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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
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
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Infertility
Minor: Miscarriage
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start my review by saying that I know nothing about ballet, and I loved this book! Everything was described in an easy-to-understand manner without being over descriptive.
I enjoyed that it was a dual time one story, but I really did not like Lindsay in the “present day” timeline. She acted so entitled and was super annoying. How we, I was dying to know what the secret was Margot and Delphine kept from Lindsay all those years. I was surprised when I found out as well.
Because I was a little behind in reviewing this on NetGalley, I also borrowed the audiobook from my library. I used the two interchangeably. I found the audio was a little hard to follow the dual timelines. They are announced by dates when switching timelines, but I found my mind wandering and unfocused. It would take a minute to realize the timeline had switched.
This is minor but it HATED the way audio narrator says “schedule.” lol
I felt this story was very much a nudge for feminism and against the patriarchy, but it didn’t bother me in the slightest. Also, be aware of a trigger warning for abortion.
Overall, if the few things above do not offend or trigger you, then I do recommend this one.
I want to start my review by saying that I know nothing about ballet, and I loved this book! Everything was described in an easy-to-understand manner without being over descriptive.
I enjoyed that it was a dual time one story, but I really did not like Lindsay in the “present day” timeline. She acted so entitled and was super annoying. How we, I was dying to know what the secret was Margot and Delphine kept from Lindsay all those years. I was surprised when I found out as well.
Because I was a little behind in reviewing this on NetGalley, I also borrowed the audiobook from my library. I used the two interchangeably. I found the audio was a little hard to follow the dual timelines. They are announced by dates when switching timelines, but I found my mind wandering and unfocused. It would take a minute to realize the timeline had switched.
This is minor but it HATED the way audio narrator says “schedule.” lol
I felt this story was very much a nudge for feminism and against the patriarchy, but it didn’t bother me in the slightest. Also, be aware of a trigger warning for abortion.
Overall, if the few things above do not offend or trigger you, then I do recommend this one.
I was immediately drawn to the book by its cover, but was very happy that I was also drawn to the book by its plot description. The writing is beautiful and the content is powerful. It opens the world to the life of a ballet dancer, but is a novel that provides so many more messages beyond that. I appreciated the timeline divisions in each chapter, flowing from past to present, and then again in each of the following chapters until they meet in the present in its final chapters. I loved The Ballerinas and recommend it to others!
Thank you to Netgalley, publisher, and author of The Ballerinas for allowing me to read this in advance of the publication!
Thank you to Netgalley, publisher, and author of The Ballerinas for allowing me to read this in advance of the publication!
Finished up THE BALLERINAS by Rachel Kapelke-Dale and I had some mixed feelings about it. Thank you to #netgalley for access to the E-Book!
This story follows three friends who have trained to be ballerinas at the Paris Opera Ballet for their entire lives. Delphine’s return from a stint as a choreographer in St. Petersburg threatens to expose both new and old secrets.
This book was categorized as mystery/thriller but I don't know if that's where I would have landed it. It strikes me more as a slow burn type of book about an unravelling friendship. There were some intriguing moments and an exciting premise but almost all of the characters were completely self-absorbed. I got so mad at them I had to walk away from the book at times. I enjoyed the moments of critique, where Delphine would step back and examine what it means to perform, but even she herself admits that she's now forcing other dancers to break down their bodies to execute her vision. It’s not my favorite kind of book, but if you like character driven stories with complex relationships, this one is for you! It’s a fascinating take on the ballet world, available Dec 7, 2021!
This story follows three friends who have trained to be ballerinas at the Paris Opera Ballet for their entire lives. Delphine’s return from a stint as a choreographer in St. Petersburg threatens to expose both new and old secrets.
This book was categorized as mystery/thriller but I don't know if that's where I would have landed it. It strikes me more as a slow burn type of book about an unravelling friendship. There were some intriguing moments and an exciting premise but almost all of the characters were completely self-absorbed. I got so mad at them I had to walk away from the book at times. I enjoyed the moments of critique, where Delphine would step back and examine what it means to perform, but even she herself admits that she's now forcing other dancers to break down their bodies to execute her vision. It’s not my favorite kind of book, but if you like character driven stories with complex relationships, this one is for you! It’s a fascinating take on the ballet world, available Dec 7, 2021!
dark
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Almost DNF…mind numbingly cyclical, same shit each chapter, and yet insanely chaotic? literally just trying to cram everything she possibly could into one novel. not a good mix
I enjoyed this one despite it being a fairly bleak book. I loved getting to immerse myself in the world of the POB and enjoyed the complexity of the female friendships. I thought a lot of the commentary on relationships was really beautiful and insightful. With that said, there was not a single even remotely likable male character which made for a bit of a one dimensional book and some of plot points were a bit bizarre.
I would recommend for people who are interested in dance, but otherwise may be worth skipping.
I would recommend for people who are interested in dance, but otherwise may be worth skipping.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️ 2.75
I’ve gotta say… the first 60-70% had me in a chokehold. it’s been a good while since I’ve read something that enthralling. but the last bit got sooo preachy and felt so so different from the rest of the book it was hard to love.
I’m still adding this to my favorites just because of how much I loved the first half - like it’s enough to atone for the sins of the second half. really disappointed though that I didn’t love it the whole way through
edit: it’s been a couple days now since i’ve finished and I am removing it from my favorites shelf because I just can’t get over how disappointed I am how this book turned out. I really thought I had found my new all time favorite and it’s just absolutely not ):
I’ve gotta say… the first 60-70% had me in a chokehold. it’s been a good while since I’ve read something that enthralling. but the last bit got sooo preachy and felt so so different from the rest of the book it was hard to love.
I’m still adding this to my favorites just because of how much I loved the first half - like it’s enough to atone for the sins of the second half. really disappointed though that I didn’t love it the whole way through
edit: it’s been a couple days now since i’ve finished and I am removing it from my favorites shelf because I just can’t get over how disappointed I am how this book turned out. I really thought I had found my new all time favorite and it’s just absolutely not ):