I couldn’t put it down!
This incredibly written and thought-provoking story takes you deep into the cutthroat world of professional ballet, where a determined young Black ballerina, Laure Mesny, is ready to do whatever it takes to reach the coveted 'etoile' rank. Laure is incredibly talented, works tirelessly, and is driven like no other, but her efforts always seem to be ignored and overlooked.
So, when darkness calls out somewhere from the depths of the Catacombs of Paris, Laure decides to answer. She makes a bargain with a pulsating river of blood that flows deep through those underground tunnels. What are the costs and consequences of power that cannot be denied? Also, will Laure’s soul be enough to satisfy its hunger?
“I wasn’t sure anymore who was in control: me or the sliver of Acheron nesting in my blood. It grew less clear every day where I ended and the wicked darkness inside of me began.”
The writing and character development are impressive, and the story pulled me into the dark, cruel world of ballet, where politics, privilege, and wealth often overshadow true talent and hard work. The novel explores important themes such as racism, classism, and nepotism within the ballet industry. I loved how the author integrated the Paris Catacombs into the story. These underground passages hold the remains of over 6 million people, making them undeniably one of the eeriest places on Earth. This absence of the living (and the presence of something else) added to the already haunting atmosphere that invades every page of this novel. I also loved the ending – it was mind-blowing, but I won’t spoil anything.
I wanted to see more of Laure’s relationship with other characters, specifically Andor, Julien, and Coralie. I loved the slow, tension-filled romance between Laure and Andor, and I needed more of it. Laure's relationship with her parents probably had a big impact on her personality, so I was curious to see more of that too. I also feel like Laure’s friendship with Coralie was already strained, and I wanted more flashbacks to understand how they became so close in the first place. It would explain why Laure was willing to risk everything to save her once-close friend, even after she tried to take everything from her. I'm also interested in learning more about the Lethe, and hopefully, some of these questions will be answered in the sequel.
However, aside from these issues, this was an astonishing debut! It’s a gripping, powerful tale that will play with your heart and mind. This story is about monstrosity in all of its forms – whether it manifests within the ballet industry, the city of Paris, the complex characters of Laure Mesny and Coralie Baumé, or the primordial darkness - Acheron. I couldn’t put it down. I’ll keep an eye out for future books from this author!
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), and author Jamison Shea for the gifted copy! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
So, when darkness calls out somewhere from the depths of the Catacombs of Paris, Laure decides to answer. She makes a bargain with a pulsating river of blood that flows deep through those underground tunnels. What are the costs and consequences of power that cannot be denied? Also, will Laure’s soul be enough to satisfy its hunger?
“I wasn’t sure anymore who was in control: me or the sliver of Acheron nesting in my blood. It grew less clear every day where I ended and the wicked darkness inside of me began.”
The writing and character development are impressive, and the story pulled me into the dark, cruel world of ballet, where politics, privilege, and wealth often overshadow true talent and hard work. The novel explores important themes such as racism, classism, and nepotism within the ballet industry. I loved how the author integrated the Paris Catacombs into the story. These underground passages hold the remains of over 6 million people, making them undeniably one of the eeriest places on Earth. This absence of the living (and the presence of something else) added to the already haunting atmosphere that invades every page of this novel. I also loved the ending – it was mind-blowing, but I won’t spoil anything.
I wanted to see more of Laure’s relationship with other characters, specifically Andor, Julien, and Coralie. I loved the slow, tension-filled romance between Laure and Andor, and I needed more of it. Laure's relationship with her parents probably had a big impact on her personality, so I was curious to see more of that too. I also feel like Laure’s friendship with Coralie was already strained, and I wanted more flashbacks to understand how they became so close in the first place. It would explain why Laure was willing to risk everything to save her once-close friend, even after she tried to take everything from her. I'm also interested in learning more about the Lethe, and hopefully, some of these questions will be answered in the sequel.
However, aside from these issues, this was an astonishing debut! It’s a gripping, powerful tale that will play with your heart and mind. This story is about monstrosity in all of its forms – whether it manifests within the ballet industry, the city of Paris, the complex characters of Laure Mesny and Coralie Baumé, or the primordial darkness - Acheron. I couldn’t put it down. I’ll keep an eye out for future books from this author!
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), and author Jamison Shea for the gifted copy! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.