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freadomlibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I... don't know how to rate this book yet... It was definitely an interesting read but I just don't know...
Actual rating 3.5 stars
Actual rating 3.5 stars
kaelaceleste's review against another edition
4.0
listen if there's one thing about me it's that I love some teen drama. Gimme some rich kids trying to kill each other and I'm all in.
the other thing you should know about me is that I'm a ballet dancer. so understandably...the only thing that could make the mentioned scenario better is that it takes place in a ballet school.
Predictably I loved this lol it was so wild, kept me reeling the whole time and I was gasping right up to the end. The last 1/4 or so is especially fun. I loved the drama and I also like that it actually felt like the authors knew what they were talking about with the ballet terms, they weren't just thrown around for the sake of it. I can't wait to read the sequel and see what happens to all my frenemies. I give this four out of five pointe shoes
the other thing you should know about me is that I'm a ballet dancer. so understandably...the only thing that could make the mentioned scenario better is that it takes place in a ballet school.
Predictably I loved this lol it was so wild, kept me reeling the whole time and I was gasping right up to the end. The last 1/4 or so is especially fun. I loved the drama and I also like that it actually felt like the authors knew what they were talking about with the ballet terms, they weren't just thrown around for the sake of it. I can't wait to read the sequel and see what happens to all my frenemies. I give this four out of five pointe shoes
vespurr's review against another edition
3.0
When I went to read this the second time, I was a bit surprised I had only rated it three stars. I recalled liking this book quite a bit, and didn't know why I would be interested in the sequel if I found it to be mediocre. Reading through it twice now, however, I recall why I only gave it three stars.
This book is primarily about mean girls doing terrible things to each other - a trope which I am always a big fan of. I can't help it, I'm a sucker for these stories. And overall I enjoyed the plot quite a bit. However, I personally struggled with the descriptions of June's eating disorder and the way these 100 lb girls think they are overweight and feel they are eating too much. While the book tries to shed light on why this is a problem and does not glorify these issues, it is difficult for someone like me (who has always struggled with being overweight) to read this kind of thing and not feel extremely uncomfortable.
Additionally, I was very put off by the character of Henri. While the girls were all terrible to each other in ways that mean girls are, Henri's behavior came off as sexual harassment. I struggled to put him in the same category as the others. The way he intimidates Bette is in a different category from the behaviors of everyone else and it troubled me a bit that the book didn't seem to see the difference.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot, but I am going to leave the 3 star rating, as the parts that bothered me felt significant.
This book is primarily about mean girls doing terrible things to each other - a trope which I am always a big fan of. I can't help it, I'm a sucker for these stories. And overall I enjoyed the plot quite a bit. However, I personally struggled with the descriptions of June's eating disorder and the way these 100 lb girls think they are overweight and feel they are eating too much. While the book tries to shed light on why this is a problem and does not glorify these issues, it is difficult for someone like me (who has always struggled with being overweight) to read this kind of thing and not feel extremely uncomfortable.
Additionally, I was very put off by the character of Henri. While the girls were all terrible to each other in ways that mean girls are, Henri's behavior came off as sexual harassment. I struggled to put him in the same category as the others. The way he intimidates Bette is in a different category from the behaviors of everyone else and it troubled me a bit that the book didn't seem to see the difference.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot, but I am going to leave the 3 star rating, as the parts that bothered me felt significant.
rachelbookworm7's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Easy read! Really interesting and kept me excited. Liked it a lot
silver_anchor4's review against another edition
2.0
When I saw the word "ballet" on the blurb, I immediately knew I needed to read it. Even though I left ballet a long time ago, I'm still in love with it.
I liked this book, I really did. I do have my issues with all of the hate and ruthlessness the girls showed toward each other, but that is just a personal preference.
My only other problem is that I couldn't connect very well with any of the characters; I cared about the story, but not about anyone in it.
Still, it was a good book and I'm planning on reading the sequel.
I liked this book, I really did. I do have my issues with all of the hate and ruthlessness the girls showed toward each other, but that is just a personal preference.
My only other problem is that I couldn't connect very well with any of the characters; I cared about the story, but not about anyone in it.
Still, it was a good book and I'm planning on reading the sequel.
librarydosebykristy's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up because I saw there was a Netflix series coming out and I was curious. When I started this book, I thought it was Gossip Girl at Ballet School. And in many ways it is— cutthroat competition and backstabbing abounds. But I found this to be much more intense. Ballet sounds like a total nightmare machine- you can never be skinny enough, luminous enough, tough enough etc. The bullying and torture these girls experience and dole out is just brutal! And the detail in which they describe their disordered eating! So painful. And triggering, if I’m being honest.
Anyway, all of that is to say that this book was very powerful— not exactly pleasant reading but well done. I will
be curious to see how it is adapted for tv.
Recommended for readers who love high drama, ballet and mean girls on steroids.
Anyway, all of that is to say that this book was very powerful— not exactly pleasant reading but well done. I will
be curious to see how it is adapted for tv.
Recommended for readers who love high drama, ballet and mean girls on steroids.