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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
This seems like a simple enough book at the outset but towards the end it really makes you think. I think the actual ending could have happened earlier than it did though. I think the final events were a little out of left field to me and then it was all just over. Overall a great read.
4.5 stars rounded up. The first half of this novel, while beautifully written about the beautiful dance of ballet in the beautiful city of Paris, is slow, only hinting at interesting things to come. The pace picks up significantly in the second half.
Delphine entered ballet school when she was eight years old. There, she became lifelong friends with Margaux and Lindsey. The narrative bounces from their years in school together, very slowly and painfully working their way up to the present day, when Delphine returns to the Paris Opera Ballet, where the now-36-year-old wants to turn her career in a new direction as a choreographer. She had left thirteen years earlier for St. Petersburg, partially following a man and for other reasons that are revealed over the course of the story.
I couldn’t imagine the life of a ballerina, constantly being judged by every part of your body. We regular women often feel judged about our weight and shape, but nowhere the scrutiny someone in this field would receive. I haven’t been obsessed with dance since high school, but this novel reminded me of how much admiration I have for dancers, although I’m not the slightest bit jealous of a life in the ballet—other dance forms obviously don’t require constant indoctrination from when you’re a little kid.
The character arc of this book and the insights into female friendships are the reason I gave it 5 stars. The revelations come slowly and you have to work for them, but I appreciated both the internal conflict of the characters of both wanting to be the greatest and also hating the constant judgment about their bodies and how unless you become a principal, you’re just a faceless body with bloody feet and a hungry stomach in the background.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES DECEMBER 7.
Delphine entered ballet school when she was eight years old. There, she became lifelong friends with Margaux and Lindsey. The narrative bounces from their years in school together, very slowly and painfully working their way up to the present day, when Delphine returns to the Paris Opera Ballet, where the now-36-year-old wants to turn her career in a new direction as a choreographer. She had left thirteen years earlier for St. Petersburg, partially following a man and for other reasons that are revealed over the course of the story.
I couldn’t imagine the life of a ballerina, constantly being judged by every part of your body. We regular women often feel judged about our weight and shape, but nowhere the scrutiny someone in this field would receive. I haven’t been obsessed with dance since high school, but this novel reminded me of how much admiration I have for dancers, although I’m not the slightest bit jealous of a life in the ballet—other dance forms obviously don’t require constant indoctrination from when you’re a little kid.
The character arc of this book and the insights into female friendships are the reason I gave it 5 stars. The revelations come slowly and you have to work for them, but I appreciated both the internal conflict of the characters of both wanting to be the greatest and also hating the constant judgment about their bodies and how unless you become a principal, you’re just a faceless body with bloody feet and a hungry stomach in the background.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES DECEMBER 7.
I almost gave this an extra star because the writing was fine and I stuck with it-- although I can't say I was ever in a hurry to pick it up--but the ending was too silly, melodramatic and out of the blue to be borne. Also, authors, can you just TELL A STORY FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END? WHY WHY WHY do we have to jump all over the place in time? This even started double jumping within the time frames. I guess there was some girl power feminist theme in here, which would have been helped if any of the female characters had been remotely likeable, which they were not. (But the male characters were much worse, comically bad in some cases.) There was potential here, but it was an ultimate fizzle.
The way that this book is miscategorized will be my villain origin story.
To put it simply: THIS IS NOT A THRILLER
It was more of a contemporary with secrets and a slightly thrilling ending (which would’ve been better if it was less thrilling imo, more on that later) That’s perfect for me since I’m really not in a thriller mood.
But I am in a mood to read about ballerinas, because I’ll pick up anything that even mentions dance. And this book did justice to my love of ballet because it immersed me into the world of POB (Paris Opera Ballet) and the drama.
I loved the cutthroat and competitive atmosphere of POB, and how rivalries formed among the girls. The book also didn’t shy away from the uglier sides of ballet: the dancers’ sacrifices, the endurance of pain, rivalries, and how women typically have a shorter career than men.
I also enjoyed reading about the three main characters and their complicated relationships with each other. They are quite unlikeable at some points, but I didn’t really mind that.
The only issue I had was with the thriller elements. The big reveal was so underwhelming. And the ending felt quite unrealistic and rushed.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book. Honestly would’ve been better if the book either leans into the thriller elements more or leans into the contemporary genre.
To put it simply: THIS IS NOT A THRILLER
It was more of a contemporary with secrets and a slightly thrilling ending (which would’ve been better if it was less thrilling imo, more on that later) That’s perfect for me since I’m really not in a thriller mood.
But I am in a mood to read about ballerinas, because I’ll pick up anything that even mentions dance. And this book did justice to my love of ballet because it immersed me into the world of POB (Paris Opera Ballet) and the drama.
I loved the cutthroat and competitive atmosphere of POB, and how rivalries formed among the girls. The book also didn’t shy away from the uglier sides of ballet: the dancers’ sacrifices, the endurance of pain, rivalries, and how women typically have a shorter career than men.
I also enjoyed reading about the three main characters and their complicated relationships with each other. They are quite unlikeable at some points, but I didn’t really mind that.
The only issue I had was with the thriller elements. The big reveal was so underwhelming. And the ending felt quite unrealistic and rushed.
Spoiler
Also, since when are we pushing the “if you don’t treat my friend well, I’ll kill you without any consequences” agenda?Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book. Honestly would’ve been better if the book either leans into the thriller elements more or leans into the contemporary genre.
Even though its culture is sometimes problematic, the world of ballet always draws me in, so I was interested in seeing what this story was about. I liked the descriptions of the ballet and life in Paris, but the story was too much. It seemed like the author wanted to add in as much drama as possible, and it fell short. I kept going back and forth about how I felt about the narrator, Delphine, and decided that she really is somewhat of a narcissist, and it was hard to relate to her feelings. Not my favorite read, but not mad about reading it.
The Ballerinas highlights the scandals, work-pressures and drama within the ballet community. The story is told in alternating timelines and centers on main characters Delphine, Lindsay and Margeaux. In the past, you read about their quest to become professional ballerinas at the Paris Opera Ballet and in the present, the traumatic memories and aftermath of their success 14 years later when Delphine returns to Paris to choreograph her own show. This book exposes the world that exists behind the scenes of ballet companies and their dancers. One that is hard to see from the outside. I really enjoyed the plot, slow-burn pace and character development within the story. Of note, going in I would disregard the comparison to Luckiest Girl Alive, as it is NOT a thriller, and think of this book more as a women's fiction/ drama.
Thanks Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this ARC! Pub Date 12/7/21
Thanks Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this ARC! Pub Date 12/7/21
Kinda just fine, and I don't feel like I got who most of the characters actually were. The author definitely did not trust anyone to pick up on themes that weren't explicitly beat into their heads either.
The characters never landed for me, which meant the story didn't quite land either.
3.5 Stars
0 Spice
This book...it has taken me weeks to gather my thoughts around it. I liked this book and its premise.
I did not like the characters. They seemed wildly self-centered and didn't give two craps about their actions or the impact on others. The men in this book were...something and that seemed to be the entire plot. The plot twist happened within the last 20% of the book and wasn't terribly shocking.
If you want a mystery that is based primarily in Paris, follows the tight knit world of dancing, and will have you intrigued the whole way through, this is the book for you.
With this being the authors first solo work, I will definitely be giving her another chance and am excited for her next book. There was so much potential in this book so I think she can only go up from here.
0 Spice
This book...it has taken me weeks to gather my thoughts around it. I liked this book and its premise.
I did not like the characters. They seemed wildly self-centered and didn't give two craps about their actions or the impact on others. The men in this book were...something and that seemed to be the entire plot. The plot twist happened within the last 20% of the book and wasn't terribly shocking.
If you want a mystery that is based primarily in Paris, follows the tight knit world of dancing, and will have you intrigued the whole way through, this is the book for you.
With this being the authors first solo work, I will definitely be giving her another chance and am excited for her next book. There was so much potential in this book so I think she can only go up from here.
This novel is very much a contemporary and modern tale of a ballerina with the Paris Opera Ballet. The story begins in 1995 and spans 23 years. Our protagonist is ballet student Delphine, the daughter of a legendary soloist. Delphine is quickly becoming a rising star along with her two best friends, Margaux, and Lindsay. Delphine is persuaded to leave the ballet and train with the charismatic Russian choreographer, Dmitri Sokalov. She creates a successful ballet that draws rave reviews all across Europe. Thirteen years have passed, and Delphine returns to the Paris Opera Ballet where she tries to resurrect the careers of her friends. This novel has several plot twists. It’s filled with secrets, disappointments, lost loves, revenge and ultimately, forgiveness.