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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Loved it!
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, so, I'm a little confused by The Ballerinas if I'm being completely honest here. The synopsis made this seem like it was going to be an addictive mystery thriller kind of book. So after reading that, I was super excited to dive into this one and yet... I was devastated after doing so.
It's not like I didn't try to find something likable about this book because I did. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters in this one. I feel like I learned a lot of ballet and friendship but that's basically it. It was interesting to see how their friendship developed throughout the years and what their reunion was looking like as well. That's it though.
As for the mystery and thriller? Well, I'm currently still looking for that because I didn't really get that vibe with this one. It had a few twists that were nice but they also felt a bit predictable. The one I didn't see until the last second was the ending. I honestly think that was the best part of the book because it brought them all closer.
In the end, it had potential to be a great book but I think I just had high expectations for this one.
Okay, so, I'm a little confused by The Ballerinas if I'm being completely honest here. The synopsis made this seem like it was going to be an addictive mystery thriller kind of book. So after reading that, I was super excited to dive into this one and yet... I was devastated after doing so.
It's not like I didn't try to find something likable about this book because I did. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters in this one. I feel like I learned a lot of ballet and friendship but that's basically it. It was interesting to see how their friendship developed throughout the years and what their reunion was looking like as well. That's it though.
As for the mystery and thriller? Well, I'm currently still looking for that because I didn't really get that vibe with this one. It had a few twists that were nice but they also felt a bit predictable. The one I didn't see until the last second was the ending. I honestly think that was the best part of the book because it brought them all closer.
In the end, it had potential to be a great book but I think I just had high expectations for this one.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
The Ballerinas is, at its core, a story about relationships and how they evolve and change as time moves forward and circumstances change. It’s also a story about womanhood, what that looks like and what that means, especially in a context where the bodily autonomy of the female characters in this book is threatened in various ways.
The narrative focuses on Delphine, a former soloist with the Paris Opera Ballet, who returns 14 years after her departure to choreograph a new ballet. Her childhood best friends, Lindsay and Margaux, are still dancing at the company, and Delphine’s return forces them all to grapple with their friendship dynamic and how they fit into each other’s lives all these years later. Delphine also has a secret that she fears may tear them all apart once again.
Where this book shines is in its compelling interrogation of relationships in their various iterations. The intricacies of female friendship, unrequited-turned-requited love, parent/child affiliation, simultaneous friendship and rivalry, and romantic relationships are all mined with the exacting and enthralling world of professional ballet as its backdrop. Flashback chapters are interspersed with what’s happening in the present, to a mostly effective end. It also unflinchingly examines some of the abuses that have been brought to light in this industry in the real world, and addresses them accordingly. I’ll echo what I’ve read in a few other reviews, that this isn’t really a thriller/mystery… it’s more general fiction/women's fiction. There are definitely a few secrets to be unearthed, but tonally it’s more meditative than it is mysterious.
The writing is compelling, and I found myself completely enthralled. This is a novel I’ll be thinking about for a while.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The narrative focuses on Delphine, a former soloist with the Paris Opera Ballet, who returns 14 years after her departure to choreograph a new ballet. Her childhood best friends, Lindsay and Margaux, are still dancing at the company, and Delphine’s return forces them all to grapple with their friendship dynamic and how they fit into each other’s lives all these years later. Delphine also has a secret that she fears may tear them all apart once again.
Where this book shines is in its compelling interrogation of relationships in their various iterations. The intricacies of female friendship, unrequited-turned-requited love, parent/child affiliation, simultaneous friendship and rivalry, and romantic relationships are all mined with the exacting and enthralling world of professional ballet as its backdrop. Flashback chapters are interspersed with what’s happening in the present, to a mostly effective end. It also unflinchingly examines some of the abuses that have been brought to light in this industry in the real world, and addresses them accordingly. I’ll echo what I’ve read in a few other reviews, that this isn’t really a thriller/mystery… it’s more general fiction/women's fiction. There are definitely a few secrets to be unearthed, but tonally it’s more meditative than it is mysterious.
The writing is compelling, and I found myself completely enthralled. This is a novel I’ll be thinking about for a while.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting book about the world of dance , a world I don’t know. Focus is about the difference between Paris and Russia and NYC, who knew the snobbery between the two. With some male dominance and misogyny mixed in the story of 3 friends from childhood to adulthood and all their dreams and faults. Very long and dragged at parts
Fully immersive, Rachel Kapelke-Dale's DEBUT —THE BALLERINAS is captivating, exploring professional dance, the complexities of female friendships, and the negative impacts of ballet's culture.
From the stunning gorgeous front cover to the pages, the author grabs your attention moving between the adolescent years and the present day.
Delphine abandoned her prestigious soloist spot at the Paris Opera Ballet for a new life in St. Petersburg—thirteen years ago. Taking with her a secret that could upend the lives of her best friends, fellow dancers Lindsay and Margaux.
The three students grow up and develop friendships and together embark on the trail of destruction.
Now thirty-six years old, Delphine has returned to her former home and the legendary Palais Garnier Opera House— to choreograph the ballet that will kickstart the next phase of her career. She hopes to make things right with her former friends and seek redemption.
But some things have changed. Can secrets stay buried forever?
The author beautifully illustrates her well-researched knowledge of ballet with her intricate details and vivid descriptions.
From the well-developed characters to their drive, insights, determination, commitment, obsession, pressures, challenges, competitiveness, and the sacrifices required to succeed.
We also learn how women have little power and are surrounded by misogyny with power and influence.
It's a haunting novel about performing arts, passion, loyalty, ambition, power, perfectionism, friendship, betrayal, secrets, and dreams. How the past haunts the present.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ell Potter for a captivating performance.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 7, 2021
My review of her smashing Dec 2022 novel, The Ingenue
From the stunning gorgeous front cover to the pages, the author grabs your attention moving between the adolescent years and the present day.
Delphine abandoned her prestigious soloist spot at the Paris Opera Ballet for a new life in St. Petersburg—thirteen years ago. Taking with her a secret that could upend the lives of her best friends, fellow dancers Lindsay and Margaux.
The three students grow up and develop friendships and together embark on the trail of destruction.
Now thirty-six years old, Delphine has returned to her former home and the legendary Palais Garnier Opera House— to choreograph the ballet that will kickstart the next phase of her career. She hopes to make things right with her former friends and seek redemption.
But some things have changed. Can secrets stay buried forever?
The author beautifully illustrates her well-researched knowledge of ballet with her intricate details and vivid descriptions.
From the well-developed characters to their drive, insights, determination, commitment, obsession, pressures, challenges, competitiveness, and the sacrifices required to succeed.
We also learn how women have little power and are surrounded by misogyny with power and influence.
It's a haunting novel about performing arts, passion, loyalty, ambition, power, perfectionism, friendship, betrayal, secrets, and dreams. How the past haunts the present.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ell Potter for a captivating performance.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 7, 2021
My review of her smashing Dec 2022 novel, The Ingenue
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer