Katrisa’s Comments (group member since Feb 25, 2023)

Katrisa’s comments from the NetGalley Buddy Readers group.

I finished Act I. (view spoiler)[Sometimes I feel hard on Mitchell for how he treats the dancers and his body shaming and driving them to anorexia - BUT I feel like that is a feature of hard core ballet in general. And I do sympathize with his vision and that old adage that if you are Black in America then you have to work twice as hard to get half as far - but it is still sad to hear how he sometimes treated his company - especially Gayle. The girls were lucky to have her and each other. Mitchell did allow them to experiment with natural hair and let them wear tights that matched their skin - so that was cool and something he could easily have not allowed. I loved Karlya's story and how overcome she was when she first saw the Harlem Dance Theater. (hide spoiler)]

I have been watching videos of some of the ballets that are mentioned in the book. They are really cool ballet/modern mash ups.

When I got further in to ch 4 the shine was coming off Mitchell a bit. (view spoiler)[I mean I know that in order to give his vision a chance he had to get money from people, but it was unfortunate how he sort of used Lydia in exactly the way his Harlem Theater was trying to escape - kind of parading her as an exotic thing. The scene where they had to dance at the party was so uncomfortable. I did love that he paid Rohan a bit more once he discovered that she had kids instead of banishing her. (hide spoiler)]

I am in ch 4. I am enjoying hearing the backstories of the individual ballerinas - they are all so different. I love the vision that Mitchell has to show the world that black bodies belong in classical dance, not just as a token or a curiosity. I love that he is opening training to so many and giving scholarships so that dancers can train in a place that believes they have a future in the artform and doesn't train them just to relegate them to the shadows like at Julliard. It's sad that so much of this history was nearly forgotten. (view spoiler)[Where I am currently is where they are in the leaky basement in a rough part of Harlem where they are all having to pitch in to get a floor that won't injure the dancers. I loved the scene where Lydia finally confronts the catcalling men by introducing herself. I also love how Mitchell is trying to involve as much of the Harlem community as he can. (hide spoiler)]

I am also open to whenever

Elyse wrote: "I just got a widget for Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman. we had previously read The Family Game and I also recently read Something in the Water. It publishes July 30. Does anyone want to b..."

I got Look in the Mirror so I can join you in June

No problem! I am not far in

I read the prologue. It was interesting and set the stage well for the book. I am looking forward to meeting all the Swans more in depth.

I can join you for this!

I am done. I loved this one - even more than The Wishing Game. (view spoiler)[I think Shaffer really did well with more emotional depth with this one, but with still maintaining the magical whimsy.
We all pretty much figured out who the Dark King was before we got there, but the confrontation was different than I imagined it to be. It was more Rafe's father processing his shame in unhelpful ways and he came through in the end.
The happy/sad ending was really well done. And I just loved the love story between Rafe and Jeremy and also Shannon's relationship with all the characters - but especially Emiie. (hide spoiler)]
Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished ch 24. I am still out of town and only have the app so I'll have to be general in my comments but I may have teared up a bit at the scene in the throne room. Our heroes are heading to Ghost Town. I think I know who the King will be.

I am through Ch 17 I am happy that they are in Shanandoah. I am out of town with only my Kindle so i can't do spoilers but I am loving this book.

this week got super busy for me! I am hoping to have time to finish this weekend.

Also I don't know if anyone else was curious about the Kentucky forest giant trolls but I was and looked them up.
Here is a link to see them
https://statebystatetravel.com/bernhe...

I am through ch 6 and I am enchanted and can't wait to see where it goes. I am having to split my eyeball reading between two books right now. (view spoiler)[I am intrigued as to why Jeremy can't talk to Rafe about what happened to them and why doesn't Rafe remember anything but Jeremy does. I like Emilie as a character. I stopped just where we are on the edge of venturing into Red Crow to find Shannon. I am so looking forward to reading more! (hide spoiler)]

Shruti morethanmylupus wrote: "Katrisa wrote: "I have Swans of Harlem. I am down to read it whenever"

should we aim for early April? I have a few lined up for March already."

April works for me! I am out of town for a birthday April 4-8 so maybe the second week of April?

I have Swans of Harlem. I am down to read it whenever

I tried for this one and they didn't grant it or deny me. I loved There There though so i am excited for this one even though I have to wait for it to actually come out

I'm good for the 10th!

I also got the lost story so I can join you whenever!