The Midnight Dance
Nikki Katz
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: October 17th, 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
4.5/5
When the music stops, the dance begins.
Seventeen-year-old Penny is a lead dancer at the Grande Teatro, a finishing school where she and eleven other young women are training to become the finest ballerinas in Italy. Tucked deep into the woods, the school is overseen by the mysterious and handsome young Master who keeps the girls ensconced in the estate – and in the only life Penny has never known.
But when flashes of memories, memories of a life very different from the one she thinks she’s been leading, start to appear, Penny begins to question the Grand Teatro and the motivations of the Master. With a kind and attractive kitchen boy, Cricket, at her side, Penny vows to escape the confines of her school and the strict rules that dictate every step she takes. But at every turn, the Master finds a way to stop her, and Penny must find a way to escape the school and uncover the secrets of her past before it’s too late.
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I received an eARC copy via NetGalley from Xpressobookreviews in exchange for an honest review.
Mild spoilers ahead!
The book is about a group of girls who live in a ballet school. They train every day and they are under very strict rules. The head of this school is a young man called Master. For some odd reason, all girls and women are infatuated with him and do what they can to please him. Right from the beginning of the story, it is pretty clear that there is more than meets the eye about this school and the Master. Penny embarks on an adventure to figure out what is happening and to free herself, and maybe others, from this creepy school.
The story is set in the 19th century, but the advanced technology gives it a sci-fi feeling to it. The plot is fast-paced and I had no problems finishing the novel in a couple of days (with breaks, mid-terms period ugh); it was also nice to read a novel under 400 pages, just the way I like them. The story itself is pretty captivating and it makes you want to know how the Master does what he does, and why.
Most chapters are written from Penny’s point of view, but there are some from Master’s perspective.
Penny is a young teen who is very strong-willed. She knows what she wants and she goes for it. Penny also has a strong mind and an inclination to question everything.
Master is a creepy, sadistic man. I will only say this – maybe if he had a better childhood and a loving family, he wouldn’t have turned up the way he did.
Cricket – warm, friendly, and joyous. He is Penny’s helper. I always enjoyed the sense with him.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the romance in this novel. While it is not the main plot of the novel, it did add nice moments. I am referring to all the moments that the two lovebirds interacted with each other, even before they got together.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. Even though ballet it’s not the focus of the book, it was a nice read. I enojyed the spin and twists, as well as the overall story.
Yes, I do recommend this novel. It has mystery, some suspense, ballet, romance, and creepiness. Moreover, it is a novel set in the 19th century with sci-fi elements. I think most people will enjoy reading this novel.
Laura xo
Author Bio:
Nikki Katz is an author and editor living in sunny San Diego with her three children. With a BS in aerospace engineering, Nikki first put her writing skills to use publishing four nonfiction books. She moved on to writing young adult fiction, her favorite genre to read as well. The Midnight Dance is her debut novel.
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Bibliofagista 
I like the different characters in this it sounds like a fun, well written and unique read! Glad you liked it, Laura! Great review! 🙂
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