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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood
Minor: Vomit
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was not expecting the ending - slow burn but kept me engaged. I liked it.
dark
medium-paced
Slow to start, but the second half of the novel more than accounted for that. I couldn't quite see the "villain origin story" until close to the end, and it was marvelous, so definitely just wait for that!
There was a bit of romance and it was dark and delicious. Brought to mind Holly Black or Rebecca Shaeffer.
Absolutely will be reading the sequel to find out what's next for Laure!
Side note, I thought Laure's experience as a queer black girl was really nuanced and well-done. Her own relationship to her blackness and queerness weren't a part of her story, so much as her blackness influenced her treatment in ballet. These things are simply a part of her and she generally moves through the world confidently. Shea wrote Laure as a character who, rightly, never saw herself as the "problem" and was actually focused on simply getting what she deserved based on her hard work and talent. She was recognizable as a black character without being a caricature.
There was a bit of romance and it was dark and delicious. Brought to mind Holly Black or Rebecca Shaeffer.
Absolutely will be reading the sequel to find out what's next for Laure!
Side note, I thought Laure's experience as a queer black girl was really nuanced and well-done. Her own relationship to her blackness and queerness weren't a part of her story, so much as her blackness influenced her treatment in ballet. These things are simply a part of her and she generally moves through the world confidently. Shea wrote Laure as a character who, rightly, never saw herself as the "problem" and was actually focused on simply getting what she deserved based on her hard work and talent. She was recognizable as a black character without being a caricature.
Not afraid to get the main character's hands dirty! Loved it though there were some dragging parts ✨️
Amazing.
The beautiful book dedication perfectly sums up this story: "To those who find freedom in becoming a monster when denied the space to be human."
I was pretty excited to see the cut-throat vibes of the ballet world in this novel and it didn't disappoint, but I don't think I was as prepared for the full-on monsterifcation that went down, even after the dedication. So, when it began, I was all in. The unapologetic ascent into monsterness was both painful and powerful, and just so validating. Exploring the complexities of the main character's relationship with her best friend, as well as her relationship with dancing, while juggling the racist ways of the world was great.
Again, I was really worried the book was going to be ruined for me by the monsterness being seen as unjust but it was handled with care and it gave me everything I needed. I'll be picking up the sequel soon because hello??
I was slightly confused about some of the underground stuff, and the pacing did jump around but I don't think it negtively impacted my experience much. There were some standout moments, like the friend doing her hair when she was in the hospital, their monsterness being accepted by each other, the intense showdown at the end, the hope. all so good.
The beautiful book dedication perfectly sums up this story: "To those who find freedom in becoming a monster when denied the space to be human."
I was pretty excited to see the cut-throat vibes of the ballet world in this novel and it didn't disappoint, but I don't think I was as prepared for the full-on monsterifcation that went down, even after the dedication. So, when it began, I was all in. The unapologetic ascent into monsterness was both painful and powerful, and just so validating. Exploring the complexities of the main character's relationship with her best friend, as well as her relationship with dancing, while juggling the racist ways of the world was great.
Again, I was really worried the book was going to be ruined for me by the monsterness being seen as unjust but it was handled with care and it gave me everything I needed. I'll be picking up the sequel soon because hello??
I was slightly confused about some of the underground stuff, and the pacing did jump around but I don't think it negtively impacted my experience much. There were some standout moments, like the friend doing her hair when she was in the hospital, their monsterness being accepted by each other, the intense showdown at the end, the hope. all so good.
~~I won a digital ARC through YALLWest! I'm so excited to read this!~~
I would've finished this last night, but I was tired and wanted to sleep. Still fucking loved this, though.
Laure's transformation was so satisfying to watch. Her desperation for perfection and forced compliance in order to appease her superiors, her peers, her own best friend, really dug into your skin with how horribly it all weighed on her. But when she dives into Acheron, the blood river, and emerges being able to control others at will, Laure gradually realizes all the talent and dedication she had was nothing compared to the cut throat, uncaring corporate industry which has consumed the artistry of ballet. Watching Laure embrace her monstrosity had me celebrating because she needed it and those who tried to keep the down deserved to be wrecked by her.
Girls who embrace their monstrosity is something much needed in fiction, and, oh boy, not only does Shea deliver, but they served a full course meal, with an appetizer, main course, dessert, and all. Their writing fully encapsulates the uncomfortable and the grotesque that is impossible not to be sucked into. Their descriptions, especially, painted every horror and bloodcurdling scene so beautifully; such envy I have of their skill.
I wanna keep gushing, but it's really better just if you just went ahead and read this yourself. Trust me, it's so worth it.
I would've finished this last night, but I was tired and wanted to sleep. Still fucking loved this, though.
Laure's transformation was so satisfying to watch. Her desperation for perfection and forced compliance in order to appease her superiors, her peers, her own best friend, really dug into your skin with how horribly it all weighed on her. But when she dives into Acheron, the blood river, and emerges being able to control others at will, Laure gradually realizes all the talent and dedication she had was nothing compared to the cut throat, uncaring corporate industry which has consumed the artistry of ballet. Watching Laure embrace her monstrosity had me celebrating because she needed it and those who tried to keep the down deserved to be wrecked by her.
Girls who embrace their monstrosity is something much needed in fiction, and, oh boy, not only does Shea deliver, but they served a full course meal, with an appetizer, main course, dessert, and all. Their writing fully encapsulates the uncomfortable and the grotesque that is impossible not to be sucked into. Their descriptions, especially, painted every horror and bloodcurdling scene so beautifully; such envy I have of their skill.
I wanna keep gushing, but it's really better just if you just went ahead and read this yourself. Trust me, it's so worth it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes