Hi girls. Last week was the two year birthday for Dewdrops and Butterflies and guess what I did? Nothing. Because I was SO BUSY and then I got so sick with some stomach bug I was in bed for three days straight. So…. Sorry about that. XD I hope you’ll take this review of A Midnight Dance as a peace offering.
Unfortunately there are NO GOOD PHOTOS OF THIS BOOKS COVER (so this one is my own. You’re welcome.
All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.
Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?
The Characters
Ok. The characters. Well. Ella. She was a character.
I think she was quite entertaining. She was delicate and graceful and fragile and yet she was strong to the core and she had a deep rooted determination that ran through her heart. I really liked the way that the author wove Ella into the complex character that she became. Her passion for dancing, her learning, and her dreams were so beautiful to read about and dream about with her.
OH! I came back to add one more thing. Ella made a mistake. As we are all prone to do. The author handled the situation delicately. It was a painful horrible thing that Ella allowed to define her underneath everything in her life. The poisoned line of fluid that touched everything she thought about herself. It was powerful. And the way that the author handled that pain and used it and redefined who Ella was and her past and forgiveness and ********Spoilers******** IT WAS SO GOOD.
What to say about Mr. Philippe. Nothing for the sake of spoilers. I was so thrilled with the whole of the story. Mr. Philippe himself was such a shock and his story something of a surprise in the end.
Jack Dorian, the mischief maker. The scoundrel. The energy and light and dance and wind. He was a bird you could never tame, but rather chose to keep coming back. Jack was the most delightful part of the story indeed.
The dynamics between these characters were amazing and so natural! The chemistry and tension in certain scenes was almost tangible. At the same time, the grace and poise and beauty and perfection was just as relaxed and flowy and ugh. So very well done.
The Plot
What to say about the plot. I was sucked in the first chapter. And when you can say that about a book you can know you’re in for a treat. I’m going to be honest and say I’ve been in something of a dry spell for reading. I really just do not want to read. This is so frustrating when I’ve got amazing works of art waiting for me to just give them a chance. This was the perfect example. When I finally grumbled and grunted and growled and sat down to read it, I finished in a single day. I have read Mrs. Politano’s previous book called “The Love Note” and I adored that one, so that was why I ordered this in the first place! It was not a disappointment.
I was gasping in surprise and delight right off the bat. Even though you are just starting to get to know the characters, there was still details and nuggets of happiness and shock through the entire process. THAT, my friends, is the art of writing the setup of a book WITHOUT losing your readers as they trudge through pages and pages of facts they have to know first. Keep your readers engaged! Keep them guessing and getting constant answers and clues and details that build the story while still having questions! Make it an adventure, not just a pile of background details.
I don’t know if you can tell the last couple books were disappointing because that’s what I ran into. THIS ONE WAS NOT THAT WAY and I was delighted.
CAN WE TAKE a moment and talk about that ending. The revelation after revelation from chapter two through to the very end it was AMAZING. And then just as the final scene that last dance, that last bit. Somebody call the ambulance, it was so good.
The Content
Was there content in this book. Ok there was no graphic violence. There was a bit of mild expressionism, but not enough to be of concern.
As for sexual content, there was nothing sensual. There were a few clean kisses that made me so happy, and had nothing shameful about them.
However. There are children that were born out of wedlock. There is discussions of being married to more than one spouse (which was not the case) and in general a lot of avenues that had questions simply because Ella was trying to find the history of her mother and who her mother and father really were. There’s also talk about Ella’s sister Lily carrying a relationship with a man that was already married. There was a baby that was abandoned, mention of implication to have an abortion. There is also quite a bit of natural mentioning that the ballerinas were “special friends” with certain fellows who had cabins away from home. There were no scenes or descriptions of anything of that sort.
In Summary
Guyyyyssssssss. If you ever get a chance to pick up a novel by Mrs. Politano, please do not pass it up. This author is so talented and will take you on an adventure you will not soon forget. This book got 4 and a half stars for me. Don’t ask me why I took off the half star. I only wish we had gotten to see “the couple” for longer than just the moment that they decided they belonged together. Otherwise, this was a masterpiece.
That is all! Thank you to Revell and to the author for this free copy of the book! A positive review was not required an all opinions in this review are my own! GO GET YOURSELF A COPY!
Pray for me y’all. I’ve been so busy teaching forth grade with 13 nine-year-olds I’ve been in love with my life and overwhelmed at the same time. Thank you!
