I did myself a great disservice by not reading the synopsis beforehand. My assumption (based on the cover and the First Look first chapter and the general Black Swan vibes it invokes) was that this was a gritty, dance-intensive story with technique and competition and peer pressure to succeed being the main focus of the narrative.
Oh, how wrong I was.
When I was first introduced to Tristan, the main "love" interest, I was so perplexed by the rushed feelings and obvious red flags and alarm bells ringing in my head, I thought that this might be the worst attempt at teen romance ever written. And then the abuse started and I realized the dark and very intentionally twisted turn the story was rapidly taking and it was profoundly shocking. I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't deeply emotionally affected by some of the imagery of Sparrow in the hospital. The juxtaposition of Sparrow as a beautiful, graceful ballerina and a broken, battered shell of her former self was intense and visceral. The chapters where she clings between life and death are particularly haunting. There were several scenes like this that I broke out a Kleenex or two, for sure.
While emotionally, the story was very effective, I had some issues with the pacing and the POV choices. I don't believe the story needed a second point of view from Lucas, the hero best friend/potential love interest. I found myself barely paying attention during these chapters, and practically skimmed the chapters where he moves to his granny's house. I just don't believe that he contributed enough to the narrative and it made me antsy because all I wanted to do was see how Sparrow was doing instead. I would have much preferred to remain with Sparrow as she recovered and delved into the issues surrounding her flawed relationship with her mother. By the time this whole other aspect of the story was identified, it had to be promptly resolved and I ultimately, I felt short-changed.
Oh, how wrong I was.
When I was first introduced to Tristan, the main "love" interest, I was so perplexed by the rushed feelings and obvious red flags and alarm bells ringing in my head, I thought that this might be the worst attempt at teen romance ever written. And then the abuse started and I realized the dark and very intentionally twisted turn the story was rapidly taking and it was profoundly shocking. I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't deeply emotionally affected by some of the imagery of Sparrow in the hospital. The juxtaposition of Sparrow as a beautiful, graceful ballerina and a broken, battered shell of her former self was intense and visceral. The chapters where she clings between life and death are particularly haunting. There were several scenes like this that I broke out a Kleenex or two, for sure.
While emotionally, the story was very effective, I had some issues with the pacing and the POV choices. I don't believe the story needed a second point of view from Lucas, the hero best friend/potential love interest. I found myself barely paying attention during these chapters, and practically skimmed the chapters where he moves to his granny's house. I just don't believe that he contributed enough to the narrative and it made me antsy because all I wanted to do was see how Sparrow was doing instead. I would have much preferred to remain with Sparrow as she recovered and delved into the issues surrounding her flawed relationship with her mother. By the time this whole other aspect of the story was identified, it had to be promptly resolved and I ultimately, I felt short-changed.