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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Pregnancy
Trigger warning for eating disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Which I didn't know about going into this book, so that's why I'm letting you know.
At first I thought this was kind of a thriller by the synopsis, but it wasn't like that at all. Though it was very dark, and mysterious at some point.
This book is basically about what some girls can go through when they have this enormous pressure to succeed at something that they love. When it becomes a competition rather than their pure passion. What happens when all that gets in the way of a very strong friendship. That and mental illnesses.
I personally love watching ballet, so this "backstage" sort of story was a really interesting perspective to explore.
I'm really glad I picked this up. It is definitely a book that I will remember from now on.
Which I didn't know about going into this book, so that's why I'm letting you know.
At first I thought this was kind of a thriller by the synopsis, but it wasn't like that at all. Though it was very dark, and mysterious at some point.
This book is basically about what some girls can go through when they have this enormous pressure to succeed at something that they love. When it becomes a competition rather than their pure passion. What happens when all that gets in the way of a very strong friendship. That and mental illnesses.
I personally love watching ballet, so this "backstage" sort of story was a really interesting perspective to explore.
I'm really glad I picked this up. It is definitely a book that I will remember from now on.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship
Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher, Algonquin Young Readers, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
SURPRISINGLY DARK.
BLOG || INSTA
I went into this book blindly reading because the synopsis was intriguing and I haven’t read any dance books before. I was really happy with how much I enjoyed it! I devoured it in hours.
This is one of those very rare instances where insta-love works. Dear independent Kate, really struggled in the boy department. And I was so angry and upset at her and for her. Her mental health is so poor and turning to boys only made things worse and this broke my heart.
Marine is the softer of the two and is completely wrapped up in her own grief. I liked how she overcame her personal struggles and allowed love into her life. Luc was way too precious and I LOVE him. He was the real hero of this story if you ask me.
On the other hand I’m going to personally destroy the snake, Cyrille. While I think the nickname “The Demigod” is a bit lame it made sense from a teen perspective. He was seriously the worst though y’all. Don’t even get me started.
The real danger is when passions rule your life. This ballet school is a deadly mash-up that kept me on my toes. I legitimately was concerned that this book wouldn’t have a happy ending. I’m grateful that the story was wrapped up and everyone went the direction they needed to.
One of the few issues I had with it was the amount of unexplained dance phrases. Anyone without a full knowledge (like myself) would be a tad confused with the dance scenes. I gathered enough, but I did get confused on occasion. The transitions to flashbacks was also a touch perplexing. I often didn’t realize we had gone to the past when the book had already come back to the present.
Overall audience notes:
Second Note: The Trigger Warning section will contain mild spoilers. I generally try to keep it free of those, but I feel it’s important to know what you might stumble across because this book has some difficult themes that shocked me and I would want others to know before reading.
- YA Contemporary: difficult themes, please see Trigger Warning section
- Language: a little
- Romance: lots of kisses/make-outs, a few very little detailed love scenes
- Violence: personal (detailed in trigger section)
- Trigger warnings: anorexia, general obsession with weight, smoking, drug-use, underage drinking, self-harm, abortion, sexual exploitation, and suicide
SURPRISINGLY DARK.
BLOG || INSTA
I went into this book blindly reading because the synopsis was intriguing and I haven’t read any dance books before. I was really happy with how much I enjoyed it! I devoured it in hours.
This is one of those very rare instances where insta-love works. Dear independent Kate, really struggled in the boy department. And I was so angry and upset at her and for her. Her mental health is so poor and turning to boys only made things worse and this broke my heart.
Marine is the softer of the two and is completely wrapped up in her own grief. I liked how she overcame her personal struggles and allowed love into her life. Luc was way too precious and I LOVE him. He was the real hero of this story if you ask me.
On the other hand I’m going to personally destroy the snake, Cyrille. While I think the nickname “The Demigod” is a bit lame it made sense from a teen perspective. He was seriously the worst though y’all. Don’t even get me started.
The real danger is when passions rule your life. This ballet school is a deadly mash-up that kept me on my toes. I legitimately was concerned that this book wouldn’t have a happy ending. I’m grateful that the story was wrapped up and everyone went the direction they needed to.
One of the few issues I had with it was the amount of unexplained dance phrases. Anyone without a full knowledge (like myself) would be a tad confused with the dance scenes. I gathered enough, but I did get confused on occasion. The transitions to flashbacks was also a touch perplexing. I often didn’t realize we had gone to the past when the book had already come back to the present.
Overall audience notes:
Second Note: The Trigger Warning section will contain mild spoilers. I generally try to keep it free of those, but I feel it’s important to know what you might stumble across because this book has some difficult themes that shocked me and I would want others to know before reading.
- YA Contemporary: difficult themes, please see Trigger Warning section
- Language: a little
- Romance: lots of kisses/make-outs, a few very little detailed love scenes
- Violence: personal (detailed in trigger section)
- Trigger warnings: anorexia, general obsession with weight, smoking, drug-use, underage drinking, self-harm, abortion, sexual exploitation, and suicide
Marine and Katie are two ballet dancers at the Paris Opera Ballet School who have been best friends for years there. Always looking out for each other and promising.... If one has to leave, the other will too.
The competition is fierce in the school. They are judged frequently, given a number where anything 3 or lower can be moves for dismissal. Every girl wants to the chance to dance with "The Demigod"- a male dancer who's looking for "The One"
I loved when Katie and Marine had each other backs. When they start to drift apart and compete against each other, I was so disappointed.
This book deals with eating disorders and mental health.
The competition is fierce in the school. They are judged frequently, given a number where anything 3 or lower can be moves for dismissal. Every girl wants to the chance to dance with "The Demigod"- a male dancer who's looking for "The One"
I loved when Katie and Marine had each other backs. When they start to drift apart and compete against each other, I was so disappointed.
This book deals with eating disorders and mental health.
Fits easily into the "ballet school" YA set (e.g. Tiny Pretty Things, Up to This Pointe) with its physical and emotional intensity. There is a touch of an "in translation" feel (I believe the author is French) but the writing can also be quite graceful. However, the narrative didn't do a particularly strong job of making either main character particularly likable, or of centering them in a broader world. Kate's story felt especially limiting because there were hints of outside issues that she needed to resolve - with each of her parents, with her identity as an American living in Paris long-term - but which were given little time; perhaps the fact that nearly the entire book took place inside the school and with the staff and students there was a purposeful way to show how myopic and consuming the lifestyle is, but it made me feel as if Kate and Marine were ballerina maquettes rather than true characters. I was also left somewhat unsatisfied by the ending: the issues and atmosphere which caused all of the problems only felt partially resolved. Best for readers who don't mind complex and sometimes unsympathetic characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
This story shows the dangers within the world of dance. It is a beautiful art form, but there can be hidden tragedies behind the scenes.
One of the girls had an eating disorder, because she has always been a little bigger than the other girls. The other girl gets into some complicated relationships which lead her to make dangerous decisions. Though they are friends, they are ultimately competing to become number one. They can only stay friends for so long, since only one will win.
I used to dance, so I enjoyed this story. I was never a professional dancer like these girls, but I could imagine some of the dances they were performing. This dance world was scary to read about, because it was so cutthroat. Their teachers encouraged the dangerous behaviour by putting the girls down and criticizing them all the time. It was heartbreaking to read.
I really enjoyed this story! It had a twist ending which I didn’t see coming!
Thank you Algonquin Young Readers and Thomas Allen & Son for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of the girls had an eating disorder, because she has always been a little bigger than the other girls. The other girl gets into some complicated relationships which lead her to make dangerous decisions. Though they are friends, they are ultimately competing to become number one. They can only stay friends for so long, since only one will win.
I used to dance, so I enjoyed this story. I was never a professional dancer like these girls, but I could imagine some of the dances they were performing. This dance world was scary to read about, because it was so cutthroat. Their teachers encouraged the dangerous behaviour by putting the girls down and criticizing them all the time. It was heartbreaking to read.
I really enjoyed this story! It had a twist ending which I didn’t see coming!
Thank you Algonquin Young Readers and Thomas Allen & Son for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Bright Burning Stars is a dark YA read about two ballerinas Kate and Marine and what they’ll do to succeed and be top of their class. The best friends are total opposites and I like that the author made their differences obvious. What they do have in common is that nothing is off limits to get that invitation to join the Operas corps de ballet. Cue the drama! Despite being YA, this book is no sunshine and rainbows success story.
These two characters are both haunted by their pasts and it’s what pushes them to make the choices they do. While Kate sought out the love and attention she missed, Marine punished herself for things she couldn’t control. Honestly I just wanted to give them both a hug and someone to talk too! They weren’t given the support they needed in such a high stakes environment and it definitely reflected on their decision making!
CW: abortion, drugs, eating disorders, suicide ideation
These two characters are both haunted by their pasts and it’s what pushes them to make the choices they do. While Kate sought out the love and attention she missed, Marine punished herself for things she couldn’t control. Honestly I just wanted to give them both a hug and someone to talk too! They weren’t given the support they needed in such a high stakes environment and it definitely reflected on their decision making!
CW: abortion, drugs, eating disorders, suicide ideation
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
IF YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR A DARKER VERSION OF CENTER STAGE, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU