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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm not sure where I originally learned about this book, but I am thankful that I did because this book was such a great read. I was enthralled by Shea's writing. Everything from the world-building to interpersonal conflict every minute of this book was gripping.
Laure is such a beautifully complicated, morally grey character. I loved her arc throughout the book. How Shea articulated Laure's growth as a character was nuanced and had such depth. Laure's struggle to achieve her dream of taking center stage as a balarina and how she learns to find the strength within herself was one of the best plot lines of the book.
I also enjoyed the layers of relationship building that occurred both with those that Laure encounters in the Catacombs and those with her best friend. There is a quiet tension between the two sets of friends that demonstrates who Laure wants herself to be and who she truly is. That was really beautiful and led to one of the wildest endings to a book that I have read in a long time.
If you are interested in the complex dynamics of female friendships, competative ballet placements, and/or horror books, I would highly recommend this one. Shea's writting was incredibly good and made me entirely invested. I honestly think about this book about once a month and cannot wait to read the second. Rightly so the wait list at my library is still a bit long.
Laure is such a beautifully complicated, morally grey character. I loved her arc throughout the book. How Shea articulated Laure's growth as a character was nuanced and had such depth. Laure's struggle to achieve her dream of taking center stage as a balarina and how she learns to find the strength within herself was one of the best plot lines of the book.
I also enjoyed the layers of relationship building that occurred both with those that Laure encounters in the Catacombs and those with her best friend. There is a quiet tension between the two sets of friends that demonstrates who Laure wants herself to be and who she truly is. That was really beautiful and led to one of the wildest endings to a book that I have read in a long time.
If you are interested in the complex dynamics of female friendships, competative ballet placements, and/or horror books, I would highly recommend this one. Shea's writting was incredibly good and made me entirely invested. I honestly think about this book about once a month and cannot wait to read the second. Rightly so the wait list at my library is still a bit long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I support all Laure’s wrongs. She didn’t go far enough, if you think about it! All for Coralie to have the audacity to still be mediocre.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it was a lot of fun. very charming
unrefined prose-wise in a number of places and slow at the beginning but it kept getting better and better... i'm a bit unconvinced by the very very end but apparently there will be a sequel so we'll see
unrefined prose-wise in a number of places and slow at the beginning but it kept getting better and better... i'm a bit unconvinced by the very very end but apparently there will be a sequel so we'll see
Initial Reaction: 8
Characters: 9
Setting: 8
Plot: 8
Pace: 7
Style: 7
Ending: 8
Enjoyment: 7
62 / 16 = 3.875
Rounded Rating = 4.0
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed it till about 70% and then it's like it became an entirely different book and was suddenly annoying and unbearable
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Dark academia feel and the ballet backdrop is perfect. Very tiny romance (nothing more than kissing). Good story.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes