Review: Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Title: Bunheads
Author: Sophie Flack
Series: Stand Alone
Book #: 1
Pages: 294
Reading Level: Young Adult
Book Rating: .6
Goodreads Rating: 3.66
Published: Oct. 10, 2011.
by Poppy

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet. 

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

Taschima's POV:

Hannah is a girl with big dreams. Since she was little she could dance like no other. She left High School in order to start an early carrier in the world of Ballet. Didn't even go to prom. But what is prom compared to living your dream? So she dances, and dances, and dances... One night she goes out to her cousin's restaurant, to grab a bite. Who knew that that same night she was going to meet the one person who could give her a completely new perspective on life? Now she has a decision to make. Is all the solos in the world worth her life? Just one little piece of advice about Hannah... don't call her a ballerina.

I thought that Bunheads was an extraordinary ride through the real world of ballet. You get to see the ups and downs, and by the end there seemed to be no way for a normal, simple, perfect happy ever after. I liked that, it made the novel that much real because I wanted the main character to be a star, but I also wanted her to live her life. I really liked that the novel had a realistic ring to it! It seemed a little autobiographical, and after I finished the novel I just wanted to talk to the author about her real life experience. The book deals with all the different issues in the world of ballet (like eating disorders, over-working yourself, not having a life outside of the theater, etc) but it also shows the perks (like the fulfillment of being the best at something you love and being able TO DO IT). Everything is very complicated, and very juicy.

On the other hand the entire novel may be too slow for the likes of some. I myself liked the pace and read the book in no time, but it did have it's "slow" parts. The pace may not be for everybody, but if you can overlook that for a minute you will find great characters, a great story and a realistic romance to top it all off.

You know what, it really surprised me this book. I read an excerpt on Teen Vogue and it quickly cached my interest. The main character has a voice that is hard, if not impossible, to resist. But what really surprised me is that it has no ounce of the supernatural element and it still managed to grab a hold of my attention, and let me tell you, it did NOT let go. I absolutely recommend it.