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Indigo Dreams #1
Wish
For Indigo Stevens, ballet classes at Miss Roberta’s ballet studio offer the stability and structure that are missing from her crazy home life. At almost 16, she hopes this is the year she will be accepted into the New York School of Ballet. First she must prove she’s ready, and that means ignoring Jesse Sanders – the cute boy with dimples who is definitely at the top of Miss Roberta’s List of Forbidden Things for Dancers.
But Jesse is the least of Indigo’s concerns. When she discovers her mom is an alcoholic, it simultaneously explains everything and heaps more worry on Indigo’s shoulders. As her mom’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Indigo fights to maintain balance, protect her younger brothers from abuse, and keep her mother from going over the edge. When the violence at home escalates, Indigo realizes she can no longer dance around the issue. At the risk of losing everything, she must take matters into her own hands before it’s too late.
But Jesse is the least of Indigo’s concerns. When she discovers her mom is an alcoholic, it simultaneously explains everything and heaps more worry on Indigo’s shoulders. As her mom’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Indigo fights to maintain balance, protect her younger brothers from abuse, and keep her mother from going over the edge. When the violence at home escalates, Indigo realizes she can no longer dance around the issue. At the risk of losing everything, she must take matters into her own hands before it’s too late.
ebook
First published December 2, 2014
About the author
Grier Cooper
14 books124 followersGrier began ballet lessons at age five and left home at fourteen to study at the School of American Ballet in New York. She has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer.
Her work has been praised as “poignant and honest” with “emotional hooks that penetrate deeply.” She writes and blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is the author of Build a Ballerina Body and The Daily Book of Photography. Grier’s work has also appeared in Conscious Dancer, Discovery Girls, Skipping Stones, and Dance Advantage, among others.
Her work has been praised as “poignant and honest” with “emotional hooks that penetrate deeply.” She writes and blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is the author of Build a Ballerina Body and The Daily Book of Photography. Grier’s work has also appeared in Conscious Dancer, Discovery Girls, Skipping Stones, and Dance Advantage, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 7, 2016
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Ever since I was a little girl, I looked upon ballet dancers, admiring them and dreaming about becoming a ballerina when I grow up. Their beauty and the way they could use their body in such a wonderful, almost unhuman way made me appreciate them ever since I remember.
Unfortunately, I grew up in town where there were no ballet classes and my dream about becoming a ballet dancer stayed just a dream, but my love and appreciation for the same stayed with me.
I still love to watch ballet documetaries, movies and even though I don’t have many opportunities to do so, I enjoy watching live ballet performances.
Having said all that, I find it pretty odd that I haven’t read a book about ballet dancer until now.
I am not going to lie – first thing that grabbed my attention is this gorgeous cover. I mean, just look at it! Whoever designed such a beautiful cover deserves an award!
Wish follows Indigo, a girl with big dreams and broken family.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She was strong but vulnerable at the same time, and my heart was broken when I saw the situation she found herself in.
This story is about ballet and wishing upon a dream, and I think everyone who likes those kind of stories – about dreamers who’d like to make something bigger with their tallent, would like it.
But there is more about this story – it covers a pretty serious topic, and that is alcoholism. It covers it in a realistic way.
Because of that, I think you should be aware of it’s potentially triggering effect.
The story is written in first person, in present tense. Because of that, it is an easy and fast read and those who tend to read fast, will probably finish it in one sitting.
The feeling I had the whole time while I was reading this novel was like I was watching a good teen drama TV show.
I really like it and somehow I even dare to say that this book took me to place that I missed visiting and I didn’t even know it.
The end left me satisfied and I am looking forward to see how the story’s going to continue.
Ever since I was a little girl, I looked upon ballet dancers, admiring them and dreaming about becoming a ballerina when I grow up. Their beauty and the way they could use their body in such a wonderful, almost unhuman way made me appreciate them ever since I remember.
Unfortunately, I grew up in town where there were no ballet classes and my dream about becoming a ballet dancer stayed just a dream, but my love and appreciation for the same stayed with me.
I still love to watch ballet documetaries, movies and even though I don’t have many opportunities to do so, I enjoy watching live ballet performances.
Having said all that, I find it pretty odd that I haven’t read a book about ballet dancer until now.
I am not going to lie – first thing that grabbed my attention is this gorgeous cover. I mean, just look at it! Whoever designed such a beautiful cover deserves an award!
Wish follows Indigo, a girl with big dreams and broken family.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She was strong but vulnerable at the same time, and my heart was broken when I saw the situation she found herself in.
This story is about ballet and wishing upon a dream, and I think everyone who likes those kind of stories – about dreamers who’d like to make something bigger with their tallent, would like it.
But there is more about this story – it covers a pretty serious topic, and that is alcoholism. It covers it in a realistic way.
Because of that, I think you should be aware of it’s potentially triggering effect.
The story is written in first person, in present tense. Because of that, it is an easy and fast read and those who tend to read fast, will probably finish it in one sitting.
The feeling I had the whole time while I was reading this novel was like I was watching a good teen drama TV show.
I really like it and somehow I even dare to say that this book took me to place that I missed visiting and I didn’t even know it.
The end left me satisfied and I am looking forward to see how the story’s going to continue.
December 8, 2014
One of the topics that I have always loved reading and watching is dance especially Ballet as it is something that I wish I could have done or had the ability at least to try. For Indigo Stevens, Ballet is the only thing that she has that is hers and she is amazing at it , the thing is though she has to learn to compartmentalise her life otherwise her personal life will fall into her ballet world and she may end up losing both. When Indigo is on the dance floor, her whole life drifts away and she is at peace. At home is another story as her mother is always losing her cool and soon her mother's drinking and erratic behaviour starts to become a big problem which causes Indigo to get distracted from her ballet lessons. What will happen though when a guy is chucked into the mix and as she falls for him , he also becomes a distraction from Ballet. Can she let Jesse be the one to ruin everything she has ever worked for ? The only thing that can help her escape the life she is living or will he understand completely when it comes to the decison making time for Indigo ?
Wish is a novel of growing and coming of age, it is also a novel of family dramas and secrets and that sometimes the life we live behind closed doors isn't always sunshine and rainbows and that not everybody outside can see on the inside . It is a novel about letting people in and sometimes going the extra mile and asking for help and hurting the ones you love is the only option some have in order to get better.
I really enjoyed "Wish" as a few of the topics raised in this book reasonated with personal experiences of my own. I am looking forward to reading Book #2 in the future.
Wish is a novel of growing and coming of age, it is also a novel of family dramas and secrets and that sometimes the life we live behind closed doors isn't always sunshine and rainbows and that not everybody outside can see on the inside . It is a novel about letting people in and sometimes going the extra mile and asking for help and hurting the ones you love is the only option some have in order to get better.
I really enjoyed "Wish" as a few of the topics raised in this book reasonated with personal experiences of my own. I am looking forward to reading Book #2 in the future.
October 29, 2014
The story of Indigo, who's life is about to change in good ways and bad, "Wish" captures the moment when a girl transforms into a young woman. Hard choices must be made. Bravery is required. The descriptions of how it feels to dance and to perform are especially well done, detailed and compelling. The pacing moves along gracefully, as the book builds momentum moving into its dramatic final chapters. After finishing "Wish," I look forward to reading more about Indigo, her family, her ballet and her next adventures. Grier Cooper
November 19, 2014
In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must disclose that I received a free copy of this book through Xpresso Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest review.
Originally reviewed on The Hardcover Lover.
I don't think many of my readers may know this about me, but like Indigo, I once had dreams of being a ballerina with some of the best companies. Unfortunately for me, I was never able to attend any elite studios, and eventually my bullying teachers hurt me so emotionally that I quit. I still wish that I would have went somewhere else and continued to dance, but I never did.
Ballet is the reason why I was drawn to Wish by Grier Cooper. Once you dance, it's in your blood forever. Even if you don't continue, you still love to dance in your room or learn more about it. That's why I wanted to read this. I wanted to see how dance shaped the life of Indigo. What I found is a beautiful story of a young ballet dancer with dreams of going to New York and dancing professionally but is being pulled back to help rescue her family from crumbling to pieces.
If you look at the cover, you'll see a ballerina in a dark setting, and the cover fits the plot of this novel. Indigo Stevens is a talented young dancer, and she dreams of attending the prestigious New York School of Ballet. To get there, she has to stay focused in ballet class. I loved this storyline in the book. It kind of reminded me of the TV show, Bunheads, because there is just so much that has to happen for a ballet dancer to even earn an audition. I do wish that there were more ballet scenes in this book though. I think that would have made it a bit more enjoyable.
Like previously mentioned, ballet is not the only thing that's going on in Wish. There's more. Cooper makes a very brave decision in Wish by tackling alcoholism. This is something that many YA authors avoid, but I think it's important because there are going to be teens who have alcoholic family members. There are even teens who battle alcoholism. If they can connect with a book or a character in a book, they might feel more comfortable in seeking help for their loved one(s). If you read this book, you'll discover that Cooper writes about alcoholism thoughtfully and carefully. She tells the story of two women dealing with it - the alcoholic mother and her daughter. It's a hard thing to write about it, but Cooper does this flawlessly. She mentions drunk driving in one chapter. She also deals with a lot of problems alcoholics face in great detail like violence and denial.
Wish by Grier Cooper is a thought-provoking book. I'd recommend it for dancers who enjoy reading about other dancers. I'd also recommend this book for fans of realistic fiction and emotionally heavy books. I also think that teens who have dealt with an alcoholic family members should pick up this book.
Originally reviewed on The Hardcover Lover.
I don't think many of my readers may know this about me, but like Indigo, I once had dreams of being a ballerina with some of the best companies. Unfortunately for me, I was never able to attend any elite studios, and eventually my bullying teachers hurt me so emotionally that I quit. I still wish that I would have went somewhere else and continued to dance, but I never did.
Ballet is the reason why I was drawn to Wish by Grier Cooper. Once you dance, it's in your blood forever. Even if you don't continue, you still love to dance in your room or learn more about it. That's why I wanted to read this. I wanted to see how dance shaped the life of Indigo. What I found is a beautiful story of a young ballet dancer with dreams of going to New York and dancing professionally but is being pulled back to help rescue her family from crumbling to pieces.
If you look at the cover, you'll see a ballerina in a dark setting, and the cover fits the plot of this novel. Indigo Stevens is a talented young dancer, and she dreams of attending the prestigious New York School of Ballet. To get there, she has to stay focused in ballet class. I loved this storyline in the book. It kind of reminded me of the TV show, Bunheads, because there is just so much that has to happen for a ballet dancer to even earn an audition. I do wish that there were more ballet scenes in this book though. I think that would have made it a bit more enjoyable.
Like previously mentioned, ballet is not the only thing that's going on in Wish. There's more. Cooper makes a very brave decision in Wish by tackling alcoholism. This is something that many YA authors avoid, but I think it's important because there are going to be teens who have alcoholic family members. There are even teens who battle alcoholism. If they can connect with a book or a character in a book, they might feel more comfortable in seeking help for their loved one(s). If you read this book, you'll discover that Cooper writes about alcoholism thoughtfully and carefully. She tells the story of two women dealing with it - the alcoholic mother and her daughter. It's a hard thing to write about it, but Cooper does this flawlessly. She mentions drunk driving in one chapter. She also deals with a lot of problems alcoholics face in great detail like violence and denial.
Wish by Grier Cooper is a thought-provoking book. I'd recommend it for dancers who enjoy reading about other dancers. I'd also recommend this book for fans of realistic fiction and emotionally heavy books. I also think that teens who have dealt with an alcoholic family members should pick up this book.
November 20, 2014
*A review copy was provided by the author for the Blog Tour*
Amazon Link--->> Wish (Indigo Dreams Series Book 1)
~ 3.5 stars ~
Wish is the first book in Grier Cooper's Indigo Dreams Series. This is YA book about a 16 year old girl who has dreamt of going to New York to be a part of the New York School of Ballet and becoming a professional Ballerina. This is a coming of age book and a journey for Indigo as she finds the correct path to her dreams.
I don't know what I really expected when I chose to read this book, but it was so much more then just a ballet love story. This book covered some serious topics such as alcoholism and abuse. This took me a little by surprise. The love story between Jesse and Indigo really took a back seat to the real story of Indigo dealing with her home life and following her dreams. This is a fairly quick read. I thought the author did a great job at laying the ground work for any other books that are coming in the series. This book isn't what I consider a cliffhanger ending, but more of a Happy For Now ending. She left the door open for the future books. I am interested to see what happens on Indigo's journey to finding her happiness. Will she survive at the NYSB, can her and Jesse make it through, what will happen at home while she is in NY? These are all questions I can't wait to find out the answers to.
"I realize that even in the darkest moments, light is still there. You just have to look for it."….. Indigo
Indigo's life was full of dark moments until she decided to do something about it. She showed great strength and courage throughout this story. I liked her character….I thought for 16 years old she had to deal with some pretty grown up issues and I thought she did the best she could.
If you are a fan of a pretty clean YA book and love a story with Ballet as a background then you are going to want to read this book. I thought it was an intriguing book and it kept my attention all the way through.
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Amazon Link--->> Wish (Indigo Dreams Series Book 1)
~ 3.5 stars ~
Wish is the first book in Grier Cooper's Indigo Dreams Series. This is YA book about a 16 year old girl who has dreamt of going to New York to be a part of the New York School of Ballet and becoming a professional Ballerina. This is a coming of age book and a journey for Indigo as she finds the correct path to her dreams.
I don't know what I really expected when I chose to read this book, but it was so much more then just a ballet love story. This book covered some serious topics such as alcoholism and abuse. This took me a little by surprise. The love story between Jesse and Indigo really took a back seat to the real story of Indigo dealing with her home life and following her dreams. This is a fairly quick read. I thought the author did a great job at laying the ground work for any other books that are coming in the series. This book isn't what I consider a cliffhanger ending, but more of a Happy For Now ending. She left the door open for the future books. I am interested to see what happens on Indigo's journey to finding her happiness. Will she survive at the NYSB, can her and Jesse make it through, what will happen at home while she is in NY? These are all questions I can't wait to find out the answers to.
"I realize that even in the darkest moments, light is still there. You just have to look for it."….. Indigo
Indigo's life was full of dark moments until she decided to do something about it. She showed great strength and courage throughout this story. I liked her character….I thought for 16 years old she had to deal with some pretty grown up issues and I thought she did the best she could.
If you are a fan of a pretty clean YA book and love a story with Ballet as a background then you are going to want to read this book. I thought it was an intriguing book and it kept my attention all the way through.
Follow Us at :: Book Bitches Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Tsu
March 31, 2016
"There's always hope for more in the future."
I'm not a fan of ballet but I enjoyed reading this book. It has been a long time since I read YA. I think I'll start again. ;) It's quite interesting, full of angst, teenage drama, and in this case also some adult drama because of Indigo's mom.
Life in her family is not a good one. Her brothers and Indigo herself face their mother's moodiness every day. It is hard to tell what the next day will bring. She wants to leave home as soon as possible. Ballet dancing is her outlet. A way to escape life. And hopefully it will become a way to escape her home. It's her dream to go to New York and become a ballet dancer. She is good too. Will she get her chance or will all her wishes be for naught??
At least she has her friends she can rely on and then there is Jesse. Life is not all bad and there is still hope for a better future...
I can't wait to read the next books in the series. :)
I'm not a fan of ballet but I enjoyed reading this book. It has been a long time since I read YA. I think I'll start again. ;) It's quite interesting, full of angst, teenage drama, and in this case also some adult drama because of Indigo's mom.
Life in her family is not a good one. Her brothers and Indigo herself face their mother's moodiness every day. It is hard to tell what the next day will bring. She wants to leave home as soon as possible. Ballet dancing is her outlet. A way to escape life. And hopefully it will become a way to escape her home. It's her dream to go to New York and become a ballet dancer. She is good too. Will she get her chance or will all her wishes be for naught??
At least she has her friends she can rely on and then there is Jesse. Life is not all bad and there is still hope for a better future...
I can't wait to read the next books in the series. :)
December 8, 2014
Loved this story about a teen girl striving to become a professional dancer while dealing with a stressful and chaotic family situation. For anyone who's family felt out of control and dysfunctional, particularly readers who have family/friends who are alcoholics, I think this will really resonate. This book was engaging and funny, despite the intense subject matter. I also enjoyed being behind the scenes in the ballet world and watching Indigo develop her skills and confidence as a dancer.
November 5, 2014
Wish (Indigo Dreams #1) deals with difficult family issues beautifully and it has a sidebar of hot romance (which everyone knows I love). The description throughout is beautiful and will take you into the ballet studio (somewhere I spent the majority of my youth) very accurately. If you want to dive into a dance book, this is a great one.
January 15, 2015
This review can also be found on my blog schakarin.
I don't really know what to think of Wish. While I liked the story overall, I also had some problems with it. But let's start with the positive aspects. I loved that the dancing was such a big part of this book. I'm not a dancer myself but I've always ben fascinated with it and I really liked getting to know a little more about ballet.
Indigo was a great main character; she felt real and I liked hearing the story from her point of view. As always, I would've handled certain things differently or reacted in a different way at times, but it wasn't annoying in any way. Indigo's family was a different story for me. First of all, I would've preferred a proper introduction to them. It took me a while to figure out how many brothers Indigo had and then there was the dog that was mentioned maybe twice throughout the book. I ended up liking Indigo's brothers, but her parents not so much. Her mom seemed a little over the top - I don't have any experience with her situation but it felt a little over the top for me. And then Indigo's dad was also completely irrational. I know that there are people that can't cope with situations like the one he was in but his denial was extreme in my opinion. But still, these things were just minor problems for me.
What really bothered me was how the story was structured. First of all, there is a lot of jumping around and we never get any kind indication as to how much time has passed since the last scene and things like that. I felt disoriented with every new chapter and that got a little annoying with time. Then, there are a lot of unimportant details that are mentioned but never actually play an important role in the story. For example the family dog. I don't even remember his name but I think he was mentioned once or maybe twice. During the time when the family was really struggling, I was always wondering, who is looking after the dog? I think it would've been best to just leave him out entirely. The same goes for the tutoring Indigo was supposed to do for some random person. This happened rather early in the book when Indigo meets some woman she doesn't like and is asked to tutor her daughter. Indigo is really stressed out about it but it never comes into play later in the book. I don't think Indigo went to a single tutoring session, so why not leave that part out?
I would've preferred if there had been more explanations about certain things that are important to the story, rather than focusing on these side comments. With the main story, everything seemed to happen very quickly and abruptly, without giving us the chance to figure things out on their own. The reader is often confronted with facts in a way that 'this has always been this way' and just has to be accepted. I don't know if that makes sense or not but I feel like most of the important stuff has either happened before the book takes place or is happening during a break in the story and then the story continues after that's finished. Sometimes I just needed to know more about what happened after a chapter ends for example.
But as I've said, I liked the book overall and maybe I was just too picky about these things that bothered me. I hope there will be a sequel where we'll get to know more about Indigo's dance career and I would also like to know what happens with her relationship with Jesse. I realize I haven't really talked about the romance in this book, which is, let's be honest here, quite strange for me. But I simply don't have a lot to say about it, the romance aspect certainly wasn't the main focus of the book and I liked that - otherwise I think it would've been a little much with all the rest that's going on. And it wasn't really swoon-worthy in my opinion. In fact, I think that's why I only gave this book three stars - it just didn't really make me feel anything even though it was a nice and enjoyable read.
I don't really know what to think of Wish. While I liked the story overall, I also had some problems with it. But let's start with the positive aspects. I loved that the dancing was such a big part of this book. I'm not a dancer myself but I've always ben fascinated with it and I really liked getting to know a little more about ballet.
Indigo was a great main character; she felt real and I liked hearing the story from her point of view. As always, I would've handled certain things differently or reacted in a different way at times, but it wasn't annoying in any way. Indigo's family was a different story for me. First of all, I would've preferred a proper introduction to them. It took me a while to figure out how many brothers Indigo had and then there was the dog that was mentioned maybe twice throughout the book. I ended up liking Indigo's brothers, but her parents not so much. Her mom seemed a little over the top - I don't have any experience with her situation but it felt a little over the top for me. And then Indigo's dad was also completely irrational. I know that there are people that can't cope with situations like the one he was in but his denial was extreme in my opinion. But still, these things were just minor problems for me.
What really bothered me was how the story was structured. First of all, there is a lot of jumping around and we never get any kind indication as to how much time has passed since the last scene and things like that. I felt disoriented with every new chapter and that got a little annoying with time. Then, there are a lot of unimportant details that are mentioned but never actually play an important role in the story. For example the family dog. I don't even remember his name but I think he was mentioned once or maybe twice. During the time when the family was really struggling, I was always wondering, who is looking after the dog? I think it would've been best to just leave him out entirely. The same goes for the tutoring Indigo was supposed to do for some random person. This happened rather early in the book when Indigo meets some woman she doesn't like and is asked to tutor her daughter. Indigo is really stressed out about it but it never comes into play later in the book. I don't think Indigo went to a single tutoring session, so why not leave that part out?
I would've preferred if there had been more explanations about certain things that are important to the story, rather than focusing on these side comments. With the main story, everything seemed to happen very quickly and abruptly, without giving us the chance to figure things out on their own. The reader is often confronted with facts in a way that 'this has always been this way' and just has to be accepted. I don't know if that makes sense or not but I feel like most of the important stuff has either happened before the book takes place or is happening during a break in the story and then the story continues after that's finished. Sometimes I just needed to know more about what happened after a chapter ends for example.
But as I've said, I liked the book overall and maybe I was just too picky about these things that bothered me. I hope there will be a sequel where we'll get to know more about Indigo's dance career and I would also like to know what happens with her relationship with Jesse. I realize I haven't really talked about the romance in this book, which is, let's be honest here, quite strange for me. But I simply don't have a lot to say about it, the romance aspect certainly wasn't the main focus of the book and I liked that - otherwise I think it would've been a little much with all the rest that's going on. And it wasn't really swoon-worthy in my opinion. In fact, I think that's why I only gave this book three stars - it just didn't really make me feel anything even though it was a nice and enjoyable read.
January 5, 2015
***Actual Rating 3.5 Stars***
I spent a good 7 years of my adolescence dancing. The performing, the athleticism, the costumes, the music- I loved it all. Though ballet wasn't my main focus, I took enough classes to appreciate the extreme talent and dedication it breeds, and how it becomes a lifestyle for many. My dance background, along with the stunningly gorgeous cover is what drew me to Wish, although aside from that I had no idea what to expect, having never read a dance based book. What Wish provided wasn't just a book about dance, but a gutting, heart-wrenching account of alcoholism, emotional abuse, and the weight of a fractured family resting precariously on a teenager's shoulders.
I'd like to start with saying that the writing in this novel was very, very good and never felt clunky or over dramatic. Indigo's narrative was honest without being whiny, as she narrates the continued deterioration of her family system that's running parallel with the mounting pressure of the looming date of the audition of a lifetime. This balance of tensions was incredibly well done, and the two storylines intertwined perfectly. Grier Cooper definitely knows her dance terminology and manages to translate the physical beauty and intensity of ballet to the page, which was a task that's undoubtedly difficult, as dance is so visual. Cooper likewise writes Indigo's alcoholic mother with an able hand, as her erratic behavior and viscous treatment toward her children is painfully realistic, and had me cringing and screaming for Indigo to fight back while simultaneously fearing for her and her little brothers.
The only aspect of the book that didn't work as well for me were the social ones. Indigo's relationship with Jesse didn't resonate with me and seemed to serve more as a plot point (as it pulls her attention from dancing) rather than a real romance. Indigo's friends were a mixed bag; at times they felt vapid and silly but at other times they really pulled through for her (though there was a large cast of them plus all of their boyfriends and it was hard to keep track of them or feel invested in them at times). It was nice to see female relationships that were constructive rather than destructive portrayed a majority of the time, although there was a mini sort-of rivalry constantly in the background between Indigo and another dancer named Marlene that seemed rather unnecessary.
Overall: As a dancer, I enjoyed this book and appreciated the attention to detail. As a reader, I was invested in Indigo's family's outcome and Indigo's future. As a human, I was proud to see the way Indigo confronted the alcoholism running unchecked in her family and how she looked to resources such as Al-Anon for support. I will definitely be checking out the sequel in this series to see how Indigo's family continues to cope and how Indigo herself balances healing herself with her budding dance career.
This review originally appeared at Girl in the Pages
I spent a good 7 years of my adolescence dancing. The performing, the athleticism, the costumes, the music- I loved it all. Though ballet wasn't my main focus, I took enough classes to appreciate the extreme talent and dedication it breeds, and how it becomes a lifestyle for many. My dance background, along with the stunningly gorgeous cover is what drew me to Wish, although aside from that I had no idea what to expect, having never read a dance based book. What Wish provided wasn't just a book about dance, but a gutting, heart-wrenching account of alcoholism, emotional abuse, and the weight of a fractured family resting precariously on a teenager's shoulders.
I'd like to start with saying that the writing in this novel was very, very good and never felt clunky or over dramatic. Indigo's narrative was honest without being whiny, as she narrates the continued deterioration of her family system that's running parallel with the mounting pressure of the looming date of the audition of a lifetime. This balance of tensions was incredibly well done, and the two storylines intertwined perfectly. Grier Cooper definitely knows her dance terminology and manages to translate the physical beauty and intensity of ballet to the page, which was a task that's undoubtedly difficult, as dance is so visual. Cooper likewise writes Indigo's alcoholic mother with an able hand, as her erratic behavior and viscous treatment toward her children is painfully realistic, and had me cringing and screaming for Indigo to fight back while simultaneously fearing for her and her little brothers.
The only aspect of the book that didn't work as well for me were the social ones. Indigo's relationship with Jesse didn't resonate with me and seemed to serve more as a plot point (as it pulls her attention from dancing) rather than a real romance. Indigo's friends were a mixed bag; at times they felt vapid and silly but at other times they really pulled through for her (though there was a large cast of them plus all of their boyfriends and it was hard to keep track of them or feel invested in them at times). It was nice to see female relationships that were constructive rather than destructive portrayed a majority of the time, although there was a mini sort-of rivalry constantly in the background between Indigo and another dancer named Marlene that seemed rather unnecessary.
Overall: As a dancer, I enjoyed this book and appreciated the attention to detail. As a reader, I was invested in Indigo's family's outcome and Indigo's future. As a human, I was proud to see the way Indigo confronted the alcoholism running unchecked in her family and how she looked to resources such as Al-Anon for support. I will definitely be checking out the sequel in this series to see how Indigo's family continues to cope and how Indigo herself balances healing herself with her budding dance career.
This review originally appeared at Girl in the Pages
January 1, 2015
Read more of my reviews at My Full Bookshelf Reviews
I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I jumped at the chance to read this because...ballet. I love ballet; I've been in classes since I was three. So a book about ballet would be combining my two favorite hobbies, and what could go wrong with that?
Not much, it seems, because this was a pretty darn good book. And the author definitely knows what she's doing when it comes to ballet; it feels authentic.
First, there is Indigo. Not only was she an awesome main character in general, she also inspired me, in more ways than one. The more obvious reason is that she had to live with a dysfunctional family, but she still managed to perform to the best of her ability. Sure, it did sometimes affect her (if she didn't this book would lose its believablity!), but overall, she was able to overcome that and eventually help put back the pieces in her home. Secondly, I loved her hard work. She really puts her all into being the best she can be. And that was something I truly admired.
The other character I liked was Miss Roberta, Indigo's dance teacher. I know that she is a bit of an odd character to single out, but I loved her advice and her and Indigo's relationship. Her interactions with Indigo's mom were a huge part of why I liked her.
The story was really good. It is not always pretty. It paints alcoholism in a very realistic way. Indigo's mom is out of control. It is somewhat depressing to read about at times. But it doesn't feel overdramatized--which is something considering there are a lot of moments in this book that have the potential to feel that way.
The flipside of the story deals with Indigo's ballet. Well, obviously I loved this! I loved the dance classes, the practices, everything. I was nearly as nervous as Indigo was during her audition.
I suppose I probably should talk about the romance part. That wasn't the reason I read the book--it almost never is--and it was not my favorite part of the book, but I do appreciate how realistic the author kept it. Jesse also wasn't made out to be Indigo's soulmate, something that happens way too often in YA, and I liked that as well.
All together, this was a great story. I haven't read a lot of ballet books in YA, but this is definitely at the top of that short list. It's worth checking out.
I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I jumped at the chance to read this because...ballet. I love ballet; I've been in classes since I was three. So a book about ballet would be combining my two favorite hobbies, and what could go wrong with that?
Not much, it seems, because this was a pretty darn good book. And the author definitely knows what she's doing when it comes to ballet; it feels authentic.
First, there is Indigo. Not only was she an awesome main character in general, she also inspired me, in more ways than one. The more obvious reason is that she had to live with a dysfunctional family, but she still managed to perform to the best of her ability. Sure, it did sometimes affect her (if she didn't this book would lose its believablity!), but overall, she was able to overcome that and eventually help put back the pieces in her home. Secondly, I loved her hard work. She really puts her all into being the best she can be. And that was something I truly admired.
The other character I liked was Miss Roberta, Indigo's dance teacher. I know that she is a bit of an odd character to single out, but I loved her advice and her and Indigo's relationship. Her interactions with Indigo's mom were a huge part of why I liked her.
The story was really good. It is not always pretty. It paints alcoholism in a very realistic way. Indigo's mom is out of control. It is somewhat depressing to read about at times. But it doesn't feel overdramatized--which is something considering there are a lot of moments in this book that have the potential to feel that way.
The flipside of the story deals with Indigo's ballet. Well, obviously I loved this! I loved the dance classes, the practices, everything. I was nearly as nervous as Indigo was during her audition.
I suppose I probably should talk about the romance part. That wasn't the reason I read the book--it almost never is--and it was not my favorite part of the book, but I do appreciate how realistic the author kept it. Jesse also wasn't made out to be Indigo's soulmate, something that happens way too often in YA, and I liked that as well.
All together, this was a great story. I haven't read a lot of ballet books in YA, but this is definitely at the top of that short list. It's worth checking out.
February 25, 2015
Wish is a wonderful YA novel that follows sixteen year old Indigo Roberts' journey to balance her dream of pursuing a ballet career with a dysfunctional family dynamic surrounding her mother's spiraling descent into alcoholism.
Author Grier Cooper calls upon her personal experience as a ballerina to weave a beautiful story set in Darien, Connecticut, and told in the first person narrative by Indigo Roberts, as she struggles to pursue her life long dream of studying ballet with the New York School of Ballet while desperately trying to keep her family from falling apart due to her mother's alcoholism.
Wish is an intriguing story that has a mixture of emotion, inspiration, family drama, teenage romance, and richly descriptive ballet scenes that will captivate the reader and engage them to follow Indigo's story. You can't help but feel compassion and empathy for Indigo, her determination to pursue her ballet dreams while taking it upon herself to deal with a loved one's substance abuse is simply stunning. The author thoughtfully deals with the difficult subject matter of alcoholism in a realistic way that anyone can relate to. It is a heart wrenching but inspirational story of love, strength, passion, and perseverance.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing ballet scenes interwoven within the story. The author did a wonderful job of describing the world of ballet into the story in a way that everyone (ballet fans and non-dancers) could understand. As a person with two left feet, I have always been fascinated by the beauty and mystique surrounding ballet, and as I read Wish, I found myself closing my eyes and picturing Indigo practicing at the ballet studio, and dreaming of dancing with an elite professional ballet corp. Simply amazing, kudos on a wonderful debut novel Ms. Cooper!
Wish is the first book in the Indigo Dreams Series. It is a wonderful coming of age story about a young woman's personal journey of following her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book blast event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Author Grier Cooper calls upon her personal experience as a ballerina to weave a beautiful story set in Darien, Connecticut, and told in the first person narrative by Indigo Roberts, as she struggles to pursue her life long dream of studying ballet with the New York School of Ballet while desperately trying to keep her family from falling apart due to her mother's alcoholism.
Wish is an intriguing story that has a mixture of emotion, inspiration, family drama, teenage romance, and richly descriptive ballet scenes that will captivate the reader and engage them to follow Indigo's story. You can't help but feel compassion and empathy for Indigo, her determination to pursue her ballet dreams while taking it upon herself to deal with a loved one's substance abuse is simply stunning. The author thoughtfully deals with the difficult subject matter of alcoholism in a realistic way that anyone can relate to. It is a heart wrenching but inspirational story of love, strength, passion, and perseverance.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing ballet scenes interwoven within the story. The author did a wonderful job of describing the world of ballet into the story in a way that everyone (ballet fans and non-dancers) could understand. As a person with two left feet, I have always been fascinated by the beauty and mystique surrounding ballet, and as I read Wish, I found myself closing my eyes and picturing Indigo practicing at the ballet studio, and dreaming of dancing with an elite professional ballet corp. Simply amazing, kudos on a wonderful debut novel Ms. Cooper!
Wish is the first book in the Indigo Dreams Series. It is a wonderful coming of age story about a young woman's personal journey of following her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book blast event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
April 20, 2016
This is a YA book and I really enjoyed reading it. Indigo is a ballerina and longs to get into the New York School of Ballet. But there are other things that she has to worry about as well. Ms. Roberta is Indigo’s ballet teacher and she has a list of things to stay away from and boys are on that list. Indigo is trying to follow Ms. Roberta’s rules and stay away from Jesse but Jesse is the least of Indigo’s worries. Indigo realizes that her mother is an alcoholic. Things are difficult at home. Indigo must keep her grades up, deal with everything that sets her mother off at home, try to stay away from Jesse, and focus on always getting better in ballet. With so much out of her control she wants something just for her and so she begins something with Jesse. Indigo and her brother Brad are constantly watching out for their younger brother Charlie. They live on pins and needles worrying what will set their mother off this time. They try to tell their father but he refuses to listen, making excuses for their mother. Will Indigo be able to get her mother help? Will Indigo get her dream of going to New York School of Ballet? Will Jesse makes things harder or easier for Indigo? Indigo goes through so much during the book. I felt for her no girl her age should be forced to handle so much. The stress of focusing on ballet can’t be helped if you want to succeed you must give it your all and everyone goes to school. Grier wrote the story so well. I felt like I was the one going through everything instead of Indigo. Indigo has a great group of friends. However sometimes she feels as if she can’t tell them things. I think that is something everyone feels not just young girls. I felt so much reading this book. It is an emotional rollercoaster for sure. I look forward to reading the second book in this series to see what happens to Indigo next. Grier is a great author as I said she makes you feel like you are a part of the story. I look forward to reading other books by her in the future.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
November 24, 2014
Note: I received a free copy by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Full review to come 1/12.
Wish is a young adult contemporary novel about 15 year-old Indigo Stevens who is also a ballet student at Miss Roberta's ballet studio and is the first book in a new trilogy. I was immediately drawn into this book simply for the beauty and descriptions of ballet. Dancing is one thing that I always wish I had some level of talent in but never have. Not only are the depictions of dance beautiful but the author was clearly extremely knowledgeable regarding the entire ballet-world and it amazed me the level of dedication and perseverance needed to dance.
But this was definitely not the only key point in the novel. The writing was absolutely beautiful and I felt myself really feeling for Indy. She has to deal with so much more than any 15 year-old should have to. She is the oldest of three children and you get the feeling immediately that their mother is basically an absentee and their father doesn't do much to help this. Her behavior is erratic and her children never know what to expect out of her. This is what they are used to and things come to light with Indy realizing the reason for her mother's behavior: she is an alcoholic. As though she weren't dealing with enough in her own life she needs to figure out a balance. Indy is working like crazy to make it to New York, to be a professional dancer and I found myself wondering how she would deal with all that was going on in her personal life and not lose focus.
Then there is Jesse. He's the cute boy who Indy likes but boys are one of the biggest distractions for girls her age. Which is why Miss Roberta has clearly told all of her students that boys are off limits. Adding him to the mix made for some lighter moments amidst more serious elements in Wish. This was an excellent read and I do look forward to the next book in the series to see where Indy's life is headed!
Wish is a young adult contemporary novel about 15 year-old Indigo Stevens who is also a ballet student at Miss Roberta's ballet studio and is the first book in a new trilogy. I was immediately drawn into this book simply for the beauty and descriptions of ballet. Dancing is one thing that I always wish I had some level of talent in but never have. Not only are the depictions of dance beautiful but the author was clearly extremely knowledgeable regarding the entire ballet-world and it amazed me the level of dedication and perseverance needed to dance.
But this was definitely not the only key point in the novel. The writing was absolutely beautiful and I felt myself really feeling for Indy. She has to deal with so much more than any 15 year-old should have to. She is the oldest of three children and you get the feeling immediately that their mother is basically an absentee and their father doesn't do much to help this. Her behavior is erratic and her children never know what to expect out of her. This is what they are used to and things come to light with Indy realizing the reason for her mother's behavior: she is an alcoholic. As though she weren't dealing with enough in her own life she needs to figure out a balance. Indy is working like crazy to make it to New York, to be a professional dancer and I found myself wondering how she would deal with all that was going on in her personal life and not lose focus.
Then there is Jesse. He's the cute boy who Indy likes but boys are one of the biggest distractions for girls her age. Which is why Miss Roberta has clearly told all of her students that boys are off limits. Adding him to the mix made for some lighter moments amidst more serious elements in Wish. This was an excellent read and I do look forward to the next book in the series to see where Indy's life is headed!
October 15, 2014
Istyria book blog ~ B's world of enchanted books
2.5 stars
I feel like this book missed a lot of pieces. Like parts of it were cut out. It feels incomplete in a way. I can't really explain it. I wish I'd loved this more, but sadly, this book was only meh...
Wish is about Indigo, who's ballet classes with Miss Roberta offer her an escape from her crazy home life. This is the year she hopes to be accepted into the New York School of Ballet but first she has to prove she's ready. That means ignoring Jesse Sanders, the cute boy who definitely belongs on Miss Roberta's List of Forbidden Things for Dancers. But he is the least of her concerns. When she discovers her mom is an alcoholic, it explains everything while also heaping more worry on her shoulders.
I have a really hard time to explain what I missed in this book. Like I said, it felt incomplete. Like all the parts where it builds up to a certain plot point were missing. Because of that, I didn't really feel anything at all. Everything happened too fast and was resolved too easily. I wasn't really a big fan of the characters either, mainly because of what I said earlier.
I think this book should've been worked out a little bit better. More details and build up and developement for the characters, plot and romance. Of course this could all be just me, but hey, it's my review and I'm just telling you what I thought.
This review is also (or -soon- will be) posted on Istyria book blog
December 6, 2014
The author kindly gifted me an ebook of Wish to read and review. As always, these are my honest opinions.
Overall, this is a quick, easy to read book. Even though I gave it three stars, I think that people who are or know someone who is learning to deal with a loved one being an alcoholic and their recovery would enjoy this more. Especially if they are older teens, like the main character. It isn't something I have had to deal with thankfully, but even so, many of the emotions Indy experiences reminded me of some intense things I went through as a teen and how I dealt with them. I enjoyed the Ballet scenes the most, which was honestly the main reason I was interested in Wish.
There was something missing from this story. Nothing that I can really put my finger on. That zing, or It Factor that elevates a book from decent to excellent. I wish I could pinpoint it better, but it is hard to describe. Perhaps the following critiques contribute to this feeling. I thought the lead character was very believable, but the secondary characters were all a little flat. I also felt that some of the dialogue was stilted. I couldn't picture any of the teens I know speaking this way. It wasn't bad use of slang or anything like that, but it still seemed a little awkward to me. I think if the other characters, especially her best friend or her love interest were more dimensional and the dialogue polished up, it would help so much.
I recommend Wish to fans of YA fiction and people who have dealt with alcoholism in their lives in one way or another.
Overall, this is a quick, easy to read book. Even though I gave it three stars, I think that people who are or know someone who is learning to deal with a loved one being an alcoholic and their recovery would enjoy this more. Especially if they are older teens, like the main character. It isn't something I have had to deal with thankfully, but even so, many of the emotions Indy experiences reminded me of some intense things I went through as a teen and how I dealt with them. I enjoyed the Ballet scenes the most, which was honestly the main reason I was interested in Wish.
There was something missing from this story. Nothing that I can really put my finger on. That zing, or It Factor that elevates a book from decent to excellent. I wish I could pinpoint it better, but it is hard to describe. Perhaps the following critiques contribute to this feeling. I thought the lead character was very believable, but the secondary characters were all a little flat. I also felt that some of the dialogue was stilted. I couldn't picture any of the teens I know speaking this way. It wasn't bad use of slang or anything like that, but it still seemed a little awkward to me. I think if the other characters, especially her best friend or her love interest were more dimensional and the dialogue polished up, it would help so much.
I recommend Wish to fans of YA fiction and people who have dealt with alcoholism in their lives in one way or another.
January 3, 2015
In Wish the reader is confronted with angst, family drama, ballet and romance. At the point where these combine is Indigo, our heroine. Indigo is not strong in the way that Katniss or Tris Prior are, but still she endures hours of ballet practice, takes care of her younger brothers and tries to find support for her mother.
Alcoholism is probably more prevalent in today's society, perhaps because it is now recognized as such a debilitating illness. Grier Cooper deals with the issue well, revealing the demise of Indigo's mum; the anger, abuse, and resulting intervention. However, the author is also careful to accommodate her teen/YA audience and this subject is dealt with sensitively and without overwhelming the reader.
Throughout the story, we understand how important ballet is to Indigo. Not only is it her escape from home, but her dream is to study at the New York School of Ballet. We are aware that despite her commitment she is distracted during her training because of events at home and this means she might miss out on the opportunity to fulfill her dream.
Wish is a clean romance, but the way Jesse and Indigo connect is sweet and although she knows there is a possibility of her leaving she allows her feelings for him to provide her with a release from everything else in her life.
Grier Cooper's story is a quick read and I really enjoyed the fact that Indigo's 'voice' is consistent, meaning our attachment to her lasts and we become eager to discover how her journey will continue, even in the sequel. Wish is an engaging read!
Alcoholism is probably more prevalent in today's society, perhaps because it is now recognized as such a debilitating illness. Grier Cooper deals with the issue well, revealing the demise of Indigo's mum; the anger, abuse, and resulting intervention. However, the author is also careful to accommodate her teen/YA audience and this subject is dealt with sensitively and without overwhelming the reader.
Throughout the story, we understand how important ballet is to Indigo. Not only is it her escape from home, but her dream is to study at the New York School of Ballet. We are aware that despite her commitment she is distracted during her training because of events at home and this means she might miss out on the opportunity to fulfill her dream.
Wish is a clean romance, but the way Jesse and Indigo connect is sweet and although she knows there is a possibility of her leaving she allows her feelings for him to provide her with a release from everything else in her life.
Grier Cooper's story is a quick read and I really enjoyed the fact that Indigo's 'voice' is consistent, meaning our attachment to her lasts and we become eager to discover how her journey will continue, even in the sequel. Wish is an engaging read!
January 12, 2015
Fifteen year old Indigo lives in Connecticut with a mother who is emotionally abusive and drinks too much, a father who never comes home, and two little brothers she constantly has to take care of. Her wish is to attend the New York School of Ballet. As Indigo declares, "I've cast my wish out into the world and forces are at work, even now, to make that dream come true." But, between her hectic home life, a crush on the be-dimpled Jesse Sanders, and a nemesis in the form of fellow ballerina Marlene James, Indigo is having a hard time making her wish come true. As problems at home escalate and her father remains oblivious, Indigo dedicates herself to her ballet under the tutelage of Miss Roberta. But when it comes down to a choice between Jesse, her family, or ballet, which will Indigo choose?
This book is beautifully written, with simple yet elegant prose and near-perfect editing. There is an ongoing theme of flying throughout the book, and I wish (excuse the pun) this was reflected in the book's title. The scenes of Indigo's home life are heartbreaking, while the scenes between Indigo and Jesse are sweet and tender. Even though this story is complete, I look forward to sharing Indigo's future adventures.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
This book is beautifully written, with simple yet elegant prose and near-perfect editing. There is an ongoing theme of flying throughout the book, and I wish (excuse the pun) this was reflected in the book's title. The scenes of Indigo's home life are heartbreaking, while the scenes between Indigo and Jesse are sweet and tender. Even though this story is complete, I look forward to sharing Indigo's future adventures.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
January 12, 2015
This is the story of Indigo, a sixteen-year-old girl who dreams of being a ballet dancer. Having taken ballet lessons for years, she understands that it isn't something that will just happen without a lot of hard work. However, she is struggling at the present due to family circumstances. Wish tells her story, about the circumstances and decisions made that set her on the path to her future.
This was very well-written with characters that were believable and fully dimensional. The storyline was well-paced and continued to hold my interest throughout. The romance between Jesse and Indigo actually takes a back seat in the story behind the ballet which makes a nice change in a Young Adult book. You never know which way things will go until you get there. This is not just some "everything is peachy" fluffy book, it is a book that deals with a serious subject, alcoholism, in a very realistic way and shows how it impacts not only the drinker but friends and family too.
This is a very different book that is well worth the time it takes to read. I would like to read more about Indigo and her dreams. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 12, 2015
This was very well-written with characters that were believable and fully dimensional. The storyline was well-paced and continued to hold my interest throughout. The romance between Jesse and Indigo actually takes a back seat in the story behind the ballet which makes a nice change in a Young Adult book. You never know which way things will go until you get there. This is not just some "everything is peachy" fluffy book, it is a book that deals with a serious subject, alcoholism, in a very realistic way and shows how it impacts not only the drinker but friends and family too.
This is a very different book that is well worth the time it takes to read. I would like to read more about Indigo and her dreams. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 12, 2015
February 13, 2015
WISH by Grier Cooper
Independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock.
I was lucky enough to get a free copy of this book for an honest Review.
Indigo Stevens is a 16 year old girl that will make it far in the ballet world as she has a lot of talent. But her home life couldn't be much further from that if she tries. Haven got and alcoholic Mum and you never know what you can expect when you get home or wake up too. Her friends are all getting boyfriends and falling in love and even Indigo finds a boy called Jesse but will he be enough to help with her home life or will he lose out on the ballet. Well you have to read the book.
I can sympathise with Indigo haven had an alcoholic Father myself, I know what and how she feels. Every day is a battle and you never know what might happen next. I have enjoyed reading the book and hope that there may be more on Indigo and Jesse. I feel that it was written really well and there was loads good detail an Alcoholics and The Ballet. I have given this book 4 Stars.
Independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock.
I was lucky enough to get a free copy of this book for an honest Review.
Indigo Stevens is a 16 year old girl that will make it far in the ballet world as she has a lot of talent. But her home life couldn't be much further from that if she tries. Haven got and alcoholic Mum and you never know what you can expect when you get home or wake up too. Her friends are all getting boyfriends and falling in love and even Indigo finds a boy called Jesse but will he be enough to help with her home life or will he lose out on the ballet. Well you have to read the book.
I can sympathise with Indigo haven had an alcoholic Father myself, I know what and how she feels. Every day is a battle and you never know what might happen next. I have enjoyed reading the book and hope that there may be more on Indigo and Jesse. I feel that it was written really well and there was loads good detail an Alcoholics and The Ballet. I have given this book 4 Stars.
April 29, 2016
Indigo had a lot of really sucky things thrown her way. Between her mom's issues that became her issues she had a lot more responsibility than someone on the track she is should have. With a strong chance at a real career as a ballerina her family should be behind her, trying to ease her worries so she can focus and that's not what happened. She was the glue that kept them together really and it was sad that she had to do that. It was cool seeing all of the people that supported her and the her family when the time came. My problem with this book was that it skipped around a lot and made it feel really choppy. Things that I would have liked more details with, like her time with Jesse just wasn't there. They were dating but I never felt like they were. She was always blowing him off it seemed and I never got the feeling that they spent time talking or falling in love with each other.
Reviewed for HeadTripping Books by Alisha
Reviewed for HeadTripping Books by Alisha
October 13, 2014
Grier Cooper's debut novel, WISH, is a beautiful story that will resonate with readers everywhere - not just young women, professional dancers, or those who have had to deal with a loved one's substance abuse problem - but anyone whose bravery and resilience has led them to overcome odds and achieve amazing success. Ms. Cooper's characters are stunningly defined and realistically portrayed. 17-year-old Indigo Stevens is smart and talented; she's also compassionate and a great friend. Her dance professor, Miss Roberta, was my favorite - tough as nails but with the softest heart. What a great mentor for Indigo! WISH is the start of what will surely be a fantastic series, and an empowering read for young women everywhere.
December 4, 2014
Such a heart wrenching story of strength, perseverance, and love. I have to first say that though I loved the story it was hard for me to read and that's only because it hit real close to home as far as personal experiences go. Beyond that I felt like this story is the perfect example of a person who lives a hard life yet overcomes it by pursuing a passion which in this case is ballet. I am not a dancer and do not like the idea of being in front of a large crowd of people to perform but this book allowed me to live that feeling. The writing was fabulous and painted a picture that even a non-dancer could appreciate and get lost in.
Lots of heavy moments in this book but I am looking forward to reading more about Indigo and her happy ending.
Lots of heavy moments in this book but I am looking forward to reading more about Indigo and her happy ending.
January 11, 2015
Although this book is centred around Indigo’s ballet and the escape it gives her, this was not, to me at least, a book just about dance. The author’s dance experience shines through in the detail of that part of Indigo’s life, but the way she writes about the other issues in her life is what makes this story stand out.
The author skilfully involves the reader in Indigo’s life – you will get butterflies at Jesse’s attention, you will feel the frustration and hopelessness of Indigo’s attempts to resolve the situation with her mum. I thought that the path which I was taken through this particular chapter in Indigo’s life was detailed and evocative.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
The author skilfully involves the reader in Indigo’s life – you will get butterflies at Jesse’s attention, you will feel the frustration and hopelessness of Indigo’s attempts to resolve the situation with her mum. I thought that the path which I was taken through this particular chapter in Indigo’s life was detailed and evocative.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
June 9, 2022
**LT Early Reviewer's ebook**
This is a book about a ballet dancer whose mother is an alcoholic and how the young girl goes through hardships in the ballet world.
I must admit, it's not a book I'd pick up myself, without it having been on the LTER list.
This is well written and probably hits a lot of chords with those who are dancers and those who have gone through living with someone who is a substance abuser. The younger audiences that this is meant for will most likely enjoy it.
This was not a book meant for me, but I hope others enjoy it.
**All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
This is a book about a ballet dancer whose mother is an alcoholic and how the young girl goes through hardships in the ballet world.
I must admit, it's not a book I'd pick up myself, without it having been on the LTER list.
This is well written and probably hits a lot of chords with those who are dancers and those who have gone through living with someone who is a substance abuser. The younger audiences that this is meant for will most likely enjoy it.
This was not a book meant for me, but I hope others enjoy it.
**All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
December 2, 2014
Some can dance. Others, like me, definitively cannot, but still find ourselves enchanted by stories about people who can. For those ballet aficionados, WISH is a must. It's got what you're looking for: family drama, a stern but fair instructor, a HOT romantic lead, and a cool protagonist you can get behind.
If you've just blazed through four seasons of Dance Academy and are looking to fill your fix, read WISH immediately.
Also, whoever did that cover is amazing. SO PRETTY.
If you've just blazed through four seasons of Dance Academy and are looking to fill your fix, read WISH immediately.
Also, whoever did that cover is amazing. SO PRETTY.
November 13, 2014
This book was great. Everything from the lush, gorgeous cover to the satisfying ending, just great! I loved the romance, the family drama, the intoxicating ballet scenes, and Cooper's gorgeous way with words. You will love this book too, especially if you're a fan of contemporary YA books that have a soul.
February 9, 2015
a refreshing ballet novel
While the book focuses on a dancer and her goals, we are not forced to endure endless class descriptions, mean dance girls, mean dance moms, and so forth. A great read for a younger girl with ambitions. Warning: does discuss family alcoholism.
While the book focuses on a dancer and her goals, we are not forced to endure endless class descriptions, mean dance girls, mean dance moms, and so forth. A great read for a younger girl with ambitions. Warning: does discuss family alcoholism.
November 30, 2014
Review to come!
Want to Read
February 13, 2015Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2015/02/...
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2015/02/...
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