Blog Tour: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

 

Hello everyone and welcome to the Triple Threat Blog Tour hosted by Bloomsbury!  This stop is my review for the newly released debut, Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black. 

 

 

Published February 12, 2013 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Book

#1 in the Dance of Shadows series
egalley provided for review by netgalley
3 Stars


Goodreads Review
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 . . .

Review:  I was really excited when I first found out about Dance of Shadows last summer.  I really love ballet stuff (Center Stage, Dance Academy, So You Think You Can Dance, even Dance Moms!) and I was really excited to see how the paranormal aspects would be woven into the ballet story.  While I think there were some really interested ideas in Dance of Shadows, I though they were presented in obvious and uninteresting ways.

Let me start of by thanking Bloomsbury and netgalley for the chance to read Dance of Shadows early and to participate in the blog tour, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of positive things to say.  The best part of Dance of Shadows is the cover, so be prepared.

I didn't think any of the characters were that memorable.  Vanessa, the main character is pretty oblivious throughout. She had this blind faith in certain characters but her relationships with them were never really all that developed so I didn't understand her devotion to them.  She also, and I hate to say this, was a bit of a mary sue (ugh that's so bad but it's true).  She doesn't want to be good at dance, she doesn't love it, but she's instantly the most special snowflake dancer.  Ballet is HARD AS BALLS.  Even the most naturally gifted dancers have to work their asses off, and frankly this book makes all of their dedication to the craft a bit of a joke.  She also instantly makes a ton of friends (who serve no other purpose other than being Vanessa's friends, they have no back story or anything else interesting going on) and instantly draws the attention of the hottest dancer in school (who is really a big jerk face but for some reason Vanessa is just in love with him for....reasons).  It's all just a little too easy for her in my opinion.

The other big issue I had was the pacing of the book.  The mystery was just dragged out at a snails pace for 70% of the book and then it was like all of a sudden they realized they were 300 pages in and nothing had really happened yet so the ending was a huge flux of information and crazy events that took place a ludicrous speed (almost went to plaid!).

 

Now, with all of that said, I still really liked this book.  I liked the premise and I really liked all the crazy stuff that happened at the end, I just wish the pacing was better and the characters were smarter.  I mean, how did NO ONE notice that so many ballet dancers were missing?  How did Elly or Chloe's parents not notice?  Whose parents don't call their teenaged daughter in months?  If it were my kid I'd be freaking the eff out.  While I was intrigued by the people and events that were hinted at for coming books in the series, I do think it could have all been completed in one book and not dragged out. 

Overall I thought Dance of Shadows had an interesting premise but poor delivery which may be the most disappointing type of novel.  I think with a lot more editing Dance of Shadows could have been really good.  Even though I had major issues with the book I was intrigued enough to want to read the sequel if one is published. 

Zombies, Run! 5k app Week 3

You all might remember that last week I really hurt my back.  I could barely stand, let alone train for a 5k.  So after a week and a half off (with lots of drugs, not gonna lie) I was ready to try Week 3 of the program.  Week 3 really just follows the natural progression so I wasn't too surprised by the schedule.

• 5 minutes walking warm up
• 5 minute free form run warm up
• 5 reps of 1 minute running, 1 minute walking, and 10 seconds of knee lifts (jogging while bringing your knees up to your waist)
• 8 minute free form run
• 2 minutes stretching
• 8 minute free form run

I waited until Wednesday to do day one and I have to admit I pretty much walked everything.  I only ran during the interval training and by the last one I was starting to feel pain in my back as well as my left calf.  I took it slow and went 2.6 miles in 44 minutes, which is pretty good for walking so much.

Because I was still experiencing pain (and because I had to work really late on Friday) I didn't do day 2 until Saturday.  This run though was AWESOME.  I had zero pain and did 3.2 miles in 47 minutes (and 2 of those minutes were spent stretching). 

I did the final day of the week on Sunday even though I don't like doing 2 days in a row because I really wanted to get back on schedule.  I was a little more tired and sore during this run so I only did 3 miles in 43 minutes (which is still really good).

I'm really starting to see some results and improvements thanks to this training.  I'm also starting to have more confidence in myself, which is really awesome.  Also the story is getting really great, I'm really getting attached to the characters.  This is great for me because I actually want to do the next mission.  I can't wait to see what happens in week 4!

March 2013 New Reads

Here is a list of my top 5 most anticipated releases for March (lots of debuts this month!) as well as some other notable releases for the month. Which books are you excited for?

March 5

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett
#1 in The Arkwell Academy Series
DACWhy I'm Excited:  Another magical boarding school story, but this one sounds cool because of the having dreams and then they come true aspect.  Also fun fact, Mindee Arnett will be doing a book signing at the Dayton, Ohio Books & Co. March 5th at 7:00pm!  I'll probably be going, will I see you there?

 

 

March 8



The Culling by Steven Dos Santos
#1 in the Torch Keeper series
DACWhy I'm Excited:  This month's hunger games fix.  It actually has a really cool premise and I'm really excited for gay YA science fiction.  You don't see that a lot and it sounds pretty awesome.








 


March 12

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson
#1 in the Strands of Bronze and Gold series
DACWhy I'm Excited:  First the cover is just beautiful.  Second the bluebeard myth is really crazy and I'm curious to see this adaptation.

March 21

17 & Gone by Nova Ren SumaWhy I'm Excited:   I've heard some really good things about this novel that even though the premise doesn't seem that original, it's presented in a really unique way. 















March 26

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Why I'm Excited:  This sounds really cute.  I hope it's as charming as it seems, I get a Stephanie Perkins vibe from the summary and I hope it lives up to that expectation.














Other Notable Releases

March 1 - Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

March 5 - Requiem by Lauren Oliver
                 Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
                 A Touch Menacing by Leah Clifford
                 Infatuate by Aimee Agresti

March 12 - MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
                   Deep Betrayal by Anne Greenwood Brown

March 19 - Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
                   With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

March 26 -  A Touch of SCarlet by Eve Marie Mont
                    Impostor by Jill Hathaway

Zombies, Run! 5k app Week 2

Week 2 started off with a bang and ended with a whimper :(  I managed to really injure myself last weekend so while I managed to complete week 2, I haven't been able to start week 3.  My back is absolutely killing me, I can't bend down, sit down, walk around, or lay flat.  I went to the doctor a few days ago and the medicine he gave me has been helping, but I'm still really hurting.  Hopefully I'll be ok by next Monday so I can get back to training.

Week 2 consists of:

• 10 minute warm up walk
• 5 reps of 30 seconds running, 5 heel lifts (basically going up on releve), 1 minute walking
• 10 minute free run

I did the first mission on Monday and felt great.  I didn't have too many problems other than I went out too late and it was super dark when I came home. 

Mission 2 on Tuesday had quite a few problems though.  I was running through my neighborhood and noticed a couple walking their HUGE dog and talking up the entire sidewalk. I was going to pass them so I hopped down on the street. As I approached them on the left the dog lunged at me barking really aggressively. He was on the right of his owner so as he ran at me his owner span around and fell to the ground. I stopped and wanted to help but the dog was still barking and lunging at me! They told me to just go on so I did because I was afraid of that dog. I feel really bad that this guy fell but seriously, if you're going to be walking your GIANT ASS DOG through a residential area you need to train it not to run at people! What if I had been a 10 year old kid? That guy would have a lot more to worry about than a busted ass.

So, I wonder if there is some sort of etiquette when you're running past someone walking their dog? I've never had this issue before, normally I just run on by and the dog doesn't care.

I took Wednesday off and decided to do a main app mission on Thursday.  However I decided to do this late in the day and it was too dark to run outside so I tried to do it on the treadmill.  Mistake.   I think I run differently when I'm on the treadmill because my left leg was just killing me.  I could hardly run for more than a few seconds before there would be shooting pain. I noticed that when I run outside I step more in the middle of my foot and have a lot less pain but when I run on the treadmill I lead with my heel more. I think it has to do with keeping my balance, I don't know. All I know is my left shin and hip would really hurt if I tried to run.

Saturday is when I finished week 2 of the 5k app and running wise I felt fine, but the weather was super cold and my left leg was still a tiny bit sore so I didn't do as well as I wanted to, but not a big deal.

My back pain started later that night.  I was sitting on the couch and simply stood up and WHAM.  Luckily the doctor said it is just a strained muscle not a spine or bone problem, so that's good.  I think I will be able to pick training back up next week so look forward to another summary soon!

Ally Carter Book Signing

Last week I was lucky enough to attend a book signing for Ally Carter's latest book, Perfect Scoundrels, at my local indie book store Joseph Beth.  Ally Carter is the New York Times best selling author of of The Gallagher Girls series, a middle grade series about a school for spies, and the Heist Society series, a YA series about a cat bugler gone good.

Ally Carter being awesome.

 We pretty much jumped right into the Q&A session, with lots of people asking for spoilers in Perfect Scoundrels and for the final book in the Gallagher Girls series.  Apparently Zach dies...(just kidding!  Carter loves to bait her readers, which is pretty hilarious if scary!)

Here are some of my favorite questions.

What is your favorite part of writing each series?

• Heist Society is wish fulfillment.  Carter could play the "what if" game
• Gallagher Girls was watching the characters grow up.

What inspired you to start writing?

• Carter read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton in middle school and discovered that not only did S.E. Hinton grow up near her hometown, but that she was only 16 when she wrote it
• Carter realized that writers weren't just rich old people, they could be anyone, even her

Do you know the end of the story when you start writing?

• Carter knows all of the major points she wants to hit, but doesn't know the exact paths she will take to get there
• The details are developed and changed (and changed and changed) during the writing and revision process

Signing my books!

What advice do you have for young writers?

• Read as much as you can
• Write as much as you can
• Don't worry about getting published!

How do you get over writers block?

• There are two types of writers block that Carter encounters
• The first is when she needs to write, but is getting distracted by TV, chores, friends, ect.
• To cure this version of writers block she makes a schedule and has writing incentives with her friends
• If she doesn't reach a certain word count by a certain date her friend is allowed to slap her in the face...I'd say that's pretty good incentive!
• The second type of writers block is when she is working but feels like she's pushing through a wall, every word is a struggle to get out
• In this instance she does take a break
• Going for a walk or getting a drink can help take your mind off the problem and allow new thoughts to pop up

The Heist Society Series, NYT best seller!

The discussion wrapped with the announcement that Heist Society would appear on the New York Times best sellers series list, alongside The Hunger Games and The Mortal Instruments.  Congratulations Ally and thank you so much for coming to Joseph Beth for such a fun event!

My signed copy of Perfect Scoundrels, in stores now!

Zombies, Run! 5k app Week 1

So today I wanted to talk about something a little different, but still very "bookish" in my opinion.  A few months ago I discovered a fantastic app called Zombies, Run!  This app takes a standard workout running tracker and combines it with an audio book like story.  In between songs that you upload as a playlist you hear radio transmissions from people in a township called Abel, a community trying to survive during the zombie apocalypse. 

This app is absolutely perfect for someone like me, who enjoys books and video games far more than exercising.  I get so incredibly bored on the treadmill or just lifting weights over and over.  I love that Zombies, Run! gives me not only missions and goals, but a captivating story and intriguing characters.  I'm actually sad when I complete a mission and have to wait a day before I can do the next one!  I'm excited to go running....which is extremely weird!

I've had a goal for a few years now of running a 5k without stopping.  I participated in my first one ever last year (The Color Run!  Such a blast) but didn't run the entire thing.  I decided this year I would up the ante and I have signed up for Run for Your Lives, a zombie themed 5k obstacle course.  The race is June 22, so I have 130 days to train. 

I started my training last week by doing the first week of the spin off app, Zombies, Run! 5k.  This app is set in between missions 1 and 2 of the main app and lets runner 5 get to know some of the people in Abel while they train up to prepare for longer missions.  This is a great premise and so far  I've really enjoyed it.

My Zombies, Run! uniform, courtesy of my mom at Christmas.  I love my mom.

Week 1 consists of:

• 10 minute walk for a warm up
• 10 reps of walk 1 minute, run 15 seconds
• 10 minute free run, which means you can walk the whole thing, run the whole thing, or do a combination of the two based on your fitness level.

This first week wasn't that difficult. I can't quite run for the full 10 minute free run, but I would guess I ran about 8 minutes each time, so that's pretty good.  For the first day I tried to run on the treadmill and I learned very quickly that it's a lot more fun to face the cold then it is to slog it out inside. 

Running outside is a lot better; it makes the intervals easier, later on you have to stop and do some strength exercises that would be a lot easier off a treadmill, and the app works better with the GPS.  I did have some problems with the app not recording my workouts, misjudging the distances I ran (I know I didn't run 9.5 miles in 36 minutes!), and randomly stop playing music half way through.  The app hasn't synced any workout to the website since Friday.  However they did just change the entire layout of their site, so I'm not surprised there are still a few bugs.

Technical kinks aside I really love this app.  I love it for the atmosphere it brings and the story it tells.  I am really invested in these character and am excited every day to go on my run.  This is a big deal for me because I have never been a runner, ever. 

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Published February 2, 2012 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
2 stars

Goodreads Review
Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

Review:  Harbinger had a lot of things going on.  I mean a LOT.  There were elements that were dystopian, paranormal, psychological thriller, or romance.  Unfortunately these ideas were not strung together well and gave Harbinger a disorderly and confusing plot.

Harbinger is set in a post apocalyptic type world, but because Faye is secluded in an institution type place, we only get hints at the dystopian world around her.  This would be ok if the action was only in Holbrook Academy, but the story eventually stretches to a world wide problem.  Because of the scope of the issues presented by the end of the book I really needed more information about the current government and social structure.  We just don't get enough information about what went wrong and what changed from today to bring the world to such a drastic situation.  I felt like there was a lot of interesting things there, but it was treated as common knowledge, which in a made up world doesn't really work.  Honestly I would have just shifted the setting to today's world because the story is about what is happening at the academy and all of this post apocalyptic stuff was just distracting.

I also found the characters to be really confusing.  There's some really unfortunate insta-love with Faye and this guy she meets named Kel.  It's that common trope of two people instantly knowing they are super special snowflakes the first time they meet.  I really don't like relationships like that in books, I much prefer the slow burn of a relationship that takes a whole book to develop.  I find the payoff much more satisfying.  (Plus it's never a good sign when the romance happening between two side characters is more charming than the main love interests.)

I felt like there was a lot of potential with Harbinger.  The mystery was intriguing and suspense was built well throughout the first half of the novel.  However there are just too many different story threads that aren't pulled together neatly.  Harbinger would have definitely benefited from a stronger editor who could have narrowed down the scope of the book to just the elements that are essential to the plot and cut the rest out. 

On a brighter note, there was some really fantastic marketing when the book came out and artists were commissioned to create different scenes from the book.  I think this is a bang up idea and I wish more books would do stuff like this.  Some of these turned out quite lovely, which I think is proof that there is potential with this book in terms of creativity.  Below are some of my favorites, but check out all of the art here.

(c) Mary Etienne

(c) Andrea Offermann

(c) Andrew Mitchell