Scan barcode
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
Joanna Davidson Politano is one of my go-t0 Victorian fiction authors, and I usually read her newest title each year.
This book focuses on the world of Ballet theatre. Dancers had an unfortunate reputation in Victorian (and early Georgian) times. This even carried over into the 20th century, with a remark from an Agatha Christie novel that it was "impossible!" to have a child and be a dancer.
Ella however, dreams of being a dancer like her mother, but also wants to keep hold of her faith, two things she has been told are incompatible.
Along the way, she has a mystery to unravel. Ella believes she can find her father, but as she unravels the complex threads of the past, she discovers more than one secret in the theatre where her mother once graced the stage.
A Midnight Dance was in interesting mix of romance and mystery, with just enough of a smattering of details about the culture in which the story was set. There's enough to keep the reader guessing, but too much so that they are bogged down.
Ella proved to be one of the better written characters in this genre. It’s all too easy for female leads in Inspy Fiction to become boring and stale Mary Sues as authors try to tick all the boxes expected of them.
Female leads who are a a little controversial or have a somewhat dark background are ones I find more satisfying.
I think readers will enjoy this new standalone from Ms Politano. I didn't like it as much as The Love Note, but nearly so.
Thanks to Revell for approving my request for this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
This book focuses on the world of Ballet theatre. Dancers had an unfortunate reputation in Victorian (and early Georgian) times. This even carried over into the 20th century, with a remark from an Agatha Christie novel that it was "impossible!" to have a child and be a dancer.
Ella however, dreams of being a dancer like her mother, but also wants to keep hold of her faith, two things she has been told are incompatible.
Along the way, she has a mystery to unravel. Ella believes she can find her father, but as she unravels the complex threads of the past, she discovers more than one secret in the theatre where her mother once graced the stage.
A Midnight Dance was in interesting mix of romance and mystery, with just enough of a smattering of details about the culture in which the story was set. There's enough to keep the reader guessing, but too much so that they are bogged down.
Ella proved to be one of the better written characters in this genre. It’s all too easy for female leads in Inspy Fiction to become boring and stale Mary Sues as authors try to tick all the boxes expected of them.
Female leads who are a a little controversial or have a somewhat dark background are ones I find more satisfying.
I think readers will enjoy this new standalone from Ms Politano. I didn't like it as much as The Love Note, but nearly so.
Thanks to Revell for approving my request for this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
Once upon a time I did ballet. I was seven. It wasn't complicated. It was not on some high level, but it was ballet. I quit. I can't really remember why. I assume I was scared to get serious, to make it a chore instead of something just for fun. But when I watch ballet it looks like freedom. And if there's one thing I always crave and search for it's freedom. So, when I saw this book on Netgalley I pressed request before I could think about it. I hoped to find a bit of freedom in this book.
The atmosphere of this book is amazing. The writing style in this book is in some way poetic and it feels like there is a rhythm, a cadence in the words and sentences. It's almost like the book doesn't just use descriptions to make us experience and envision the ballet scenes, it also uses its word to make us hear and feel and read the music and the steps. Therefore I flew through the book, almost literally, because despite the sometimes heavy story the words felt featherlight.
Of course the ballet scenes played a huge part in the story, but all the described scenes had a meaning, had a deeper layer, were more than just a dancing scene. The ballet scenes our heroine danced, mirrored her life experience, her growth as both a dancer and a person, the history she was trying to uncover and explore. The dancing followed the plot, it grew with both every new discovery and revelation, just like it changed with the mood of our heroine.
Therefore it felt like the heroine really came to life, just like her love interest. Of course we're mostly experiencing this journey through her eyes, which helps to understand her, to connect with her and to root for her. Throughout the story I fell a little bit in love with her and I fell in love along side her. Just like I really enjoyed her relationship with God. There were quite a few powerful scenes where our heroine bloomed and glowed and at the end of the book I had this huge satisfied smile on my face.
The atmosphere of this book is amazing. The writing style in this book is in some way poetic and it feels like there is a rhythm, a cadence in the words and sentences. It's almost like the book doesn't just use descriptions to make us experience and envision the ballet scenes, it also uses its word to make us hear and feel and read the music and the steps. Therefore I flew through the book, almost literally, because despite the sometimes heavy story the words felt featherlight.
Of course the ballet scenes played a huge part in the story, but all the described scenes had a meaning, had a deeper layer, were more than just a dancing scene. The ballet scenes our heroine danced, mirrored her life experience, her growth as both a dancer and a person, the history she was trying to uncover and explore. The dancing followed the plot, it grew with both every new discovery and revelation, just like it changed with the mood of our heroine.
Therefore it felt like the heroine really came to life, just like her love interest. Of course we're mostly experiencing this journey through her eyes, which helps to understand her, to connect with her and to root for her. Throughout the story I fell a little bit in love with her and I fell in love along side her. Just like I really enjoyed her relationship with God. There were quite a few powerful scenes where our heroine bloomed and glowed and at the end of the book I had this huge satisfied smile on my face.
melmo2610's review
4.0
This one had me all kinds of intrigued from the very first page and I could not put this one down! The mysteries Ella is trying to solve had me trying hard to figure out all the threads and the twists and turns kept me guessing throughout. A very enjoyable read.
vibeke_hiatt's review
4.0
This is Politano's most surprising and unexpected story yet. It was fascinating to watch it unfold. She has a knack for the unexpected. Although I was able to figure out most details of the mystery, other twists of the story honestly surprised me. I'm impressed by Politano's ability to craft characters who feel so real, experiencing true-to-life situations.
And, although I've never been a fan of ballet, Politano makes it interesting to me.
And, although I've never been a fan of ballet, Politano makes it interesting to me.
sleepy_stacey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Read it in one day! Couldn’t put it down, BUT I wish that they would’ve played into the love triangle more. I kept waiting for the moment Philips true character would be shown to Ella, but it never happens!
There were also MAJOR religious overtones/moral message about ‘finding God’. And while I understand it in part for the character, it felt more like a sermon and a crutch rather than an informed choice.
Overall fun story that I enjoyed.
There were also MAJOR religious overtones/moral message about ‘finding God’. And while I understand it in part for the character, it felt more like a sermon and a crutch rather than an informed choice.
Overall fun story that I enjoyed.
introverteddragonscribbles's review
5.0
Approaching romance novels—for me—is like a skeptic approaching a Hallmark film. You don’t know if it’s going to be grossly cliché or a halfway good story. I’m not a fan of romance in any shape or form, so when I happen upon a decent one, I’m always pleasantly surprised.
A Midnight Dance is more than decent. It’s excellent. I can’t find a single bad thing to say about it except for the fact that I was slightly confused by the beginning and the sudden infatuation the lead character, Ella, had for this random man she met in a dusty old room in the back of the theatre. But as the story progressed, I saw it exactly for what it was—just a childish fantasy.
Other than that, A Midnight Dance has an incredibly solid plot, well rounded characters that pop off the page, and more mystery than romance that kept me turning pages and reading late into the night just to find out all the answers. The climax of the romance didn’t even elicit a single eye-roll from me, which I consider a great achievement.
Overall, A Midnight Dance is a pretty solid book and I wouldn’t mind one bit reading more by Politano.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Midnight Dance is more than decent. It’s excellent. I can’t find a single bad thing to say about it except for the fact that I was slightly confused by the beginning and the sudden infatuation the lead character, Ella, had for this random man she met in a dusty old room in the back of the theatre. But as the story progressed, I saw it exactly for what it was—just a childish fantasy.
Other than that, A Midnight Dance has an incredibly solid plot, well rounded characters that pop off the page, and more mystery than romance that kept me turning pages and reading late into the night just to find out all the answers. The climax of the romance didn’t even elicit a single eye-roll from me, which I consider a great achievement.
Overall, A Midnight Dance is a pretty solid book and I wouldn’t mind one bit reading more by Politano.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
morgangiesbrecht's review
5.0
“‘Is art only validated by the presence of an audience?’”
.
.
.
4.5⭐️
My friend Catie wrote a beautiful Instagram post on this quote from the book, which scooted it up on my TBR. One of my favourite books by the author!
Politano has a beautiful way of storytelling and weaving in truth that captures my heart every single time!
And the mystery angle! I can’t say much because of spoilers but SO WELL DONE!
The theme of using our art for God, even when we don’t feel like we are “good enough,” was especially poignant and touching. May we learn to fly free, friend.
.
.
.
4.5⭐️
My friend Catie wrote a beautiful Instagram post on this quote from the book, which scooted it up on my TBR. One of my favourite books by the author!
Politano has a beautiful way of storytelling and weaving in truth that captures my heart every single time!
And the mystery angle! I can’t say much because of spoilers but SO WELL DONE!
The theme of using our art for God, even when we don’t feel like we are “good enough,” was especially poignant and touching. May we learn to fly free, friend.
mom_loves_to_read's review
5.0
This story truly captivated me. Every part of this story was enchanting. The descriptions of the ballet were just beautiful. I could easily picture it in my head. The plot was mysterious and the characters intriguing. Even though the romance wasn’t the main focus of the story, it was still amazing.
This is a book that I would recommend going in blind because there are so many twists and turns in the plot.
This is Christian fiction and I loved the faith elements. Ella’s journey from a struggling dancer to one that gives all the glory in her dancing to the Lord was just beautiful.
“
This is a book that I would recommend going in blind because there are so many twists and turns in the plot.
This is Christian fiction and I loved the faith elements. Ella’s journey from a struggling dancer to one that gives all the glory in her dancing to the Lord was just beautiful.
“
simplymeagreads's review
5.0
November 27th, 2023:
This book was even better this read through.
A book meant to be savored and thought about even when you finish reading.
August 5th, 2022:
Ella Blythe wants to dance. Needs to dance. She’s afraid of repeating her mother’s tragic history. Journey with Ella as she experiences the full range of ballet. She is not willing to compromise her values to climb the ladder, but an unexpected friend comes along side her.
Have you read a Joanna Davidson Politano book? I love them. She writes like a symphony. There’s crescendos and soft movements all coming to a grand finale that makes you want to listen to it once again. She uses different perspectives in her story, so you might think you will finally find out the mystery. Then it switches to another person and you’re drawn into mystery once more.
You should read this book if you like ballet, mystery, a tiny bit of romance, Christian themes throughout.
This book was even better this read through.
A book meant to be savored and thought about even when you finish reading.
August 5th, 2022:
Ella Blythe wants to dance. Needs to dance. She’s afraid of repeating her mother’s tragic history. Journey with Ella as she experiences the full range of ballet. She is not willing to compromise her values to climb the ladder, but an unexpected friend comes along side her.
Have you read a Joanna Davidson Politano book? I love them. She writes like a symphony. There’s crescendos and soft movements all coming to a grand finale that makes you want to listen to it once again. She uses different perspectives in her story, so you might think you will finally find out the mystery. Then it switches to another person and you’re drawn into mystery once more.
You should read this book if you like ballet, mystery, a tiny bit of romance, Christian themes throughout.