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A review by readingtakesmeplaces
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.5
The narrator, Kristolyn Lloyd, did her big one on this! She masterfully captured the voice of Acheron. Her vocal performance was outstanding, showcasing remarkable range and a strong command of diverse accents, notably French and Irish. However, her portrayal of the male characters felt less convincing. Nonetheless, she imbued the narrative with significant emotional depth, greatly enhancing the story's impact.
While the author's initial warning about the story's graphic nature proved true and generally falls outside my preferred genres, Jamison Shea's portrayal of the immense effort and suffering endured by ballerinas, especially Black dancers navigating the Parisian scene, was quite impactful. The narrative, told from the perspective of a young, orphaned Black woman, illuminated the ballet world and the specific obstacles Black women encounter. This included revealing issues like the financial and time burden of sourcing appropriate dance attire and the disheartening experience of being overlooked for roles due to discriminatory perceptions of appearance or skill. The protagonist's struggles and frustrations were particularly relatable, offering a compelling entry point into these broader issues.
Towards the latter half of the book, I did get confused with the various characters and their backstories, such as Ciro, Andor, Keturah, and Sabine. Additionally, I did not care for the lackluster romance between Laure and Andor; Laure's continued pursuit of him felt entirely pointless.
This book was not at all what I expected, and I was left pleased and curious to see what's in store for Laure in the following book in the series. This book is perfect for those who appreciate ballet with a dark, spiritual undertone. Get comfortable, get your snacks, because you are in for a ride!
While the author's initial warning about the story's graphic nature proved true and generally falls outside my preferred genres, Jamison Shea's portrayal of the immense effort and suffering endured by ballerinas, especially Black dancers navigating the Parisian scene, was quite impactful. The narrative, told from the perspective of a young, orphaned Black woman, illuminated the ballet world and the specific obstacles Black women encounter. This included revealing issues like the financial and time burden of sourcing appropriate dance attire and the disheartening experience of being overlooked for roles due to discriminatory perceptions of appearance or skill. The protagonist's struggles and frustrations were particularly relatable, offering a compelling entry point into these broader issues.
Towards the latter half of the book, I did get confused with the various characters and their backstories, such as Ciro, Andor, Keturah, and Sabine. Additionally, I did not care for the lackluster romance between Laure and Andor; Laure's continued pursuit of him felt entirely pointless.
This book was not at all what I expected, and I was left pleased and curious to see what's in store for Laure in the following book in the series. This book is perfect for those who appreciate ballet with a dark, spiritual undertone. Get comfortable, get your snacks, because you are in for a ride!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Racism, Blood