This book is completely unique and pretty difficult to sum up into words!
There were aspects of it I really enjoyed like the magical realism, the MC and overall themes throughout the book.
The were parts that just seemed over descriptive which didn't add to the story and honestly took away from the plot and the engagement level. I think this could turn people away from reading it.
I don't typically love star ratings but I would give this 3.75 - I liked it.

1930s Chicago, Grace a ballerina is on the cusp of achieving everything she’s ever dreamed of after becoming prima ballerina of her company thanks to her mysterious new patron.

The whole story gave me very gothic vibes, she’s swept away to live in her patron’s cavernous mansion when the matron of the ballet basically trades her for his patronage. The most succinct way I can describe it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, with some Hades and Persephone vibes. So right away I was very drawn in by the premise, Grace is an orphan that literally clawed her way into a spot in the ballet after her whole family died. Unbeknownst to her Master La Rosa has been pulling the strings to her life for years.
There was so so much potential to this story and their dynamic… I wanted to know more and was drawn into this world right off the bat!

Unfortunately I couldn’t really connect with Grace as the main character… throughout the whole story she really is nothing more than a pawn and I don’t feel the sparks between her and her beast… and even her tragic back story kind of pales in comparison to what we could learn about everyone else. The other characters in the book should have had more of a chance to shine. Master La Rosa’s history and story should have been a much bigger plot point considering his importance to human kind in general...
The relationship between the matron of the ballet and Mr. Russo, the masters mysterious servant also needed to be expanded on more; I was more intrigued with their back story than anything that had really happened to Grace.

It was so so close to being such an amazing gothic fairytale retelling. Thank you NetGalley and Delrey Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What happens when you move a story from La Belle Époque and Paris to Chicago in the Great Depression? You get Nocturne by Alyssa Wees. It's not just any story--it's a transmogrification of Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera. That in itself should interest the prospective reader.

If you're familiar with the style of books from the turn of the 20th century, the main character may spend more time in rumination than what you're used to. So it is with Grace, who rises from a wretched childhood to dance as a prima ballerina in a small troupe based out of Chicago. However, that's just the build-up to the main story.

Grace has a benefactor. Grace has a very scary benefactor. And the benefactor is making demands of Grace.

The question is-does Grace break free of her benefactor? Does Grace really want to break free, and is there any way she can without destroying everything she's worked for and everyone she cares about?

Rating: four stars, Recommended, especially for anyone who has read Leroux

What drew me into this book from the synopsis, was that this is a Fantasy set in Chicago, 1930. I wanted lush, old school, dressy, dreamy, party type of book. And this was. Kind of.

It did delivery the lush, descriptive, setting. Though very focused on the dance school, and performances themselves. It focused on the poverty, and surviving after the prohibition. The Chicago setting was very minimal, and though I did recognized town name, etc, it could have been set anywhere and it wouldn't have made a difference.

The tale itself, was kind of pointless for me. Nothing much happens in the first half. And the second goes off really fast, and is kind of confusing on what the stakes are, etc. It was darker, and more focused on the Fantasy, but it kind of fell flat for me there.

Now, I WAS NOT a fan of Night Circus. And this book reminded me of that so much. First, the over descriptive writing, and then the pointless romance that felt forced almost?

I'd say this is a 2.5 rounded up for me. I'm sure there are people that will love this book. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you to Del Rey and PRH Audio for my gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

For the most part, I enjoyed the story. And at the beginning, I was fully entranced by the beautiful descriptions. However, as the plot progressed, or did not progress, I thought the pace was just too slow for my taste. The writing seemed to capture the aesthetic and atmosphere of the setting. Still, it lacked the urgency and high stakes that usually keep me turning the pages, especially in a YA fantasy story.

Despite the pacing and long descriptions, I love that it reminded me of a mix of the movie version of The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and the book, The Night Circus. I also really enjoyed the focus on ballet and how the author was able to describe the movements fully. As a former dancer myself, I found the dance and performance descriptions the most fun to read about.

To summarize this book, I'd say this was slow-paced but beautiful.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A little bit of phantom of the opera, some hades/Persephone vibes, and a dash of gothic imagery are thrown into a stockpot for this title. It was not what I expected, as I thought it would be similar to Midnight in Everwood in a nutcracker-type theme. You can very much tell the inspiration it comes from but not mentioned. At the same time it was very dark and was its own story as well. I highly recommend the spotify playlist the publisher created to go along with it. I think this is a novel I will enjoy more on a second read-through once some of the themes have sunk in. All gothic literature fans should try it out!

Mystical, mysterious - black swan meets fantasy! I really enjoyed the dark side of this book and had me wondering how it was going to end until the very ending. Great job!

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Nocturne by Alyssa Wees is a historical fantasy that is more than a story. Instead, it's a unique experience in music and dance that I rarely experience in prose form.
My Reading Experience:
This story took quite a bit of adapting for me as a reader. I was expecting an immersive tale about a ballerina in the 1930s and her mysterious benefactor. I got a fever dream experience that reminded me of what I remember about sections of works such as Dracula. It's sometimes linear. It only sometimes falls under any logical construct. But it does offer an experience that will leave you utterly breathless with anticipation and wonder.
Characters:
The characters are developed surprisingly well in this story. Because it is so atmospheric, I didn't think about the character development while reading it. Though, because it is a character-driven story, growth is essential. And looking back on it, each character was developed exquisitely and in keeping with the story.
Narration & Pacing:
The pacing is also interesting. I argue that the reader controls the pacing. If you give yourself up to the experience and stop worrying about details, it reads quickly. If you must follow the story's elements, the pace slows considerably. I allowed myself to experience it as if I was at the theater, and this was a performance being put on for my enjoyment. I let it flow through me and surround me with all its poetic beauty.
Setting:
The setting was one of the most intriguing aspects of the story. It is set in 1930s Chicago, which was a very dark time. Gangsters were in charge, and the government was corrupt. Things like violence and prostitution were running rampant. The effect of the 1918 flu outbreak was still being felt, and polio outbreaks were also on the rise. Most families on the wrong side of the tracks knew loss, like the main character, Grace, who lost her whole family. But amidst all the darkness were still small kernels of beauty in the arts like ballet. This is the world that Grace escaped to and the one that protected her for as long as it could.
Read if you like:
• Lyrical stories
• An artistic experience
• Ballet

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Nocturne
by Alyssa Wees
Pub Date: 21 Feb 2023

First let me say, this is an absolute gorgeous cover! It is a perfect introduction into the magical, lyrical prose that follows onto the pages. The story has hints of other fairytales, all with a dream-like quality. I enjoyed the writing, but it also wasn't quite what I was expecting. While there is "romance" I wouldn't consider it truly a romance book in the traditional sense.

3.5/4 stars

This is just....bad writing. Purple to the extreme, stilted mixed with lyrical, painfully detailed and the metaphors ABOUND. I honestly am not concerned with the plot or characters - I just can't get past this style.

**Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the eARC**

Nocturne is a dark fairy tale centering around Grace, a young prima ballerina. Grace was born during the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak. As a child, her beloved older brother was killed in front of her and then she lost a cherished neighbor and her mother.

Most of her childhood Grace was surrounded by death. After Grace was left an orphan, she played her violin on the streets to make money and lived with an aunt. Grace had a dream of becoming a ballerina. She saved her money to buy a pair of ballet shoes and one day showed up at the ballet school and managed to make an impression on the Mistress at the school, who took her in for instruction.

Becoming a prima ballerina was the dream of her short life, but it’s later revealed that it comes at a heavy price. When Grace is promoted to prima ballerina, her life takes a turn she never dreamed could happen.

The story moves at a good pace, but the closer I got to the ending, things really began to be revealed very quickly. I was a bit pleased and surprised at the ending. Readers who enjoy fantasy and dark fairy tales will not want to pass up this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

As a former professional ballet dancer (in Chicago, nonetheless!), I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of detail and realism juxtaposed with the sweeping lyricism of this dazzling novel. It's honestly tough to name a better book prose-wise, which feels deep and dark and visceral and yet still manages to sweep you off your feet with sentences that strike right to the soul. Nocturne is a perfect balance of genres: enjoyers of the fantasy genre will love the thematic elements of the mysterious otherworldly nature of Grace's secret benefactor (who contributes to her rise to stardom in the North Ballet Company) that harken back to Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast, and those who enjoy historical fiction will find themselves satisfied with the level of grittiness and authenticity that the setting of 1930s Chicago provides. I adored Grace's character development, which felt incredibly realistic and resonant; the moments of realization that she has ("When has fear ever stopped me from doing what I must do?") were impactful and Alyssa Wees has an effortless way of taking the reader through the same emotional journey. And, as a former dancer, Grace's descriptions of how intrinsic dance is who she is as a person brought tears to my eyes and made me want to get back to taking class ASAP. Without revealing too much, the benefactor's true identity was an unexpected twist and also a perfect metaphor for what the commitment to perfecting an art truly means. This book was nothing short of a spectacle and I cannot wait to read more from Alyssa Wees.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Nocturne by Alyssa Wees. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC.

The gothic style and dreamlike vibes work well with this writing style. I also enjoyed diving into Grace's backstory and life goals. They were engaging and kept me reading. Unfortunately, once the romance was introduced to the story, I lost interest. I give this book 2.5/5 stars.

This was a fun story! Very Hades and Persephone meets Beauty and the Beast meets Death and the Maiden.

I enjoyed the story, the romance, and the fantastical setting. This is not a story for those who don’t live very descriptive and waxing purple prose. It’s pretty, but it’s not for everyone.

Felt like a really pretty fever dream. Am I still dreaming? I must’ve pinched myself.

Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey Books (imprint of Penguin Random House) for giving me a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Sadly I had to DNF. I'm not into dark romance, plus I thought this was a dark academia-ish historical fiction drama set at a ballet studio, not a Hades & Persephone retelling. I was looking forward to being immersed in 1930's Chicago, Illinois. There's also too much descriptive language used that was unnecessary. I really wanted to like this but I can't.

In 1930s Chicago, Grace Dragotta settled on ballet as her emotional home when orphaned in the Great War. Becoming the Near North Company's prima ballerina took sacrifices, including losing her best friend. But getting Master La Rosa as her personal patron opens her world wider. As Grace uncovers the Master's secrets, she finds beauty, truth, and that there might be another way to achieve the resplendent world she always longed for.

Grace goes through a lot by the time she gets to be a prima ballerina. She lost all of her immediate family by the time she started formal ballet training "late" at 13, and in the next seven years worked constantly to improve, setting aside her violin training. Her best friend retiring to get married and have children leaves the Prima spot open for her, and even that doesn't ease the desire to have more in her life. That desire leads her to wonder why Master La Rosa chose her for patronage when he refused to meet her in person, why he would send an incredibly personal gift, and then remain silent.

The sense of loss and want permeates this novel, to the point that I have a hard time connecting with Grace. Anything she has is questioned and never enough, making her feel sorry for herself rather than taking whatever time she has left with Emilia before her retirement. The Master just as deliberately cultivates the eerie persona that causes others to talk about him in whispers; he drops incredible amounts of money to get whatever he wants, and no one seems to question his motives but Grace. With her stuck in the house, the story takes on a Beauty and the Beast tone, with more overt magical elements. Once that happens, it all clicks into place. Now the mood and tone make sense, and it starts coming together as if part one was an elaborate prologue to the true story.

That being said, it's a necessary start to see Grace in action, to see her world and what matters to her. Those connections show up again and are the links and reminders of her humanity in the face of magic, ghosts, beasts, and Noctem, the city of the dead. I really enjoyed that part of the story, the way the ghosts moved and the way time and space flexed. Ballet and music are languages and magic of their own, and Grace has both. She is caught in a supernatural game but has tools of her own to fight back once she figures out the truth. Nocturne is defined as a short piece of music suggestive of night, which is often both the realm of death and sleep in fairy tales. This is an aptly named and lyrical novel.

I was really looking forward to NOCTURNE as I adore the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ fairy tale and usually the various retellings. It always reminds me of how the soul of a person is more important than any external beauties. However I had difficulties in losing myself in the story.

This is not to say that NOCTURNE was poorly written or edited as that is far from true but more about my personal quirks. I tend to have issues with books that I find overly descriptive or wordy. I find myself wanting a red pen to pare the story down closer to its essence.

I am sure that readers who enjoy descriptive writing will really enjoy this book. So don’t let my quirks steer you away from a beautiful story that brings an extra touch of magic to the ballet.

I did receive this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a review. This in no way influenced said review though.

This book drew me in with the beautiful cover and lyrical writing. But I felt the story never pulled me in the way I was expecting it to. I did finish it, but based on the storyline, I was hoping to love it more. It is set in the 1930’s in Chicago with Grace, an orphan ballerina. She has a secret patron that she is expected to please. It was a fantasy novel that reminded me of a tragic fairy tale with a little reminding me of Beauty and the Beast. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

It took until I was 60% through the book before it started to grab me, however, I wish it went deeper. I didn’t care enough about the characters and I think I just needed more from them. The writing was absolutely beautiful, though. I could picture every scene in my head and I could even sense the grayness portrayed. I enjoyed it enough but it left me wanting more from it. Also, I was not a fan of the end. It felt like it was missing something. It wasn’t enough of a conclusion.

3 ⭐️

This was an interesting fantasy about a prima ballerina in 1930s Chicago, who meets a very mysterious stranger. The vibes were very much of Hades and Persephone (which is even mentioned in the book), Beauty and the Beast, and a bit of Phantom of the Opera.

I was very interested in the first part before the fantasy actually kicked in. I loved getting to read about ballerinas from the 1930s, and the friendships that the book was setting up for.

Once the fantasy kicked in, I found myself getting a bit confused. I think this book held so much lyricism in the words and beautiful meanings, that I found I had to pay very close attention or I would misunderstand what was happening. Unfortunately I did lose attention a bit and didn’t feel as connected with the story as I had hoped I would.

I would overall recommend and I may reread myself so I can catch everything that I missed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!