Review: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Dance of Shadows

By: Yelena Black

Pub. Date: February 12, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Book

Pages: 447

Source: Netgalley

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed . . .

I love me a good dance story, and Dance of Shadows was no exception. I loved this book! There was so much mystery and suspense and I absolutely loved the dance element!

Vanessa is starting her first year at the same prestigious NYC ballet school where her older sister disappeared from. While she is a very talented dancer, the only reason Vanessa is at the school at all is to solve the mystery of her sister's disappearance. Things become very creepy, very fast, and Vanessa has no idea what it can all mean. I thought Vanessa was a very strong and brave character. So many times I thought she was going to lose it, but she came back fighting.

My favorite part of Dance of Shadows was the mystery. I enjoyed figuring everything out right along with Vanessa. There were so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. I also really enjoyed every single character and trying to decide who was evil and who wasn't. The friends that Vanessa made were all very easy to feel a connection with as well.

Dance of Shadows was very well written. I never knew what was going to happen and I found myself flying through the pages to get to the end. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series. I need to know what it going to happen next!