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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
I’m not going to be super eloquent during this review, because, similar to the book, I will get my message across by stumbling through my points.
I didn’t have high expectations with this book, but it managed to fly below. It was such a clunky plot and you realize halfway through that there is really no need for the flashbacks. Other than giving us a bit of backstory about Lindsey’s personality, there is nothing there that couldn’t have been mentioned briefly in the present and then move on.
And the characters were pretty awful. I’ve read and enjoyed books with unlikable protagonists because they are usually there with likeable characters. I didn’t really care about any of them, and when I did, I was too shocked to process what I had read.
It felt like a plot that didn’t know where it was going sprinkled with history lessons about the Romanovs and the inner workings of ballet companies. But you can learn about those in more interesting ways from a documentary.
I get the messages and did connect with those, but that was limited by how distractingly clunky the story was. It may appeal to someone else, but I wouldn’t risk it by recommending it to someone I like.
I didn’t have high expectations with this book, but it managed to fly below. It was such a clunky plot and you realize halfway through that there is really no need for the flashbacks. Other than giving us a bit of backstory about Lindsey’s personality, there is nothing there that couldn’t have been mentioned briefly in the present and then move on.
And the characters were pretty awful. I’ve read and enjoyed books with unlikable protagonists because they are usually there with likeable characters. I didn’t really care about any of them, and when I did, I was too shocked to process what I had read.
It felt like a plot that didn’t know where it was going sprinkled with history lessons about the Romanovs and the inner workings of ballet companies. But you can learn about those in more interesting ways from a documentary.
I get the messages and did connect with those, but that was limited by how distractingly clunky the story was. It may appeal to someone else, but I wouldn’t risk it by recommending it to someone I like.
As a ballet choreographer myself, I was really looking forward to a book that delves into the unique, intense, magical, cutthroat, indescribable world of ballet. Coming at this book from a strictly ballet perspective, I was genuinely impressed by how meticulously the Paris Opera Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet School, and ballet in general were researched and presented.
As far as the rest of the novel, I ended the book with mixed feelings. I don’t believe the book’s descriptions and comparisons to Black Swan and other novels were accurate; while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it was disappointing and a bit bewildering. I was expecting and hoping for more drama, suspense, and mystery. Instead, it was all rather straightforward and predictable.
Some elements of the story seemed to thoroughly drag without purpose (for example, getting an excessively detailed history lesson about the life of Alix of Hesse, the future Alexandra Romanov). The writing was compelling enough, but shortening the book by a few chapters perhaps would have aided in the storytelling.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
As far as the rest of the novel, I ended the book with mixed feelings. I don’t believe the book’s descriptions and comparisons to Black Swan and other novels were accurate; while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it was disappointing and a bit bewildering. I was expecting and hoping for more drama, suspense, and mystery. Instead, it was all rather straightforward and predictable.
Some elements of the story seemed to thoroughly drag without purpose (for example, getting an excessively detailed history lesson about the life of Alix of Hesse, the future Alexandra Romanov). The writing was compelling enough, but shortening the book by a few chapters perhaps would have aided in the storytelling.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
A fascinating growth story from a world I know nothing about. TW for all kinds of assault
This book is out on December 7th, 2021.
3.75 stars
Fourteen years ago, Delphine left the Paris Opera Ballet School to move to Russia. She didn't only leave behind her dancing, but her two best friends, Margaux and Lindsay. When Delphine returns to Paris to choreograph a new dance at the POB, she is forced to go back and remember who she and her friends were when they were younger, and who they are now.
This is the first book that I've read about ballet and I really enjoyed it. Dale herself was part of the school in Paris, so her writing didn't feel estranged, she knew her stuff. This book explores the themes of female friendship, but it's not all pretty. It's about desire, perfection, female agency, passion, and most of all, ambition. Delphine is the narrator of this story, and she bares it all for us, just like she does on the stage.
I read this book in two sitting because I was so entranced with the storyline. But not only that, I was enthralled by the Dale's beautiful and haunting prose, the atmosphere of Paris, and the amazing characters that she created. The Ballerinas is being marketed as a thriller, but personally, I didn't see it as one. And it wasn't a bad thing, but it felt very much like a women's fiction novel.
That being said, there were some secrets, which I guess one could categorize as twists, that made me gasp out loud. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful debut novel from Dale, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
3.75 stars
Fourteen years ago, Delphine left the Paris Opera Ballet School to move to Russia. She didn't only leave behind her dancing, but her two best friends, Margaux and Lindsay. When Delphine returns to Paris to choreograph a new dance at the POB, she is forced to go back and remember who she and her friends were when they were younger, and who they are now.
This is the first book that I've read about ballet and I really enjoyed it. Dale herself was part of the school in Paris, so her writing didn't feel estranged, she knew her stuff. This book explores the themes of female friendship, but it's not all pretty. It's about desire, perfection, female agency, passion, and most of all, ambition. Delphine is the narrator of this story, and she bares it all for us, just like she does on the stage.
I read this book in two sitting because I was so entranced with the storyline. But not only that, I was enthralled by the Dale's beautiful and haunting prose, the atmosphere of Paris, and the amazing characters that she created. The Ballerinas is being marketed as a thriller, but personally, I didn't see it as one. And it wasn't a bad thing, but it felt very much like a women's fiction novel.
That being said, there were some secrets, which I guess one could categorize as twists, that made me gasp out loud. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful debut novel from Dale, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
** Lo Fi Spoilers Ahead **
My first favorite thing about Rachel's book is Tom Stoppard's quote at the beginning. My second favorite thing is that we learn everything we need to know about the Paris Opera Ballet (POB) on page 4 (doing research while reading is hard work!).
"POB takes ten times more students than it can ever accept into the company, in the hopes that just one will yield the desired results. Which means attending the school is necessary if you want to join the company-but it's not enough."
This sentence is helpful because it means we know how sadistic one has to be to want to become a ballerina full-time!
My least favorite thing was the plot twist in regards to Jock (jock twist?) and I had to put the book down for a week cause it's always a bummer when men end up violating women's right to privacy and stuff.
My last least favorite thing is that I wanted the buildup to Delphine/Marg's idea to shove Lindsay onto the street to be way more intense, I wanted more scenes of competitiveness and darkness emerging in the rehearsal space as the two realized just how much better Lindsay's dancing was than the rest. I also didn't appreciate when Lindsay said she was going to sleep with the judge. It doesn't fit the story because she's supposed to be a highly skilled and beautiful dancer on her own. She wouldn't need to sleep with anyone in the first place, especially since they were so sure Lindsay was going to get a spot.
The other half of the book re: Lindsay and Daniel is like a different genre entirely. They should have divorced immediately.
Moral of the story, don't be besties with your competition? But stay lifelong friends if you are :)
The message is good. Pro-choice good.
Unrelated Yet Necessary Note: the fact that Goodreads doesn't have italics is killing me but that's fine.
My first favorite thing about Rachel's book is Tom Stoppard's quote at the beginning. My second favorite thing is that we learn everything we need to know about the Paris Opera Ballet (POB) on page 4 (doing research while reading is hard work!).
"POB takes ten times more students than it can ever accept into the company, in the hopes that just one will yield the desired results. Which means attending the school is necessary if you want to join the company-but it's not enough."
This sentence is helpful because it means we know how sadistic one has to be to want to become a ballerina full-time!
My least favorite thing was the plot twist in regards to Jock (jock twist?) and I had to put the book down for a week cause it's always a bummer when men end up violating women's right to privacy and stuff.
My last least favorite thing is that I wanted the buildup to Delphine/Marg's idea to shove Lindsay onto the street to be way more intense, I wanted more scenes of competitiveness and darkness emerging in the rehearsal space as the two realized just how much better Lindsay's dancing was than the rest. I also didn't appreciate when Lindsay said she was going to sleep with the judge. It doesn't fit the story because she's supposed to be a highly skilled and beautiful dancer on her own. She wouldn't need to sleep with anyone in the first place, especially since they were so sure Lindsay was going to get a spot.
The other half of the book re: Lindsay and Daniel is like a different genre entirely. They should have divorced immediately.
Moral of the story, don't be besties with your competition? But stay lifelong friends if you are :)
The message is good. Pro-choice good.
Unrelated Yet Necessary Note: the fact that Goodreads doesn't have italics is killing me but that's fine.
it was slow and boring. i couldn’t find enough interest to keep reading.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Love the cover!
Billed as a "Dare Me meets Black Swan and Luckiest Girl Alive in a captivating, voice-driven debut novel about a trio of ballerinas who meet as students at the Paris Opera Ballet School.", I was excited to dive into this one, and I wasn't disappointed. I mean, I really didn't see the "Black Swan" tie in, but that wasn't a big deal. The story itself was engaging. Told in a dual timeline fashion. It was well written and well paced. This is a story driven by its characters (none of them particularly likable.) A friendship between three flawed dancers. Their secrets. Their struggles. Their hopes and dreams. The only niggle I had was that I wanted a certain situation wrapped up with a tighter "this is what happened" bow, but otherwise I thought this book (especially as this is the author's debut) was a really solid read.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
I liked this book, but the ending is seriously screwed up. I think it would have been four stars if not for the completely unnecessary and ridiculous last 10%. I mean Lindsay’s husband just wasn’t evil enough to warrant MURDER… like divorce wasn’t an option??? And Delphine just didn’t seem like the kind of character to kill someone over an accident EVEN if the husband was happy he incidentally ruined Lindsay’s foot. I understand the message is about the horror of men controlling women’s bodies but shouldn’t Jacque have been the recipient of the murderous push then?
Sorry if I spelled all these names wrong. I listened to the audiobook version.
Sorry if I spelled all these names wrong. I listened to the audiobook version.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“This is the promise we dancers make to each other: the world might not remember you, but the other ballerinas always will.”
Ballerinas, friends, sisters. Delphine, our storyteller, is the daughter of a famous ballet dancer. Margaux has been Delphine's best friend since they began at ballet school as young girls. Lindsay came to ballet in her early teens. She became friends with Delphine and Margaux, and the pair became a trio that nothing could divide. Except the secrets. There are several more characters that lend suspicion and mystery to the story, but we always circle back to our trio.
“Ballerinas are like pointe shoes: you have to break them down before they're of any use.”
This story reads as if it might be a memoir, but I think that’s because it’s told in first person, and you feel submerged in the existence of ballerinas instantly. From past to present you understand how the friendships formed and how they might break due to the presence of so many secrets. If you are intrigued by the world of ballet, this is a story for you. It is a slow to medium paced story, it does meander a bit, but the author gets us back to the main story quickly.