Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars in this soapy, drama-packed novel featuring diverse characters who will do anything to be the prima at their elite ballet school.
Gigi, Bette, and June, three top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school, have seen their fair share of drama. Free-spirited new girl Gigi just wants to dance—but the very act might kill her. Privileged New Yorker Bette's desire to escape the shadow of her ballet star sister brings out a dangerous edge in her. And perfectionist June needs to land a lead role this year or her controlling mother will put an end to her dancing dreams forever. When every dancer is both friend and foe, the girls will sacrifice, manipulate, and backstab to be the best of the best.
MY THOUGHTS
I didn't really think this was going to be my kind of book. Ballerinas and drama just didn't sound like a me book. But my Goodreads friends left positive reviews and the authors will be at a convention I'm going to later this year, so I thought I would give it a try. Sadly, I was right about this not being a me book. I wanted to enjoy it, and I did like parts, but I'm not a fan of books with a ton of drama.
Gigi, Bette, and June are students at an elite ballet school. Gigi is the new student, but her talent allows her the lead role. Bette has always been in the shadow of her successful sister and has been attending the school for years, was expecting the role herself. And June's controlling mother is pressuring her to get a lead role or else June will have to leave the school and give up dancing. But all June can land are understudy roles.
These ballerinas will do anything to get on top and they will go to monstrous lengths to get there.
The characters are a big part of this book. It's told from all three points of view: Gigi, Bette, and June. Sadly, I disliked almost all of the characters. The only character I liked was Gigi. Gigi is such a sweetheart and I think she deserves the roles she got, and absolutely did not deserve any of the horrible things people did to her. Yeah, I hated everyone that was mean to Gigi. Bette was an absolute bitch. Yeah, she has her own problems she has to deal with and some aspects of her situation suck, but she's still a bitch. June was okay at points, but June still is not a nice girl. Yeah, she was pressured, but Gigi sees June as a friend and it's horrible how June doesn't care what happens to Gigi.
I do like the fact that this book have a diverse cast (Yay!) and that it deals with tough issues. All of the girls have other issues their are dealing with. For example: anorexia is within this book. It is important to have these tough subjects within books.
I was interested in the plot of this book, but at the same time, I really wanted to stop reading. I have such a hard time with drama in books. It makes me hate almost all the characters, like I said before, and it makes me very very frustrated before I want the few characters I actually like to be happy. I kept reading this book, because I did want to know what will happen next, but these ballerinas were horrible! I just want Gigi to be happy!!!
IN CONCLUSION
Okay, so this book was not for me. I think some people will enjoy, but there was too much drama! This book stressed me out so much and I do not think I will be picking up the sequel, even if I want to make sure that Gigi will be happy. I don't think I can go through all that drama again.
2.5 Stars
Meaning: I almost liked it, but not quite
