This novel had wonderful elements that all came together to create a captivating story. Katz’s characters leapt off the page with great details and specific personalities that engaged the reader and helped the novel flow easily. The writing was very fluid, with great imagery and relatable situations and settings. I was afraid the timeline of the story, mid to late 19th century, would take away from this novel. With the plotline depending heavily on more modern technology (advanced wiring systems, computer chips, etc) I was not sure it would work with this time setting. It seemed unbelievable and I thought that this anachronism would get in the way. The story itself, however, was powerful and intriguing enough to let it slide. I thought that this technological thriller might be better placed in a futuristic setting, but was surprised that, taking place in the past, gave it a more romantic and refined feel. Look forward to reading more from this author.

This book was a hot mess. The plot was nonsensical with character motivations that were never explained. A boy gets bullied by his sister for having one leg so he goes on a power trip hell bent on revenge, a plan which involves mind control and a ballet school for some reason? A doctor who is for all intents and purposes a medical genius who can create robotic limbs and artificial lungs, but decides to go along with this total immoral plan, to what, save the girls he put in danger in the first place? Why did anything in this book happen? Why ballet? Why mind control? Why Italy? Why the past? There was no sense of time and place, no reason for the setting to make it unique. The characters were flat and lifeless and the romance aspect cliched and boring. It's a relatively short book, but it took me over a month to actually read. The premise sounded intriguing, but most definitely did NOT deliver.

The Midnight Dance is a horror story that is part Phantom of the Opera and part Center Stage. This is a suspenseful tale that will keep you turning pages. The gruesome experiments of the Master spread chills into the reader. This is not a book to miss.

I really loved the writing in this one! It was enchanting and alluring! I didn't connect to the characters as much as I would have liked to, but the story made up for that!

I'm not into music or dancing so when i saw this was about dancing i was hesitant. But i'm glad i picked it up! The dark and grim tone of the book complied with the haunting ballrinea dancing that the school is about. I found it lyrical and mystic. The writing style was supurb and the characters not without their flaws but then again that what makes them human

Original and engaging. A different type of fantasy with stron female.characters

I could not wait to finish reading this book. I put it aside several times out of frustration. Its characters are dull, predictable and at time offensive (the author seems to be using a very old version of "how to write a strong female character" to craft her protagonist), the pacing is unenjoyably odd and uneven, and for an historical fiction novel it lacks any specific sense of place or time. This was not a book I could see myself recommending to anyone.

This book had an interesting concept and did pretty well with the flashbacks. I did find myself skipping pages to move the plot ahead. Especially with all the traveling between the Master's manor and her grandfather's cabin. The constant back and forth was annoying. I also didn't care for how the protagonist seemed to elude the Master and slip away. It seemed rather contrite and predictable.

This book is incredibly forgettable.

The characters were flat and forgettable. The twists and turns were predictable. The story felt dragged out with the same actions happening over and over again.

I liked the idea of the story and it reminded me of the TV show "Dolls House" but it was in no way as interesting

I had a hard time getting into this book. Since I did not finish it, I do not intend to publish a review.