Title:Phantom's Dance
Author:Lesa Howard
Release Date:March 1st 2014
Publisher:Boot in the Door Publications
Synopsis:
Christine Dadey’s family uprooted their lives and moved to Houston for her to attend the prestigious Rousseau Academy of Dance. Now, two years later, Christine struggles to compete among the Academy’s finest dancers, her parents are on the brink of divorce, and she’s told no one about her debilitating performance anxiety and what she’s willing to do to cope with it.
Erik was a ballet prodigy, a savant, destined to be a star on the world’s stage, but a suspicious fire left Erik’s face horribly disfigured. Now, a lonely phantom forced to keep his scars hidden, he spends his nights haunting the theater halls, mourning all he’s lost. Then, from behind the curtain he sees the lovely Christine. The moldable, malleable Christine.
Drawn in by Erik’s unwavering confidence, Christine allows herself to believe Erik’s declarations that he can transform her into the dancer she longs to be. But Christine’s hope of achieving her dreams may be her undoing when she learns Erik is not everything he claims. And before long, Erik’s shadowy past jeopardizes Christine’s unstable present as his obsession with her becomes hopelessly entangled with his plans for revenge.
I was provided with a copy in exchange for a honest review
A retelling of the classic tale "Phantom of the Opera",Lesa Howard's Phantom's Dance deals with a young innocent girl driven by ambition comes across a mysterious and enigmatic dancer with broken dreams who promises to make her a successful dancer in front of her peers.
Christine,our heroine is a kind hearted and naive girl.I liked how she saw the good in everyone,even those who were beyond redemption,but at the same time that quality made her a bit too trusting,innocent and at times stupid.Some times she didn't think rationally and ended up in deep trouble because of it.
I don't know a thing about ballet or dance academies but from what I've heard,they are supposed to be really strict,demanding and exhausting and I think Howard has captured that perfectly in her creation of the Rousseau Academy of Dance.The instructors kinda reminded me of the professors of Hogwarts,especially Lena Zaborov who was like Professor McGonagall with her tough strict manner and kind heart and Elaina Hahn who was quite a lot like Professor Snape with her rude behaviour,favouration towards the arch nemesis of the protagonist and her unpredictable secret.
Apart from the main track of the story,there were also a few minor events,problems and relationships that Christine comes across.Her parents' separation,her father's absence,her mother's involvement with a handsome guy who's far more younger than her and her secret attraction towards street dance were handled perfectly in the novel.Along with her effort to become the perfect dancer that is expected from her,Christine struggles through all these emotions and trials which made her confused and played a huge part in her defiant decision to trust a mysterious stranger.
Speaking of,Erik-the mysterious dancer who she meets in the theatre of the academy-is in my opinion,the best part of the story.His characterization was amazing.Disfigured because of a fire,this brilliant dancer's future,hopes,dreams were all shattered making him a bitter and lonely person.He decides to teach Christine,helping her to become a great dancer but at the same time develops an unhealthy obsession towards her.His character was enigmatic,intriguing and mysterious that I couldn't help but be utterly captivated by this creepily beautiful character.I was looking forward to his scenes even after discovering his true personality.
I also liked the other characters.Jenna-the stereotypical YA best friend,Raoul-Christine's love interest who is a sweet,caring and understanding boyfriend,Van-the 13 year old cute and adorable dance prodigy and Christine's parents who were really supportive of her even when they had their own troubles with their marriage.
Phantom's Dance is a captivating and beautiful story about ambitions and how dangerous obsessions can be.I really liked the story,especially the ending which I think was perfect for a book like this.
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