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mckinlay's review against another edition
5.0
More like 4.5 stars simply because the character that I absolutely loathe, didn't get their comeuppance. But seriously, this duology is incredibly addictive. I read this one even faster than the first.
abbievillehorror's review against another edition
4.0
The drama in this book is turned up to 11, which makes it a thrilling and unputdownable read. I know I said this with the first book too, but it really is Pretty Little Liars for the ballet world - a literary soap opera.
I do wish that there had been a chapter or two more for us to really get to experience each characters’ growth and to get a better understanding of the choices they inevitably made. Over all, though, I would say the pacing and the tension were the highlights of this book; Dhonielle and Sona really managed to craft a well-balanced fun and fast story.
I do wish that there had been a chapter or two more for us to really get to experience each characters’ growth and to get a better understanding of the choices they inevitably made. Over all, though, I would say the pacing and the tension were the highlights of this book; Dhonielle and Sona really managed to craft a well-balanced fun and fast story.
zoebasson's review against another edition
4.0
this book was so powerful! i can honestly say that the books are much better than the show. i know i keep going on about the netflix series, but it’s just so significant to me because i watched it first, when usually it comes after my reading of the source material. anyway, this book also surprised me because it was a lot better than the first one. maybe it was just me, but i enjoyed it so much more and it even felt more fast-paced. the characters are so interesting and i felt very immersed in the school setting.
my only issue really is the presentation of all the queer characters - as villains, or very predatory, or both. that’s really the main reason i gave this four stars instead of five.
my only issue really is the presentation of all the queer characters - as villains, or very predatory, or both. that’s really the main reason i gave this four stars instead of five.
chapters_and_pages's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good end to a really good duology! I would highly recommend!
It’s a new year at Manhattan’s most elite ballet school and the stakes are higher than ever as Gigi, Bette and June have one last chance to make there dreams come true. Who will come out on top?
Oh my God, these characters! Firstly, I loved Gigi in book 1, but I didn’t quite like her as much in this one. Gigi went through hell in Tiny Pretty Things and it’s to be expected that it would change her, however she turned into a proper Bette 2.0. But we saw her truly regret her actions, but it didn’t stop her actions. Seeing her get revenge against the people that wronged her really had me torn because on one hand I loved seeing Gigi stick up for herself and give the other dancers what was coming to them, on the other hand two wrongs don’t make a right.
Then we have Bette, who is determined to clear her name and have her suspension lifted. I feel like Bette had some really good character development in this book and we saw a different side to her. I felt she better understood her bad attitude and was truly trying to right her wrongs. Lastly, June just wants to be a prima ballerina, however her health disorders may be the very thing standing in her way. We see June begin to accept her eating disorders and that she needs help.
I think the main thing about this book that deserves an applause is the diversity. Throughout this book and the first we have had so many different groups of people represented. We have black ballerinas, Asian ballerinas and this book specifically had elements of racism in it. We had members of the LGBT+ group and struggling to come to terms with their sexuality. The was a character who struggled with a very serious eating disorder. Another who had a problem with pills and multiple counts of bullying.
I loved the premise of this series, it’s so original and interesting. I loved how the stakes were higher in this book and, good actions or bad, you could see how every girl genuinely wanted to be a prima ballerina. Overall this was a really good duology and I would highly recommend!
It’s a new year at Manhattan’s most elite ballet school and the stakes are higher than ever as Gigi, Bette and June have one last chance to make there dreams come true. Who will come out on top?
Oh my God, these characters! Firstly, I loved Gigi in book 1, but I didn’t quite like her as much in this one. Gigi went through hell in Tiny Pretty Things and it’s to be expected that it would change her, however she turned into a proper Bette 2.0. But we saw her truly regret her actions, but it didn’t stop her actions. Seeing her get revenge against the people that wronged her really had me torn because on one hand I loved seeing Gigi stick up for herself and give the other dancers what was coming to them, on the other hand two wrongs don’t make a right.
Then we have Bette, who is determined to clear her name and have her suspension lifted. I feel like Bette had some really good character development in this book and we saw a different side to her. I felt she better understood her bad attitude and was truly trying to right her wrongs. Lastly, June just wants to be a prima ballerina, however her health disorders may be the very thing standing in her way. We see June begin to accept her eating disorders and that she needs help.
I think the main thing about this book that deserves an applause is the diversity. Throughout this book and the first we have had so many different groups of people represented. We have black ballerinas, Asian ballerinas and this book specifically had elements of racism in it. We had members of the LGBT+ group and struggling to come to terms with their sexuality. The was a character who struggled with a very serious eating disorder. Another who had a problem with pills and multiple counts of bullying.
I loved the premise of this series, it’s so original and interesting. I loved how the stakes were higher in this book and, good actions or bad, you could see how every girl genuinely wanted to be a prima ballerina. Overall this was a really good duology and I would highly recommend!
cocopurplebooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was one crazy, dramatic and satisfying end to the series. There’s a lot of betrayal and many secrets are bought to light but I was pretty satisfied with the ending even through I would change a few things.
Shiny Broken Pieces takes place after the events of the first book. Bette is facing the consequences of her actions, Gigi is going down a dark path and June’s dark habit is spiraling out of control. Gigi’s new attitude made me a little disappointed in her. I understand why Gigi was acting that way but it was still disappointing to see her letting revenge consume her. I also felt bad for Cassie but hated her attitude. You could’ve bought Bette down by dancing the best you ever dance not plotting against her. Honestly the character that improved the most was June. She became my second favorite character in the book. I loved how she overcame many of her struggles throughout the book.
I have a love/hate relationship with Bette. Sometimes I like her, other times she’s blah. I felt like she should’ve been punished a little longer but I’m glad that people took their time forgiving her. She’s not as bad as Henri but she’s not exactly innocent. I like how she became a better friend to Eleanor and I like how her and Alec’s relationship will never be the same again. Bette did a lot of fucked up stuff and it was realistic how even though Alec forgave her, they won’t be as close as before.
I enjoyed the book very much because it was so entertaining to me. All three characters are complex and interesting in their own way. The authors also did a great job in developing the characters dance life. I actually felt like I was a dancer at the studio and I loved the New York scenery in the book because I’m from NY. The writing is amazing and I’m very satisfied with the ending.
Shiny Broken Pieces takes place after the events of the first book. Bette is facing the consequences of her actions, Gigi is going down a dark path and June’s dark habit is spiraling out of control. Gigi’s new attitude made me a little disappointed in her. I understand why Gigi was acting that way but it was still disappointing to see her letting revenge consume her. I also felt bad for Cassie but hated her attitude. You could’ve bought Bette down by dancing the best you ever dance not plotting against her. Honestly the character that improved the most was June. She became my second favorite character in the book. I loved how she overcame many of her struggles throughout the book.
I have a love/hate relationship with Bette. Sometimes I like her, other times she’s blah. I felt like she should’ve been punished a little longer but I’m glad that people took their time forgiving her. She’s not as bad as Henri but she’s not exactly innocent. I like how she became a better friend to Eleanor and I like how her and Alec’s relationship will never be the same again. Bette did a lot of fucked up stuff and it was realistic how even though Alec forgave her, they won’t be as close as before.
I enjoyed the book very much because it was so entertaining to me. All three characters are complex and interesting in their own way. The authors also did a great job in developing the characters dance life. I actually felt like I was a dancer at the studio and I loved the New York scenery in the book because I’m from NY. The writing is amazing and I’m very satisfied with the ending.