I knew I like this because I liked the movie Black swan and loved the book tiny pretty things and also the show! It was a well written book and it kept me reading it way past my bedtime, the only thing I would say is it was more of a dark fiction book rather than a mystery or thriller at least in my opinion. Either way it doesn't make it any less good!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I appreciate the chance to read this book as it had a lot more depth and detail than I first expected, I appreciated the slow (in a good way) unfolding of Delphine's story, blended with past memories and present day issues that reunited her with her past. Though the story is placed within a rather dark and complex world of ballet in France (and a bit in Russia), it is also very much a story of reconciling past relationships, perhaps past mistakes, and the messiness of long term friendships that must grow and change in adulthood if they are to persist. I find the emphasis on a general fascination with ballerinas to ring true and Rachel Kalpelke-Dale handles a balance of balancing this cultural fascination with ballerinas with the darker side of how ballerinas are treated and how the cultural fascination seems to lead to an intense drive, and passion, to persist in a career that is demanding and draining.

The present day focus on Delphine returning to her former ballet company and her childhood friends Margaux and Lindsay offers a chance to think about the negative impact that an insular, often self focused and competitive career, has on friendship. It is clear that Delphine is returning because of problems in her marriage and her related professional life in Russia but she returns to realize she is disconnected from her friends, that they are having problems themselves and that something she and Margaux did to/against Lindsay remains unresolved. As the book progresses we see Delphine's insular world for the problematic control it has had on her adult life as she seems selfish or at least lacking in awareness of others' needs, and she is forced, through a variety of events and growing self-awareness, to see how her behaviors and lack of awareness have been hurtful and unhealthy. What is interesting in this growth is to see how this is present in others, that Delphine's mindset has been, at least through her recollections, beeb emphasized and enhanced by a life in the insular world of ballet, her childhood, and having then left her friends to join a different company and to pursue risky relationship in that company that seemed to lack connection to a non-ballet world.

The Ballerinas is also, to me, a story of misogyny within ballet and possibly within French culture and how early and persistent experiences with this misogyny throughout child and adolescent ballet training and early careers in the company seem to have unconsciously influenced personal relationships and experiences. I almost wish the author had given the main characters, Delphine along with Margaux and Lindsay, a chance to see these patterns and examine with the reader how they had impacted their personal and professional lives. Delphine has moments of awareness and as the story is from her perspective we see how themes on patriarchal control are manifest in her work (Tsarina) and in her relationships and how she slowly, and then more quickly, becomes aware of how problematic this is in her life and in her friends' lives. It is subtle but I also think the reader is guided to make these connections on their own, which is more effective than heavy handed messaging. For me this was the most interesting and powerful, and unique, part of the novel. Other books I have read about the complexity of adolescent friendships and adult transitions that are reflected in this book offer similar insights (which is not a bad thing, I love books with these themes), but the deep and persistent examination of mistreatment of women in ballet stood out.

I recommend this book because it is challenging and offers some interesting themes worthy of reflection and discussion. The author did not hesitate to question the public and personal fascination with ballet and being a ballerina, and to offer dark and at times unlikable characters to take the reader on a journey to understand these characters and how their world was harmful but perhaps also offering them a way forward and out as the bigger world starts to awaken to the MeToo movement and it's place within ballet.

In some respect I found this book to be heartbreaking. To want something so badly, and not achieving what you worked so hard for. And for those that do achieve that greatness, they are so full of themselves, they make others around them feel less than.
You have to really love to dance to put your body through so much pain, blood and tears. To watch the male ballet dancers and the prima ballerina tell a story is captivating.
These 3 young women have been friends for many years. This is their hopes, and dreams., the men and women in their lives. Their story. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to give an honest opinion. I would like to give this book a 4 out 5.

This book is interesting and although a lot compared it to black swan I didn’t really see that this much. This truly brings attention to what ballerinas go through for all they are. This is a great read!

After watching Tiny Pretty Things, when I saw this book was an option I HAD to get a copy.

I was immediately sucked into the world of Paris and the world class ballerinas. I loved the dancers, the plot, and how the main character found herself- we will just leave it at that.

This is an excellent read that many will enjoy!

While the description sounded interesting, I have to say I didn't love this book. It was slow at the beginning and never became the 'couldn't put it down' book. Parts of it were engaging and I liked reading about the life of a ballerina, but it just didn't hold my attention.

'The Ballerinas' by Rachel Kapeke-Dale is a captivating story about the dedication it takes to be a ballerina. Rachel Kapeke-Dale captured the struggles of professional ballerinas from strenuous training, to rivalry, to anxiety. Most of all I liked the importance of sisterhood in this story, the boundless strength and courage forgiveness that we get from our friends all through life. Sisterhood is an important concept that all women can relate to whether they are ballerinas or not.
I am giving this book three stars because the first half of 'The Ballerinas' was slow. I almost gave up on the book although I am glad that I pushed on. If you can get through the first half of this book you will like the second half. 'The Ballerinas' was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

As the daughter of a former ballerina, this book was an interesting insight into their lives and dedication. After watching how hard my daughter and her friends worked to receive little praise and then a man walks in, that is mediocre at best, and is lavished with praise it is easy to see how jaded the women become. I enjoyed getting to know these three characters and their stories. I was left wanting a bit more though but overall really enjoyed this book

I’d say this book is more of a mix between Black Swan & Pretty Little Liars. I was immediately captivated and engulfed in the books plot from the first chapter. I’m such a sucker for dual timelines that end up giving us answers the closer we get to the end. However, the ending was a bit lacking for me- which is the only reason it got bumped to 4 stars. I really enjoyed it and will pick up more from this author in the future!

I think it may be true that everyone loves a story about the ballet world, especially when it is set in Paris and has such dark vibes. This was a good read, although I definitely found it to be women’s fiction rather than a mystery or thriller. The cover of this book is simply beautiful.

I'll be honest, I started this book and thought I wasn't going to like it but then I got into the first chapter and---let's just say I stayed up till 2AM reading because I could NOT put it down for the life of me. The writing is superb, the characters real and three-dimensional, and the plot....GAH! Rachel does an amazing job of giving each of her characters a unique voice, but what I liked most was her style of writing. It was both raw and unpolished and haunting???

It gave me dark academia vibes and if you love books about dance, secrets, friendships, and plots that alternate between past and present, this is for you!

Note: This book does contain frequent use of profanity for those sensitive to it. :)

I love the cover of this novel. It started out a little slow but picked up later on. The dark side of the world of ballet is always exciting to immerse oneself into.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A backstage look into the world of dance which is not nearly as pretty as what is seen on stage. This story follows three women as they train as ballerinas as young girls through adulthood. Ruthless competition, self-doubt plus pain, blood, sweat and tears fuel the story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free e-ARC of this book.

The premise of this book sounded interesting to me which was why I initially picked it up. However, I think it started off slow and at times I wasn't sure if I would finish. About halfway through the book I think things picked up and definitely engaged me more. The twist towards the end was well played and while I had an idea of what it was it was still a surprise. Overall, I think this book was well written and I appreciated the insight into the life of a ballerina.

Rachel Kapelke-Dale’s debut novel comes emotionally charged, strong, and beautiful- all qualifications of a well trained ballerina. The reader is taken through a gripping ride of the fierce loyalty and all that weaves in between within a female friendship. I loved getting to know these girls- especially their quick friendship along with the competition that inevitably comes along with it.

3.5 stars. A beautiful cover that captured my attention and a premise full of possibility. The story is told from Delphine’s POV from multiple points in her life. Her two best friends Margaux and Lindsay are fellow ballerinas and facing the same pressures and exhilarations as Delphine as they progress in their careers. The big secret Delphine and Margaux hold didn’t feel as climactic as I expected and there were multiple tangent storylines along the way. The reader is deftly brought along as the trio works to move up from students to Principal ballerinas, and there is plenty of personal drama each faces. But at some point, it felt like there was so many sub plots and storylines that I didn’t know where the author would decide to end the book. It just started to feel like a soap opera with no end in sight.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the arc.

#The Ballerinas#Netgalley

“The Ballerinas”, by Rachel Kapelke-Dale is so moving and extremely well-written, you will not be able to put it down! It made me think of the poignant movie “Red Shoes” made in 1948, not the same story, but in the same vein, and this is the highest compliment I can give to a story about ballerinas.
The story follows the lives of 3 women who have been best friends for decades. They have endured intensive training since they were incredibly young to become “Prima Ballerinas”. You will witness their pain, relationships, ecstatic moments, tragedies, and secrets, all will shape their lives forever. The story reaches its crescendo, when the main character Delphine, a strong independent woman comes to the realization she cannot tolerate what has been condoned and hidden for decades.
I loved this book and could not wait to get to the end, but also did not want it to end. This book will delight all, especially those who have aspired or dreamt of being a ballerina. I am so hoping there will be a sequel, and it would make a beautiful movie! This is the best I have read this year. I enthusiastically thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Book Review for The Ballerinas
Full review for this title will be posted at: @cattleboobooks on Instagram!

Well written and not at all what I was expecting.

I was pleasantly surprised as I don’t usually read Women’s Fiction. It’s also listed as a mystery & thriller, though I didn’t find it mysterious or thrilling. It was interesting and had a nice flow and you could see what the author was showing you.

I definitely recommend this book as it will keep you reading, if for nothing else, just to see what will happen with Jacques.

3.5 stars

This novel follows three friends who grow up together in a ballet school who separate for a time and then come back together as adults who are aging out of their careers.

The story goes back and forth and is told in a linear fashion from when the girls were young to where they are today. In the past the storyline is mostly focused on their final years in the ballet school and the first few years in the company. In the present it picks up when Delphine returns to Paris as a choreographer and wants to right past wrongs by casting her two friends in her ballet.

Overall I enjoyed the novel, I have a long held love for any and all stories like this (Dance Academy!) . However if you are going into this book hoping for more about the actual DANCING it's not going to be your book because it's more about their relationships which happens to be because of ballet if that makes sense. Also I wanted to smack Delphine too many times to count.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.