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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
Bright Burning Stars is the story of best friends Marine and Kate who are training at the Paris Opera Ballet School, and have become inseparable best friends. When the stakes are tested, Marine and Kate begin to question what the cost is to win the ultimate prize: to be the one girl selected to join the Opera's prestigious corps de ballet.
What I Appreciated About This Book: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and got so much out of the experience of joining Marine and Kate's world of ballet. I found the elements of their intensive lives so fascinating, as it is so different from my own. However, the desires and needs that drive these girls are so human and relatable- they want to be seen and loved, they are struggling with their body image and maturing just as many teens do. The emotions described in the book are so raw and palpable, it was easy for me to relate to both characters.
What Did Not Work For Me: I loved this book, but I do wish the ending had been fleshed out more, as it felt sudden. There is so much buildup throughout the book, and I wanted it to close on a crescendo. Overall, I truly enjoyed this book, and it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come!
What I Appreciated About This Book: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and got so much out of the experience of joining Marine and Kate's world of ballet. I found the elements of their intensive lives so fascinating, as it is so different from my own. However, the desires and needs that drive these girls are so human and relatable- they want to be seen and loved, they are struggling with their body image and maturing just as many teens do. The emotions described in the book are so raw and palpable, it was easy for me to relate to both characters.
What Did Not Work For Me: I loved this book, but I do wish the ending had been fleshed out more, as it felt sudden. There is so much buildup throughout the book, and I wanted it to close on a crescendo. Overall, I truly enjoyed this book, and it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come!
View blog tour post on my blog Library in the Country
Bright Burning Stars is a tumultuous, dramatic and frenzied read that shows the dark side of a competitive ballet school, in the vein of Black Swan.
Best friends Marine and Kate would do almost anything to win the coveted Prize … to become one of the students retained for the Paris Opera’s ballet company. The problem? There is only room for one male and female pair. Despite their friendship, Marine and Kate are rivals and their loyalties to each other will be tested. With sights set on the Prize, both girls become entangled with Cyrille, aka The Demigod, considered to be the best male dancer in the student company and a ballet prodigy.
Things get pretty intense from here and I would only recommend this to mature readers, as the story tackles some realistic but tough topics. The relationships in this book are highly manipulative and toxic and the characters use each other for their own gain, while lacking a degree a emotional connection. Some of the darker themes in this story could have been better highlighted and discussed and the adults in this story certainly should have played a larger role in ensuring the mental and physical health of their students.
That said, the setting of this book is superb and this is the type of book one could compulsively read over a weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the competitive aspect. You never knew what the characters would do next, especially Kate, to achieve their goals.
Overall, this book is a dark contemporary showing how cutthroat the world of ballet is. This book is psychologically taxing at times, but never ceases in dishing out the drama!
Trigger warning for eating disorders, mental illness, suicide, abortion, unclear sexual consent, and unhealthy romantic relationships and friendships.
Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review and inviting me to be a host on the blog tour.
Bright Burning Stars is a tumultuous, dramatic and frenzied read that shows the dark side of a competitive ballet school, in the vein of Black Swan.
Best friends Marine and Kate would do almost anything to win the coveted Prize … to become one of the students retained for the Paris Opera’s ballet company. The problem? There is only room for one male and female pair. Despite their friendship, Marine and Kate are rivals and their loyalties to each other will be tested. With sights set on the Prize, both girls become entangled with Cyrille, aka The Demigod, considered to be the best male dancer in the student company and a ballet prodigy.
Things get pretty intense from here and I would only recommend this to mature readers, as the story tackles some realistic but tough topics. The relationships in this book are highly manipulative and toxic and the characters use each other for their own gain, while lacking a degree a emotional connection. Some of the darker themes in this story could have been better highlighted and discussed and the adults in this story certainly should have played a larger role in ensuring the mental and physical health of their students.
That said, the setting of this book is superb and this is the type of book one could compulsively read over a weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the competitive aspect. You never knew what the characters would do next, especially Kate, to achieve their goals.
Overall, this book is a dark contemporary showing how cutthroat the world of ballet is. This book is psychologically taxing at times, but never ceases in dishing out the drama!
Trigger warning for eating disorders, mental illness, suicide, abortion, unclear sexual consent, and unhealthy romantic relationships and friendships.
Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review and inviting me to be a host on the blog tour.
My guilty pleasure is a good ballet school book. This one fit the bill.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!
Thank you to Algonquin for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is broken up into three sections and each one is heavier than the next. I know that ballet is brutal, but it made me feel physically ill seeing it play out on the page. It definitely came across as realistic with a multitude of topics that definitely come with a trigger alert. SPOILER: this Book includes drug misuse, abortion, and food related disorders.
Kate comes off as far too competitive at times, but truthfully - the ballet is her first love. Marine is the opposite: not quite competitive but definitely the more dependent of the two when it comes to others. These girls go through so much separate and in many ways, grow up too fast. The ending puts a happy spin on it (thank goodness) otherwise this book would trip the so dark I need a few days to hide territory.
Thank you to Algonquin for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is broken up into three sections and each one is heavier than the next. I know that ballet is brutal, but it made me feel physically ill seeing it play out on the page. It definitely came across as realistic with a multitude of topics that definitely come with a trigger alert. SPOILER: this Book includes drug misuse, abortion, and food related disorders.
Kate comes off as far too competitive at times, but truthfully - the ballet is her first love. Marine is the opposite: not quite competitive but definitely the more dependent of the two when it comes to others. These girls go through so much separate and in many ways, grow up too fast. The ending puts a happy spin on it (thank goodness) otherwise this book would trip the so dark I need a few days to hide territory.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The things that drew me to Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Small were the beautiful cover art and the fact that it was about dance. I have a history in jazz dance, and felt like I would be able to relate to the characters. I never realised how tough the life at a high level ballet school could be, though. This is definitely not something I could ever do. However, after I got over the initial shock of the way of life at Nanterre, the story felt longwinded. There was a lot of the same and the things that did happen were quite predictable (accidental pregnancy, anorexia, an honourable ending where the main characters rekindle their friendships again, I saw it all coming from the beginning).
The characters in the book evolved a little throughout the story, but not as much as I would have liked. I wished that more would have been done with Cyrille’s character too. He intrigued me from the beginning. Is he a serial killer? Possibly a rapist? But he turned out to be no more than an asshole. Missed opportunity if you ask me.
For people who love dance, and are familiar with the complicated French names of steps, this could be a good book. I personally had trouble forming an image of the story in my mind, especially the parts where intricate ballet dance pieces are described. I tried to make it easier for myself by reading the main characters’ chapters , which are written alternatingly from both points of view, in different accents. Marine’s I read with a British accent and Kate’s with an American one. Especially in the beginning this was helpful, since the stories ran very parallel to each other. Additionally I looked up some of the variations on YouTube, but I didn’t benefit from it as much as I would have liked.
In conclusion, I would say that the right audience would enjoy Bright Burning Stars, but most people will probably not appreciate it as much. It is a typical high school story with an intricate layer of ballet added on top.
The things that drew me to Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Small were the beautiful cover art and the fact that it was about dance. I have a history in jazz dance, and felt like I would be able to relate to the characters. I never realised how tough the life at a high level ballet school could be, though. This is definitely not something I could ever do. However, after I got over the initial shock of the way of life at Nanterre, the story felt longwinded. There was a lot of the same and the things that did happen were quite predictable (accidental pregnancy, anorexia, an honourable ending where the main characters rekindle their friendships again, I saw it all coming from the beginning).
The characters in the book evolved a little throughout the story, but not as much as I would have liked. I wished that more would have been done with Cyrille’s character too. He intrigued me from the beginning. Is he a serial killer? Possibly a rapist? But he turned out to be no more than an asshole. Missed opportunity if you ask me.
For people who love dance, and are familiar with the complicated French names of steps, this could be a good book. I personally had trouble forming an image of the story in my mind, especially the parts where intricate ballet dance pieces are described. I tried to make it easier for myself by reading the main characters’ chapters , which are written alternatingly from both points of view, in different accents. Marine’s I read with a British accent and Kate’s with an American one. Especially in the beginning this was helpful, since the stories ran very parallel to each other. Additionally I looked up some of the variations on YouTube, but I didn’t benefit from it as much as I would have liked.
In conclusion, I would say that the right audience would enjoy Bright Burning Stars, but most people will probably not appreciate it as much. It is a typical high school story with an intricate layer of ballet added on top.
TW/CW: eating disorder, drug use, mention of suicide, abuse of power, mentions of depression/depressive episodes, toxic competitiveness, abortion. I'm sure that there are more but...these were the biggest ones that jumped out at me. Please protect yourself accordingly.
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What I expected: vicious, cutthroat tactics in an attempt to get to the top. I was looking forward to a group of badass girls being toxic to each other in an obvious competition.
What I got: a story of two best friends going about their daily lives, always focusing on dance. But then it goes left and suddenly we're following the hormonal jaunts of a teenage girl (which, fair) who continuously puts boys above her dreams, above her well being and above her best friend. On the flip side we see the other teenage girl heading face first into the worst part of the professional dance world: eating disorder.
This is not a fun read! But it is one where the girls save themselves in the end. It wraps up neatly, which I appreciated. The girls aren't miraculously fixed at the end of it, but they are working towards getting better, which is perfect.
-------------------------------
What I expected: vicious, cutthroat tactics in an attempt to get to the top. I was looking forward to a group of badass girls being toxic to each other in an obvious competition.
What I got: a story of two best friends going about their daily lives, always focusing on dance. But then it goes left and suddenly we're following the hormonal jaunts of a teenage girl (which, fair) who continuously puts boys above her dreams, above her well being and above her best friend. On the flip side we see the other teenage girl heading face first into the worst part of the professional dance world: eating disorder.
This is not a fun read! But it is one where the girls save themselves in the end. It wraps up neatly, which I appreciated. The girls aren't miraculously fixed at the end of it, but they are working towards getting better, which is perfect.
I have always been fascinated with the life of ballerinas. Ballerinas are so elegant and poised and walk with confidence and discipline. But not everything is what it is seems. Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Smalls was a perfect of example of what life is really like off stage. In this book readers are exposed to the cut throat competition of students who will go to any length to achieve the coveted spot of principle dancer.
The characters were well defined and developed. As a reader it was easy to sympathize with each dancer and left me wondering if just how far I would go to get something I wanted that bad. Would I betray friends? Would I align with someone I knew was bad news? Would I cover or even worse commit a crime?
Smalls does a great job of combining mystery, love, passion and desire. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a little dark with their love story.
The characters were well defined and developed. As a reader it was easy to sympathize with each dancer and left me wondering if just how far I would go to get something I wanted that bad. Would I betray friends? Would I align with someone I knew was bad news? Would I cover or even worse commit a crime?
Smalls does a great job of combining mystery, love, passion and desire. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a little dark with their love story.
This was a really quick read but everything else about it? Meh. It wants to be dark and gritty, but never commits. Full review TK.
Originally posted on my blog Bright Burning Stars Review
I saw this book on NetGalley, I got curious right away. I honestly don't know much about ballet because to me it sounds so girly. I never tried enrolling to one of the ballet schools either. I just know that this type of dance is beautiful I always imagine watching one live though, maybe I will try one day. Also, in our family, only my youngest sister tried having ballet classes when she was in grade school and I go with her practice sometimes. Watching those little kids dance are the cutest thing ever.That's my little memory about ballet but to me this book is interesting enough to catch my attention. The blurb actually got me, I was curious on what will happen to Marine and Kate. Friendships and sacrifices, I wonder what would win?
Ballet, friendship and ambition, in my opinion, these three are the main focus of this. Bright Burning Stars is a good book, fun to read and of course there are some parts that you will annoy you like any other books made, but that's what makes it exciting right? There's no such thing as a perfect character. The book shows us what would happen once the ambition takes over and clouded our heads. Things you do for something you badly wanted to achieve? it could be insane plans. I liked the main characters; Marine, she's kind, innocent and amazing. She sacrificed some parts of her because she wanted to honor Oli, her twin. She's the best friend of Kate and they both liked the same person, Cyrille the Demigod. Her other best friend is Luc who looks after her every single time. Kate, she's kind but ambitious. She's from USA and will do anything to fit in, to be number one. She's a different kind of trouble. Marine & Kate had a pact, that no matter what happens they will stay together, but with every thing that happened in the ballet school, every challenges, things are getting shadowy. The real question is that, will they still regain friendship or will it be destroyed? That's what the readers needs to find out. To me, the book is sort of challenging because there are some terms that I had to Google because, like I mentioned earlier, I am not really familiar with ballet.
Anyhow, Bright Burning Stars is a good young-adult book. This is the first book of A.K Small and I suggest this to people who likes dancing, music, ballet etc. I enjoyed and learned a lot of terms from this book though. I can also imagine their movements like I'm watching them live.
Lastly, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and of course A.K Small for this amazing book. I am looking forward for more A.K Small books.
I saw this book on NetGalley, I got curious right away. I honestly don't know much about ballet because to me it sounds so girly. I never tried enrolling to one of the ballet schools either. I just know that this type of dance is beautiful I always imagine watching one live though, maybe I will try one day. Also, in our family, only my youngest sister tried having ballet classes when she was in grade school and I go with her practice sometimes. Watching those little kids dance are the cutest thing ever.That's my little memory about ballet but to me this book is interesting enough to catch my attention. The blurb actually got me, I was curious on what will happen to Marine and Kate. Friendships and sacrifices, I wonder what would win?
Ballet, friendship and ambition, in my opinion, these three are the main focus of this. Bright Burning Stars is a good book, fun to read and of course there are some parts that you will annoy you like any other books made, but that's what makes it exciting right? There's no such thing as a perfect character. The book shows us what would happen once the ambition takes over and clouded our heads. Things you do for something you badly wanted to achieve? it could be insane plans. I liked the main characters; Marine, she's kind, innocent and amazing. She sacrificed some parts of her because she wanted to honor Oli, her twin. She's the best friend of Kate and they both liked the same person, Cyrille the Demigod. Her other best friend is Luc who looks after her every single time. Kate, she's kind but ambitious. She's from USA and will do anything to fit in, to be number one. She's a different kind of trouble. Marine & Kate had a pact, that no matter what happens they will stay together, but with every thing that happened in the ballet school, every challenges, things are getting shadowy. The real question is that, will they still regain friendship or will it be destroyed? That's what the readers needs to find out. To me, the book is sort of challenging because there are some terms that I had to Google because, like I mentioned earlier, I am not really familiar with ballet.
Anyhow, Bright Burning Stars is a good young-adult book. This is the first book of A.K Small and I suggest this to people who likes dancing, music, ballet etc. I enjoyed and learned a lot of terms from this book though. I can also imagine their movements like I'm watching them live.
Lastly, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and of course A.K Small for this amazing book. I am looking forward for more A.K Small books.