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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
The glimpse into the professional ballet world was the best part of this book. What attempted to be a feminist novel is more of a misandrist story; the few male characters all have powerful, misogynistic ulterior motives for being involved with the ballerinas. I hope for the author’s sake she doesn’t really find all men so off-putting.
Ell Potter is a fantastic narrator. I will seek out other books she has done simply to listen to her.
Ell Potter is a fantastic narrator. I will seek out other books she has done simply to listen to her.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story was interesting. I went into not remembering what genre it was marketed as and I think that helped me like it more. I do think having an understanding of the ballet world helps understand the story as well.
I was excited for this, but it really wasn't what I expected. I enjoyed the peek into the ballet world, and thought the dance descriptions were lovely. However. As other reviewers have mentioned, this felt very disjointed. The Jock incident, the past betrayal, the relationship between Delphine and Stella, Delphine's time in Russia...they were all fine, but switching back and forth between them messed with the pacing and didn't make for a great reading experience. Also thought the culminating scene ultimately wasn't that believable. I did breeze through it, though, and enjoy my reading experience so probably closer to 3.5 and would read something else by this author.
This one got off to a slow start for me. It took me longer than I would have liked to become invested in the characters or plot. I was intrigued by the mystery of the main characters’ past, but for some reason, I struggled a bit with the time jumps (honestly not sure why?). I think this book dove into some really important themes, and, aside from the pacing at the beginning, I enjoyed the author’s writing style. I found myself highlighting several quotes throughout the book. Overall, it wasn’t what I expected based on how it was marketed, but I enjoyed it nonetheless!
Although the plot was riveting, this book contained a mixture of clichés and tropes central to movies and books about ballerinas. Very little felt particularly new, and the ending was rather forced. The writing also felt strangely effortful, like Kapelke-Dale was trying to write in a literary style that she hadn't yet mastered. Since the plot was fun enough to pick up this book at odd moments of the day, however, I give it 3 stars.
I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. The first 30% of the book felt off to me, but I can’t put my finger on why. The middle flowed well, and I didn’t expect the twist at the climax. However, I felt it went on a little long and there was some unnecessary plot after the climax of the book. I was very into all of the ballet components of the story as I have a lengthy dance background.
Delphine is returning to the Paris Opera Ballet after leaving as a company member to set her first piece as a choreographer. She left on not great terms with her two best friends, Lindsay and Margaux (who are nearing the end of their careers in the company), and is hoping to rekindle the friendship after holding in a “secret” after all of these years. Told in alternating timelines, there is a lot for Delphine to navigate and figure out in her new position in her old company with friendships that have definitely changed.
Delphine is returning to the Paris Opera Ballet after leaving as a company member to set her first piece as a choreographer. She left on not great terms with her two best friends, Lindsay and Margaux (who are nearing the end of their careers in the company), and is hoping to rekindle the friendship after holding in a “secret” after all of these years. Told in alternating timelines, there is a lot for Delphine to navigate and figure out in her new position in her old company with friendships that have definitely changed.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No