The Midnight Dance

By Nikki Katz

Set against the fascinating and moody backdrop of a mysterious boarding school, this intricately crafted novel is filled with magical realism, gothic settings, and the perfect hint of romance.

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 in 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 ever 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 Grande Teatro and the motivations of 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, Master finds a way to stop her, and Penny must uncover the secrets of her past before it’s too late.

Debut author Nikki Katz delivers a unique and haunting twist on a classic fairy tale with The Midnight Dance, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads.

Praise for The Midnight Dance:

"Deliciously dark and twisty, taking you on a luscious ride."—Suzanne Lazear, author of the Aether Chronicles series

“Well-written and charming.” —Jennifer McKenzie, reader on SwoonReads.com

“A beautifully written story.” —Chen Yan Chang, reader on SwoonReads.com

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Oct 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781250123725

Nikki Katz

NIKKI KATZ is a recovering rocket scientist, author, editor, and freelance writer who lives with her three children in the perfection that is San Diego. Favorite activities include chauffeuring her kids around town, reading fantasy and sci-fi, baking unhealthy desserts, watching reality TV, and scrolling social media feeds. Her books include the young adult novels The Midnight Dance and The King's Questioner, as well as nonfiction books in the puzzle and game arena.

Reviews for The Midnight Dance

[Jian Gomez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The books are totally deserving. I loved them, and I think they are must read. If you have some great stories like this one, you can publish it on Novel Star, just submit your story to [e-mail] or [e-mail]

[sboren-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I purchased this book from Amazon to read. All opinions are my own. ????? The Midnight Dance by Nikki Katz. Penny is a ballerina at an extravagant school in Italy. She is gifted with everything she needs and more, but one day a memory stirs in her mind and she can't let go of the thought but the next day it's gone. Slowly everyday this happens more often than not and she realizes it's related to slight touches from a handsome boy name Cricket. Allied with this young man Penny is determined to escape the vast estate with all of its rules and find where her memory leads her. Once she discovers what it all means there is no turning back and her memories lead her to help rescue the others trapped by the school Master. Her vow to protect is driven by her love for the friends she has made. It was a wonderful story of how your past builds you and makes you exactly who you are today......the good, the bad, and all the memories. A little bit of thriller, a little bit of horror, and a little bit of romance all tie together in the pages of this one. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Amazon, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com.