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halfbloodapril's review against another edition
4.0
This series is incredibly addicting. I read through the night and abandoned homework for this and I'm not mad about it at all—because Shiny Broken Pieces felt like the best fever dream I've ever had. The backstabbing, vindictive, broken pieces of Bette, Gigi, and June are back and worse than ever, ready to soar high on the stage or run the American Ballet Conservatory into the ground.
I know a lot of people saw a more whodunnit aspect in this book, but honestly, the mystery took a backseat to the emotional and psychological exploration. The pace was definitely slower, but I liked that the authors were going deeply into these three girls' trauma and how they were dealing with it, positively or negatively. I was infuriated by Gigi and her thirst for vengeance sometimes—she was constantly going around in circles and feeding into Cassie's cruelty—but I could understand where she was coming from. Bette and June were definitely the more likable characters, trying to improve themselves rather than seeking out to be book-one-Bette like Gigi. Even though she arguably instigated all the trouble in the series, Bette is still my favorite character; so complex and multifaceted.
The ending definitely passed too quickly for me. I enjoyed gleaning where all the girls ended up, but I would've liked more closure about their emotions and why June. It felt like a shoddy way to wrap things up, whereas I would've liked to see more from certain characters.
Overall, though, this series is simply intoxicating. I loved that the authors didn't shy away from the ruthlessness of the ballet world—the eating disorders, the drug abuse, the exploitation—because while it was difficult to read sometimes, it brought light to these problems in the dance world. I liked the first book the best, but this still made for a spellbinding sequel that didn't disappoint!
I know a lot of people saw a more whodunnit aspect in this book, but honestly, the mystery took a backseat to the emotional and psychological exploration. The pace was definitely slower, but I liked that the authors were going deeply into these three girls' trauma and how they were dealing with it, positively or negatively. I was infuriated by Gigi and her thirst for vengeance sometimes—she was constantly going around in circles and feeding into Cassie's cruelty—but I could understand where she was coming from. Bette and June were definitely the more likable characters, trying to improve themselves rather than seeking out to be book-one-Bette like Gigi. Even though she arguably instigated all the trouble in the series, Bette is still my favorite character; so complex and multifaceted.
The ending definitely passed too quickly for me. I enjoyed gleaning where all the girls ended up, but I would've liked more closure about their emotions and why June
Spoiler
decided to join the Salt Lake City Ballet; whatever happened to her and Jayhe?Overall, though, this series is simply intoxicating. I loved that the authors didn't shy away from the ruthlessness of the ballet world—the eating disorders, the drug abuse, the exploitation—because while it was difficult to read sometimes, it brought light to these problems in the dance world. I liked the first book the best, but this still made for a spellbinding sequel that didn't disappoint!
inmaculada's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chloethecoupon's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cgreaderbee's review against another edition
3.0
Quick thoughts:
- I enjoyed the twists & turns the sequel took into the character arcs.
- At first I wasn’t a fan of the return of a certain character, but I can see the part she played in the arcs of the 3 main POV characters.
- I felt like Will’s story was maybe realistic but also harsh & unexplored? I guess we don’t get insight into the inner demons of secondary characters though.
- I’m still on the fence on how I felt about any of the characters. Do I like them? Trust them? Believe in them? Nobody knows.
- The ending again felt off & lacking, imo. I thought Bette & Gigi were rounded off reasonably, but June felt unfinished. We find out what she chooses in an indirect way, but like ... why? The choice of her as the 3rd POV felt like a stretch in each book, though her arc was interesting.
- I did admittedly zip through these audiobooks in a few days though; so there is that!
- I enjoyed the twists & turns the sequel took into the character arcs.
- At first I wasn’t a fan of the return of a certain character, but I can see the part she played in the arcs of the 3 main POV characters.
- I felt like Will’s story was maybe realistic but also harsh & unexplored? I guess we don’t get insight into the inner demons of secondary characters though.
- I’m still on the fence on how I felt about any of the characters. Do I like them? Trust them? Believe in them? Nobody knows.
- The ending again felt off & lacking, imo. I thought Bette & Gigi were rounded off reasonably, but June felt unfinished. We find out what she chooses in an indirect way, but like ... why? The choice of her as the 3rd POV felt like a stretch in each book, though her arc was interesting.
- I did admittedly zip through these audiobooks in a few days though; so there is that!
ashezbookz's review against another edition
3.0
Getting more in depth on all the girls is an awesome part of the book, the thriller aspect (who did it!) was a storyline that I adored - I feel bad for the girls, I get dancing is your life but for your life to spiral like it has for some is upsetting to read - secondary characters from book 1 were more prominent in this one too, what a time
kerrycat's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who has 'been there, done that' I was glad to see June choose to be happy at the very end. Crazy drama - so glad my own ballet dancing experience was nowhere near this level of dangerous competition. Competitiveness is good - but not like this.
heyluhreads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
etinker's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Racism, and Suicide attempt
callmesword's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a read. Much better than the first one. Incredible how the tables turned: Gigi was my favorite in the first book, yet in the second, it was Bette. Besides, I could relate much more to June than I did in the first one.
A lesson on KARMA! While the harassing Cassie and Gigi experienced was horrific, it really did not excuse their actions during this book. They were the same throughout the novel except for the end, when Cassie decided to stay angry and Gigi decided to move on, which, ultimately, determined their future.
I was specially sad for Will and Eleanor. I know Will dropped Cassie andwas the one who pushed Gigi. However, he got such an awful and cold treatment in both of the books that it's just unfair. From Alec, his best friend, from Bette, from Henry (who knows what happened, I wish we would've found out), from his mom as well apparently. From Gigi, who was supposed to be his friend! She just ended up excluding him like everyone else.
And then, poor Eleanor. The girl was carrying so much on her shoulders andwhen I read the bath scene, I couldn't believe my eyes. I have no words for her storyline, even if she was more of a side character, her story is so striking, so hurtful, that I don't know what to say. I think a part of me wanted Mr. K to care a bit. I guess not. Glad she had Bette, though.
A lesson on KARMA! While the harassing Cassie and Gigi experienced was horrific, it really did not excuse their actions during this book. They were the same throughout the novel except for the end, when Cassie decided to stay angry and Gigi decided to move on, which, ultimately, determined their future.
I was specially sad for Will and Eleanor. I know Will dropped Cassie and
And then, poor Eleanor. The girl was carrying so much on her shoulders and