Dance of Shadows

By Yelena Black

Vanessa knew that dance was in her blood, but she had no idea the world of elite ballet was center stage for the darkest of secrets-until her sister mysteriously disappeared from the world-renowned New York Ballet Academy.

Three years later, Vanessa follows in Margaret's footsteps, lands the role most girls at NYBA would kill for . . . and gets trapped in a sinister spiral of secrets. Back-stabbing bunheads, a fiercely unrelenting choreographer, and the sexy male lead of the troupe-they all want something from Vanessa. And though she revels in the attention, what Vanessa truly craves are answers. Instead, she feels as though she is losing her footing at every turn. Is she doomed to relive her sister's strange fate?

Riveting and sexy, Dance of Shadows twists the cutthroat world of ballet with a psychological thriller, in a dance you won't be able to resist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Feb 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781599909417

Yelena Black

YELENA BLACK is the author of Dance of Shadows. She's an MFA graduate of Columbia University and currently resides in New York City. She has a keen interest in dance and all things devilish.

Book preview

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

To Emily,

For hanging out at the vending machines with me

when we should have been learning how to do the splits

Prologue

In the harsh glare of the lights, Chloë’s shadow stretched across the stage. Her toes pointed and taut, her arms fluttering like wings, she arched her neck and watched as her own silhouette seemed to move without her …

A drop of sweat slid down her chest and seeped into the thin fabric of her leotard. There was no music. The room beyond was dark and empty, yet she could feel her master’s eyes on her. She tried not to tremble as she lifted her chin to meet his gaze. Slowly, she extended a long, slender leg into the air.

He rapped his staff on the floor. Again.

Chloë wiped her temples. The floor was speckled with sweat and blood from hours of practice, but still she took her position. On the choreographer’s count, the thirteen ballerinas around her began to flit in and out in cascades of white, their shoes pattering softly against the wood.

One and two and three and four!

And before she knew it, her feet were moving soundlessly across the stage. She dipped her head back, fanning her arms toward the light.

Now rise! he yelled as she thrust herself toward the circle of dancers, keeping in step. Transcend your body! Your bones are hollow! Your feet are mere feathers!

Chloë twirled, her back flexed into a crescent as the dancers flew past, their faces vacant, their feet moving so quickly they seemed to blur.

Yes! cried the choreographer, his smile wide and triumphant. Yes!

Chloë was dizzy and exhausted, her leotard damp with sweat, but she didn’t care. The routine was finally coming together. Her legs wove around each other with effortless grace, and her body followed, smooth and slippery, like a strip of satin gliding over the stage.

Letting herself go, she cocked her head back in a flush of rapture. Her chest heaved, and hot, thick air filled her lungs.

The other dancers reached for her, their faces a pale swirl. Chloë bowed out of their reach, dipping low and letting her fingertips graze the wooden floor. It felt strangely hot. The thin smell of smoke coiled around her, tickling her nose, and the choreographer’s voice grew distant and watery. The overhead lights seemed to flicker, casting eerie shadows against the walls.

A wave of heat rippled through her body. It was strange, unidentifiable—a hot presence spilling into her veins, making her head throb.

A string of whispers began to unravel in her mind, the voices too soft to understand. She jerked her head, trying to shake them off, but they melded into one another, foreign and indecipherable, growing louder, shriller.

Her eyes burned. The room swam with red. The ribbons of her pointe shoes tightened around her ankles. Without warning, her legs bent backward, as if boneless. Her arms cracked and swung over her head. Against her will, her chin jerked upward to face the overhead lights.

Mine, a voice said inside her head.

Chloë teetered, her legs trembling as she fought to maintain her balance. Using all her strength, she forced her lips to move. No! she screamed convulsively, and fell out of position.

The dancers stopped midstep, their faces empty and distorted. From somewhere in the darkness, the choreographer’s voice cut through the room. That, my dear, was a fatal misstep.

What? Chloë whispered. How can— But her words were consumed by a stifling breath of heat. It enveloped her, licking at her legs, and she twisted in pain as the presence took hold, her blood boiling as it pulsed through her fingers, her arms, her chest, until she was filled with an unbearable, burning ecstasy.

The colors around her sharpened until they were so bright they burned her eyes. Something screeched in her ears—a shrill, deafening cry that she suddenly recognized as her own voice.

She blazed into a brilliant, coruscating light, her body dissolving into ash.

Chapter One

With a swish, her mother opened the curtains, letting the afternoon sun stream into the room.

Vanessa shielded her eyes. "Mom, please."

There’s nothing wrong with a little sunshine. Mrs. Adler pursed her lips as she stood back to observe. Besides, it kills the germs. Who knows how properly this place has been cleaned. She dug inside her purse and withdrew a small bottle of Purell, squeezing a dollop into her palm. Bacteria, be gone!

Vanessa couldn’t help but laugh, and then she let her eyes wander.

It was a simple dorm room, sparsely furnished with two beds, two desks, and two dressers. The walls were painted a pale yellow. A long mirror nailed to the back of the closet door reflected the unpacked boxes that littered the floor. The other half of the room was already decorated in loud, bright colors: movie posters, patchwork pillows, shoes and clothes spilling from the closet, but Vanessa’s roommate was nowhere to be found.

Outside the open door, the hallway was bustling with chatter—girls laughing and gossiping about their summers, parents arguing while they squeezed heavy trunks through the corridor, little sisters spinning like delirious ballerinas.

Vanessa had once been that little sister, though she could barely remember the last time dancing had made her smile. She blew a wisp of red hair from her face and glanced at her father, who gave her a sympathetic shrug.

Something’s missing. Her mother moved a small vase from one side of the nightstand to the other. That’s better, she said, though it looked the same to Vanessa.

Her father sighed, and when his wife wasn’t watching, he rolled his eyes at Vanessa. She laughed.

What’s funny? her mother asked sternly.

Vanessa bit her lip. Just thinking about something from the past.

The past is nothing, her mother said, a slight quiver in her voice. Focus on the future. She ruffled the edge of the duvet and ran a hand across her forehead, as if trying to erase the fine lines of stress and worry that had formed there over the past few years. Of course, being here doesn’t help.

There was a knock on the door. A girl with an upbeat ponytail stood in the hall, holding a clipboard.

Yes? Vanessa’s mother said.

Hi. I’m looking for Vanessa Adler?

Vanessa took a step toward the door, but her mother didn’t budge.

I’m her mother, Mrs. Adler. And you are?

Oh, I’m Kate, the resident adviser. The girl tried to peer into the room. I wanted to welcome Vanessa to the New York Ballet Academy.

"Resident adviser? There’s only one of you?"

There are two of us, actually, Kate said cheerfully. Her eyes were bright and blue, her hair light brown with blond highlights. I’m in charge of the freshman girls, and Ben is in charge of the boys.

Mrs. Adler frowned. "I think I misunderstood you. You’re trying to tell me that you are the only person watching over the freshman girls?"

Vanessa winced, and Kate flashed her an understanding look before giving Mrs. Adler a reassuring smile. I am. But I promise you—

Mrs. Adler cut her off. Do you realize that there are only twenty dancers Vanessa’s age admitted each year to the New York Ballet Academy?

I do— Kate said.

And that fifteen is a very impressionable age?

Vanessa felt her face grow hot.

I know. I was fifteen not that long ago— Kate began to say.

That’s exactly my point! Mrs. Adler raised her hands in the air. You’re barely older than Vanessa. How can you always know where she is and whom she’s spending time with? That she’s doing her schoolwork and practicing her dance routines, when there are dozens of distractions surrounding her? Manhattan preys on naive young girls.

The entire room seemed to take a breath, including Mrs. Adler, who clutched the side of the dresser, fanning her neck. For a moment, Vanessa wished that her father would step in and tell her mother that she was out of line—but that wasn’t how things were with her parents. Her mother was the one who gave the instructions; her dad merely followed them.

I’m sorry, her mother said, composing herself. I’m just worried about her. She turned to Vanessa. I understand the need to dance. Really, I do; I was the same way. But are you absolutely sure you want to be here? Because there are other things out there, an entire world—

Mom, I’ll be fine. Stop worrying.

They had already had this conversation—many, many times. Her mother wanted her to stay home, to go to public school back in Massachusetts. But Vanessa wanted … well, it wasn’t so much about what she wanted to do. It was about what she needed to do.

And that was to be here. At the New York Ballet Academy. The same school that Margaret had gone to.

It had taken months of fighting and persuading her mom to say yes once the acceptance letter had arrived. The fact that Vanessa had been offered a full-tuition scholarship hadn’t hurt. The most talented dancer we had audition, the admissions officer had said. Must run in the family.

Eventually Mrs. Adler had succumbed to the pressure.

Vanessa gave Kate an apologetic shrug, hoping her mother’s diatribe hadn’t already destroyed her reputation. Being an outcast in a class with only ten boys and ten girls wasn’t exactly the fresh start that she wanted. But to Vanessa’s surprise, Kate gave her a wink and turned toward her mother.

"Manhattan is an exciting place, Kate said, a cacophony of honking cars in the street below emphasizing her point. And while I can’t promise to know what Vanessa is doing all of the time, I can say that we do everything in our power to make sure our students are safe and happy. There are curfews and lockdowns, and for the most part, everyone here is so busy that there’s barely any time to experience the city at all."

Mrs. Adler seemed to relax. Good.

Great. Kate tucked her clipboard under one arm. Well, I’ll leave you to your unpacking. Vanessa, I’ll see you during orientation, which is in the main studio at Juilliard, on the third floor, in two hours. If you have any other questions, I’ll be floating around.

Mrs. Adler glanced at Vanessa, then stepped into the hall. I do have a few more questions, she said to Kate, following her down the hallway.

Once they were out of earshot, Vanessa shook her head, letting her wild red hair flail about her face. Well, that was insane.

Her father smiled and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was a handsome man, with strong, startling features that Vanessa had inherited, along with his height and fiery hair, though his had ripened to a distinguished auburn. She wasn’t a delicate flower like her mother or her sister, Margaret, and that was partially why she was such an astonishing dancer. No one expected her to be weightless, but when she leaped into a grand jeté, she seemed to float with an ethereal lightness, her feet tiptoeing across the stage as she transformed herself into a white swan, a sleeping princess, or a Sugar Plum Fairy, her shock of red hair flashing beneath the lights like electricity.

He rolled up his shirtsleeves and reached for one of the ballet slippers on her dresser, letting its ribbons slip through his fingers. It looked impossibly small in his palm. Ness, you know if you aren’t happy here, you can tell me.

A group of girls walked past the doorway, chatting and giggling. Vanessa bit her lip, wishing she wanted to be here as much they did. The New York Ballet Academy was the premier dance school in the country. She should want to be here, but her heart had never been in it, at least not until recently. It was her older sister, Margaret, who loved ballet, who counted steps in her sleep and dreamed of being onstage. Vanessa was just following in her footsteps.

Yet somehow, all through middle school, she had found herself spending more time practicing barre exercises than seeing her friends. A part of her wanted nothing more than to go to a public high school, eat a cheeseburger with her friends without feeling guilty, and date a guy who didn’t own tights or spandex. There was a time when she thought that might be possible, but it had quickly slipped away after things fell apart with Margaret.

Vanessa sighed. You know I can’t leave. She glanced at the door. I know it’s hard for her, but she isn’t the only one who lost somebody.

She’s scared for you. She doesn’t like this place. Her father put the shoe back on the dresser with care.

Don’t worry, Dad. It’s just a school, Vanessa said.

I know that. But your mother, she believes … well, you know what she thinks. She’d rather you be anywhere else. I support your being here if you think that’s what is best for you. But if things get too much for you to handle, you can always come home. Choose a different path.

Dad gave a lopsided smile and patted Vanessa on the shoulder. She understood what he was saying, but what other path was there? Her grandmother had been a principal ballerina, her mother had been a principal ballerina, and Margaret had been one of the most promising students the school had ever seen.

Until she’d disappeared three years ago.

Vanessa could still remember when they got the phone call. It was February, and snow was falling over Massachusetts, floating past their kitchen window while she and her parents ate dinner. Her sister had run away, the program adviser had told her mother. She fell in with the wrong crowd, he’d added. The pressures of ballet sometimes lead girls in the wrong direction, no matter how hard we try to prevent it.

Her parents dropped Vanessa off with her grandparents that night and drove to New York to search for Margaret. By day, they worked with the police; by night, they wandered the city, combing its darkest and most desolate corners. After a few weeks, her father returned to work, joining his wife on weekends.

Six months later, her parents gave up the search and moved back home to take care of their remaining daughter. Margaret’s belongings were stored in the garage.

Vanessa wanted to believe that Margaret was still out there somewhere, laughing with friends, living a fantasy life as a normal teenager.

Then they got a final package in the mail from the New York Ballet Academy: Margaret’s school ID, a leotard that still gave off her faint floral scent, and a battered pair of pointe shoes, all of which had been in her studio locker when they packed the rest of her things. Vanessa’s mother cried when she opened the box and saw Margaret’s initials scratched into the soles, an old pair that Margaret had kept because they’d been a gift from her teacher back in Massachusetts. What if she’s dead? her mother whispered, uttering the thought that had been haunting all of them.

Vanessa sat down and rested her head on her mother’s shoulder. Maybe she just doesn’t need these anymore. She refused to believe her sister was gone.

After that, while Vanessa and her father tried to resume their lives, her mother barely left her bed for an entire month. She stopped showering and dressing; she left her food untouched; she even refused to listen to classical music. That’s when Vanessa knew it was bad.

So one dreary Friday, she slipped her ballet shoes out of the closet and tiptoed into the master bedroom, where her mother was curled, unmoving, beneath the sheets. And as the rain trickled down the windowpanes, Vanessa performed, letting all of the grief pour out of her until she could feel nothing but the raw thumping of her heart.

Slowly, her mother sat up.

Soon, she was driving Vanessa to ballet lessons the way she’d always done, until one day Vanessa announced she was applying to the New York Ballet Academy. Her mother was shocked. She loved watching Vanessa dance, but never thought Vanessa loved it enough to follow in Margaret’s footsteps. They had closed that chapter of their lives, she’d said.

But Vanessa hadn’t. With her father’s help, she applied to the same school Margaret had disappeared from, because she was determined not only to dance but to find her sister. She had to be here—in this school, in this life that had once belonged to her mother and to Margaret.

Now her father pulled over a box and sat down next to Vanessa. I’m serious, he said. I know you’re a talented dancer. I just want to make sure you’re happy too.

"I am happy," Vanessa said. Sort of, she told herself. Happiness was always complicated.

Who’s happy? her mother asked, startling them both as she slipped through the door, dabbing her eyes with a linen hankie. She was always doing that, sneaking up on people, an omnipresent force in Vanessa’s life.

I am, Vanessa said. I’m happy to be here.

Of course you are, her mother said sadly. It’s the most elite ballet school in the world. She forced a smile. I just visited Margaret’s old room. Her voice cracked, and Vanessa’s father wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Promise me you won’t ever take any drugs. Not even aspirin. I don’t care how much your feet hurt.

You don’t have to worry about that, Vanessa said. Other girls, she knew, used painkillers, but her feet were so numb and calloused that she could probably drive a nail through her toe and not feel it.

A short while later, after a final cleanup of empty boxes, her father gave her a long, tight hug. "Call me if you need anything. Anything, he whispered. Even if it’s just to chat."

Caught off guard by the softness in her father’s voice, Vanessa relaxed into his arms. This was it, she realized, breathing in the scent of his aftershave. Only now had it sunk in that she wasn’t going home with them. Vanessa pressed her cheek against his lapel. I will.

All right, her mother said. It’s my turn. And before Vanessa knew what was happening, her mother pulled her to her chest and squeezed, burying her face in Vanessa’s hair. Oh, I’m going to miss you, her mother said, rocking slightly as she held her. You’re going to be wonderful. I just know you are.

Vanessa allowed her arms to slip around her mother’s slender body. Thanks, Mom.

And suddenly, as if she had realized what she was doing, her mother released her and stepped back, smoothing her skirt and wiping her eyes with a tissue. We should be off, she said briskly.

Vanessa watched as her parents disappeared into the hallway. Now what? She picked up a small box resting by her bed. Nestled inside were Margaret’s pointe shoes, their ribbons coiled around the worn pink satin. Gently, she traced the rough lines of her sister’s initials on the soles. Just as she tucked them into her closet, a girl burst through her door.

Was that your mom? Crazy lady who busted into my room without knocking? Who kept talking about someone named Margaret? She was tall and lean, with dark-brown skin, sharp green eyes, and a hint of a smile.

I’m sorry, Vanessa apologized. If it makes you feel any better, she’s been doing that to me for years.

"Damn. And I thought my mom was bad."

Vanessa bit her lip. She didn’t touch any of your stuff, did she?

The girl pulled back her thick hair with a clip. No, she just stood there and, like, vibrated. For a minute I thought she was going to sit on my bed, but I told her what’s what before she got the chance. I might’ve made her cry.

No, that wasn’t you, Vanessa said, shaking her head. She cries a lot these days. She paused. I’m Vanessa, by the way.

Vanessa? So who’s Margaret?

My older sister. She used to go here … but now she doesn’t.

The girl’s eyes twinkled. I’m Steffie.

"Great story. Another girl popped her head in. And I’m TJ, the new girl said with a grin. Your roommate."

She had big doe eyes and freckles. A tangled nest of curly brown hair was pinned on top of her head, a few stray ringlets bouncing around her face. It’s short for Tammy Jessica, but I think that’s too girly. TJ’s better, don’t you think?

Vanessa nodded. I guess so.

Define ‘better,’ said Steffie.

Nice to meet you too. TJ sat on her bright-blue bedspread. For a dancer, she had a generous frame. I’m reinventing myself now that I’m here. Like I said: TJ. The T can stand for, like, tough as nails. And the J for … jazz. Or whatever. But that’s who I am now. Going forward.

Vanessa smiled. The idea of a new beginning certainly was nice. TJ’s name matched her image: she wore no makeup, not even eyeliner. Her features seemed expressive enough already.

I’m from the city, TJ said, as if there were only one. The Upper East Side. I could have just lived at home, but I wanted to get away from my parents. They’re lawyers. Prillar & Prillar, so that’s what our house is like. Always talking, talking, talking. She rolled her eyes. It’s going to be nice to be away from that.

Vanessa had to hide her smile. Talking, talking, talking. Prillar? she said. Like the Prillar who’s on the board of directors of NYBA?

Steffie turned her head. You didn’t tell me that, TJ.

TJ replied, Why would I? That didn’t have anything to do with me getting in.

Of course not, said Steffie. I didn’t mean to imply—

But TJ just laughed. I know. So where are you from, Vanessa? No, wait. Let me guess. California. No, Vermont.

Close, Vanessa said. Massachusetts.

Catching Vanessa eyeing the pile of clothes by her bed, TJ said, Don’t worry. I’m not this messy all the time.

Vanessa laughed. Neither am I.

Enough about your messy clothes, Steffie said. I can’t believe we get to go to school in Manhattan. How cool is that?

The city that never sleeps, TJ said.

Where the sidewalks are paved with gold! Steffie said. Or is that Hollywood?

Doesn’t matter, Vanessa said. The point is, we’re lucky.

First thing I’m doing tomorrow morning is going to Times Square, Steffie said, pushing TJ aside and flopping down on the bed beside her.

Ugh, TJ said. "The first thing I’m doing tomorrow is not going to Times Square."

What’s wrong with Times Square? Steffie asked.

Nothing, if you’re a tourist.

Well, I’m a tourist. I didn’t live here my whole life like some people with big hair.

All three of them looked out the window to where Lincoln Center glittered in the late afternoon light. The central plaza fountain sprayed jets of water high into the air, and on every side was a grand building that Vanessa already knew by heart: the one with the dramatic glass windows was the New York City Ballet; the high arched windows was the Metropolitan Opera House; and the yellow marble-walled building was Avery Fisher Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic. Their new school, New York Ballet Academy, was tucked just behind Avery Fisher Hall, next to the Juilliard School: two modest buildings that were now Vanessa’s home. The setting sun cast a brassy sheen on everything they saw—from the fountain to the buildings on the plaza, from the wooden water towers that speckled the rooftops of the many apartment buildings to the glassy skyscrapers in the distance whose windows looked like molten gold.

It’s really beautiful, Steffie said, her snark gone for the moment. Hard to believe this is home for the next four years. We’re at, like, the center of the universe.

"We’re almost at the center of the universe, TJ said. There’s a whole lot to New York City that we’ll probably never get to see. Lincoln Center is a safe little bubble."

Not that safe, Vanessa thought, but to her new friends she said, It feels unreal, doesn’t it? Like tomorrow I’m going to wake up at home and realize it was all a dream.

Just wait till classes, TJ said. She smiled and flashed a set of bright, white teeth. It’ll feel real when our feet are blistered and bleeding.

Instinctively, Vanessa flexed her toes inside her canvas sneakers. Unable to stop herself, she stared at Steffie’s muscular thighs and TJ’s straight back, and wondered if they were better dancers than she was. She wasn’t used to being surrounded by so many serious dancers; at home, Vanessa had always been the best by far.

But her thoughts were interrupted when two others drifted in: a tiny girl named Elly, Steffie’s roommate, who had wavy blond hair and was carrying a laptop under one arm, and an Asian boy who followed on her heels.

We heard voices and thought we would stop in and say hello, the boy said, "because we’re both wonderful and so obviously you need to know who we are. I go by Blaine." He held out his hand to no one in particular, as though waiting for it to be kissed.

Steffie made a face and sat on the windowsill, crossing her long dark legs and scrutinizing the newcomers.

But it’s not his real name, Elly teased in a sweet, southern drawl. Everything about her was sugary and bite-sized: her yellow bob, her button nose, her pouty lips. Even her clothes were a lacy baby pink. She elbowed Blaine. Go ahead. Tell them!

Blaine shook his head and gave her

Reviews for Dance of Shadows

[sunset_x_cocktail · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well this turned out to be nothing like I thought. I was sort of expecting a YA version of 'Black Swan' with this one, but it was nothing at all like Black Swan.

I liked it a lot, all the same. Started off interestingly enough, though was a little on the slow side, but I liked reading about Vanessa adjusting to life at NYBA, getting to know her friends, and the real reason she was there - the search for her missing older sister who had disappeared at the school shortly before.

Wasn't too impressed with the insta-love with the male dancer Zep. He was more annoying than mysterious. I found Justin to be the more interesting male character as there was a lot more to him that some hot guy. Sort of a little predictable at first with the plot, but as the story goes on and more missing girls pop up the mystery increases. And the last bits of the book threw the plot in a completely different direction.

Something I would never have guessed in a YA ballet novel which made it more compelling and surprising to see how it turned out. So definitely looking forward to the next one.

[kateminasian · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I honestly can think of no other word for this book then "ridiculous."

[lovelylime · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a hard book to rate, because for most of the book I was at a solid, mediocre 3 stars. But in light of the ending and the book as a whole in retrospect, I feel as though it deserves another star despite my disappointment that it didn't live up to the creep factor I had been hoping desperately for (there's definitely a significant lack of creep in YA). But looking around that bias I do think it's a decent mystery novel, just nothing to make my skin crawl or my spine tingle.

I think it you're looking for something for a little different and you don't mind reading a lot of ballet scenes (stunning scenes really, but I've always been interested in ballet, so I'm speaking from bias) then this will be a good book for you. And really, the ballet scenes were my favorite part--especially the end. The detail and everything was just perfect.

But the day-to-day school life did get marginally annoying and boring, Vanessa's circular logic was tiring. There wasn't nearly as much self doubt as I would have suspected. She makes feeling like you're going crazy to be a pretty mundane experience.

I received a free copy via netgalley. thanks!

[brandileigh2003 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the premise a lot, the character of Vanessa, and being in the dance world. However, I felt like there were some pacing issues, things skimmed over, and others that were elaborated too much. But the beginning kept me engaged, and after a somewhat slow middle, the ending griped me again until the last page. I will for sure read the next book when it comes out even if I don't grab on release day. The ballet in this one seemed realistic as far as the setting, terms used, and the school. There is a paranormal aspect for Vanessa and select others, but as far as the paranormal goes, it is set up well and isn't too much of a stretch. Although Vanessa said more than once while she likes dance, she is mostly at this elite school for her sister. I find this to be a bit of a stretch because you couldn't be as good as she is without a pretty intense love for ballet at the end of the day, but I get where it is coming from. I wasn't much a fan of the romance Zep never really sat right with me, and I think that Vanessa should have paid more attention to the feelings of unease or that something wasn't quite right with him. But I get the appeal, he is older, more mature, good looking, a good dancer, and he showed interest in her. I was more rooting for the underdog, Justin. Not that it was really a love triangle, he was just there, and I liked him more than I ever did Zep. The ending wrapped up things okay, but there are still lots of other questions that need to be answered in the sequel. Bottom Line: Good start and ending, with a slow middle and some issues.

[amberfib · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Dance of Shadows is just dull, for lack of a better term. The synopsis sounds great, and the concept is amazing. However, the execution is terrible. The pacing is off, the characters are one-dimensional, and the writing is sub-par. I started this book expecting a unique and intriguing novel and ended up bored to death and irritated. Vanessa is one of the dumbest characters I've ever read. Not to mention she has no personality. She insists on doing stupid things repeatedly when the answers are right there in front of her. She trusts the wrong people constantly, she can't figure out ANYTHING for herself, and to top it all off, she's obscenely bland. She is an awful character, and I found her impossible to relate to OR root for. I can't even remember most of the other characters names. Justin is also bland, and he doesn't stand out, and neither does Zep. Josef is pretty much a carbon copy of Justin and Zep. There is not a single character in this book that has a personality. The lack of character development is unbelievable. The pacing for this book is extremely slow. The world-building and place development are non-existent. The writing is awful, and the author seems to love the smell of sweat... yuck. Thinking about some of the supposed steamy scenes still makes me nauseous because of all the sweat sniffing and such. If I hadn't been to NYC several times, then I would have had no idea what the city looked like. Black tells us NOTHING about New York. I certainly didn't feel like I was there, which is probably a good thing, considering all the sweat. Overall, I'd recommend this book to my worst enemy, and that's about it. It's seriously bad. The only redeeming aspect is the concept, which the author completely destroys with the horrible writing, lack of character-development, and lack of world-building.

[ahandfulofconfetti · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was drawn to Dance of Shadows as soon as I saw the cover. I mean, how can you look at that gorgeousness and NOT want to read this book? Add to that the fact that this book is set at a ballet academy - and I adore ballet anything, even though I cannot dance to save my soul - and it was a no brainer for me to pick up this book. Then I started seeing some not-so-stellar ratings and got worried that this would be a dud; for most people, it definitely seems to be just that. But I am happy to report that I, on the other hand, really enjoyed this book a lot and am so glad I went ahead and gave it a read!Vanessa Adler is living in her sister, Margaret's, shadow. It was Margaret who was first accepted to the New York Ballet Academy, given the lead female role in the school's production, and disappeared without a trace. Wanting some closure and answers regarding her sister's disappearance, Vanessa applies and is accepted to the NYBA to follow in her sister's footsteps. But Vanessa is an even better dancer than Margaret was, and catches the attention of the school's director, who casts her in the same role her sister was dancing when she disappeared: the Firebird.This book had a fabulous air of mystery to it. While Vanessa attends her classes and goes through the grueling training required to perform her role in the production, she is caught up in the history of the academy (11 girls including her sister have disappeared over the years without a trace), while also getting caught up in Zep, the best male dancer in the school and her counterpart in the ballet. I loved how the author didn't shy away from just how difficult ballet is, and the damage it does to the dancer's body. Vanessa was always full of aches and pains, but she was able to shove that aside when she was performing. Her dancing is literally magical: it is her gift that causes her to play the same role her sister did. Throughout the book you are constantly guessing about what's going on at the Academy, and how things are going to turn out. Even though there were times that I wanted to shake Vanessa in my frustration, particularly when it came to Justin, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.Dance of Shadows has a very Center Stage-ish feel to it, with Vanessa catching the eye of the lead dancer, and being surrounded by a wonderful cast of supporting characters (I particularly liked Steffie). While I couldn't help but feel that something was up with Zep, I was still fascinated by their relationship and the way he kept pushing her away only to pull her closer. When they were dancing together - particularly the scene with just the two of them in the underground studio, when he was explaining the steps of the dance - I could definitely understand why people were using the word "sexy" to describe this book!Don't get me wrong; I can understand why this book would perhaps rub some people the wrong way. Vanessa isn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, and there is a LOT of ballet in this book (all the better for me personally, but perhaps not everyone's cup of tea). There's also a love triangle, which usually irritates me but in this case didn't. I dunno. I really think that, for me personally, the ballet overrode everything else that would have usually annoyed me!All in all I very much enjoyed Dance of Shadows, and am very intrigued to see what comes next. I love that Vanessa is a strong character who just wanted answers and wasn't afraid to face some truly terrifying things. The mystery was really well done, giving the book a very dangerous feel, and even though it took me a while to read this book, it wasn't because it wasn't compelling or entertaining; time just really worked against me this week. If you like ballet and don't mind a paranormal mystery with a sort-of love triangle, do check this one out. I personally can't wait to read book two!An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I chose this book because I thought the premise sounded interesting. Combining dancing with mystery could have been really good. I did think the dancing scenes were very well-done. I felt as though I was taking part in them. However, most of the rest of the book didn't work as well for me. I felt that the characters were one-dimensional and inconsistent. Vanessa is the main character. She is a superb dancer who is accepted at the New York School of Ballet. However, her heart isn't in dancing. She wants to go the school because her older sister Margaret had been a student at the school and disappeared from there three years earlier. Almost as soon as she arrives she falls into insta-love with perhaps the most badly name character in young adult fiction—Zeppelin Black. My immediate image upon hearing his name was the Michelin Man. I have a hard time seeing the Michelin Man as a romantic hero.She is also cast in the school's annual performance as the lead ballerina in The Firebird. Zep is cast as the male lead. The two are constantly practicing for the ballet and especially for a special number that was seldom performed in the ballet because of its difficulty. The are being directed by Josef who is a mysterious figure with a shady past. Despite her great love, she almost never sees Zep outside of practice and knows almost nothing about him yet her love remains strong. As is the usual case in young adult books these days, this one has a "love" triangle. The third side of this triangle is Justin who has just re-entered the school after being away for three years. He is constantly warning Vanessa against Zep and stalking her. They hold a number of cryptic conversations that are as confusing for the reader as they are for Vanessa.Things get more mysterious when one of Vanessa's friends disappears and no one appears concerned. As Vanessa and her other friends try to locate Elly they learn that there have been a number of other disappearances besides Margaret. Over the past 20 years many ballerinas cast in the lead of The Firebird have disappeared. For some reason, no authorities seem to have been notified and no investigation has taken place. Now Vanessa has been cast in the lead...The story throws together mysterious disappearances, mysterious teachers, romance and demons into a mismash that needed better editing, better writing, and a more coherent plot. I really can't recommend this book for any specific sort of readers but fans of dance might appreciate those sections.

[shelleyraec · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Dance of Shadows is a young adult novel introducing Vanessa Adler, a sixteen year old ballerina who has been accepted into the elite New York Ballet Academy. For Vanessa, her dance talent is simply a means to end. Three years ago her older sister, Margaret, vanished from the Academy and Vanessa is determined to find out what happened to her. Between punishing classes and relentless rehearsals, Vanessa discovers that Margaret is not the only girl to disappear without a trace from the school, and as competition for the lead in the end of year performance, The Firebird, intensifies, Vanessa is increasingly sure that the Academy is hiding deadly secrets.With an intriguing premise promising mystery, suspense and sublime dancing, Dance of Shadows is sure to appeal to the girls who once dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina. The plot seems to draw on elements of films like Black Swan and The Red Shoes, binding them into an intriguing, original tale of a horrifying occult conspiracy. I did think there were some minor flaws in the plot, threads that seemed to be conveniently dropped (like Vanessa's research project and her discovery of Elly's note) but nothing I couldn't overlook.Beneath the innocent facade of the elite school lurks a sinister atmosphere, one the author allows us to glimpse only periodically, increasing the readers discomfiture as the story progresses. Black builds the tension slowly, pacing the novel as to multiply the suspects and widen the depth of the conspiracy. The reader is kept off balance just as Vanessa is, unsure what to believe or who to trust.Unfortunately I didn't find Vanessa a particularly strong character, distracted by the handsome Zep and the hard work required to dance the lead in the Firebird, she willfully overlooks some disturbing truths. She is either unable or unwilling to link Zep's unexplained absences, Justin's vague warnings, the unexpected departure of Elly and the strange behaviour and possessions of lead choreographer, Josef,I also found many of the other characters fairly one dimensional, Vanessa's classmates are interchangeable, though TJ at least has some attitude and Justin's man of mystery act only carries him so far.I loved the paranormal elements of the novel, the idea of a dance so perfectly executed it thins the veil between our world another. I can't reveal too many specific without risking spoilers but the concepts are interesting and suitably creepy.And I loved the dance, Black describes the movement of ballet beautifully, the graceful en pointe, the fluid arch of the back and the effortless extension of limbs.Dance of Shadows is the first in a trilogy that holds much promise and I will be interested in seeing how the story develops.Just a note: The publicity surrounding Yelena Black's debut novel, Dance of Shadows, has been unique, heavily utilising Facebook and book bloggers worldwide in a sustained campaign to promote it's simultaneous international launch. I was pleased to be part of such an innovative program and think Bloomsbury should be congratulated for their creative global approach to publishing.

[bailschris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What's up with all these beautiful covers? I like to sit and stare at them and wonder how they were done. There is something eerily beautiful about the fact that the dancer on the main cover is alone and surrounded by fog. Let's just ignore the most beautiful part though, her tutu. Anyway, this cover illustrates both the title and the plot perfectly. It's eery, it's dark, and it's beautiful.Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black tells the story of Vanessa, a ballet dancer, who is just beginning her new life at the New York Ballet Academy. From the beginning, she isn't as interested or as in love with ballet as everyone else and the only reason she seems to be there is to find her missing sister, Margaret. But there is something different about Vanessa. Every time she dances perfectly, the world disappears. She thinks she might be crazy when no one else seems to experience it. What if she is? There is something in this elite ballet school that is turning the prima ballerinas crazy and whatever it is, Vanessa has found herself entangled in it. The answers might come too late and the truth might be further from what she assumed to be real. I love ballet, the body movements, the passion, and the discipline. So when I first got this book, all I could think was about how this book talked about something I adore. It turned out to be so much more than ballet. The plot started out with a girl who had determined that she had to go to this ballet school, not because she wanted to but because she felt she had to. This story developed from there, building on things that I had previously learned and leaving me guessing about what I thought was real. I love the mystery that entwined with reality. The twists throughout the story kept me on the edge of my seat and continually reading until the last page. Not to mention the fact that the writing was addicting and beautiful. It brought the darkness of the story to light and made me experience what Vanessa was.Vanessa is a very selfless character and she demonstrates that during the story. It's very subtle sometimes but her focus always seems to be on someone other than her. She worries about people, she tries to ease pain, and she wants to be the shoulder that people cry on. I was pretty surprised that I even liked her because she almost didn't seem to have a selfish bone in her body. Typically the character's selfishness is something that is very accessible and connectable for readers but then again, this whole story was a different experience. I really love Vanessa though, she is a beautifully written character that I found myself attached to from the beginning. The love interests of the story were two guys Zep and Justin. Zep is the first guy that she is attracted to, he is the lead in the ballet, and he is the guy that everyone has a crush on. There is a lot of mystery to his character which actually makes him more appealing for girls like me. At least, I like a little mystery. I was disappointed that I didn't learn more about him by the end of the story and that a lot of the questions I gained throughout the story remained unanswered. Maybe by the end, he'll no longer be a mystery and be the guy that ends up doing the right thing. Who knows. This is my wishful thinking. Justin is the type of guy that annoys the main character. Okay, he's the type of guy that I am friends with just to smack him upside the head for being stupid. If he wasn't so difficult during the first half of the book, I would've been inclined to find him attractive but for the most part he came off as selfish. Sometimes though, I thought he was the greatest love interest for Vanessa. He was the most challenging for her and there was an underlying sweetness that I only got to witness for the tail end of the story. Who knows, maybe he'll grow on me as the story continues.I wish I would've gotten to know more about the missing girls. The fact that they were such a huge part of the story was awesome but I wished I would've learned the characters' stories outside of some facts. But of course, the story was packed for time and who says the dancers won't play a bigger part in the books to come?The story was amazing. I loved the characters, the plot, and the ballet. I would read this book again and again without a doubt.

[bookswithbite · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After taking a while to digest to book, I really enjoyed it. It actually reminded me of an episode of Are you Afraid of the dark?. I love how well the author explained all the dancing, the politics when it comes to dance partners as well as dance leads. Being a dancer myself, I know how hard people try to get the spot that they want. Not to mention if it is big lead.I love the twist in the end. I really knew something is not quite right and love how well it was worked into the story. It brings to story much more to life. It totally had me hooked and reeling me to a fantastic ending!!Awesome and amazing, Dance Of Shadows will take you by surprise!

[picardyrose · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to like this, but it was painful apparent that the author knows very little about ballet. Not every turn is a fouette. And you would never let someone else put pointe shoes onto your feet and tie your ribbons, no matter how tenderly he gazed upon you. None of the dancing was credibly described -- at no point could I form a mental image of the choreography.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars
The front cover initially drew me to this book and for the most part I was thoroughly engaged. I liked the ballet sequences that were described and how the novel highlighted the dark side of a dance academy. I was also intrigued by the mystery that surrounded the school, but about three quarters of the way in, a paranormal element was introduced which spoilt it for me so I won't be chasing the sequel.

[jeneaw-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I saw this cover I was instantly drawn to it, and after reading the synopsis, I simply knew I had to read it. Having spent several years in elegant world of ballet, I was intrigued to put it mildly.
The story center around Vanessa, who is a young beautiful girl with an amazing talent. Being accepted in the New York Ballet Academy, she wants to do her very best but not necessarily be the center of attention. But not only that she want to know what happened to her sister who also attended and went missing shortly after being chosen for the lead in one of the performances.
Vanessa is a wonderful character, she is flawed and still mourning her missing sister. And some of decisions she makes aren’t always the best ones and she could be a little annoying, but her hear is in the right place. Her dancing is magnificent and catches the attention of the instructors immediately. Vanessa wasn’t hard for me to connect with, and I did enjoy her. She questions things going on around her, but show a great deal of strength too. There were three guys, that played a large part. And it was till the almost the end that you knew who was out to help or hurt Vanessa. The friends Vanessa made were fantastic and very different from each other, stood by her through it all.
The world building was beyond words for me. It starts out with the normal drama that goes with ballet. And yes there is drama in ballet. Who will be picked for the lea. Who is the better dancer? Competition between the girls isn’t always nice and sweet. It can be brutal. When one of the new girls goes missing, the mystery set out to be solved turns into something much darker. There is so much more to this world than just dancing. It is cryptic and haunting and completely enthralling. These dancers are just pawns in a dark and sinister plot. Black did a superb job with the detail of the dance, with vivid descriptions you can visualize them with ease.
The ending left me wanting more, and I will definitely be looking out for the sequel. Dance of Shadows is a stunning mix of the beauty and sexiness of ballet, paranormal mystery and romance. It was more than I expected, and would recommend this for sure.

[booktwirps · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Vanessa Adler is a superb ballerina, so it’s only natural that she would be selected to attend the prestigious New York Ballet Academy. Though dancing is a huge part of Vanessa’s life, her main goal is to figure out what happened to her sister Margaret who attended the academy a few years ago, then went missing.It’s no surprise that Vanessa is cast as the lead in The Firebird as she is the best dancer at the school. The problem? Margaret was also cast as the lead right before she disappeared, and even more disturbing, several other girls also disappeared not long after getting the same role.Now Vanessa must put together the pieces of the puzzle before she is the next to go missing.While I wasn’t a fan of the overall book (more on why later), I thought the world building was very strong. Ms. Black knows her dance terms, and it’s obvious she knows what it’s like to be in a ballet academy. She also captured New York City very well, and the infusion of the paranormal was a nice touch.My first, and biggest problem with the book, were the characters. Vanessa was incredibly one-dimensional and very shallow. I never connected with her, and since she is the protagonist, it’s really hard to get into a book if you can’t root for the MC. The rest of the characters were very bland as well. Zeb was very predictable in an almost Edward Cullen sort of way, and Vanessa’s friends all seemed to be nothing more than cardboard cutouts. Not one of them stood out to me, and after a while I just got used to reading their names in a passage without trying to remember who was who.While the story is interesting and at times intense, I felt it could have been so much more if the writing were stronger. It didn’t flow well, and some of the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The pacing was also off, and there were times when I found myself skimming passages to get to a good part.I had REALLY high hopes for this one. The minute I saw the cover, I knew I had to have it. Unfortunately for me, it just didn’t hit the mark. The idea is great, and the story interesting, but the execution just wasn’t there for me.With that said, I think this one will appeal to fans of paranormal romances. I can definitely see it hitting the mark with Twilight fans, or people who don’t read nearly as many books as I do in a year. I had a lot to compare it to, and that may have been part of the reason why I didn’t like it as much as I wanted to.

[darkfaerietales_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Hauntingly beautiful story with a mystery that will keep you guessing through the whole book.Opening Sentence: In the harsh glare of the lights, Chloe’s shadow stretched across the stage.The Review: Vanessa Adler is a freshman starting at the most elite ballet school in the country, The New York Ballet Academy. Her sister Margret attended the same school but she disappeared 3 years ago and was never heard from again. Vanessa enjoys dancing but her main purpose for going to the academy is to find out what happened to her sister. She has always been a really talented dancer. There are times when she gets so into the dance that things start to melt away and change around her. It has always made her a little nervous to just let go and be the best dancer she can be, because she is afraid to lose herself. The teachers notice that Vanessa is an amazing dancer and she ends up being cast as the female lead in the upcoming production of The Firebird. She is both honored and scared, because it turns out Margret isn’t the only girl to have gone missing. Over the last 20 years there have been many girls from the school that have gone missing and almost all of them were cast as the lead in the ballet. Vanessa knows that something strange is going on but she just can’t figure out what. One thing is for sure, she needs some answers before she’s the next one to go missing.While at the school she meets the mysterious, gorgeous Zeppelin Black. He has been cast as the male lead in the upcoming production of The Firebird. Vanessa is instantly attracted to Zep, but she can’t quite figure out if he likes her or not. At times he seems interested, but other times he is very distant and he never seems to open up to her. Vanessa really likes Zep but at times it just feels like something is missing between them except for when they dance. Dancing with Zep is a love story all on its own, the way he touches her and makes her feel is indescribable. Vanessa just has to figure out if he feels the same way. I really like Zep as a character. He is beautiful but always a little withdrawn. He seems to care for Vanessa, but something is holding him back. There is some great chemistry between the two but at times it seems a little forced.Then there is Justin. He is constantly getting on Vanessa’s nerves. Justin knew Margret when she attended the Academy and he was always suspicious about her disappearance. He seems to always have something negative to say to Vanessa and he is always warning her to stay away from Zep. She has a hard time trusting Justin because he seems to know more than he’s telling Vanessa. At times he can come across as concerned and sweet but other times he is just mean to her. I actually loved Justin right off the bat. He is witty and cute, but you never really know what his motives are. I think he and Vanessa are adorable together, but you don’t get much romance between them in this book. I hope to see a lot more Justin in book 2.Vanessa is a great Heroine and I really connected easily with her. She is a young girl trying to figure out her life and find out what happened to her sister. She works really hard at dancing and she is amazing at it. There are times when she is a little naïve especially when it comes to boys, but she is young and inexperienced. Yes she wasn’t perfect but I really liked her anyway. By the end she is a stronger better person and I am excited to see what her future holds in the upcoming books.Honestly, like I said earlier this book was hauntingly beautiful. Surprisingly the pacing was a little slow but it kept me intrigued the whole way through. There were twists and turns that I didn’t expect and I was guessing the whole way through the book. The writing made all the difference in this book. When Black would describe the dance scenes, I could really picture everything in my head very vividly. I am not a dancer at all but I like dance and have learned to appreciate the art in it. Black captures the essence and wonder of dance in her beautifully written words. The only thing that I didn’t love was the ending. I felt that it didn’t quite go with the rest of the book, but it did set up an interesting premises for the next book. I am really excited to see where the author takes the story and I will defiantly be reading the next book in the series. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes mystery, dance or a good paranormal read.Notable Scene: “Love.” He pressed his leg against hers until her toe slid across the floor. “You need me. You want me. You’ve always wanted me. But you can’t have me.”Vanessa listened to his words, feeling them pulse through her veins. She arched her back in a painful plea.“Fate is against us,” he whispered. “Still, you offer yourself to me. You seduce me.”His arms fluttered before her, and slowly, she arched her body into an arabesque, giving herself to him.“I try to resist you, but I cannot.”Vanessa felt herself grow weak as he pressed himself against her. She leaned into him, letting his hands roam up her body as if they weren’t dancing at all, but merging into one. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of his sweat.“But our love is violent. It cannot last, I cast you off.”Suddenly the rhythm changed, and Zep thrust her away. Spotting him, she spun across the floor.“You don’t understand. You beg me. You ask me why I can’t love you.”Vanessa threw herself down before him. For the first time, the dance seemed to make sense, and slowly, she lost herself to it. The steps were strange; there was no getting away from that. But with Zep guiding her, Vanessa began to feel it.FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury provided me with a copy of Dance of Shadows. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[caitiem3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5/5 Stars In general, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the premise and it genuinely surprised me with how well it made me understand the world of dancers. There were a few aspects of the novel though, such as certain aspects of the main characters, instalove, and an unneeded love triangle, that made me have to bump this down to a 3.5/5. I must admit that the end of this book made me a little confused and I had to go back and reread it so that I could understand all that had happened. It just seemed a bit rushed to me and there were a few questions I had while reading it. It answered a few of my questions, but I still have a few that I shall have to wait until the second book to get the answer. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy Vanessa; it’s simply that I often felt myself wanting to shake her. I can’t blame her for being a bit self-centered: she had a lot on her plate and she was trying to cope. But because we are constantly having to deal with her thoughts, her theories, and what she was doing I feel like we did not get to read enough about T.J., Blaine, and Steffie. I hope that we get a bit more of them in the second novel and I hope my saying this doesn’t jinx that. Despite all that, I did really enjoy this novel and found that the mystery elements were quite good. I plan on reading the sequel so that I can find out what happens next. I believe this novel will appeal to those who enjoy reading books about the dance world and with a cover that beautiful I hazard the guess that many people will purchase it for the simple reason that it has a pretty cover they want to add to their bookshelf. And I can’t fault them, cause hey- I added it to my Amazon wish list for that exact reason.