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Fateful Night
In a country that lives a lie, freedom is a forbidden word and danger is imminent–– not from without, but within.
As elite ballet performers of the government, all the Rostovas have ever known is what they've been told. Contained within the heavily guarded grounds of their boarding school, they have nothing but each other to rely on. Selected to perform on the national stage, the four come to realize that all is not as it seems, and they have been nothing but tools in the hands of corrupt, oppressive leaders. But knowledge and awareness is dangerous. Their every move is under constant scrutiny, and they live in terror of their government's secret police, the TLP.
It is a well known fact that the TLP have unchecked power, and the ability to make people disappear if they even seem to be thinking apart from the crowd. As they desperately try to protect their small family, the four find themselves caught between two choices but both seem to lead to the loss of all they hold dear. Hope is dangerous when your life is not your own.
But could it be, that hope is the only way when your life is in another’s hands?
As elite ballet performers of the government, all the Rostovas have ever known is what they've been told. Contained within the heavily guarded grounds of their boarding school, they have nothing but each other to rely on. Selected to perform on the national stage, the four come to realize that all is not as it seems, and they have been nothing but tools in the hands of corrupt, oppressive leaders. But knowledge and awareness is dangerous. Their every move is under constant scrutiny, and they live in terror of their government's secret police, the TLP.
It is a well known fact that the TLP have unchecked power, and the ability to make people disappear if they even seem to be thinking apart from the crowd. As they desperately try to protect their small family, the four find themselves caught between two choices but both seem to lead to the loss of all they hold dear. Hope is dangerous when your life is not your own.
But could it be, that hope is the only way when your life is in another’s hands?
200 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 14, 2026
I admit, I was a little apprehensive about what this book might hold in store. Dystopia plus ballerinas? From a small publishing company, run by homeschoolers?
I am very happy to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Dystopian ballerinas? I love it! While we don't see much of the actual dystopian nation, it makes sense. The world building is done well so that reading it you really get the idea of how narrow and oppressive these characters' world is.
Christians in literature are often depicted unrealistically, even by Christian writers. I was afraid this might be a hit-you-over-the-head "come to a Jesus" book; and while there were multiple conversions, dealt with in detail, said details were handled with deft and his was not overly sentimental, nor unrealistic to the way God works.
Surprisingly, my main critique is not the plot, nor writing style (which, as with all new writers including myself, does have room to grow); in fact, it is simply that the author tends to use commas where she should use a semicolon, em dash (my personal best friend and occasional item of life support), or simply begin a new sentence. It was enough to annoy my grammar nazi heart a little, but hardly in the realm of anything that would get me to put it down.
And speaking of putting it down, I didn't. I read it all this afternoon as soon as it arrived in the mail. I was hooked! The writing style is very cozy and reminds me of the kind of story I'd love to hear read aloud as a child.
Ellette writes very well, and I'll have to get her to autograph my copy if we cross paths again in the future! (I already have her autograph on a t-shirt. It will be worth millions one day.) I will certainly be reading more of her books and I look forward to seeing her growth as a writer. She has great things in store for her (especially if her first work is this good).
I am very happy to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Dystopian ballerinas? I love it! While we don't see much of the actual dystopian nation, it makes sense. The world building is done well so that reading it you really get the idea of how narrow and oppressive these characters' world is.
Christians in literature are often depicted unrealistically, even by Christian writers. I was afraid this might be a hit-you-over-the-head "come to a Jesus" book; and while there were multiple conversions, dealt with in detail, said details were handled with deft and his was not overly sentimental, nor unrealistic to the way God works.
Surprisingly, my main critique is not the plot, nor writing style (which, as with all new writers including myself, does have room to grow); in fact, it is simply that the author tends to use commas where she should use a semicolon, em dash (my personal best friend and occasional item of life support), or simply begin a new sentence. It was enough to annoy my grammar nazi heart a little, but hardly in the realm of anything that would get me to put it down.
And speaking of putting it down, I didn't. I read it all this afternoon as soon as it arrived in the mail. I was hooked! The writing style is very cozy and reminds me of the kind of story I'd love to hear read aloud as a child.
Ellette writes very well, and I'll have to get her to autograph my copy if we cross paths again in the future! (I already have her autograph on a t-shirt. It will be worth millions one day.) I will certainly be reading more of her books and I look forward to seeing her growth as a writer. She has great things in store for her (especially if her first work is this good).
April 18, 2026
This book, while not my favorite of Ellette Ulmer's books, is a fast moving, soul touching, action packed story about 4 dancers escaping entrapment in their own country. Highly recommend as the first to read of Ellette Ulmer's wonderful books!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews