Review: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
Title: Dance of Shadows
Author: Yelena Black
Series: Dance of Shadows #1
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
447 pages
Published February 12th 2013 by Bloomsbury
Traded
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It seems that a lot of people didn’t enjoy Dance of Shadows. It’s set in a tradition first created by Twilight and continued by Fallen, and I read it in the light of this tradition. I didn’t expect to be forced to think about anything and just wanted a quick fluffy read, and this was pretty much what I got.
After the disappearance of her older sister, Vanessa goes to the same prestiguous ballet school as her sister went to. When one of her friends disappears as well, she discovers that the disappearances are more than just ballerinas cracking under the pressure. She might be next herself…
Throughout the story you’re being kept in limbo about what kind of story Dance of Shadows is. Is it a psychological thriller, or a paranormal story? If you read the blurb carefully, you might find the answer – it’s a paranormal story. I’m pointing this out because being able to enjoy the paranormal aspect and being able to suspend belief is important for your enjoyment of the story. If you go in knowing that Dance of Shadows is a paranormal story will make the book a lot less confusing.
I read this book when I was in London for the Book Fair, and it was perfect for that. It immediately hooks you in with the premise of disappearing girls and awesome ballet moved. There is a lot of dancing and practice of dancing and descriptions of ballet. I danced ballet for half a year too, and I enjoyed being able to recognise the moves. The ballet focus might be tedious if you’re not interested in dance in any way.
Vanessa as a character is pretty bland – she is only the sum of her actions. She comes to New York in search of her sister but for me it isn’t really clear how she is looking for her. She barely does any sneaking around or that kind of thing what you would expect. There is a big focus on the romance, and throughout the story a love-triangle appears. I didn’t very much mind this one, because at no point there is a promise of eternal love. Most of the time Vanessa isn’t sure whether or she is together with her crush, so I didn’t mind her lusting after another boy once in a while. But again, Vanessa is just a bunch of actions concerning both boys, there isn’t all that much in the sense of feelings. I did like that we become to distrust both boys, and Ms Black keeps us guessing which one of them is being truthful until the end.
I loved the book for what it was for me, a mindless and easily readable escape from busy London. As for substance, it doesn’t have all that much. It has to be mentioned though that I read an uncorrected advance reader copy of the book, so maybe the emotional connection with Vanessa is different in the finalised version. Dance of Shadows is a book that readers of Fallen that also happen to love ballet will eat up.
Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you’re close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner’s heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .
Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister’s shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .
Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed . . .
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