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stories's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Yes yes yes. I loved this.
The emotional agony of injury and losing your dreams.
The social confusion of starting again and navigating family and school relationships when your world has been upended.
The joy of art and dance: ballet or music theatre.
Making mistakes and owning mistakes and making amends.
Intersectionality and societal racism and sexism and hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow.
Finding connections and finding identity with all the messy honesty of high school and a side of balletic passion.
I loved it.
The emotional agony of injury and losing your dreams.
The social confusion of starting again and navigating family and school relationships when your world has been upended.
The joy of art and dance: ballet or music theatre.
Making mistakes and owning mistakes and making amends.
Intersectionality and societal racism and sexism and hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow.
Finding connections and finding identity with all the messy honesty of high school and a side of balletic passion.
I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Grief
Minor: Racism and Panic attacks/disorders
melaniereadsbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I thought this book was very good and an enjoyable contemporary read. Alina is a great character and goes through so much growth throughout the book, which I really loved. I loved the side characters and the way they interacted with Alina and each other. I quite enjoyed the plot, especially the musical part of it! Really great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Grief
Moderate: Racism
thenovelmaura's review
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Thanks so much to NOVL for the ARC of this incredible book, which was the perfect read for AAPI Heritage Month. You know I love a good contemporary about a dancer, and this was no exception!
This book was so charming and heartfelt and gripping that I almost don't have the words to describe it. One thing that took me by surprise was how deeply I related to Alina. A half-Japanese teen growing up in Central Pennsylvania and slowly realizing that that microaggressions she's experienced her whole life are unacceptable? Well, despite being 50% Korean and 100% not a dancer, this book made me feel incredibly seen. I'm also a sucker for a sensitive male love interest, so Jude won me over with his love of musicals, knitting, video games, and bubble baths. These two were adorable together, especially as Jude tried to convince Alina that she can still love ballet even if she'll never dance professionally.
Alina wasn't a perfect sister, or girlfriend, or friend. Her grief caused her to lash out at others and withdraw into herself. But the magic of this book is that you get to watch her heal and root for her to do better. It's so hard to be open and vulnerable enough to make amends when you've hurt other people, but Alina inspires me to take that risk. I recommend that you read it so that you can feel the same!
This book was so charming and heartfelt and gripping that I almost don't have the words to describe it. One thing that took me by surprise was how deeply I related to Alina. A half-Japanese teen growing up in Central Pennsylvania and slowly realizing that that microaggressions she's experienced her whole life are unacceptable? Well, despite being 50% Korean and 100% not a dancer, this book made me feel incredibly seen. I'm also a sucker for a sensitive male love interest, so Jude won me over with his love of musicals, knitting, video games, and bubble baths. These two were adorable together, especially as Jude tried to convince Alina that she can still love ballet even if she'll never dance professionally.
Alina wasn't a perfect sister, or girlfriend, or friend. Her grief caused her to lash out at others and withdraw into herself. But the magic of this book is that you get to watch her heal and root for her to do better. It's so hard to be open and vulnerable enough to make amends when you've hurt other people, but Alina inspires me to take that risk. I recommend that you read it so that you can feel the same!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Grief
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