Book Review: Blackout by Dhoneille Clayton

Title: Blackout

Author(s): Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Anthologies, Contemporary, Young Adult

Pages: 256

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook

"Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.

A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks...

A first meeting.

Long-time friends.

Bitter exes.

And maybe the beginning of something new.

When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truth. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was fine, I thought I'd try out anthologies, but I don't think they're for me. I was far more interested in the consistent story throughout the book as a whole. I like to get to know my characters and love them before we do follow through with their stories or who they are interested in. Just ok, but not really for me. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Shiny Broken Pieces by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Shiny Broken Pieces
Author: Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
Series/Standalone: Tiny Broken Pieces (Book #2)
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction
Pages: 384
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2016
Format: Physical Copy- Hardcover
First Line: "Sometimes you want something so badly you're willing to do whatever it takes to get it."

"May the best dancer win.
June, Bette and Gigi have given their all to dance at Manhattan's most elite ballet school. Now they are competing one final time for a spot at the prestigious American Ballet Company. With the stakes higher than ever, these girls have everything to lose... and no one is playing nice.

Ever since June landed the starring role in last year's performance, she can finally see herself as a prima ballerina. Being the best means making sacrifices, though, and getting what she wants might cost June everything- including the only boy she's ever loved.

Legacy dancer Bette is determined to clear her name after she was suspended and accused of hurting her rival, Gigi. But even if she returns, will she ever regain the spotlight she craves? or has she tarnished the treasured family name forever?

Gigi endured a year of torment from Bette and other dancers who envied her success. It nearly ended her ballet career- and her life- and Gigi is not going to let them go unpunished. But as revenge consumes her. Gig may be the one who pays the price.

After years of grueling auditions, torn ribbons, and broken hearts, it all comes down to this last dance. Who will make the cut? And who will lose her dream forever?"


My Rating: 3.5/5

So I read the first book in the duology a while ago and I really enjoyed it. I thought that the drama and mystery were perfect and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book. Such a guilty pleasure read. This second book had a lot to live up to and for me, it just didn't hit the mark. I understood why the characters had to change, but I just felt like I reading about a completely different cast of characters. I didn't find myself surprised by many of the twists and turns. I think that the lack of mystery really made this book difficult to get through. I would have liked to see more mysterious drama rather than so much solving. Overall I enjoyed this book. The world of ballet was still very interesting to me, and the final dance off was interesting to read about but I likely won't be rereading this duology. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Shiny Broken Pieces by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

So I freaking loved the first book in this duology which gave me such high hopes for the second book. I'm more than slightly disappointed I won't lie to you. It's just sad to see the character change so quickly to a point where I felt like I didn't even know who was talking each chapter if I didn't read the name on top of each chapter. I was just disappointed in the drama and the twists and turns. It was all just ok while the first book blew me away, this book just threw random things at me and I just wasn't into it. 

Characters:
Bette: She changed a lot since the first book and after being kicked out of school for being a massive ass hole. It's no wonder everyone thought that she pushed Gigi, look at what she did in the past to bother her. She went to far all the time. I was surprised to find out that she hadn't done all I thought she had.

June: I thought it was interesting to see how her eating disorder changed and continued throughout the year. It was important to show that a boy couldn't just "fix" her eating habits. She had to admit that she needed help and want to get it. She needed to want to live and to be healthy. I'm sure there would be more setbacks in real life, but I'm curious if people who have experienced an eating disorder could relate with this character. 

Gigi: I hated her. She wasn't the person I cheered for to get better. She completely changed which made sense but it got a little crazy. I think that her character was written about hastily in this book. Although I am very glad that she ended up with the apprenticeship in the end. Although her and Bette competing more scares me more than a little.

Cassie: She is taking revenge way to far. I would have been interested to see things from her perspective more regularly throughout this book as she was a key player in so much of the drama. 

Alec: I feel like he is so indecisive about Bette and Gigi. Chose one or the other or just get the hell out. Also, who doesn't talk to a significant other for months on end? Even just to fight more. It was too weird for me.

Sen-Jin: Crazy to see her change as well. Too much change for me to be honest.

Henri: He's an interesting character and I wonder how much he had to do with everything overall. Did he also influence Eleanor and others around him to mess with Gigi?

Eleanor: I was sorry to see what happened to her, but it's an interesting perspective to see a person in power with a student. I find this more and more in TV and books and it makes you wonder how accurate it is to the situation in real life. It's more than a little crazy to think about.


Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "'I"m sure it is, Bette, I"m sure it is.'"

 Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Tiny Pretty Things
Authors: Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
Series/Standalone: Tiny Pretty Things (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary
Pages: 438
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "It always feels like death."

"HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
At one of Manhattan's most elite ballet schools, wafer-thin ballerinas pull their hair into sleek buns and lace their pointe shoes high, waiting for their chance to shine. But beneath the pretty, polished surface, these girls are hiding some terrible secrets and telling some twisted lies.
Privileged Bette is tiny and beautiful- like a ballerina is a music box.  But living forever in the shadow of her ballet0star sister and under the weight of family expectations brings ut a dangerous edge in her.
Perfectionist, June can turn a flawless plie and diligently keeps her weight below 100 pounds. But she's never landed a lead role. Tired of always being the understudy, this year she'll settle for nothing but the best- even if she must resort to some less-than-perfect means to get there.
And new girl Gigi isn't your traditional ballerina. A free-spirited California girl, she's not used to the fierce competition. Still, that doesn't stop her from outperforming every dancer in the school. But even she is hiding a ticking time bomb, and the very act of dancing just might expose her secrets to everyone.
Being a prima isn't all satin and lace, sometimes you have to play dirty. With the competition growing fiercer with every performance, and harmless pranks growing ever darker, it's only a matter of time before one small spark ignites... and even the best get burned."

My Rating: 4/5

So I'm glad that I read this book after reading a manga because I felt like I had some time away from the drama. I thought that this book would be a fluff piece and show the joy and perfection of being a ballerina but it wasn't afraid to shy away from the ugly stuff. It showed how severe competition can affect people's bodies and minds. Everything even their spirits. As time went on I thought that this book really picked up pace. I thought that the first half was a little slow and I wasn't quite invested in the story right off the hope, but I finished the second half in one sitting. It was amazing. I started to love the characters and was surprised that I didn't figure out the mystery aspect on my own. I can't wait to read the second one.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

So if you haven't read this book I would highly suggest that you read the review rather than this spoiler. I read this book and didn't think that it would be a mystery and then boom it hits. I loved the idea of the ugly side being shown even more than the beauty of ballet. Seeing what someone would do for their passion. I really thought that it was interesting to see the three different takes. I thought that this story was important to read. It was definitely a thriller. I still don't know who the fuck did what. I know about what Bette admitted to doing, but what about the rest? Did Eleanor do that?

Characters:
Gigi: I loved her from the start. She was unique and different and driven. She was able to put her passion first even above her bodily demands. Although that was a fear the whole time I read the book,  I thought it added an interesting idea to the ballet.  I don't blame her for starting to loose it but I can only hope that she'll be ok. I can't wait to see if she'll make an appearance in the next book.

Bette: I thought that she was pure evil when I started reading the series and she is not the nicest girl, but she is in the gray zone for sure. Her upbringing and her life hasn't always been as easy as it may look. That doesn't make up for the horrible things she did or the way she acted. But did she do it? What all did she do?

June: Seeing someone struggle so hard with their bodies felt crazy to me. But the more I read from her perspective the more it made sense. It was her therapy. It's how she coped with the stress, just like Bette with her pills. I wonder if she did it? To gain the light? To be the best? Two birds one stone? I don't know.

Alec:  I thought that he was a bit to nice to each prima. Is that what he wants? To be with the star? I was impressed by how he helped her with her foot, but what is he going to do now that she may never dance again. What now? Was he in cahoots with Bette? Ugh I'm lost.

Henri: I think he pushed her. But I think that everyone pushed her, though, so not reliable. But would he do what they did to Cassie? How does he even feel about Cassie? Shit who is this guy?

Eleanor: I think that she's in cahoots with Henri. The way there were caught that one time. Shoot.

Liz: The idea that she felt the need to be continually thinner. That it would help her in all aspects. The idea that she had no one who would help her hurts me.

Will: He's gotta be in on it right? Like Henri might be using him now.

Cassie: How will she coming back affect everything.

Mr K: He's a little bit of a sick freak isn't he? The idea that he would fool with younger girls makes me so totally uncomfortable.

Sen-Jin: What an evil word that I refuse to type on the internet. Even if she's not gay or bi, why would she be such a jerk to June?

Jahye:  I wonder what the heck they're going to do together next. Will he break up with Sen-Jin, and get together with June? Or naw. I thought that he might just be around to make her eat based on her mother's demands.. thoughts?



Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "My spotlight."




Thanks for reading,
Sidny