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hollsbooks's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
babs_reviews's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely love the cover and that was ultimately what drew me in. I wanted to like this one a lot.
I love thrillers and this one is being marketed as one, but be aware that nothing within that vein of genre happens until the last 10%. This is where literally ALL the action takes place.
We have the ballerinas, Delphine, Margeaux and Lindsay who are somewhat peas in a pod, they are besties but as best as friends can get when they are constantly competing against each other. Each of them thinking that they are the best while willing to push others down to ensure they get the spot.
I didn't find any of the characters in this one likeable. They were all quite selfish in their thoughts, words and deeds. Not one male figure had any redeemable qualities whatsoever.
What I did like was that some of them had the realization of what they were doing and how it was hurting all those around them. I understand one thing, the business of the ballet is cut throat and absolutely horrid on your self worth and confidence.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Rachel Kapelke-Dale and NetGalley for the review copy.
I love thrillers and this one is being marketed as one, but be aware that nothing within that vein of genre happens until the last 10%. This is where literally ALL the action takes place.
We have the ballerinas, Delphine, Margeaux and Lindsay who are somewhat peas in a pod, they are besties but as best as friends can get when they are constantly competing against each other. Each of them thinking that they are the best while willing to push others down to ensure they get the spot.
I didn't find any of the characters in this one likeable. They were all quite selfish in their thoughts, words and deeds. Not one male figure had any redeemable qualities whatsoever.
What I did like was that some of them had the realization of what they were doing and how it was hurting all those around them. I understand one thing, the business of the ballet is cut throat and absolutely horrid on your self worth and confidence.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Rachel Kapelke-Dale and NetGalley for the review copy.
marieintheraw's review
3.0
Overall, less of a thriller and more of a drama with some tension from the past.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
mbkarapcik's review
3.0
Three friends reunite after a 13-year hiatus in The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale. Their lives have changed since they all last met and danced for the Paris Opera Ballet after years of being together in this tightknit community. Dark secrets permeate each of their lives and one secret has the potential to pull them apart after years under wraps.
After reading the author's newest book, The Ingenue, I couldn't wait to read this one. It's even darker and more disturbing than that book in my opinion. At first, you'll read about the girls' past, mostly the past of main character Delphine who has spent the last few years choreographing ballets in St. Petersburg, Russia. It flips between the past and the present and can be slow at times, but I think the author was laying the groundwork for their present.
Many times, I realized that I didn't really like the characters. Delphine I like to a point, but they're vaguely unhappy people. Her friends Lindsay and Margaux were not endearing and sometimes annoyed me. I agree with another reviewer about Stella, Delphine's surrogate mother--she really adds nothing to the story. This reviewer mentioned Hallmark movie character, and I guffawed because that is spot-on.
And every man in the story comes off as totally despicable even when they're not. Their choices are thought to be selfish and awful while the questionable choices the women make seem to be thought of as empowering somehow. I mean, give me some redeeming characters among the lost and troubled. Despite the dark subjects in the author's current novel, not every man is horrible or the cause of female suffering. I felt it was an unfair characterization of every male in this particular book. My only thought is that it's written that way to emphasize the strength of these female friendships, but it doesn't come off that way.
Even though I'm not a fan of ballet, it was interesting to hear of the proposed shows, the life of a professional dancer, and the politics of a legendary ballet company. And I loved reading about France and Russia--I've never been to either one but felt they were vividly depicted.
The comparisons to Dare Me by Megan Abbott resonate with me. It's definitely in line with that novel, but it's nothing like Luckiest Girl Alive except for loosely connected subject matter. As for Black Swan, I never watched it. I've been a fan of Mila Kunis since That '70s Show (ironically, she's in the latter two), but I skipped that movie. I'm interested now to see it and form my own opinion about any similarities.
Most of the action occurs in the present day except for the one big secret of the past. So many disturbing, disheartening events happen. It's enough to make me want to go to the library and find a frothy beach book. If you're depressed or need a pick-me-up after the holidays, you may want to wait until spring when it's nice out again. Although this book kept me reading, and I do think I liked it, it will not lift you out of your winter doldrums.
After reading the author's newest book, The Ingenue, I couldn't wait to read this one. It's even darker and more disturbing than that book in my opinion. At first, you'll read about the girls' past, mostly the past of main character Delphine who has spent the last few years choreographing ballets in St. Petersburg, Russia. It flips between the past and the present and can be slow at times, but I think the author was laying the groundwork for their present.
Many times, I realized that I didn't really like the characters. Delphine I like to a point, but they're vaguely unhappy people. Her friends Lindsay and Margaux were not endearing and sometimes annoyed me. I agree with another reviewer about Stella, Delphine's surrogate mother--she really adds nothing to the story. This reviewer mentioned Hallmark movie character, and I guffawed because that is spot-on.
And every man in the story comes off as totally despicable even when they're not. Their choices are thought to be selfish and awful while the questionable choices the women make seem to be thought of as empowering somehow. I mean, give me some redeeming characters among the lost and troubled. Despite the dark subjects in the author's current novel, not every man is horrible or the cause of female suffering. I felt it was an unfair characterization of every male in this particular book. My only thought is that it's written that way to emphasize the strength of these female friendships, but it doesn't come off that way.
Even though I'm not a fan of ballet, it was interesting to hear of the proposed shows, the life of a professional dancer, and the politics of a legendary ballet company. And I loved reading about France and Russia--I've never been to either one but felt they were vividly depicted.
The comparisons to Dare Me by Megan Abbott resonate with me. It's definitely in line with that novel, but it's nothing like Luckiest Girl Alive except for loosely connected subject matter. As for Black Swan, I never watched it. I've been a fan of Mila Kunis since That '70s Show (ironically, she's in the latter two), but I skipped that movie. I'm interested now to see it and form my own opinion about any similarities.
Most of the action occurs in the present day except for the one big secret of the past. So many disturbing, disheartening events happen. It's enough to make me want to go to the library and find a frothy beach book. If you're depressed or need a pick-me-up after the holidays, you may want to wait until spring when it's nice out again. Although this book kept me reading, and I do think I liked it, it will not lift you out of your winter doldrums.
trivialcve's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I feel like this book is trying to cover too many things at once. which I totally applaud for its efforts but it does make everything feels rushed and kind of one note at the end. (this, I feel was especially true with how the writer dealt with Margaux' gripes with her friends, which honestly felt really spedrun? ).
Overall, I still enjoy most of the story even if pacing felt a bit slow and meandering at times.
Overall, I still enjoy most of the story even if pacing felt a bit slow and meandering at times.
bailey_philip's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
apreziuso's review
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0