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Tales of the Bookshelves #1
Dance With Me
A haunting and poignant fairy tale for adult readers, blending delicate imagery with psychological depth.
In a world of beauty, a ceramic-made ballerina awakens atop her music box. She must dance for her elven owners, and so her ballet goes on and on. They praise her elegance, her poise and balance, until one day she falls and her ceramic fractures—but the ballerina dances again, ignoring her ever-increasing fissures. The music plays, captivating and demanding... but should she dance? Even when what she once loved becomes a trap?
This is a dark fairy tale fantasy exploring the confines of depression.
In a world of beauty, a ceramic-made ballerina awakens atop her music box. She must dance for her elven owners, and so her ballet goes on and on. They praise her elegance, her poise and balance, until one day she falls and her ceramic fractures—but the ballerina dances again, ignoring her ever-increasing fissures. The music plays, captivating and demanding... but should she dance? Even when what she once loved becomes a trap?
This is a dark fairy tale fantasy exploring the confines of depression.
- GenresFantasy
152 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2025
3 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Livia J. Elliot
3 books28 followersLivia J. Elliot writes literary speculative fiction that fuses political theory, psychological depth, and philosophical horror. Her work is written for readers who read to solve.
She’s currently releasing two series: Records of The Orders (a literary speculative fantasy,) and Tales of the Bookshelves (psychological fairy tales for adults). Livia is also the host of the award-nominated podcast Books Undone, offering thematic analyses of literary speculative fiction. Finally, she’s the lead writer of Unearthed Stories, a mobile app publishing interactive speculative fiction.
She’s currently releasing two series: Records of The Orders (a literary speculative fantasy,) and Tales of the Bookshelves (psychological fairy tales for adults). Livia is also the host of the award-nominated podcast Books Undone, offering thematic analyses of literary speculative fiction. Finally, she’s the lead writer of Unearthed Stories, a mobile app publishing interactive speculative fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 16, 2025
I really had no clue what to expect going into this book and it was the most wonderful surprise.
It is beautifully written, with delicate descriptions and amazing character work. There is a quietness to it, but at the same time, there is constant tension and unease that feels raw and relatable.
The story is simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful. It’s a story about figuring out who you are when your entire life and all you know is upended. It’s about loving yourself and trusting in those around you to love you for who you are, not what you once were.
An absolutely amazing and well-written story that I haven’t stopped thinking about since I read it last month. One of my favourite reads this year and one of my favourite short stories of all time.
Full review to come on my channel.
PS: thank you to the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
It is beautifully written, with delicate descriptions and amazing character work. There is a quietness to it, but at the same time, there is constant tension and unease that feels raw and relatable.
The story is simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful. It’s a story about figuring out who you are when your entire life and all you know is upended. It’s about loving yourself and trusting in those around you to love you for who you are, not what you once were.
An absolutely amazing and well-written story that I haven’t stopped thinking about since I read it last month. One of my favourite reads this year and one of my favourite short stories of all time.
Full review to come on my channel.
PS: thank you to the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2025
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
4.5 stars
In Dance With Me, Livia J. Elliot spins a deceptively enchanting and intimately vulnerable coming-of-age fantasy tale that explores emotional trauma, identity, depression, trust, and love in all its devastating beauty. It’s tragic yet hopeful, challenging yet comforting, but most of all, it’s an allegorical masterpiece that danced with my emotions in ways I could never have prepared for.
Previously a 47K-word interactive short story on the Unearthed Stories app, Dance With Me has been expanded into a full-length novella with extended scenes and beautiful artworks. We are pulled into the mind of Lyra, a perfect ceramic-made ballerina who lives the perfect life dancing for the pleasure of her elven owners, until the day she falls. She stands up, goes on dancing like nothing happened, but soon she finds herself spiralling into an emotional journey more dizzying than a thousand pirouettes could ever be as she is forced to confront the fact that it’s not just her ceramic that has fractured, but her entire identity and worldview.
Now, whereas Elliot’s debut novella, The Genesis of Change, engaged and stimulated me on an intellectual level, Dance With Me offered an altogether more impactful experience that just spoke to the most vulnerable parts of my soul. Right from the very first page, you can feel that this story is deeply personal, and the gentle yet brutally honest way that Elliot depicts Lyra’s inner conflict was equally powerful and confronting to read.
In many ways, Lyra’s journey is a lesson in empathy, as much for herself as for the reader. It’s so easy to judge her for her naivety or to get frustrated with her refusal to accept the reality/ break free of her situation, but anyone who has ever suffered (or been close to someone suffering) from the same mental health issues will immediately recognize just how authentic and painfully realistic her struggles are. The self-sabotage, the toxic thought patterns, the short term relief of engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms, the downplaying of the severity of your situation in comparison to others, and especially the way that staying in the safety of your comfort zone could very well end up being the thing that kills you in the end; how a story that doesn’t feature any human characters managed to be so relatable and made me feel so seen is totally beyond me, but I love it all the more for it.
Elliot just knows perfectly when to be overt in the messaging and when to hold back to make room for personal interpretation, which is exactly what makes her storytelling so clever and effective to me. Especially the inclusion of the experimental strike-through text which conveyed the way that depression completely overtook Lyra’s actions and thoughts by overriding her deep fears and intense desperation really stood out to me; it showcases exactly how so many people are suffering in silence, hiding behind the smiles and lying to themselves most of all.
But as dark and heavy as all that sounds, Dance With Me is ultimately a beautiful story of resilience, hope, and healing, and it’s infused with a fairytale-esque air of whimsy and wonder that had me fully entranced the entire way through. Elliot’s lyrical and delicate prose made both the most gut-wrenching and heartwarming scenes (DORIAN!!) just hit so hard, and I really appreciated how Lyra’s personality bled into her unreliable narration of the story. Did all of the French terms and references to ballet moves make total sense to me? No, but they did create a level of immersion that only the most skilled authors are able to achieve with their storytelling.
And even though some aspects of the revelatory and romantic ending felt maybe a bit rushed to me, I truly loved how it tied all the previous events/interactions into a cohesive whole and showed just how much unexpected impact the various eccentric characters we met along the way had made on Lyra with their wise words. To me, it is a beautiful depiction of the fact that the decision to break free and start your healing journey has to come from within, but it’s not a journey you have to embark on alone and it’s more than okay if you need some outside intervention to start stepping into your power.
Ultimately, there is no denying that Elliot pulled her vision for this novella off with effortless grace, and I think her bravery in sharing this raw and vulnerable story is beyond commendable. Dance With Me is a story with a pulse, and my heart was beating right along with it. This is simply character-driven and introspective storytelling at its very best, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Dance With Me will be available on Kickstarter on May 6th, and release for the general public on July 2nd.
4.5 stars
In Dance With Me, Livia J. Elliot spins a deceptively enchanting and intimately vulnerable coming-of-age fantasy tale that explores emotional trauma, identity, depression, trust, and love in all its devastating beauty. It’s tragic yet hopeful, challenging yet comforting, but most of all, it’s an allegorical masterpiece that danced with my emotions in ways I could never have prepared for.
Previously a 47K-word interactive short story on the Unearthed Stories app, Dance With Me has been expanded into a full-length novella with extended scenes and beautiful artworks. We are pulled into the mind of Lyra, a perfect ceramic-made ballerina who lives the perfect life dancing for the pleasure of her elven owners, until the day she falls. She stands up, goes on dancing like nothing happened, but soon she finds herself spiralling into an emotional journey more dizzying than a thousand pirouettes could ever be as she is forced to confront the fact that it’s not just her ceramic that has fractured, but her entire identity and worldview.
Now, whereas Elliot’s debut novella, The Genesis of Change, engaged and stimulated me on an intellectual level, Dance With Me offered an altogether more impactful experience that just spoke to the most vulnerable parts of my soul. Right from the very first page, you can feel that this story is deeply personal, and the gentle yet brutally honest way that Elliot depicts Lyra’s inner conflict was equally powerful and confronting to read.
In many ways, Lyra’s journey is a lesson in empathy, as much for herself as for the reader. It’s so easy to judge her for her naivety or to get frustrated with her refusal to accept the reality/ break free of her situation, but anyone who has ever suffered (or been close to someone suffering) from the same mental health issues will immediately recognize just how authentic and painfully realistic her struggles are. The self-sabotage, the toxic thought patterns, the short term relief of engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms, the downplaying of the severity of your situation in comparison to others, and especially the way that staying in the safety of your comfort zone could very well end up being the thing that kills you in the end; how a story that doesn’t feature any human characters managed to be so relatable and made me feel so seen is totally beyond me, but I love it all the more for it.
Elliot just knows perfectly when to be overt in the messaging and when to hold back to make room for personal interpretation, which is exactly what makes her storytelling so clever and effective to me. Especially the inclusion of the experimental strike-through text which conveyed the way that depression completely overtook Lyra’s actions and thoughts by overriding her deep fears and intense desperation really stood out to me; it showcases exactly how so many people are suffering in silence, hiding behind the smiles and lying to themselves most of all.
But as dark and heavy as all that sounds, Dance With Me is ultimately a beautiful story of resilience, hope, and healing, and it’s infused with a fairytale-esque air of whimsy and wonder that had me fully entranced the entire way through. Elliot’s lyrical and delicate prose made both the most gut-wrenching and heartwarming scenes (DORIAN!!) just hit so hard, and I really appreciated how Lyra’s personality bled into her unreliable narration of the story. Did all of the French terms and references to ballet moves make total sense to me? No, but they did create a level of immersion that only the most skilled authors are able to achieve with their storytelling.
And even though some aspects of the revelatory and romantic ending felt maybe a bit rushed to me, I truly loved how it tied all the previous events/interactions into a cohesive whole and showed just how much unexpected impact the various eccentric characters we met along the way had made on Lyra with their wise words. To me, it is a beautiful depiction of the fact that the decision to break free and start your healing journey has to come from within, but it’s not a journey you have to embark on alone and it’s more than okay if you need some outside intervention to start stepping into your power.
Ultimately, there is no denying that Elliot pulled her vision for this novella off with effortless grace, and I think her bravery in sharing this raw and vulnerable story is beyond commendable. Dance With Me is a story with a pulse, and my heart was beating right along with it. This is simply character-driven and introspective storytelling at its very best, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Dance With Me will be available on Kickstarter on May 6th, and release for the general public on July 2nd.
April 16, 2025
5/5 Stars
Insightful and brilliant. This tale of life, pain and everything in between gives voice to the broken, offering a balm to the heart.
This dark fairytale fantasy delivers an emotionally driven story following the main character, a ceramic ballerina named Lyra. Living on a bookshelf, Lyra dances for her elven owners. She finds joy in the dance and music until she falls, cracking her ceramic. With the ever growing fissures, she must continue to dance, but what was once a joy has begun to feel like a trap.
At only 152 pages, this novella will take you through a torrent of emotions, breaking and healing you all at once. Not only does this show dedication to the characters integrity throughout the story, but showcases the author's skill at articulating vulnerability in times of trauma.
While this tale is told through Lyra’s POV, I was delighted to find a wide cast of characters that she meets throughout the story. Some are endearing and motherly, while others are charming and quirky. There is variety in their personalities adding a richness to the narrative’s themes. Meanwhile, Lyra’s moments with each character adds an ever growing emotional depth throughout the story.
Livia J. Elliot writes with elegance. While the themes are subtly delivered, they remain impactful. I also can’t forget to mention the visual experience while reading. As certain lines are crossed out with strikes, the raw implication of the character’s experiences and thoughts only heightened the reading experience for me. Making everything that much more immersive and urgent.
Finally, the world is fascinating. Lyra lives on a bookshelf in an elven home, giving readers a unique perspective of the oddities found within the room she resides and the magic used by the elves.
Dance With Me delivered a memorable and tragically beautiful tale. The perfect read for anyone who adores dark fairytales and stories that don’t shy away from the broken pieces life can leave us with.
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Insightful and brilliant. This tale of life, pain and everything in between gives voice to the broken, offering a balm to the heart.
This dark fairytale fantasy delivers an emotionally driven story following the main character, a ceramic ballerina named Lyra. Living on a bookshelf, Lyra dances for her elven owners. She finds joy in the dance and music until she falls, cracking her ceramic. With the ever growing fissures, she must continue to dance, but what was once a joy has begun to feel like a trap.
At only 152 pages, this novella will take you through a torrent of emotions, breaking and healing you all at once. Not only does this show dedication to the characters integrity throughout the story, but showcases the author's skill at articulating vulnerability in times of trauma.
While this tale is told through Lyra’s POV, I was delighted to find a wide cast of characters that she meets throughout the story. Some are endearing and motherly, while others are charming and quirky. There is variety in their personalities adding a richness to the narrative’s themes. Meanwhile, Lyra’s moments with each character adds an ever growing emotional depth throughout the story.
Livia J. Elliot writes with elegance. While the themes are subtly delivered, they remain impactful. I also can’t forget to mention the visual experience while reading. As certain lines are crossed out with strikes, the raw implication of the character’s experiences and thoughts only heightened the reading experience for me. Making everything that much more immersive and urgent.
Finally, the world is fascinating. Lyra lives on a bookshelf in an elven home, giving readers a unique perspective of the oddities found within the room she resides and the magic used by the elves.
Dance With Me delivered a memorable and tragically beautiful tale. The perfect read for anyone who adores dark fairytales and stories that don’t shy away from the broken pieces life can leave us with.
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2025
Originally reviewed in its initial form as an interactive story for SFF INSIDERS. (Link posting here soon)
The basics: I wrote the foreword to this edition at the request of the author. Apart from not feeling adequate enough to write something that could do this justice, I want to make it known that I would not have said yes if the author was not an exceptional artist or dear friend, and the story didn’t speak to me in more ways than one.
The fact that Dance With Me has endured in my mind since its first iteration is a testament to Livia’s genius, articulation and understanding of the human heart, mind and soul.
This book does not have a place in the ongoing and seemingly infinite debate of indie vs trad. It’s just a damn good book.
Read it.
The basics: I wrote the foreword to this edition at the request of the author. Apart from not feeling adequate enough to write something that could do this justice, I want to make it known that I would not have said yes if the author was not an exceptional artist or dear friend, and the story didn’t speak to me in more ways than one.
The fact that Dance With Me has endured in my mind since its first iteration is a testament to Livia’s genius, articulation and understanding of the human heart, mind and soul.
This book does not have a place in the ongoing and seemingly infinite debate of indie vs trad. It’s just a damn good book.
Read it.
May 16, 2025
Dance With Me is a novella written by Livia J Elliot and I was kindly sent an advance copy by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Previously released as an interactive fiction ‘book-with-choices’ through Unearthed Stories, this hardback and paperback version features beautiful illustrations by José Arturo Bustamante and allows previous readers to explore the tale in a new way.
The story is told entirely from the perspective of Lyra, a magical toy ballerina. Her entire world consists of her music box and the cupboard where this has been placed, along with various other old and new enchanted toys. Unlike the traditional toys I remember from my own childhood, Lyra isn’t a mechanical decoration on her music box and the magic used to bring her to life allows her to perform ballet dances of her own invention.
Lyra is given to a young elven boy and from the moment she is brought to life through the enchantment she strives for perfection, seeking love and praise from him. Unfortunately, like most children, once his initial interest in his new toy has waned the boy quickly discovers other, crueller ways to find his enjoyment.
The author explains in her note at the end of the novella that this story is very dear to her and is based on her own life experiences and personal struggles. Lyra’s story is therefore a metaphor for some serious themes including trauma, emotional and physical abuse and depression, which means this isn’t an easy read. However, those themes are made much more accessible, and thus easier for the reader to deal with, by being one step removed from reality through Elliot’s allegorical tale.
These issues are handled using the device of an old-fashioned fantasy fable, telling a simple story at first sight which explores more uncomfortable truths once you look beneath the surface. The central part of the story involves a physically and emotionally abusive relationship between the ballerina and the boy. Despite this Lyra constantly excuses his actions and tells herself she's the one at fault. The result is a denial of reality, which appears on the page using the conceit of crossed out words, which are substituted for a preferred, more palatable version of the truth. Lyra is in denial about her circumstances, pretending to herself things are different even when they are clearly not.
Elliot balances the tough passages involving Lyra and the boy with lighter moments, highlighting the fact that even in difficult circumstances there is still hope and the opportunity to grow and perhaps even flourish. Lyra encounters other toys, some old and careworn, others long forgotten as they wait in their cupboard to be played with once more. As they share their collective experiences with Lyra her perspective on life slowly changes and, perhaps, there is a chance for her to love and feel love in return – if she is only brave enough to seize the opportunity.
The result is a clever, dark, psychological fairy tale. This isn’t like the sanitised versions popular in the children’s section in the library, instead taking the reader into the space inhabited by the darker versions of those stories as they were originally told. As I said earlier, Dance With Me is not always a light and comfortable read. Yet for those of us who, like Lyra, are struggling with life and facing trauma of their own, this book could be an important one.
The story is told entirely from the perspective of Lyra, a magical toy ballerina. Her entire world consists of her music box and the cupboard where this has been placed, along with various other old and new enchanted toys. Unlike the traditional toys I remember from my own childhood, Lyra isn’t a mechanical decoration on her music box and the magic used to bring her to life allows her to perform ballet dances of her own invention.
Lyra is given to a young elven boy and from the moment she is brought to life through the enchantment she strives for perfection, seeking love and praise from him. Unfortunately, like most children, once his initial interest in his new toy has waned the boy quickly discovers other, crueller ways to find his enjoyment.
The author explains in her note at the end of the novella that this story is very dear to her and is based on her own life experiences and personal struggles. Lyra’s story is therefore a metaphor for some serious themes including trauma, emotional and physical abuse and depression, which means this isn’t an easy read. However, those themes are made much more accessible, and thus easier for the reader to deal with, by being one step removed from reality through Elliot’s allegorical tale.
These issues are handled using the device of an old-fashioned fantasy fable, telling a simple story at first sight which explores more uncomfortable truths once you look beneath the surface. The central part of the story involves a physically and emotionally abusive relationship between the ballerina and the boy. Despite this Lyra constantly excuses his actions and tells herself she's the one at fault. The result is a denial of reality, which appears on the page using the conceit of crossed out words, which are substituted for a preferred, more palatable version of the truth. Lyra is in denial about her circumstances, pretending to herself things are different even when they are clearly not.
Elliot balances the tough passages involving Lyra and the boy with lighter moments, highlighting the fact that even in difficult circumstances there is still hope and the opportunity to grow and perhaps even flourish. Lyra encounters other toys, some old and careworn, others long forgotten as they wait in their cupboard to be played with once more. As they share their collective experiences with Lyra her perspective on life slowly changes and, perhaps, there is a chance for her to love and feel love in return – if she is only brave enough to seize the opportunity.
The result is a clever, dark, psychological fairy tale. This isn’t like the sanitised versions popular in the children’s section in the library, instead taking the reader into the space inhabited by the darker versions of those stories as they were originally told. As I said earlier, Dance With Me is not always a light and comfortable read. Yet for those of us who, like Lyra, are struggling with life and facing trauma of their own, this book could be an important one.
April 16, 2025
I first read Dance with Me as interactive fiction (on Unearthed Stories, which is a free app you can download). The novella was a fresh experience as I got to read the whole of the author's story, and meet side characters my game choices hadn't led me to. I received an ARC and am leaving a review voluntarily.
If you enjoyed the quietness of Reflections of Lilje Damselfly by Natalie Kelda, you may also like this novella about a ceramic ballet dancer named Lyra, who was brought to life by the magic of elven people. Her life's mission is to please her owners, especially the young elf boy to whom she was gifted. This proves easy and rewarding for her at first, but slowly the dancing that gave her purpose becomes a source of pain. The child's reactions to her also become increasingly fickle. Her sense of self-worth is as fragile as her ceramic body, and she worries that she will one day be irreparably damaged like some of the other figurines in the household. Some mild spoilers may follow.
You never forget that the characters are dolls made of ceramic or wood. It comes up naturally in descriptions of their movements and size in relation to the room. Lyra lives for dance and music so this carries over into her POV. She often describes the new dolls she meets by their (singing) voices: baritone, tenor, soprano. "A moment passes" reads as "a tempo passes".
There is an allegory about the psychological effects of abuse baked into this story about living dolls. It is conveyed subtly, but could still be hard for some to read. Dance with Me is a fantasy but it also has some of the clear themes and attention to structure that you see in literary fiction. For example, some words and phrases are formatted with astrikethrough to indicate thoughts Lyra is not ready to consider. It's a very clever way to convey the complex emotions of a victim of abuse. Lyra's unconcealed stubbornness and pride make her a flawed but relatable character. You can also identify with those who feel helpless watching Lyra's internal struggles.
I appreciated the lesson in aging well and redefining your purpose.
As Le Proffeseur says, "Every activity has a limit, even those we enjoy. Moreover they may change over time ... life marks and changes us."
Dance with Me is a story about accepting help, growing in empathy for others, and by extension, being kinder to yourself. I hope it reaches readers who need to hear these things.
If you enjoyed the quietness of Reflections of Lilje Damselfly by Natalie Kelda, you may also like this novella about a ceramic ballet dancer named Lyra, who was brought to life by the magic of elven people. Her life's mission is to please her owners, especially the young elf boy to whom she was gifted. This proves easy and rewarding for her at first, but slowly the dancing that gave her purpose becomes a source of pain. The child's reactions to her also become increasingly fickle. Her sense of self-worth is as fragile as her ceramic body, and she worries that she will one day be irreparably damaged like some of the other figurines in the household. Some mild spoilers may follow.
You never forget that the characters are dolls made of ceramic or wood. It comes up naturally in descriptions of their movements and size in relation to the room. Lyra lives for dance and music so this carries over into her POV. She often describes the new dolls she meets by their (singing) voices: baritone, tenor, soprano. "A moment passes" reads as "a tempo passes".
There is an allegory about the psychological effects of abuse baked into this story about living dolls. It is conveyed subtly, but could still be hard for some to read. Dance with Me is a fantasy but it also has some of the clear themes and attention to structure that you see in literary fiction. For example, some words and phrases are formatted with a
I appreciated the lesson in aging well and redefining your purpose.
As Le Proffeseur says, "Every activity has a limit, even those we enjoy. Moreover they may change over time ... life marks and changes us."
Dance with Me is a story about accepting help, growing in empathy for others, and by extension, being kinder to yourself. I hope it reaches readers who need to hear these things.
April 17, 2025
part lyrical, part philosophical, Elliot's writing weaves a marvelous novella about trauma, purpose and identity
April 24, 2025
This review was originally published on SFF Insiders.
https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
“You cannot survive life intact. That belief is the worst deception anyone can suffer.”
Surrounded by the only world she’s ever known, a delicate ceramic ballerina figurine named Lyra exists for one purpose: to dance for the pleasure and entertainment of others. Living safely inside the walls of her music box on a bookshelf, Lyra believes that her life is flawless. That is until unknown emotions start to arise, and the cracks that life leaves behind start to surface.
Coming in at around 36,000 words, this standalone novella offers readers a beautifully crafted story with a smooth and engaging flow. The setting takes place inside bookshelves which belong to an elvish woman and her young son. The shelves appear dormant during the day, but at night magic unfolds as Lyra ventures out from her music box to cautiously explore her environment. While life inside a shelf may seem small and insignificant, the author masterfully creates a sense of vastness as if the reader were also a fragile figurine trying to navigate through an unknown world.
As Lyra embarks on her own journey through harrowing feelings of depression, denial, and self-worth, she encounters a variety of other figurines hidden throughout the bookshelf. Each character has their own wisdom to impart on Lyra to help her through the struggles she is facing as they themselves have also experienced hardships, most of which are physically represented on their bodies and in their appearance. Additionally, the elvish mother’s son, who readers will only come to know as “the elvish boy” plays a pivotal role in Lyra’s fall from her perfectly constructed life. As darkness closes in, Lyra must battle her inner demons to find a way to overcome the turmoil that threatens to consume her.
“It’s natural, Lyra. It is life, and the best thing you can do is admit that we are as fluctuating as the wind itself.”
My enjoyment of this book is tied to the emotions it evokes. Lyra as a character might be a figurine, but the experiences she goes through are drawn back to human nature. While reading, one will come across strong themes that may stir up memories of previous life experiences. There were times when I needed to pause and take a step back. However, this is not something I would consider negative. The author has a gentle and natural way of guiding the reader through these emotions to then arrive at a well-deserved conclusion.
In summary, I highly enjoyed this novella and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories that explore darker themes and heavier feelings through a lyrical writing style. I cannot wait to see what other future works the author has in store for us!
https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
“You cannot survive life intact. That belief is the worst deception anyone can suffer.”
Surrounded by the only world she’s ever known, a delicate ceramic ballerina figurine named Lyra exists for one purpose: to dance for the pleasure and entertainment of others. Living safely inside the walls of her music box on a bookshelf, Lyra believes that her life is flawless. That is until unknown emotions start to arise, and the cracks that life leaves behind start to surface.
Coming in at around 36,000 words, this standalone novella offers readers a beautifully crafted story with a smooth and engaging flow. The setting takes place inside bookshelves which belong to an elvish woman and her young son. The shelves appear dormant during the day, but at night magic unfolds as Lyra ventures out from her music box to cautiously explore her environment. While life inside a shelf may seem small and insignificant, the author masterfully creates a sense of vastness as if the reader were also a fragile figurine trying to navigate through an unknown world.
As Lyra embarks on her own journey through harrowing feelings of depression, denial, and self-worth, she encounters a variety of other figurines hidden throughout the bookshelf. Each character has their own wisdom to impart on Lyra to help her through the struggles she is facing as they themselves have also experienced hardships, most of which are physically represented on their bodies and in their appearance. Additionally, the elvish mother’s son, who readers will only come to know as “the elvish boy” plays a pivotal role in Lyra’s fall from her perfectly constructed life. As darkness closes in, Lyra must battle her inner demons to find a way to overcome the turmoil that threatens to consume her.
“It’s natural, Lyra. It is life, and the best thing you can do is admit that we are as fluctuating as the wind itself.”
My enjoyment of this book is tied to the emotions it evokes. Lyra as a character might be a figurine, but the experiences she goes through are drawn back to human nature. While reading, one will come across strong themes that may stir up memories of previous life experiences. There were times when I needed to pause and take a step back. However, this is not something I would consider negative. The author has a gentle and natural way of guiding the reader through these emotions to then arrive at a well-deserved conclusion.
In summary, I highly enjoyed this novella and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories that explore darker themes and heavier feelings through a lyrical writing style. I cannot wait to see what other future works the author has in store for us!
April 18, 2025
Livia J. Elliot once again stuns in this vividly thematic work of art.
Lyra awaits atop her music box, patiently waiting for the hour her Elven owners will grace her presence, spinning the crank and allowing her to bring joy to all one pirouette at a time. She is the music, she is the dance and she finds great joy in sharing that gift with those who demand it from her.
When the demands stop coming and new figurines emerge, stealing the attention of the young Elven boy Lyra falls into despair with the roots of her self worth fraying at the edges. Is it all her fault?
Seeking guidance and passing judgement on others who have come before her lead her further and further into questions of self worth, her abilities and overall worldview.
Elliot takes us on a poetic and reflective journey, uncovering the layers of emotional trauma, self discovery and showing that sometimes we do need a helping hand (even if we can't accept it at the time).
Lyra awaits atop her music box, patiently waiting for the hour her Elven owners will grace her presence, spinning the crank and allowing her to bring joy to all one pirouette at a time. She is the music, she is the dance and she finds great joy in sharing that gift with those who demand it from her.
When the demands stop coming and new figurines emerge, stealing the attention of the young Elven boy Lyra falls into despair with the roots of her self worth fraying at the edges. Is it all her fault?
Seeking guidance and passing judgement on others who have come before her lead her further and further into questions of self worth, her abilities and overall worldview.
Elliot takes us on a poetic and reflective journey, uncovering the layers of emotional trauma, self discovery and showing that sometimes we do need a helping hand (even if we can't accept it at the time).
April 16, 2025
A hauntingly beautiful fairy tale brimming with magic and festering with trauma.
The allegories to so much of the pain we humans face in life is incredibly well presented, all very deep and intertwined, told with a strikingly rich prose.
The allegories to so much of the pain we humans face in life is incredibly well presented, all very deep and intertwined, told with a strikingly rich prose.
December 21, 2025
Dance With Me features a tiny, beautiful ceramic ballerina enchanted to life by an elven boy. She lives in a room full of enchanted figurines, some fragile porcelain, others sturdier wood, stored inside cabinets owned by an elven family. The boy chooses the porcelain ballerina to dance for him occasionally, naming her Lyra. She glories in those times, loving her beautiful hair and face and her pristine outfit. She longs for the boy to visit her, and on the days he does not, she finds her spirits sinking and her anxiety increasing as she blames herself for not dancing well enough to keep his interest. She encounters other figurines in her cabinet who are horribly disfigured, having been dropped many years ago, which causes her anxiety to become even worse and develop into terror when contemplating the horrors that might afflict her. They try to give her advice, but she is not yet experienced enough to understand what she needs.
“You cannot survive life intact. That belief is the worst deception anyone can suffer…
Life will chip you, little one. Crack or blind you. Fracture you, and leave its mark. It affects us all, except some do not want to accept it.”
When the boy clutches her roughly, uncaring how delicate she is, her terror becomes real as she suffers injuries at his hand. She is in denial for a while, unable to accept no longer being perfect. Lyra’s raison d’être is to dance and be beautiful. If broken, she considers herself no longer beautiful, and if not chosen to dance, she can see no point to her existence. Her loneliness leads to longing, her mental and physical abuse leads to bewilderment, horror, terror and depression.
Livia J. Elliot’s writing is beautifully moving, pulling on the readers’ heartstrings as the ballerina begins to spiral into anxiety. She cleverly uses strike-through text to show the ballerina’s innermost thoughts and fears - ones she will not even admit to herself.
“It is late, and the night’s silence slips past, threatening to send me into the darkest sleep where my well-deserved misery lives.”
With time, Lyra realises she is a slave to the capricious nature of the boy. It takes a long time before she is able to accept her reality and finally feel some hope for the future. Like many people in abusive relationships, she is unable to save herself, but needs the help of an outside actor. Luckily, the elven boy’s mother enchants the cabinet latch so that only she can open it - but this help has been a long time coming.
“How much is enough pain? Or enough misery? That is the actual question I cannot voice. Doing so would reveal something I’m not ready to accept—and I need my façade… or what remains of it.”
I really enjoyed this heartbreaking little story. It is a fascinating study of emotion, told from the heart.
“You cannot survive life intact. That belief is the worst deception anyone can suffer…
Life will chip you, little one. Crack or blind you. Fracture you, and leave its mark. It affects us all, except some do not want to accept it.”
When the boy clutches her roughly, uncaring how delicate she is, her terror becomes real as she suffers injuries at his hand. She is in denial for a while, unable to accept no longer being perfect. Lyra’s raison d’être is to dance and be beautiful. If broken, she considers herself no longer beautiful, and if not chosen to dance, she can see no point to her existence. Her loneliness leads to longing, her mental and physical abuse leads to bewilderment, horror, terror and depression.
Livia J. Elliot’s writing is beautifully moving, pulling on the readers’ heartstrings as the ballerina begins to spiral into anxiety. She cleverly uses strike-through text to show the ballerina’s innermost thoughts and fears - ones she will not even admit to herself.
“It is late, and the night’s silence slips past, threatening to send me into the darkest sleep where my well-deserved misery lives.”
With time, Lyra realises she is a slave to the capricious nature of the boy. It takes a long time before she is able to accept her reality and finally feel some hope for the future. Like many people in abusive relationships, she is unable to save herself, but needs the help of an outside actor. Luckily, the elven boy’s mother enchants the cabinet latch so that only she can open it - but this help has been a long time coming.
“How much is enough pain? Or enough misery? That is the actual question I cannot voice. Doing so would reveal something I’m not ready to accept—and I need my façade… or what remains of it.”
I really enjoyed this heartbreaking little story. It is a fascinating study of emotion, told from the heart.
April 18, 2025
Dance with Me is a quiet gut-punch of a story. It's soft and aching and beautifully raw. From the first page, it pulls you in with prose that feels like music: lyrical without being flowery, heavy with emotion without ever over-explaining. There's a weight to it, the kind that haunts you long after you’ve finished.
At its core, this story is about what it means to fall apart, and to keep going anyway. Lyra is built to be flawless, and watching her come to terms with the cracks forming in that perfect surface is both heartbreaking and deeply human. Elliot captures those moments of vulnerability with this gentle precision that hits hard without ever feeling forced.
It’s not a loud book. There are no flashy twists or dramatic fireworks. But Dance with Me doesn’t need them. It stays with you because of how honest it is. Because it says something real about identity, purpose, and the terrifying beauty of being truly seen.
And the ending? Perfect. Bittersweet in the exact right way.
If you’re into stories that are tender, introspective, and written with real care, this one’s worth your time.
At its core, this story is about what it means to fall apart, and to keep going anyway. Lyra is built to be flawless, and watching her come to terms with the cracks forming in that perfect surface is both heartbreaking and deeply human. Elliot captures those moments of vulnerability with this gentle precision that hits hard without ever feeling forced.
It’s not a loud book. There are no flashy twists or dramatic fireworks. But Dance with Me doesn’t need them. It stays with you because of how honest it is. Because it says something real about identity, purpose, and the terrifying beauty of being truly seen.
And the ending? Perfect. Bittersweet in the exact right way.
If you’re into stories that are tender, introspective, and written with real care, this one’s worth your time.
April 16, 2025
A beautiful, elegantly written harmony of fragility and resilience. full review to follow
April 16, 2025
Notes: I received an early uncorrected copy of this book and as such some changes may have been made prior to publication.
If there was one book that I would emphatically and enthusiastically implore anyone to read this year, it would be Livia J. Elliot’s Dance With Me. You’re probably already thinking ‘This review is going to be glowing’.
Well, get your shades on, because it’s about to go super nova.
But before I explain why this story is so thoroughly deserving of its five-star rating, let’s just talk a little about the themes and concepts within.
Dance With Me tells the story of Lyra, a ceramic ballerina brought to life by enchantment and follows her aesthetically beautiful but often repetitive daily life as she gently, tentatively explores the magical shelf on which she lives and meets the other magically infused denizens of this (and other) cupboards. All the while performing her primary function, which is to dance for those who created her. Through Lyra’s eyes, we explore the themes of self-purpose, fear, inner conflict, self-discovery and the processing of trauma, both physical and emotional.
The thing that impressed me most about this story is the incredible skill with which Livia J. Elliot’s writing is permeated with an almost physical emotional energy. Sometimes muted and restrained, sometimes wild and chaotic – this wasn’t just a book that I read, it was one that I could feel. Yet the emotional chord was always perfectly struck.
This is a story full of conflict, turmoil, pain – and somehow Elliot takes all these big, loud, noisy emotions and makes them soft, quiet and delicate, until the story itself becomes like a glass hammer. It is all at once sad and sorrowful, enraged and defiant, powerful and fragile.
Lyra, curious, naïve, forlorn, trapped in a cycle of dance, in her claustrophobic world, is a powerful representation of the characteristics that so many of us can relate to. The fear of imperfection, the weight of self-imposed expectation, the desperate need to be loved and the belief that we are utterly undeserving of it. Rarely have I come across an author who can approach these emotions with such control and temperance and yet make them feel so heart wrenchingly jagged and raw.
Now, here’s the biggest reason I implore people to pick up this story. There are some books that people want to read. I suspect, that for many, Dance With Me is a book they need to read. Because we all know a Lyra. Some of us have been a Lyra ourselves. And alongside the sad and sorrowful, this story has a sweetness and catharsis to it. As Lyra’s story progresses, and she comes to know the enchanted world around her, and more importantly, allow herself to become part of it, the sadness becomes slowly and gently diffused with hope and self-acceptance.
I know the author is running a Kickstarter with the aim of creating a special edition physical copy of this book, that I for one will be backing without hesitation. If you’re reading this review before the Kickstarter ends, and I’ve persuaded you to give Dance With Me a try, please consider becoming a backer. If you’re reading this after the Kickstarter, please pick up a copy.
Because honestly, this is one author who deserves to have people throwing fistfuls of money at them so they can go on creating work as intelligent, poignant and worthy of admiration as this.
If there was one book that I would emphatically and enthusiastically implore anyone to read this year, it would be Livia J. Elliot’s Dance With Me. You’re probably already thinking ‘This review is going to be glowing’.
Well, get your shades on, because it’s about to go super nova.
But before I explain why this story is so thoroughly deserving of its five-star rating, let’s just talk a little about the themes and concepts within.
Dance With Me tells the story of Lyra, a ceramic ballerina brought to life by enchantment and follows her aesthetically beautiful but often repetitive daily life as she gently, tentatively explores the magical shelf on which she lives and meets the other magically infused denizens of this (and other) cupboards. All the while performing her primary function, which is to dance for those who created her. Through Lyra’s eyes, we explore the themes of self-purpose, fear, inner conflict, self-discovery and the processing of trauma, both physical and emotional.
The thing that impressed me most about this story is the incredible skill with which Livia J. Elliot’s writing is permeated with an almost physical emotional energy. Sometimes muted and restrained, sometimes wild and chaotic – this wasn’t just a book that I read, it was one that I could feel. Yet the emotional chord was always perfectly struck.
This is a story full of conflict, turmoil, pain – and somehow Elliot takes all these big, loud, noisy emotions and makes them soft, quiet and delicate, until the story itself becomes like a glass hammer. It is all at once sad and sorrowful, enraged and defiant, powerful and fragile.
Lyra, curious, naïve, forlorn, trapped in a cycle of dance, in her claustrophobic world, is a powerful representation of the characteristics that so many of us can relate to. The fear of imperfection, the weight of self-imposed expectation, the desperate need to be loved and the belief that we are utterly undeserving of it. Rarely have I come across an author who can approach these emotions with such control and temperance and yet make them feel so heart wrenchingly jagged and raw.
Now, here’s the biggest reason I implore people to pick up this story. There are some books that people want to read. I suspect, that for many, Dance With Me is a book they need to read. Because we all know a Lyra. Some of us have been a Lyra ourselves. And alongside the sad and sorrowful, this story has a sweetness and catharsis to it. As Lyra’s story progresses, and she comes to know the enchanted world around her, and more importantly, allow herself to become part of it, the sadness becomes slowly and gently diffused with hope and self-acceptance.
I know the author is running a Kickstarter with the aim of creating a special edition physical copy of this book, that I for one will be backing without hesitation. If you’re reading this review before the Kickstarter ends, and I’ve persuaded you to give Dance With Me a try, please consider becoming a backer. If you’re reading this after the Kickstarter, please pick up a copy.
Because honestly, this is one author who deserves to have people throwing fistfuls of money at them so they can go on creating work as intelligent, poignant and worthy of admiration as this.
May 3, 2025
*I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
In honor of the two year anniversary of Unearthed Stories, an interactive fiction (books with choices) app, that Livia J Elliot and her partner created, Elliot has created a novelization of one of the first stories she had written for it. And I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC.
This is not the first I’ve encountered Elliot’s work, and it most certainly won’t be the last. Back when it came out, I thoroughly enjoyed her novella The Genesis of Change and will continue to look forward to her future works.
Dance With Me is the tale of Lyra, a ceramic, music box ballerina and the world she is thrust into. But it’s also so much more. It is a journey through depression and trauma and the war that goes on in one’s own head. The battle with the weight of all those feelings and doubts that prey on one’s psyche. It’s the tale of the turmoil one endures and the self-destructive nature of those doubts, and the journey to heal and trust once more.
It’s dark. It’s harrowing. It’s beautiful. And perhaps most importantly, it’s hopeful.
That said, in this novella, Elliot’s strengths shine once again. She writes with an elegant prose that has an almost lyrical flow that draws the reader in. Each word carefully considered, taking the lead as it dances the reader through the darkness. Add to that the creative use of strikethrough text to portray that inner dialogue of one constantly questioning themself. It is a journey, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Dance With Me is a harrowing and beautiful tale, plunging into the depths of trauma in Elliot’s elegant prose. A must read!
In honor of the two year anniversary of Unearthed Stories, an interactive fiction (books with choices) app, that Livia J Elliot and her partner created, Elliot has created a novelization of one of the first stories she had written for it. And I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC.
This is not the first I’ve encountered Elliot’s work, and it most certainly won’t be the last. Back when it came out, I thoroughly enjoyed her novella The Genesis of Change and will continue to look forward to her future works.
Dance With Me is the tale of Lyra, a ceramic, music box ballerina and the world she is thrust into. But it’s also so much more. It is a journey through depression and trauma and the war that goes on in one’s own head. The battle with the weight of all those feelings and doubts that prey on one’s psyche. It’s the tale of the turmoil one endures and the self-destructive nature of those doubts, and the journey to heal and trust once more.
It’s dark. It’s harrowing. It’s beautiful. And perhaps most importantly, it’s hopeful.
That said, in this novella, Elliot’s strengths shine once again. She writes with an elegant prose that has an almost lyrical flow that draws the reader in. Each word carefully considered, taking the lead as it dances the reader through the darkness. Add to that the creative use of strikethrough text to portray that inner dialogue of one constantly questioning themself. It is a journey, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Dance With Me is a harrowing and beautiful tale, plunging into the depths of trauma in Elliot’s elegant prose. A must read!
April 16, 2025
This is a BEAUTIFUL story by all means. One that pulls at your heartstrings, and manages to hit home with a strong message pertaining to this very day and age that we currently find ourselves in.
I cannot even put into words how wonderful the writing is! The prose just flows along so elegantly throughout. The characters were brought to life excellently. The character work of Lyra, the thoughts and emotions that she feels and experiences in her journey, is masterfully crafted, and Livia makes sure that you as a reader journey along with her every step of the way. Honestly, I was surprised at the fact that it not only turned out to be much better than expected, but also that it ended up having the kind of impact that it did in the end. This is a MUST READ, and I certainly RECOMMEND that you do so!
I cannot even put into words how wonderful the writing is! The prose just flows along so elegantly throughout. The characters were brought to life excellently. The character work of Lyra, the thoughts and emotions that she feels and experiences in her journey, is masterfully crafted, and Livia makes sure that you as a reader journey along with her every step of the way. Honestly, I was surprised at the fact that it not only turned out to be much better than expected, but also that it ended up having the kind of impact that it did in the end. This is a MUST READ, and I certainly RECOMMEND that you do so!
August 9, 2025
You know how they say that every story has already been written, so why bother? I'd sent them this book. It is a remarkable thing to have an interesting idea and then successfully translate it in a way that others may also experience its allure. As a fellow dabbler in stringing words together, I salute and commend you for penning this wonderful piece. One can only aspire to achieve this level of intent. With many tricks of the trade cleverly implemented, and made not only functional but also enjoyable, Dance With Me remains one of the most ingenious works of fiction I've read in a long while. The bar for indie authors to meet has been raised yet again. Bravo!
August 28, 2025
Dance With Me is a beautifully haunting fairy tale that lingers in your mind long after reading. The imagery of the fragile ballerina is both enchanting and heartbreaking, capturing the tension between beauty and self-destruction. Livia J. Elliot’s writing is poetic and layered, drawing readers into a world that feels delicate yet deeply unsettling. I loved the way the story blended fantasy with psychological depth, making it feel timeless and relevant. A mesmerizing, darkly elegant read that I would highly recommend to fans of mature fairy tales.
November 15, 2025
This book made my list of top Indie SFF books I read in 2025!
For the full list, please see the link below:
https://beforewegoblog.com/p-ls-top-i...
Please see below the link to my YouTube interview (SIX ELEMENTALS INTERVIEWS) with the author where we discuss the book and how much I adored it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK5KG...
An absolutely wonderful and touching allegorical novella where the author’s bravery, basing the story on her own personal challenges with trauma, emotional and physical abuse and depression, needs to be acknowledged.
The themes can be heavy (though there is definitely a message of hope permeating the book), but the writing is stunning, and hearkens back to the immaculately-crafted fairy tales of old.
A story the author clearly needed to write, and one that demands to be read.
For the full list, please see the link below:
https://beforewegoblog.com/p-ls-top-i...
Please see below the link to my YouTube interview (SIX ELEMENTALS INTERVIEWS) with the author where we discuss the book and how much I adored it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK5KG...
An absolutely wonderful and touching allegorical novella where the author’s bravery, basing the story on her own personal challenges with trauma, emotional and physical abuse and depression, needs to be acknowledged.
The themes can be heavy (though there is definitely a message of hope permeating the book), but the writing is stunning, and hearkens back to the immaculately-crafted fairy tales of old.
A story the author clearly needed to write, and one that demands to be read.
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