Review: Bunheads

Bunheads
Sophie Flack
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: October 10, 2011

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?

I've always been interested in the ballet--the dancers in particular. Bunheads gave a look inside this world and what it means to be a ballet dancer.

To be honest, I was expecting a little more out of the book itself. I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked to.

There's nothing specifically wrong with the characters. No one really bother me specifically. But they were just ultimitaley.... forgettable. I found that I wasn't truly invested in them or really cared what happened to them.

Believe me, I'm the last person to think would ever say this... but I almost wish there was no romance. It just felt so... forced. It would have been better if it was more focused on the romance or not at all. I would have liked to be more focused on the ballet aspect of it. 

The dancing part of the book, though, is one part that I really enjoyed. I could see the author's own experiences and background on the subject. Like I said, I've always been interested in the ballet and dancer's life. I have no doubt that this is what really does on in the world of ballet.

I definitely would have liked to enjoy this book more. I was glad I could get a look into this world, because there really hasn't been much of an opportunity before in YA. But the execution could have been better.