Cover Image: Emma and Violette

Emma and Violette

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The story of the two sisters I found important and realistic. Often times parents push their children to do what they think is best for them at the sacrifice of the child's happiness. I thought the siblings and parents relations came off as realistic and the art style is super cute.

My issue with the story is how heavyhanded the dialogue is, it feels a bit like purple prose as opposed to how some would actually speak. The scene changes threw me off a lot too. But in the end it has a good message and that's more important than anything else you can put into a book.

Was this review helpful?

Sorry, but I was unable to open the book. This is a problem I've had with a number of NetGalley books in recent days.

Was this review helpful?

This was a well-written and beautifully illustrated story about two sisters growing up and learning to be independent of each other and their family's expectations. I found the father to be a wonderful person who could support his family without putting expectations on them that were unrealistic, a good foil in other words for a mother who was living her dreams through her children even if she insisted she wasn't.

I liked that the girls were figuring out their own personalities through the course of the book and that Violette's feelings were very much those of a younger character. Perhaps not as young as we find out she is, but still younger than her sister. Emma's blossoming love was a nice addition to the story. A bit Step Up in some ways, but it did work. I am looking forward to the next instalment and hoping that there is one, because the end of this book left us very much hanging as to what would happen next for both girls and their relationships.

This is a bit of a challenge to read on an eReader or other device because the text is small, but once I scaled it up, it worked fine.

Was this review helpful?

'A Dream for Three (Emma and Violette, #1)' by Jerome Hamon with art by Lena Sayaphoum is a graphic novel about ballet, and I think it might be the first time I've run across the subject.

Emma and Violette are sisters who are both trying to attend a prestigious dance school in Paris. They are driven by their mother who had her own dreams that didn't come true. When Emma gets some bad news, she has to make some choices about her future. With the help of a supportive father, and the love of her mother, she finds a way to forge ahead.

It's a good story for anyone with a dream that they've pursued for a long time. It's also a good read for parent's who want to live their dreams through their kids. I really liked this story and these characters. It's hard to find these kind of parents in a lot of literature, but this is a family that all care about each other. The art is really good. It felt a bit like animation, and a bit like anime. I really liked the style.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Was this review helpful?

The art is absolutely stunning. You can almost feel like you are there watching the girls dance. The plot is good too, two sisters immersed in the world of dance but Emma has a free spirit which shows in her dance. It's not conventional so she doesn't pass auditions to a dance school but her sister does. She has to deal with the pain of failure and think of what to do with her life while her sister embarks on her new phase of life in the dance school. Their mother has her own issues as well. I would love to read the next volume

Was this review helpful?

The first thing I have to mention about this graphic novel is the illustrations - they're beautiful, modern and graceful. They're perfectly suited to the story and are enough to keep me hooked to the series.

The story is a heartwarming one, as two talented young girls have to decide so early in their lives whether or not they want to dedicate themselves to ballet forever. They have supportive and loving parents who want what's right for them, even if 'what's right' is subjective.

Seeing the family dynamic during this turbulent time for them is lovely, it reminds us that everyone has dreams and they're not always achievable.

Was this review helpful?

This was a powerful comic. I enjoyed reading about the struggle in the family. Both girls have a dream that is the same. Their mother is more of an instructor to them than a mother. You also have that sister struggle which impacts how the storyline goes and can only make the storyline even more interesting. The manga really draws on the emotions while reading. When one of the girls can’t achieve her dream she feels let down. But it was sweet to see that her father was there to help her figure out the next move. It reminded me of my own family in a way. It a sweet comic and definitely will move a lot of people. I can’t wait for the next installment.

Was this review helpful?

Emma and Violette is a short story of two sisters who dreams to be a prima ballerina someday. While Violette has no problems making it to the audition to one of the prestigious schools for ballet, Emma was having difficulty due to her individualistic way on performing.

This graphic novel is highly recommended especially to middle graders — it shows that we should do what makes us happy and not just conform to what others tells us to do. And that sometimes, what we believe our dream is not really what we our destined to be.

Was this review helpful?

The artwork was pretty, but I found the story slow and simplistic.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. I'm really into ballet and loved to see the two sisters interact and how their lives connected to the arts. It's such a stunning book

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This really hit home. When a parent lives vicariously through their children in lost opportunities from their own youths. Emma and Violette have been dancing in Ballerina for many years. Violette gets accepted into a prestigious Paris Ballet school, while Emma does not.

Their Mum pushes them both, drives them, in what was once a common goal. While Violette is natural, Emma isn't. At least not for ballet.

This graphic novel is lovely in design, and in heart. What matters the most is that we are true to ourselves, no matter what. Our happiness matters more than someone else's.

It was cute, and I would definitely read the next book in the series.

Was this review helpful?

I found out my kindle does not support this to read it!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this little graphic novel based on ambitions to be prima ballerinas and struggles with identity. I used to do ballet myself so it was nice to delve back into that world, as well as seeing someone else leave the sport and pursue other ambitions. I think it'd be an absolutely lovely book to give to a tween-ish aged child, to show them that they can change their mind about their life goals and what they want to do. I'd happily read more about Emma and Violette (Capucine), and I hope the second book is also translated as sadly my French is atrocious. Overall a lovely little book.

Was this review helpful?

A Dream for Three, Emma and Violette is a sweet and inspiring story about family, dance, and pursuing your dreams. Emma and Violette are two sisters who dream of attending a top ballet school. They are pushed to practice dancing rigorously by their mother who gave up on her own dream of being a violinist. When only Violette is admitted to the school, they all must wrestle with what they really want from life and what dreams are worth sacrificing for. The art is beautiful and I love that we see Emma's relationship with her father in a positive way. Short and sweet! Thanks to Net Galley for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Looking for great illustrations, a strong and determined heroine and a deep, meaningful story?
Look no further, because you've just found it!

The story begins with Emma and her sister's ballet dance choreographs. According to their mother's predictions, one will pass the important audition coming up and the other won't.

Emma is the one who doesn't pass.

A fact she is not taking lightly, considering the fact that she has always dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina...
But, her life is going to take an unexpected turn, and she, with the precious help of her loved one, will be called to take some important decisions about the rest of her life.
Will she continue on trying on the secondary ballet schools, or is she going to chase new dreams?

I loved this story, which unfolded quite fast, but without failing to show us the way Emma developed and evolved throughout it and never losing its meaning: We are the ones who determine our dreams.

Our heroine might seem a little distant and cold at first, but after I realized all the pressure she's under, I completely sympathized with her and started deeply liking her.

The illustrations took my breath away, especially when famous Parisian landmarks were depicted so artfully and close to the reality, that I actually found myself leaning in, trying to determine if it's a photo or a painting. Simply beautiful!

I can't wait for the rest of the novels following Emma's story to be published!

All in all, 5 stars for a fantastic, meaningful and beautifully illustrated graphic novel I recommend to everyone, and especially people who are still chasing or trying to figure out their dreams!

Was this review helpful?

Emma and Violette is a charming graphic novel with lovely illustrations and positive family relationships (especially the sisters).

The illustrations are incredibly captivating, emotion and body language are conveyed perfectly. There is a lot of emphasis on light in the color scheme, a deft use of light helps to create the mood for each scene. I wish the settings were better explored in the narrative, the night scenes with gorgeous buildings as the backdrop are particularly beautiful.

It was refreshing to read about characters with very positive relationships. Even when family members argue they are well meaning, especially the girls’ mother whose drive to help her daughters succeed is overbearing. In this short graphic novel the three main characters grow and try the things they are afraid to do.

I’m excited to read the next installment. The positive relationships and strong characters making their own powerful choices makes this a great graphic novel for young teenagers and tweens.

Was this review helpful?

Emma and Violette dreamed of becoming principal dancers together, until the Paris Opera Ballet audition is complete. Violette is accepted, Emma isn't. Though supported by both her parents the pressure starts getting to Emma, leaving her to wonder if this was her dream to begin with. The illustrations and storyline mix together in this beautiful little graphic novel to make their message come through strong. Be who you want to be.

Was this review helpful?

*I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 4/5
The illustrations within this graphic novel are stunning, they helped add emotion to the words and allow the story to flow beautifully. The story itself and the meaning behind is a lovely one, the novel explores life decisions and figuring out what it is we want. It helps highlight the pressure some face to achieve and be the best, and most importantly how we need to follow our hearts.
The main character Emma is written in such a way that makes her relatable, and allows readers to empathise with her situation. There was good character development throughout and a compelling plot, that left me wanting to read more and more.
Overall this was a very sweet story, I believe it will stay in the hearts of readers long after they have read it. I’m looking forward to reading other novels in this series.

Was this review helpful?

The story inside this graphic novel was immediately compelling to me. The two sisters are written so wonderfully and illustrated well. It's such a short installment but it left me desperately wanting more so this will be a series I'll be continuing.
I really liked the art style as well as the story and I can't wait to read more of this.

Was this review helpful?

Europe Comics and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of A Dream for Three. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Emma and Violette are sisters who dream of attending a prestigious dance school in Paris together, but what happens when they both do not advance to the next level in the auditioning process? With their mother pushing them hard to succeed, will they both realize that their dreams may take them on different paths?

The author and illustrator execute a ballet of their own, working in harmony to tell the story with few words. The ending is kind of abrupt, as though the author decided that there were enough pages. This resolution of the issues was a little too quick for my liking and I would have enjoyed seeing more of Emma and Violette's story unfold. The artwork tells the story very clearly and the illustrator was able to capture facial expressions skillfully. A Dream for Three will resonate with YA readers, as the issues that Emma and Violette face are ones with which they can relate.

Was this review helpful?