I have to say that I honestly was not sure what to expect from this book, but I am glad I gave it a chance. This book is well written and the research that Cidney Swanson had to do on the whole dance world in order to write this story as well as she did is very impressive. I learned a lot just by this story.

Giselle is determined to land the main role in a ballet that she is named for. Her grandmother who is Russian warns her that she thinks this is a bad idea because she has always heard that this play will draw these mean siren's back into the town when they are not welcome at all.

This story is so well orchestrated with the ballet world and the folklore world messing together to provide us with a great story. This is also a coming of age story for Giselle that I thought was done well too.

With Giselle being the main character, she soon discovers for herself who the sirens are actually after. They prey on unfaithful men so when Giselle figures it all out, she is able to play the role of her character that much better.

This was a good read and I was impressed with how Cidney Swanson wove the world of ballet with the world of fantasy and sirens so well. I recommend that you give this one a chance for yourself, you might be pleasantly surprised as I was!

Check out author's other books? A Thief in Time
Recommend this book? Yes!

Notes and Opinions: I can honestly tell that a lot of research went into this book. I did ballet as a little girl and a semester of it a few years back and some of the terms used I didn't even know. I had to google them! Her characters are wonderful too. They feel so real. And her storytelling is just so beautiful. You feel bad for Giselle and the crap she has to go through, but she grows because of it. The climax of the book felt complete. It doesn't leave you hanging, which is great because most books do.

I enjoyed reading this but not as much as I wanted to. It's firmly in the "OK" category for me. It's enjoyable to read otherwise.

*3.75/5*

Okay, so, I didn't love this as much as I was hoping too, but I still really liked it. I rated it with a 4, because what Cindy did with the beautiful window into the world of Ballet, was amazing. You could see that she did her research, and terminology was on point.

I also enjoyed the Slavic folklore of the Ruslaki, the Dancing Sirens in this story, and how it was incorporated into modern day themes.

We follow the Chekhov women, most notably Giselle, as she learns what it means to choose your path in life, with no regrets, and that family is always there for you. Follow your dreams until you cannot anymore.

Aside from these elements, it was very much your typical teenager coming of age.

From beginning to end I loved this book, all the elements where wonderfully woven together. The author realy did her reaserch on ballet and many other subjects. This book had me feeling creeped out at kne point and then caught up in the whirlwind of emotions at others. The overall theme of pride, acceptance and family was prevalant throughout the book. I would most certanly reccomend this book!
Thanks Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest reveiw.

Beautiful cover! I was really excited to read this book!!