This book was wild! In the very best way.

I love books where the characters do bad things, but they are cool with it… I mean at least they are honest.

The world of ballet is a competitive beast. You have to be the very best at all times to make it, sometimes having to step over others in order to get to where you want to be, at least in this book.

Laure is already a perfectionist. As a Black girl in ballet, she desires to be the best, despite the constant pressure and discrimination she endures. When she finds herself venturing into eerie underground caves, a power she never expected presents itself to her… but at what cost?

Things start to go really well for her, and as she cascades into mania, she starts to really see what she is capable of… but, what is after her? What has she bound herself to?

This is a really unique, wildly intriguing book about the lengths you go for power and what can happen along the way.

The narration in this, for Laure and the storytelling itself was fantastic. Overall a really great listening experience though.

4 stars

This is such a strong debut!

If the description of this book appeals, read it. I was admittedly a bit on the fence, not knowing if I'd find the magical elements too out there (sometimes that's more of a concern for me in YA than elsewhere), but I really enjoyed this one.

Laure, the m.c. of this first part of the duology (yay!), is a ballerina who is Black and who is facing a number of struggles. She is over all of it, and that becomes most obvious when she makes a lasting deal to change her circumstances.

This is an intriguing character in an intriguing world, and there's a lot to like about the writing and details. It did not surprise me to learn that the writer has a background in the arts. Anyone who does - particularly in competitive spaces - will find particular elements of this relatable to their experiences, too.

I am already looking forward to the next book and to more writing from this author in general.