Dancing to Wake the Demons?: Dance of Shadows, By Yelena Black

Dance of Shadows
Author: Yelena Black
Published By: Bloomsbury USA
Date Published: February 12, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pages: 384
Recommended For: Teen/YA
Review By: K
Rating: 3
Received eBook Free For Review Thru NetGalley


Summary:
Her grandmother and mother were prima ballerinas, even her sister Margaret was on that track until she mysteriously disappeared 3 yrs ago. Now its Vanessa's turn, but she isn't sure whether she accepted the invitation to the NYBA to dance or to discover what happened to Margaret. Either way she has started down a dangerous path, not even she knows just how twisted and demonic this school has become.



K's Thoughts:
This book is the prime example of how cover art can skew your opinion on whether or not to pick up a certain title. Seriously breathtaking cover art! Unfortunately it kept me from fully reading the summary on what this book is about. Demons? Really?!?! The first three quarters of the book was going so well! I loved the characters and incorporation of real ballet. It felt authentic... that is until you learn that the reason for this new complicated dance is to bring to life a demon. It gets better- Then there is a group of dancers who are fighters against this kind of black magic dancing. It all got too cheesy too fast for me. Which was frustrating, because there was SO MUCH potential. They could have easily ditched the demon theme and this title could have been a fantastic, fun, and entertaining read. I would have prefered continuing on the murder mystery trail rather then the exorsist esque feel.

What do I know though? Maybe its just me that thought it was over the top. If you like demon books, ballet, and superhero ballet dancers- you may love this one all the way to the end. But who knows how much deeper into demonic magic this series will go- this is only book 1 of a trilogy!

I suggest you proceed with caution. I do have to commend the author though for how clean the book was. I just wish she would have skipped the paranormal part. Bummer...


Parents/Content:
Language:  Very Mild, 2 A words and 2 Dm words.
Adult Content: Mild kissing. Abusive dance instructor and a somewhat realistic look at the world of ballet- eating sparse meals (no eating disorders in this one). Jealousy and competition.
Violence: A demon called upon to inhabit a dancers body so she can be controlled. Dancers who tried before missing/dead/burned. Very paranormal.