her through the extremes of privilege and terror under Hitler's dictatorship.

In early 1943, Magda Ritter's parents send her to relatives in Bavaria, hoping to keep her safe from the Allied bombs strafing Berlin. Young German women are expected to do their duty - working for the Reich or marrying to produce strong, healthy children. After an interview with the civil service, Magda is assigned to the Berghof, Hitler's mountain retreat. Only after weeks of training does she learn her assignment: she will be one of several young women tasting the Führer's food, offering herself in sacrifice to keep him from being poisoned.

Perched high in the Bavarian Alps, the Berghof seems worlds away from the realities of battle. Though terrified at first, Magda gradually becomes used to her dangerous occupation - though she knows better than to voice her misgivings about the war. But her love for a conspirator within the SS and her growing awareness of the Reich's atrocities draw Magda into a plot that will test her wits and loyalty in a quest for safety, freedom, and, ultimately, vengeance.

Vividly written and ambitious in scope, The Taster examines the harrowing moral dilemmas of war in an emotional story filled with acts of extraordinary courage.

©2018 V.S. Alexander (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

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5 out of 5 stars

By kellym on 10-11-20

German perspective on WWII

I’ve read a lot of books written from the Jewish perspective on WWII, but this was the first time I’ve experienced it from a German forced into service to Hitler. The story is interesting and well told. I really enjoyed the narrator as well. Great read!

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5 out of 5 stars

By LingDynasty on 02-21-18

A riveting story of human tragedy and survival.

This book truly captures a story of people caught in a deadly time in history.

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5 out of 5 stars

By Traci J on 08-24-18

A must read

I rarely write reviews but when a book is as good as this I have to share. This was one of those books you can't stop reading or in this case listening. It was engaging right from the start and the narration was also excellent! Incredible story from this young girls perspective and a rare glance into the inner circle of Hitler. I felt like I was there! I can't imagine not liking this book.

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