Firstly, I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book! The cover is beautiful, and the synopsis sounded interesting, but when reading it, the execution fell flat for me.

This novel follows Mars Chang as she chases her Ivy League dreams through the glittering halls of Allegra Academy, only to find the price of success might be steeper than she imagined. Tasked with secretly drugging her powerful roommate, Alex Bechler, Mars is pulled into the dark underbelly of privilege and ambition. As side effects from the experimental supplements spiral out of control, Mars must decide whether protecting her future is worth risking the lives of others.

This book was fast-paced and very easy to read, which was wonderful! However, the execution of the story didn't go well with me. I was hoping for more of a horror aspect and more creepy vibes. The main character letting everyone walk all over her was not right with me. The story was short and sweet and an easy read, but it just might not have been for me. Thank you again to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review

While the premise sounds intriguing—a Faustian take on a Black Swan, but make it a YA intense summer ballet program at a prestigious academy for rich kids—the execution is, unfortunately, a bit weak.

The protagonist is Mars Chang, a sixteen-year-old girl who somehow ended up in this ballet program on a scholarship. She was an interesting character to follow, I liked her pragmatic side and the way she was clearly accustomed to being a social chameleon. She often adjusted her behaviour to her surroundings, as if taking on a role; though as she’s still a young teen, the impostor syndrome rages strongly in her.

Every other character besides Mars was one-dimensional. Some plot points were questionable and required a suspension of disbelief, especially regarding the characters’ motives and actions, making the story flimsy at times.

The initial atmosphere build-up went a bit over my head. The words clearly indicated something weird or wrong was going on, but it failed to make me truly feel it - which, as this is marketed as a horror, is a shame. It DID get a little bit claustrophobic though, as if no other world existed outside the academy halls.

This is supposed to be a sapphic horror, but the romance part between Mars and Alex was, in my opinion, practically nonexistent. Instead of a thrilling rivals-to-lovers I expected, I’ve got a one-sided animosity based on envy and jealousy, and then a friendship built on lies. It’s not something I personally enjoy, especially when the other party seems sweet and kind. On the other hand, the dynamic still felt genuine when you take the girls’ ages and backgrounds into account. Though I would still appreciate some amount of emotional buildup; I liked the idea of Mars and Alex together, but the writing itself didn’t provide that.

Once you turn the analytical part of your brain off and just enjoy the mayhem of vicious teenage ballerinas, suspicious pills, and decadent halls of Allegra Academy, it’s a decent read. Just don’t expect horror (more like supernatural) or a grand romance.

(I know it’s probably nitpicking, but I physically can’t NOT mention this - “yellow brain fluid”? No no no. When writing gore, the basic descriptions should be realistic to be effective. Normal cerebrospinal fluid is always clear, not yellow. Same with “clear pus” - if the fluid is clear, it’s not pus. These are incredibly minor details, but it’s good to keep in mind that anyone working/studying in a healthcare field reading this will notice - we tend to be annoyingly particular about these things, sorry!)

3 stars

Mars Chang has received a Bechler fellowship to Allegra Academy’s summer dance intensive, an incredible honor which could put her on the road to much future success. Unfortunately her roommate is Alex Bechler, queen of the Academy, but Mars tries to stay out of her way.

Then the headmistress asks Mars to replace Alex’s supplements; in exchange Mars will get a full scholarship to the year round Academy. She can’t say no.

But as Mars gets to know Alex and her secrets she decides to give the supplements to another fellowship student, with disastrous results. What is in these supplements? Why did the headmistress want them given to Alex? What’s going on at this crazy place?

So, I guess this is “Suspira-“ lite for the YA crowd? The whole thing went a little off the rails at the end, but other than that it was just fine.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This cover is so beautiful! I love it. I think I was hoping for more “devil” in devil’s in the dancers. It just didn’t go in the direction I had wanted it to. I also can not get over Mars just staying and letting everyone walk all over her and be so mean and petty. This story was short and sweet but I don’t think it was my thing in the long run.