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Tiny Pretty Things #2
Shiny Broken Pieces
June, Bette, and Gigi have given their all to dance at Manhattan’s most elite ballet school. Now they are competing one final time for a spot at the prestigious American Ballet Company. With the stakes higher than ever, these girls have everything to lose…and no one is playing nice.
June is starting to finally see herself as a prima ballerina. However, getting what she wants might cost her everything—including the only boy she’s ever loved. Legacy dancer Bette is determined to clear her name after she was suspended and accused of hurting her rival, Gigi. Even if she returns, though, will she ever regain the spotlight she craves? And Gigi is not going to let Bette—or the other dancers who bullied her—go unpunished. But as revenge consumes her, Gigi may be the one who pays the price.
After years of grueling auditions, torn ribbons, and broken hearts, it all comes down to this last dance. Who will make the cut? And who will lose her dream forever?
June is starting to finally see herself as a prima ballerina. However, getting what she wants might cost her everything—including the only boy she’s ever loved. Legacy dancer Bette is determined to clear her name after she was suspended and accused of hurting her rival, Gigi. Even if she returns, though, will she ever regain the spotlight she craves? And Gigi is not going to let Bette—or the other dancers who bullied her—go unpunished. But as revenge consumes her, Gigi may be the one who pays the price.
After years of grueling auditions, torn ribbons, and broken hearts, it all comes down to this last dance. Who will make the cut? And who will lose her dream forever?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2016
186 people are currently reading
10995 people want to read
About the author
Sona Charaipotra
13 books692 followersThe author of the YA doc dramedy Symptoms of a Heartbreak, SONA CHARAIPOTRA is not a doctor — much to her pediatrician parents’ chagrin. They were really hoping she’d grow up to take over their practice one day.
Instead, she became a writer, working first as a celebrity reporter at People and (the dearly departed) TeenPeople magazines, and more recently contributing to publications from the New York Times to TeenVogue. She was also the editor of the Barnes & Noble Teen blog. These days, she uses her Masters in screenwriting from NYU and her MFA in creative writing from the New School to poke plot holes in her favorite teen TV shows — for work of course. She’s the co-founder of CAKE Literary, a boutique book packaging company with a decidedly diverse bent, and the co-author of the YA dance dramas Tiny Pretty Things and Shiny Broken Pieces (now a Netflix original series!), as well as the upcoming psychological thriller Rumor Game. Her follow-up to Symptoms will be the YA contemporary romp How Maya Got Fierce, which draws on her magazine world experience and is pitched as the Bold Type meets Younger. She’s a former We Need Diverse Books board member. Find her sharing pictures of her kids and her chai on Instagram @sonesone2, talking writing and books on Twitter @sona_c, or pinning gorgeous lenghas and her favorite Indian food on Pinterest.
Instead, she became a writer, working first as a celebrity reporter at People and (the dearly departed) TeenPeople magazines, and more recently contributing to publications from the New York Times to TeenVogue. She was also the editor of the Barnes & Noble Teen blog. These days, she uses her Masters in screenwriting from NYU and her MFA in creative writing from the New School to poke plot holes in her favorite teen TV shows — for work of course. She’s the co-founder of CAKE Literary, a boutique book packaging company with a decidedly diverse bent, and the co-author of the YA dance dramas Tiny Pretty Things and Shiny Broken Pieces (now a Netflix original series!), as well as the upcoming psychological thriller Rumor Game. Her follow-up to Symptoms will be the YA contemporary romp How Maya Got Fierce, which draws on her magazine world experience and is pitched as the Bold Type meets Younger. She’s a former We Need Diverse Books board member. Find her sharing pictures of her kids and her chai on Instagram @sonesone2, talking writing and books on Twitter @sona_c, or pinning gorgeous lenghas and her favorite Indian food on Pinterest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,047 reviews
September 28, 2016
This is my year. This is my turn. I’ll be the lead soloist. I’ll be chosen for the company. I’ll do whatever it takes.
Such a wonderful end to the dark series that gives us a glimpse into the competitive world of ballet. I cannot praise this series enough for it’s diversity. And that’s aside from the fierce, cut-throat ballerinas. The real-life issues such as eating disorders, coming out, drug abuse, racism, bullying, etc. & the engrossing drama.
Summer has passed since Tiny Pretty Things ended and we pick up where the next school year is beginning at the prestigious American Ballet Conservatory. After the way the first book ended, our characters are in very different places and the school itself is undergoing changes as well. You’ll have to read to get all the details - just know the faculty is determined to keep what happened last year from happening again.
I was so naive when I first got here. I didn’t realize how much people would do just to dance.
Again we alternate between the perspectives of Gigi, Bette, and June. Gigi, the black ballerina who refuses to let anyone hurt her the way they did last year. Bette, the white legacy who is determined to find out who really hurt Gigi in order to end her own suspension from the school. June, the half-korean who just wants to be a prima ballerina. The girls very much have the same goals, though there are more obstacles they must cross to get there.
It’s a bit more high-stakes in this one since the girls are Level 8 dancers now. This is the end of the road. If you don’t secure one of the coveted company slots at the end of the year, this is it.
For a moment, I feel bad for Riho. She’s too young, too small, of such harsh treatment. Then again, we all were once.
One of my favorite things about Shiny Broken Pieces as opposed to the first book is the whodunnit aspect that was added. We are with Bette as she tries to piece together who really pushed Gigi. This gave a slight mystery feel. It is also interesting as we find out who pulled each of the “pranks” last year to try and guess who pulled the biggest of them all.
I enjoyed seeing how the competition was getting to each of the girls psychologically. It is clear that what happened in the first book had a deep impact on them in their own separate ways. Whether by route of forgiveness or getting even, I loved the journeys each of the characters took.
Swan Lake is the ballet present in this one. There are lovely references throughout. The compelling writing draws you into this world and truly doesn’t let you go. It all concludes very nicely by the end.
There is also an extremely significant scene in terms of racism that I cannot get out of my head from when Gigi is being fitted for her costume. I seriously cannot applaud the authors enough for their display of diversity and the lessons between the lines.
Again I’d liken this series to Bunheads, Center Stage, or Black Swan - all for similar themes. If you love drama on the darker side of the spectrum, this is for you!!
July 17, 2016
Shiny Broken Pieces stole my heart.
This book easily becomes my favorite read of 2016 as if there’s any other competition. One of the things that set this story apart from its peers is the non-glamorization portrayal of unlikable heroines. There’s savagery. We get to see them make bad decisions, get messy. There are times you’d question their intent and sincerity. There is a rawness, but we also get to see them stiched themselves back again. We need to normalize this narrative in YA or in any specific genre that have a docile, unrealistic expectation of women.
My favorite reading quirks are the subtle weaving of real world issues. The author managed to capture what I was looking for. The ballet world isn’t devoid of colors. They bared the biased discrimination and racism of this environment; and they didn’t erase the existence of ballerinas of colors who are thriving and defying the whiteness of their profession. It’s pretty spot on. I hope more people would read this series. The suspense and compelling writing certainly kept me up on my toes.
November 8, 2017
4.5 Stars! This is so close to perfection for me!
Trigger warnings for Eating Disorders and Suicide
After I finished reading Tiny Pretty Things I was desperately wanting to finish this duology. I adored the first book and was eagerly and highly anticipating the final book. It did not disappoint me at all!
The story pretty much picks up where the first book ended, if you was expecting a nicer version with no more bullying in this book, well don't. This time round it's as though this is had done a complete 180 degree turn and the victims become the bullies. At times I found it quite difficult to read because of all the hurtful things that happened in this book, however it shows a really important message and that is to be who you are.
The characters this time round completely baffled me and people I previously liked. Well... I'll try and explain.
Our shining star Gigi was such a well loved character in the first book, however this time round I felt let down by her and her actions. Obviously what happened to her would change someone, but this? From such a lovely person to a complete and utter bitch. Bette number 2 anyone? Although saying this I liked her realisation and how she tried to correct things.
Firstly I loved Bette in this book! I think we see her as an actual human being with actual feelings. She has a lot to live up to being the sister of Adele who is praised time and time again. Trying to live up to that standard is obviously going to be hard. We see her fall and how she bicks herself up. It's weird for me to say but I was actually rooting for her!
I AM SO PROUD OF JUNE! I really liked her in both of these books, although the revelation early on did throw me off. It wasn't right. I need more.
Cassie is a bitch, I will leave it at that.
So what I liked?
- How do I put this? At first I liked a bit of the revenge, it was good to see people come into their own, but then it got too much. So a like and dislike maybe?
- Bette and Junes kind of alliance and helping each other out.
- Sei-Jin and her kindness (I was thrown okay!)
- Getting more of this world!
What I didn't like?
- It was predictable with who did it, I always make notes and I guessed within 4 notes.
- Erm, what happened to June and Eleanor?!
Overall, I really enjoyed this series. It was unlike anything I've previously read and I think that's why I enjoyed it so much. There are some really hard hitting subjects in this, and I think it deals with these issues extremely well.
100% would recommend!
Tiny Pretty Things - 4.5 Stars!
Shiny Broken Pieces - 4.5 Stars!
Trigger warnings for Eating Disorders and Suicide
After I finished reading Tiny Pretty Things I was desperately wanting to finish this duology. I adored the first book and was eagerly and highly anticipating the final book. It did not disappoint me at all!
The story pretty much picks up where the first book ended, if you was expecting a nicer version with no more bullying in this book, well don't. This time round it's as though this is had done a complete 180 degree turn and the victims become the bullies. At times I found it quite difficult to read because of all the hurtful things that happened in this book, however it shows a really important message and that is to be who you are.
The characters this time round completely baffled me and people I previously liked. Well... I'll try and explain.
Our shining star Gigi was such a well loved character in the first book, however this time round I felt let down by her and her actions. Obviously what happened to her would change someone, but this? From such a lovely person to a complete and utter bitch. Bette number 2 anyone? Although saying this I liked her realisation and how she tried to correct things.
Firstly I loved Bette in this book! I think we see her as an actual human being with actual feelings. She has a lot to live up to being the sister of Adele who is praised time and time again. Trying to live up to that standard is obviously going to be hard. We see her fall and how she bicks herself up. It's weird for me to say but I was actually rooting for her!
I AM SO PROUD OF JUNE! I really liked her in both of these books, although the revelation early on did throw me off. It wasn't right. I need more.
Cassie is a bitch, I will leave it at that.
So what I liked?
- How do I put this? At first I liked a bit of the revenge, it was good to see people come into their own, but then it got too much. So a like and dislike maybe?
- Bette and Junes kind of alliance and helping each other out.
- Sei-Jin and her kindness (I was thrown okay!)
- Getting more of this world!
What I didn't like?
- It was predictable with who did it, I always make notes and I guessed within 4 notes.
- Erm, what happened to June and Eleanor?!
Overall, I really enjoyed this series. It was unlike anything I've previously read and I think that's why I enjoyed it so much. There are some really hard hitting subjects in this, and I think it deals with these issues extremely well.
100% would recommend!
Tiny Pretty Things - 4.5 Stars!
Shiny Broken Pieces - 4.5 Stars!
January 8, 2021
This is the second instalment in the Tiny Pretty Things series.
The students who attend Manhattan’s most elite ballet school either thrive or they die. Competition is rife and each individual who graces the academy’s dance halls and practise rooms do so to become the leader of this elite flock. But you know what they say about climbing the ladder of success. You have longer to fall and more people to pass if you should fall from it.
During the previous instalment the characters all exhibited graceless and abhorrent qualities, quite at odds with their refine and poise whilst performing. Behind the drama, backstabbing, and acts of revenge, however, were sad, suffering, and solitary individuals with a plethora of personal problems, as well as the pressure to remain in the academy, to contend with.
This instalment provided a more in-depth focus to the inner-turmoil these girls were suffering from, making this a deeply emotional and alarming read throughout. A former mystery was brought to a shocking conclusion but it was the resolution to disorders, addictions, ailments, and trauma that brought the most satisfaction for me, here.
The students who attend Manhattan’s most elite ballet school either thrive or they die. Competition is rife and each individual who graces the academy’s dance halls and practise rooms do so to become the leader of this elite flock. But you know what they say about climbing the ladder of success. You have longer to fall and more people to pass if you should fall from it.
During the previous instalment the characters all exhibited graceless and abhorrent qualities, quite at odds with their refine and poise whilst performing. Behind the drama, backstabbing, and acts of revenge, however, were sad, suffering, and solitary individuals with a plethora of personal problems, as well as the pressure to remain in the academy, to contend with.
This instalment provided a more in-depth focus to the inner-turmoil these girls were suffering from, making this a deeply emotional and alarming read throughout. A former mystery was brought to a shocking conclusion but it was the resolution to disorders, addictions, ailments, and trauma that brought the most satisfaction for me, here.
July 20, 2016
Oh my god I need like NINE MORE BOOKS. It's so intense and brilliant and there's all this PASSION. Gah. So good.
January 8, 2018
Actual rating 3.5
I talked my feelings out with Aali who is queen btw but still genuinely not sure how I feel about this.
For me, June was the only character worthy of having her own chapters. Everyone else was pure bitching and being cruel to each other. June was different, she did do some awful things (because let's be real who didn't in this series) but there was a lot more substance to her.
I also think that the authors desperately wanted some morally grey characters but it just didn't work. One second they were being awful to each other and the next they were cosying up and being 'best friends' again. Gigi and Cassie didn't make sense to me and the reasons that were given for their extreme personality changes weren't good enough
The biggest problem with this though was the half-tackling of serious issues. There is a lot of brilliant diversity in this book but I don't think the problem of racism in ballet was dealt with appropriately- there were just a couple of off hand comments made (almost exclusively by Gigi's mum) and there was never any real discussion about it. Also the horrendous student/teacher relationship/s were not discussed enough There was just no substantial discussion of the shaming and real problems caused by this.
Also Aali pointed out to me that Gigi's mum is so busy screaming at Mr K that she doesn't even ask the most important question of the whole series.
800 pages of evil ballerinas just being horrible to each other over the course of both books is too many. And I wasn't really happy with the ending either, especially June's.
I talked my feelings out with Aali who is queen btw but still genuinely not sure how I feel about this.
For me, June was the only character worthy of having her own chapters. Everyone else was pure bitching and being cruel to each other. June was different, she did do some awful things (because let's be real who didn't in this series) but there was a lot more substance to her.
I also think that the authors desperately wanted some morally grey characters but it just didn't work. One second they were being awful to each other and the next they were cosying up and being 'best friends' again. Gigi and Cassie didn't make sense to me and the reasons that were given for their extreme personality changes weren't good enough
The biggest problem with this though was the half-tackling of serious issues. There is a lot of brilliant diversity in this book but I don't think the problem of racism in ballet was dealt with appropriately- there were just a couple of off hand comments made (almost exclusively by Gigi's mum) and there was never any real discussion about it. Also the horrendous student/teacher relationship/s were not discussed enough There was just no substantial discussion of the shaming and real problems caused by this.
Also Aali pointed out to me that Gigi's mum is so busy screaming at Mr K that she doesn't even ask the most important question of the whole series.
800 pages of evil ballerinas just being horrible to each other over the course of both books is too many. And I wasn't really happy with the ending either, especially June's.
Read
September 3, 2017These books are twisty and fun, but not sure a second book added much new to the story. Putting Cassie in the mix was a (welcome) new element, but -- and maybe it was reading these back to back -- 800+ pages total of mean girls/pranks/bullying/ballet/boy drama/descriptions of each others' perfect faces and bodies started to be a bit much. By the end I'd had enough of these characters and was happy to break out of the claustrophobic world of the American Ballet Company academy.
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin
November 24, 2019
[actual rating 3.75 ⭐]
Unfortunately not as fun as the first book but it was still a gripping and shocking end to this duology!
I was really impressed by the character development and it was great to see the characters walking this thin line between good and evil. The plot twists were, again, not very shocking to me because I guessed them quite early every time but I was still deeply shocked by the ruthlessness and outright viciousness of the characters.
I still think that ballet and the life of a ballerina is not really portrayed as it is in real life and a lot of the problems the charactesr have to face every day are quite exaggerated in the book (which does not mean that stuff that is depicted in the books does not happen in real life, unfortunately) but I really enjoyed this sequel! It was more focused on the plot this time and definitely left me hoping for more!
Unfortunately not as fun as the first book but it was still a gripping and shocking end to this duology!
I was really impressed by the character development and it was great to see the characters walking this thin line between good and evil. The plot twists were, again, not very shocking to me because I guessed them quite early every time but I was still deeply shocked by the ruthlessness and outright viciousness of the characters.
I still think that ballet and the life of a ballerina is not really portrayed as it is in real life and a lot of the problems the charactesr have to face every day are quite exaggerated in the book (which does not mean that stuff that is depicted in the books does not happen in real life, unfortunately) but I really enjoyed this sequel! It was more focused on the plot this time and definitely left me hoping for more!
December 7, 2020
The competitiveness of life in an elite ballet school returns with drama and deceit in the second (and final) instalment of the series.
More of a whodunnit than the first book, all the characters return for more backstabbing, bullying, body dysmorphia, cut-throat actions and decisions. Gigi, Bette and June, vie for starring roles in the main casting show of the year. The boys are minor characters in this book but still play an integral role in events. Satisfying resolutions to many issues are revealed in this instalment.
Young adult themes are well developed and the plot moves with pace and ferocity. A great YA read!
More of a whodunnit than the first book, all the characters return for more backstabbing, bullying, body dysmorphia, cut-throat actions and decisions. Gigi, Bette and June, vie for starring roles in the main casting show of the year. The boys are minor characters in this book but still play an integral role in events. Satisfying resolutions to many issues are revealed in this instalment.
Young adult themes are well developed and the plot moves with pace and ferocity. A great YA read!
July 17, 2017
I loved the first one but Shiny Broken Pieces is on a whole other level. It's everything I wanted from this series and more.
Every character is fully fleshed out. In this duology the side characters are better developed than in most trilogies I've read.
Can we talk about the character development? These girls have grown so much.
There's Giselle "Gigi" Stewart, the ballerina who wants revenge - and finds an ally in Cassie Lucas, but they might be after the wrong person, and their friendship might be more toxic than Gigi thought.
There's Elizabeth "Bette" Abney, the black swan with an edge, the one who makes the story worth reading, the ballet worth watching. She is a mean girl, sometimes she's awful, and she owns it.
There's E-Jun "June" Kim, who has anorexia but there's so much more to her, and she wants to get better.
And then there are side characters like Sei-Jin (she does so many bad things and I understand every single one of them, and she changes a lot), Eleanor and Riho (who is too pure for this world).
The romance is still the weakest aspect of this series, because Alec is as interesting as a cardboard cutout, but i liked Jayhe.
Every character is fully fleshed out. In this duology the side characters are better developed than in most trilogies I've read.
Can we talk about the character development? These girls have grown so much.
There's Giselle "Gigi" Stewart, the ballerina who wants revenge - and finds an ally in Cassie Lucas, but they might be after the wrong person, and their friendship might be more toxic than Gigi thought.
There's Elizabeth "Bette" Abney, the black swan with an edge, the one who makes the story worth reading, the ballet worth watching. She is a mean girl, sometimes she's awful, and she owns it.
There's E-Jun "June" Kim, who has anorexia but there's so much more to her, and she wants to get better.
And then there are side characters like Sei-Jin (she does so many bad things and I understand every single one of them, and she changes a lot), Eleanor and Riho (who is too pure for this world).
The romance is still the weakest aspect of this series, because Alec is as interesting as a cardboard cutout, but i liked Jayhe.
September 9, 2021
So much pointless drama for nothing. Moreover, the ending was so abrupt.
July 21, 2016
I am so sad to see this duology end, but here’s the thing. This book, like its prequel, has diversity at the forefront. Not only that, it has diverse authors. The way Tiny Pretty Things and Shiny Broken Pieces have been written make me feel like these are authors who know what they’re talking about, know what issues they’ve addressed, maybe even personally gone through some of these problems. This isn’t research in these books—it’s their own life and their own hearts. And that, reader, is exactly why I’ve been pushing people to read these books.
After I’d completed reading Tiny Pretty Things, I thought I knew which characters in the story I was rooting for. Of course, in hindsight, I should have realised that life doesn’t work in blacks and whites, but that’s how this book worked out for me. More than a year later now, with Shiny Broken Pieces, the authors have redefined my stance on all characters, even making me go so far as to question if I read the first book correctly or not. This book marked a change in all the people in this story, and it marked a change in how I feel about them. A summer had passed between the events of the two books, and with all the things that had happened to and with the girls, I felt like some of them went through fundamental changes that just could be not be overlooked, notwithstanding who they used to be.
With Gigi, the change was phenomenal. This was a girl who had almost died because the dancers in her school were spiteful and jealous of her, and she realised this too late. This led to her becoming someone she wasn’t in SBP, and while it did not surprise me, it most definitely saddened me. I rooted for her quite a bit, but it just seemed like she was absolutely consumed with the goal of getting her revenge against everyone who had wronged her. The bright girl she was and her generous nature she had did shine through some of her actions but, as a reader, I was left quite breathless by most of her choices and decisions. It was a surreal experience to watch her unravel in this book, it truly was.
June, I think was the one I was truly surprised with. She wasn’t very different in this book, but she was…lighter? She had all the issues that come with being a perfectionist if its to the point of harming yourself, and all the problems that eating-disorders bring, but she was also more willing to reach out this time around. It was the last thing I expected of her, and it convinced me to start seeing her in a completely different light. I absolutely loved the changes in her, the kind of person she started to become in the last 60% of the book, and I can genuinely say that June may have gotten her happy ending after all. Bette, on the other hand, I’m still undecided about. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to seeing her as the villain that to me, its all she’s going to be. She, too, was very different this time, and very subdued, but that may also be because she was trying to clear her name in the eyes of the school. At the risk of giving away a very tiny spoiler, I’m going to say that Bette will probably never be a favourite of mine, simply because her motivation in the last book was to be THE star, and in this book it was to be proved innocent. I just don’t see myself ever liking Bette, ever.
I remember loving Eleanor in TPT, and it was so good to see her back again! She, too, is an important character in this book, and everything, including her friendship with Bette, is different this time around. Eleanor made her own choices—some bad, some worse—but she grew up, and that was good to see. All the supporting characters had depth and they made me feel and it was as beautiful an experience as book one, you guys.
READ THIS BOOK, everyone. It’s a dark, compelling story, but more than anything it talks about things that need to be talked about. It’s written with beauty that goes hand-in-hand with its content, and it will leave you a different person for having read it. No matter what you fancy—drama, romance, character development—the Tiny Pretty Things series has it. Also, the covers are going to look gorgeous on your shelves, think about that!
I was provided a free earc of this book by HarperTeen through Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review. this did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.
After I’d completed reading Tiny Pretty Things, I thought I knew which characters in the story I was rooting for. Of course, in hindsight, I should have realised that life doesn’t work in blacks and whites, but that’s how this book worked out for me. More than a year later now, with Shiny Broken Pieces, the authors have redefined my stance on all characters, even making me go so far as to question if I read the first book correctly or not. This book marked a change in all the people in this story, and it marked a change in how I feel about them. A summer had passed between the events of the two books, and with all the things that had happened to and with the girls, I felt like some of them went through fundamental changes that just could be not be overlooked, notwithstanding who they used to be.
With Gigi, the change was phenomenal. This was a girl who had almost died because the dancers in her school were spiteful and jealous of her, and she realised this too late. This led to her becoming someone she wasn’t in SBP, and while it did not surprise me, it most definitely saddened me. I rooted for her quite a bit, but it just seemed like she was absolutely consumed with the goal of getting her revenge against everyone who had wronged her. The bright girl she was and her generous nature she had did shine through some of her actions but, as a reader, I was left quite breathless by most of her choices and decisions. It was a surreal experience to watch her unravel in this book, it truly was.
June, I think was the one I was truly surprised with. She wasn’t very different in this book, but she was…lighter? She had all the issues that come with being a perfectionist if its to the point of harming yourself, and all the problems that eating-disorders bring, but she was also more willing to reach out this time around. It was the last thing I expected of her, and it convinced me to start seeing her in a completely different light. I absolutely loved the changes in her, the kind of person she started to become in the last 60% of the book, and I can genuinely say that June may have gotten her happy ending after all. Bette, on the other hand, I’m still undecided about. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to seeing her as the villain that to me, its all she’s going to be. She, too, was very different this time, and very subdued, but that may also be because she was trying to clear her name in the eyes of the school. At the risk of giving away a very tiny spoiler, I’m going to say that Bette will probably never be a favourite of mine, simply because her motivation in the last book was to be THE star, and in this book it was to be proved innocent. I just don’t see myself ever liking Bette, ever.
I remember loving Eleanor in TPT, and it was so good to see her back again! She, too, is an important character in this book, and everything, including her friendship with Bette, is different this time around. Eleanor made her own choices—some bad, some worse—but she grew up, and that was good to see. All the supporting characters had depth and they made me feel and it was as beautiful an experience as book one, you guys.
READ THIS BOOK, everyone. It’s a dark, compelling story, but more than anything it talks about things that need to be talked about. It’s written with beauty that goes hand-in-hand with its content, and it will leave you a different person for having read it. No matter what you fancy—drama, romance, character development—the Tiny Pretty Things series has it. Also, the covers are going to look gorgeous on your shelves, think about that!
I was provided a free earc of this book by HarperTeen through Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review. this did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.
July 16, 2016
Inferior to the first — full of bitterness with less tension and character growth, losing all the charm that made Tiny Pretty Things sparkle. Bette was the sole diamond in a sea of cubic zirconia.
Disappointed.
Disappointed.
September 21, 2020
Tohle. Bylo. Prostě. Dokonalý.
Pláču, miluju, děkuju.
5/5*
Pláču, miluju, děkuju.
5/5*
February 10, 2022
unearned ending 😡🙄🤨🧐🥸😟🤔🤥😐
September 19, 2020
Fantastic
April 21, 2018
Wow so happy with the ending.
This book was addictive. I think it's because I absolutely love dance. I love hearing about the techniques, the costumes, makeup just everything. And this time the school was doing Swan Lake. I've spent hours watching videos of this ballet and I've even seen it professionally done. It is so beautiful I don't have the words. It was the perfect ending piece.
We finally find out who was behind each of the horrible things in book 1 and the pranks/bullying doesn't stop in this book. Cassie is back to get Bette, and Gigi is out for revenge. It seems like this school brings out the worst in the girls. Honestly, I was so worried they were going to kill each other.
June continues to struggle with her weight and I think this was probably the thing I had the hardest time with. I know the atmosphere and all the other girls don't help, but I wanted June to be healthy so badly. Every time she threw up made me want to cry for her. Luckily, her mom refuses to give up on her and the people at the school try to help as well.
Bette I really didn't like in the first book, but I think her time away from the school helped her attitude. She came to a few stunning conclusions about her behavior and I was really proud of her to try to change her attitude. She also stopped trying to chase Alec as much. I was so thankful for that. One more "Alec belongs to me" and I think I might have hurled. My favorite development with Bette was seeing her start to really listen to Eleanor and begin repairing their friendship.
Gigi was such a tough case in this book. She was my favorite character from the first book, but she kind of turned black swan in this book. She's still an amazing dancer, but when she focused on revenge I wanted to pull out my hair. Also, I hated that she gravitated towards Cassie. I really did not like Cassie or trust her at all and she was a horrible influence for my baby Gigi.
I'm so glad I picked up this series. I really fell in love with all three girls by the end of the series and I was so happy how everything was resolved. Now I need to go watch hours of ballet and sign up for a class again.
This book was addictive. I think it's because I absolutely love dance. I love hearing about the techniques, the costumes, makeup just everything. And this time the school was doing Swan Lake. I've spent hours watching videos of this ballet and I've even seen it professionally done. It is so beautiful I don't have the words. It was the perfect ending piece.
We finally find out who was behind each of the horrible things in book 1 and the pranks/bullying doesn't stop in this book. Cassie is back to get Bette, and Gigi is out for revenge. It seems like this school brings out the worst in the girls. Honestly, I was so worried they were going to kill each other.
June continues to struggle with her weight and I think this was probably the thing I had the hardest time with. I know the atmosphere and all the other girls don't help, but I wanted June to be healthy so badly. Every time she threw up made me want to cry for her. Luckily, her mom refuses to give up on her and the people at the school try to help as well.
Bette I really didn't like in the first book, but I think her time away from the school helped her attitude. She came to a few stunning conclusions about her behavior and I was really proud of her to try to change her attitude. She also stopped trying to chase Alec as much. I was so thankful for that. One more "Alec belongs to me" and I think I might have hurled. My favorite development with Bette was seeing her start to really listen to Eleanor and begin repairing their friendship.
Gigi was such a tough case in this book. She was my favorite character from the first book, but she kind of turned black swan in this book. She's still an amazing dancer, but when she focused on revenge I wanted to pull out my hair. Also, I hated that she gravitated towards Cassie. I really did not like Cassie or trust her at all and she was a horrible influence for my baby Gigi.
I'm so glad I picked up this series. I really fell in love with all three girls by the end of the series and I was so happy how everything was resolved. Now I need to go watch hours of ballet and sign up for a class again.
July 10, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Edelweiss for review purposes.
Last year I read Tiny Pretty Things and it became an instant favourite. I waspatiently eagerly awaiting Shiny Broken Pieces. It did not disappoint, and I found myself immersed in the lives of the Bette, June and Gigi once again.
Spoilers ahead for Tiny Pretty Things.
Shiny Broken Pieces picks up at the beginning of the new school year. Gigi is still recovering from her accident but she is determined to prove that she still has what it takes. And she's also not willing to let those who made her past year a living hell go unpunished. Bette is determined to clear her name after she is wrongly accused of pushing Gigi, and she attempts to right her wrongs. June, after dancing Gigi's part in the nutcracker, is finally seeing herself as a great ballerina. June, however, finds herself having to choose between dancing and the boy she loves. Competition is rife for the only two places at the American Ballet Company, and all three girls want it, and they aren't playing nice.
This series is so engrossing, so dark and filled to the brim with diversity and real-life issues. I loved the fierce competitiveness between the girls for the professional ballet spot at the American Ballet Company. I found I liked the characters a lot more in Shiny Broken Pieces because they finally sought redemption for some of the horrible things they had done in the previous book. But not just that, they all went through some fantastic character development - which was focused on more prominently in Shiny Broken Pieces than it was in Tiny Pretty Things.
It was a great ending to a great duology. If you're looking for an riveting, dramatic, fantastically written novel with some seriously good character depth and development, then I would recommend you pick up this series ASAP.
Last year I read Tiny Pretty Things and it became an instant favourite. I was
Spoilers ahead for Tiny Pretty Things.
Shiny Broken Pieces picks up at the beginning of the new school year. Gigi is still recovering from her accident but she is determined to prove that she still has what it takes. And she's also not willing to let those who made her past year a living hell go unpunished. Bette is determined to clear her name after she is wrongly accused of pushing Gigi, and she attempts to right her wrongs. June, after dancing Gigi's part in the nutcracker, is finally seeing herself as a great ballerina. June, however, finds herself having to choose between dancing and the boy she loves. Competition is rife for the only two places at the American Ballet Company, and all three girls want it, and they aren't playing nice.
This series is so engrossing, so dark and filled to the brim with diversity and real-life issues. I loved the fierce competitiveness between the girls for the professional ballet spot at the American Ballet Company. I found I liked the characters a lot more in Shiny Broken Pieces because they finally sought redemption for some of the horrible things they had done in the previous book. But not just that, they all went through some fantastic character development - which was focused on more prominently in Shiny Broken Pieces than it was in Tiny Pretty Things.
It was a great ending to a great duology. If you're looking for an riveting, dramatic, fantastically written novel with some seriously good character depth and development, then I would recommend you pick up this series ASAP.
December 18, 2020
Me ha gustado más que la primera. Una historia que se lee en un suspiro, llena de pasión, acción, intriga, compericion, traiciones y muchas emociones. Seguimos conociendo la historia a través de las 3 protagonistas, Bette, Gigi y June. También se reincorpora a la historia Cassie, de la que llevábamos todo el libro anterior oyendo hablar. En este libro descubrimos que los buenos no son tan buenos y los malos no son tan malos.
Me gusta como ha acabado la historia para las 3 protagonistas, y también me ha gustado el final de Cassie.
Ahora toca darle una oportunidad a la serie que lleva una semana en Netflix!
Me gusta como ha acabado la historia para las 3 protagonistas, y también me ha gustado el final de Cassie.
Ahora toca darle una oportunidad a la serie que lleva una semana en Netflix!
August 1, 2016
This book was amazing. The character development is spot on and it does a great job of making you feel like you're in NYC, dancing with the others. I love how character roles are switched, making you feel different things for people you hated in the first book. Gigi was my favorite character in both books, but I love how much of a slow-burn June's character development was. I didn't care for her in the first book, I thought she was mean and aloof, but that completely changed for me in the second book. Where the first was all about revenge, Shiny, Broken Pieces is all about forgiveness. Absolutely loved!
January 13, 2021
I had to know who was behind all the terrible things that happened in book one. Each girl has so much going on and their own struggles and some of them have done terrible things. It was nice getting the answers to all my questions, plus I saw how the girls ended up when high school ended.
Gigi is so innocent in the first book and I was sad to see her turn to vengeance and become a mean girl. She's incredibly talented and just needed to stick with Alec and focus on herself. June needed serious help with her eating disorder before it killed her and I thought maybe she should stop dancing to heal. Bette is the worst girl, the meanest and the one responsible for a lot of what Gigi went through. I was happy to see her grow up a bit and stop being so awful.
I was pretty happy with how each girl ended up at the end. None of them are perfect but they were under enormous pressure and I have high hopes for their futures.
Gigi is so innocent in the first book and I was sad to see her turn to vengeance and become a mean girl. She's incredibly talented and just needed to stick with Alec and focus on herself. June needed serious help with her eating disorder before it killed her and I thought maybe she should stop dancing to heal. Bette is the worst girl, the meanest and the one responsible for a lot of what Gigi went through. I was happy to see her grow up a bit and stop being so awful.
I was pretty happy with how each girl ended up at the end. None of them are perfect but they were under enormous pressure and I have high hopes for their futures.
October 1, 2018
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
It wasn't great.
It wasn't terrible.
It was kind of 'meh.'
What I did enjoy was the depictions of actual dancing, of the ballet classes themselves, of the class getting ready to perform Swan Lake. I’ve read another ballet book where the dancing is described in terms of the physical actions taken, not a lyrical description, and I think the authors pulled off the feelings of what it is like to dance from the point of view of three characters whose lives revolve around ballet.
One of the reasons… ok the ONLY reason… I decided to read this book was to find out WHO had pushed Gigi into an oncoming car in the previous book. Tiny Pretty Things left this as a cliffhanger, which I despise, and I was pretty much OK with that for a long time. In Shiny Broken Pieces we find out pretty early on who it was definitely NOT… but then find out who it definitely WAS about halfway through. It seemed kinda early-ish for me, but then the rest of the novel focused on this massive Swan Lake performance.
One of Gigi’s defining characteristics is that she’s black, and in ballet, that’s really rare. However the authors couldn’t decide if everyone always stared at her or if she managed to blend in with the other ballerinas. I guess she could do both, but I found it wavered from one extreme to the other depending on what looked better to the plot without any consistency. Gigi was stared at A LOT, almost as if the students of a New York school had never seen a black girl before… I thought it was strange, but I do not study ballet nor do I live in New York City, so perhaps I’m not the best authority on that. In contrast, people did not stare at June, or Bette, the other two protagonists, however Bette is the epitome of the beautiful blonde white girl and June was half Korean and one of her primary characteristics was that she blended into the background.
I mean, whatever! I thought it was inconsistent but maybe that’s how people actually act. I don’t even know anymore. What is literary criticism anyway? *existential crisis*
Although I really liked the presentation of June's anorexia and bulimia, I was a little confused how one teacher could indicate that June is too fat and everyone else was concerned she was too thin. Consistency was also an issue in Tiny Pretty Things, so maybe it's just these authors.
Another thing I found grating was Gigi's narrator. She had this really annoying delivery in a kind of monotone where she sounded really depressed, but then when she did dialogue she inflected much better. Her general narration annoyed the funk out of me. I don't think Gigi was actually depressed, just bent on revenge, so was not pleasant to listen to. In contrast the other two narrators of Bette and June didn't sound like they were uninspired and just reading from a script they hated in a job they hated, they actually delivered some entertainment.
I also want to say that I didn’t particularly like any of the characters in this novel, but I don’t think it’s a requirement in enjoying a book to like characters who are awful to each other as the main plot point (see Wuthering Heights, one of my favourite books BECAUSE I hate the characters).
I will mention that I’m not comfortable with how it ended. There was one of many characters seeking revenge for acts committed against them and they ended up losing everything while other characters who instigated the bullying kind of got rewarded? Like, I get that ballet is a cut-throat biz but I felt really sorry for the character, who was only twisted up because someone had bullied them and they was seeking revenge. The other thing that irked me was that the people who did the really bad things in Tiny Pretty Things (pushing Gigi in front of the car, glass in the shoes, killing the butterflies) were all LGBTQ characters. Like, the victims got screwed over and the biggest bullies got everything they wanted. So yeah, not cool. I like Mean Girl books because they get their comeuppance, and I didn’t feel satisfied with how everything ended.
It wasn't great.
It wasn't terrible.
It was kind of 'meh.'
What I did enjoy was the depictions of actual dancing, of the ballet classes themselves, of the class getting ready to perform Swan Lake. I’ve read another ballet book where the dancing is described in terms of the physical actions taken, not a lyrical description, and I think the authors pulled off the feelings of what it is like to dance from the point of view of three characters whose lives revolve around ballet.
One of the reasons… ok the ONLY reason… I decided to read this book was to find out WHO had pushed Gigi into an oncoming car in the previous book. Tiny Pretty Things left this as a cliffhanger, which I despise, and I was pretty much OK with that for a long time. In Shiny Broken Pieces we find out pretty early on who it was definitely NOT… but then find out who it definitely WAS about halfway through. It seemed kinda early-ish for me, but then the rest of the novel focused on this massive Swan Lake performance.
One of Gigi’s defining characteristics is that she’s black, and in ballet, that’s really rare. However the authors couldn’t decide if everyone always stared at her or if she managed to blend in with the other ballerinas. I guess she could do both, but I found it wavered from one extreme to the other depending on what looked better to the plot without any consistency. Gigi was stared at A LOT, almost as if the students of a New York school had never seen a black girl before… I thought it was strange, but I do not study ballet nor do I live in New York City, so perhaps I’m not the best authority on that. In contrast, people did not stare at June, or Bette, the other two protagonists, however Bette is the epitome of the beautiful blonde white girl and June was half Korean and one of her primary characteristics was that she blended into the background.
I mean, whatever! I thought it was inconsistent but maybe that’s how people actually act. I don’t even know anymore. What is literary criticism anyway? *existential crisis*
Although I really liked the presentation of June's anorexia and bulimia, I was a little confused how one teacher could indicate that June is too fat and everyone else was concerned she was too thin. Consistency was also an issue in Tiny Pretty Things, so maybe it's just these authors.
Another thing I found grating was Gigi's narrator. She had this really annoying delivery in a kind of monotone where she sounded really depressed, but then when she did dialogue she inflected much better. Her general narration annoyed the funk out of me. I don't think Gigi was actually depressed, just bent on revenge, so was not pleasant to listen to. In contrast the other two narrators of Bette and June didn't sound like they were uninspired and just reading from a script they hated in a job they hated, they actually delivered some entertainment.
I also want to say that I didn’t particularly like any of the characters in this novel, but I don’t think it’s a requirement in enjoying a book to like characters who are awful to each other as the main plot point (see Wuthering Heights, one of my favourite books BECAUSE I hate the characters).
I will mention that I’m not comfortable with how it ended. There was one of many characters seeking revenge for acts committed against them and they ended up losing everything while other characters who instigated the bullying kind of got rewarded? Like, I get that ballet is a cut-throat biz but I felt really sorry for the character, who was only twisted up because someone had bullied them and they was seeking revenge. The other thing that irked me was that the people who did the really bad things in Tiny Pretty Things (pushing Gigi in front of the car, glass in the shoes, killing the butterflies) were all LGBTQ characters. Like, the victims got screwed over and the biggest bullies got everything they wanted. So yeah, not cool. I like Mean Girl books because they get their comeuppance, and I didn’t feel satisfied with how everything ended.
April 13, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was a YA contemporary story about a group of dancers studying at the American Ballet Company.
I felt quite sorry for Bette in this story, it wasn’t her fault what happened to Gigi, and it was unfair the way she was made to take the blame, especially when it could have cost her her career.
Gigi had thankfully recovered from her accident, and was back at school. I could understand why she was nervous of the girls who had miss-treated her though.
June was still struggling with her eating disorder, and struggling to see how her weight and physique affected her ability to perform.
The storyline in this was about the girls being back at school, and competing for a place at the American Ballet Company the following year, as professional ballerinas. We got some revenge going on from Gigi, and the culprits behind the pranks in book 1 were revealed. I did find the pace in this quite slow though, and it wasn’t quite as good as the first book for me.
The ending to this was good, although I have to wonder if we’ll get another book about these same girls.
7 out of 10
“This is my year. This is my turn. I’ll be the lead soloist. I’ll be chosen for the company. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
This was a YA contemporary story about a group of dancers studying at the American Ballet Company.
I felt quite sorry for Bette in this story, it wasn’t her fault what happened to Gigi, and it was unfair the way she was made to take the blame, especially when it could have cost her her career.
“If you’re innocent, prove it.”
Gigi had thankfully recovered from her accident, and was back at school. I could understand why she was nervous of the girls who had miss-treated her though.
“I will be picked to dance Odette or Odile in Swan Lake.”
June was still struggling with her eating disorder, and struggling to see how her weight and physique affected her ability to perform.
“To be a ballerina one must be strong. All muscle. And you cannot do that without eating.”
The storyline in this was about the girls being back at school, and competing for a place at the American Ballet Company the following year, as professional ballerinas. We got some revenge going on from Gigi, and the culprits behind the pranks in book 1 were revealed. I did find the pace in this quite slow though, and it wasn’t quite as good as the first book for me.
“I guess she was getting back at me for the glass in her slipper.”
The ending to this was good, although I have to wonder if we’ll get another book about these same girls.
7 out of 10
October 25, 2021
This was a really good end to a really good duology! I would highly recommend!
It’s a new year at Manhattan’s most elite ballet school and the stakes are higher than ever as Gigi, Bette and June have one last chance to make there dreams come true. Who will come out on top?
Oh my God, these characters! Firstly, I loved Gigi in book 1, but I didn’t quite like her as much in this one. Gigi went through hell in Tiny Pretty Things and it’s to be expected that it would change her, however she turned into a proper Bette 2.0. But we saw her truly regret her actions, but it didn’t stop her actions. Seeing her get revenge against the people that wronged her really had me torn because on one hand I loved seeing Gigi stick up for herself and give the other dancers what was coming to them, on the other hand two wrongs don’t make a right.
Then we have Bette, who is determined to clear her name and have her suspension lifted. I feel like Bette had some really good character development in this book and we saw a different side to her. I felt she better understood her bad attitude and was truly trying to right her wrongs. Lastly, June just wants to be a prima ballerina, however her health disorders may be the very thing standing in her way. We see June begin to accept her eating disorders and that she needs help.
I think the main thing about this book that deserves an applause is the diversity. Throughout this book and the first we have had so many different groups of people represented. We have black ballerinas, Asian ballerinas and this book specifically had elements of racism in it. We had members of the LGBT+ group and struggling to come to terms with their sexuality. The was a character who struggled with a very serious eating disorder. Another who had a problem with pills and multiple counts of bullying.
I loved the premise of this series, it’s so original and interesting. I loved how the stakes were higher in this book and, good actions or bad, you could see how every girl genuinely wanted to be a prima ballerina. Overall this was a really good duology and I would highly recommend!
It’s a new year at Manhattan’s most elite ballet school and the stakes are higher than ever as Gigi, Bette and June have one last chance to make there dreams come true. Who will come out on top?
Oh my God, these characters! Firstly, I loved Gigi in book 1, but I didn’t quite like her as much in this one. Gigi went through hell in Tiny Pretty Things and it’s to be expected that it would change her, however she turned into a proper Bette 2.0. But we saw her truly regret her actions, but it didn’t stop her actions. Seeing her get revenge against the people that wronged her really had me torn because on one hand I loved seeing Gigi stick up for herself and give the other dancers what was coming to them, on the other hand two wrongs don’t make a right.
Then we have Bette, who is determined to clear her name and have her suspension lifted. I feel like Bette had some really good character development in this book and we saw a different side to her. I felt she better understood her bad attitude and was truly trying to right her wrongs. Lastly, June just wants to be a prima ballerina, however her health disorders may be the very thing standing in her way. We see June begin to accept her eating disorders and that she needs help.
I think the main thing about this book that deserves an applause is the diversity. Throughout this book and the first we have had so many different groups of people represented. We have black ballerinas, Asian ballerinas and this book specifically had elements of racism in it. We had members of the LGBT+ group and struggling to come to terms with their sexuality. The was a character who struggled with a very serious eating disorder. Another who had a problem with pills and multiple counts of bullying.
I loved the premise of this series, it’s so original and interesting. I loved how the stakes were higher in this book and, good actions or bad, you could see how every girl genuinely wanted to be a prima ballerina. Overall this was a really good duology and I would highly recommend!
August 14, 2016
"Better, faster, stronger, payback"
What a fabulous ending. Truly, in the theme of the series - we got to see the ugliest side of everyone. The twist and turns - the plots and revenge. This last year in the dancer's lives were all about change. And this last year defined each of them - as it was the final person they were when they auditioned for the final step - The Ballet Company. Only 2 girls and 2 boys go each year - and the year before there wasn't enough talent and no one went. It's a tough audition and the final move into the ballet world. Or, if you don't make it, possibly your final move out.
It was interesting, adding Cassie into the mix and finding out all the things they had done to each other before Gigi got there. And the final moves, the final antics are both horrifying and frightening. But it's interesting to read how they all go through it - some of them for the better, many for the worst. I like how everyone ended up and the hope that it left behind.This was a great conclusion.
What a fabulous ending. Truly, in the theme of the series - we got to see the ugliest side of everyone. The twist and turns - the plots and revenge. This last year in the dancer's lives were all about change. And this last year defined each of them - as it was the final person they were when they auditioned for the final step - The Ballet Company. Only 2 girls and 2 boys go each year - and the year before there wasn't enough talent and no one went. It's a tough audition and the final move into the ballet world. Or, if you don't make it, possibly your final move out.
It was interesting, adding Cassie into the mix and finding out all the things they had done to each other before Gigi got there. And the final moves, the final antics are both horrifying and frightening. But it's interesting to read how they all go through it - some of them for the better, many for the worst. I like how everyone ended up and the hope that it left behind.This was a great conclusion.
January 3, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
Fun. Dramatic. DARK.
Three years ago, I read and loved the first book - Tiny Pretty Things (4 ⭐️) - and after watching the new Netflix adaptation I had to go back and experience these characters and this universe once again. And I enjoyed every second of it.
However, I had to take down one decimal point from my rating because I found the second book quite repetitive at points and way to similar to its predecessor.
Nonetheless, I 100% recommend if you can stomach it.
TW //: Suicide, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse.
Btw Am I the only one that felt like this story could continue? The conclusion was a conclusion but I feel like there is space for more idk
Fun. Dramatic. DARK.
Three years ago, I read and loved the first book - Tiny Pretty Things (4 ⭐️) - and after watching the new Netflix adaptation I had to go back and experience these characters and this universe once again. And I enjoyed every second of it.
However, I had to take down one decimal point from my rating because I found the second book quite repetitive at points and way to similar to its predecessor.
Nonetheless, I 100% recommend if you can stomach it.
TW //: Suicide, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse.
Btw Am I the only one that felt like this story could continue? The conclusion was a conclusion but I feel like there is space for more idk
August 14, 2019
this was disappointing, and my expectations weren’t even high. wow main three girls are doing this thing called “character development” and justify all their bad deeds on jealousy!!! (good excuse for putting glass in a girl’s shoes by the way, great call) “i was scared i wasn’t gonna be good enough!!!!” alrighty then. and yay introduce random girl to be the big bad villain because we need one of those. yay resolve all the problems at the end!
but hey i didn’t hate it! so there’s that.
but hey i didn’t hate it! so there’s that.
April 4, 2021
Book 103 of 2021
I LOVED IT SO MUCH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CONCLUSION!!!
I LOVED IT SO MUCH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CONCLUSION!!!
May 6, 2021
Initial reaction:Finally finished with this duology. I'll fully admit that this series engaged my anticipation for what would happen next the entire time I was reading it. I think this book handled the characters a little better than the previous book, mostly because they're more established and have more time focused on the dynamics between them.
Full review:
Man, do I have some complicated thoughts about this book. Get ready for a long-ish review. To get the rating out of the way, I'm rating it the same as the previous book, with an added half-star for the audiobook narration propelling it forward.
Admittedly this is the first YA series I've finished in a while where I felt like the ending of it checked off my boxes for a decent experience to a degree, but also made me think "WTH did I just read?" This duology was a ride on so many levels, as I wanted to answer more than few questions coming out of the last book:
1. What happened with Gigi? (*tap dances around spoilers*)
2. Who is the girl returning to the academy?
3. Is Bette going to find out who framed her (if she was framed at all - I had my doubts initially)?
4. What's the fallout after the events of the last book?
5. Is June actually going to be okay given everything that was going on with her?
These questions, among others, were answered in "Shiny Broken Pieces" with varying degrees of success. I actually enjoyed the experience more than the last because this book had more room to showcase the dynamic of many of the relationships established. Granted, "Tiny Pretty Things" had to start somewhere, but the execution of events and characterizations in the last book had some wavering moments. This hit the ground running to start and didn't pull punches with resuming the stories of Gigi, Bette, and June.
I usually say that I can appreciate a story where there are morally gray characters that are well developed and you can understand the motivations for why they do certain things. Granted, I cringed in several moments of this series where the girls do absolutely horrible things to each other for the sake of trying to one-up and gain coveted positions in their ballet performances. I also watched them fall apart from some terrible things that were done to them. (Trigger warnings....all the trigger warnings.) I was doing the equivalent of reading through my fingers, but I still wanted to know how things would turn out and how this narrative would handle it. Reading as far as I could through this when I had time was a given. The audiobook narrations were as stellar as the previous book, so definitely want to give credit to Laura Delano, Nora Hunter, and Imani Parks for elevating the experience.
The Academy has been put on notice when we resume events in "Shiny Broken Pieces". Instead of performing the coveted Nutcracker as in previous years, they're tasked with the casting of "Swan Lake." I want to lament a bit on how this book could have gone so much deeper with the Swan Lake comparisons without necessarily casting the contrast so overtly with the characters here (I think teens would've been able to pick that up without the signal, at least if the original story were kind of given more context here. I wish it had been.)
June still struggles with her weight and having the strength to keep up with her highly competitive classmates. She really loves and wants to dance more than anything in the world, but she struggles with several secrets she's keeping, some of which are hazardous to her own health. Gigi has a road to recovery that isn't easy given the events of the last novel, but she knows that when she gets back to the Academy, she's bent on getting revenge against those who harmed her. Yet she's not exactly as informed about who harmed her as she thinks, and that complicates matters when people get caught in her crosshairs that aren't necessarily to blame, making her question if she's just as twisted as the other girls around her.
Then there's Bette. Let me just say it outright - I did not like Bette at all, not in this book nor the last. I definitely didn't like that she gets something of a redemption arc in this book, but that may speak to how dark this overarching story is (and especially the ending, which I'll get to later). However, I'll give the narrative realistic credit for this - some turns of the story make sense in that it examines the privilege she has over the other girls, particularly June and Gigi.
There are layers of unexamined depth in this book that I lament weren't teased out even more than they were. I don't know if it was because this was written for a certain audience in mind (i.e. Gossip Girl, PLL, maybe even fans of the series "The Thousandth Floor"), but the drama was definitely front and center for this book rather than the fleshing out of some realistic issues that teens face in this environment. I really liked how the book handled June's ED and weight struggles in a realistic way. I felt Gigi's struggles as a Black girl in a mostly white company were touched on to a fair degree, including various microaggressions, but they still didn't explore some of the layers of that where they could've hit more. Bette still felt like she was the main girl running the show, despite being banned from the school and using some slippery tactics to get herself back in. I felt she came out of this less scathed than the other girls, but there are moments when her triumphs are bittersweet.
Cassie was the new character in this one, the one who was forced out and bent on getting revenge on Bette for the things she did to her before Gigi ever arrived. So Gigi does have a bit of a bond with her for a time, until she realizes how deep Cassie's revenge goes and how that has influenced her performances and relationships. Cassie was really mostly there for show and pushback, and I really didn't get as much from her character as I think that there was room to showcase and have her emotions hit home more.
The endings for the girls were varied. June had an okay ending, a little more neat than I was expecting (though I wanted to know more about her family resolution? That was a big plot point). Gigi has something of a coming to terms ending, both with her actions and her mindset when it comes to dance - the payoff that results satisfies me for what she's able to gain. As for Bette - well, she gets what she wants, but there's a lingering darkness to what she's done and what she wants that pulls up in the last threads of the novel that leaves room for more. I kind of appreciated that landing in that Bette ends up back where she started, in competition for what she wants, with gains and losses in the mix and still didn't achieve what she set out to really do, which was kick out her competition.
I almost wish this series had one more book to tie things off, but it leaves the characters in a place where they can shape their own futures, for better and worse. Overall, this was a compulsively compelling read full of angst and drama, which will satisfy readers who want that push and pull tension. There are pieces of depth here considering the references to bullying, suicide, eating disorders, racism/prejudice, and identity, among other things, but they are approached with varying degrees of success and depth, some lagging more than others. It defied my expectations of what I would get from this novel, but still left me wanting more.
Overall: 3.5/5 stars.
Full review:
Man, do I have some complicated thoughts about this book. Get ready for a long-ish review. To get the rating out of the way, I'm rating it the same as the previous book, with an added half-star for the audiobook narration propelling it forward.
Admittedly this is the first YA series I've finished in a while where I felt like the ending of it checked off my boxes for a decent experience to a degree, but also made me think "WTH did I just read?" This duology was a ride on so many levels, as I wanted to answer more than few questions coming out of the last book:
1. What happened with Gigi? (*tap dances around spoilers*)
2. Who is the girl returning to the academy?
3. Is Bette going to find out who framed her (if she was framed at all - I had my doubts initially)?
4. What's the fallout after the events of the last book?
5. Is June actually going to be okay given everything that was going on with her?
These questions, among others, were answered in "Shiny Broken Pieces" with varying degrees of success. I actually enjoyed the experience more than the last because this book had more room to showcase the dynamic of many of the relationships established. Granted, "Tiny Pretty Things" had to start somewhere, but the execution of events and characterizations in the last book had some wavering moments. This hit the ground running to start and didn't pull punches with resuming the stories of Gigi, Bette, and June.
I usually say that I can appreciate a story where there are morally gray characters that are well developed and you can understand the motivations for why they do certain things. Granted, I cringed in several moments of this series where the girls do absolutely horrible things to each other for the sake of trying to one-up and gain coveted positions in their ballet performances. I also watched them fall apart from some terrible things that were done to them. (Trigger warnings....all the trigger warnings.) I was doing the equivalent of reading through my fingers, but I still wanted to know how things would turn out and how this narrative would handle it. Reading as far as I could through this when I had time was a given. The audiobook narrations were as stellar as the previous book, so definitely want to give credit to Laura Delano, Nora Hunter, and Imani Parks for elevating the experience.
The Academy has been put on notice when we resume events in "Shiny Broken Pieces". Instead of performing the coveted Nutcracker as in previous years, they're tasked with the casting of "Swan Lake." I want to lament a bit on how this book could have gone so much deeper with the Swan Lake comparisons without necessarily casting the contrast so overtly with the characters here (I think teens would've been able to pick that up without the signal, at least if the original story were kind of given more context here. I wish it had been.)
June still struggles with her weight and having the strength to keep up with her highly competitive classmates. She really loves and wants to dance more than anything in the world, but she struggles with several secrets she's keeping, some of which are hazardous to her own health. Gigi has a road to recovery that isn't easy given the events of the last novel, but she knows that when she gets back to the Academy, she's bent on getting revenge against those who harmed her. Yet she's not exactly as informed about who harmed her as she thinks, and that complicates matters when people get caught in her crosshairs that aren't necessarily to blame, making her question if she's just as twisted as the other girls around her.
Then there's Bette. Let me just say it outright - I did not like Bette at all, not in this book nor the last. I definitely didn't like that she gets something of a redemption arc in this book, but that may speak to how dark this overarching story is (and especially the ending, which I'll get to later). However, I'll give the narrative realistic credit for this - some turns of the story make sense in that it examines the privilege she has over the other girls, particularly June and Gigi.
There are layers of unexamined depth in this book that I lament weren't teased out even more than they were. I don't know if it was because this was written for a certain audience in mind (i.e. Gossip Girl, PLL, maybe even fans of the series "The Thousandth Floor"), but the drama was definitely front and center for this book rather than the fleshing out of some realistic issues that teens face in this environment. I really liked how the book handled June's ED and weight struggles in a realistic way. I felt Gigi's struggles as a Black girl in a mostly white company were touched on to a fair degree, including various microaggressions, but they still didn't explore some of the layers of that where they could've hit more. Bette still felt like she was the main girl running the show, despite being banned from the school and using some slippery tactics to get herself back in. I felt she came out of this less scathed than the other girls, but there are moments when her triumphs are bittersweet.
Cassie was the new character in this one, the one who was forced out and bent on getting revenge on Bette for the things she did to her before Gigi ever arrived. So Gigi does have a bit of a bond with her for a time, until she realizes how deep Cassie's revenge goes and how that has influenced her performances and relationships. Cassie was really mostly there for show and pushback, and I really didn't get as much from her character as I think that there was room to showcase and have her emotions hit home more.
The endings for the girls were varied. June had an okay ending, a little more neat than I was expecting (though I wanted to know more about her family resolution? That was a big plot point). Gigi has something of a coming to terms ending, both with her actions and her mindset when it comes to dance - the payoff that results satisfies me for what she's able to gain. As for Bette - well, she gets what she wants, but there's a lingering darkness to what she's done and what she wants that pulls up in the last threads of the novel that leaves room for more. I kind of appreciated that landing in that Bette ends up back where she started, in competition for what she wants, with gains and losses in the mix and still didn't achieve what she set out to really do, which was kick out her competition.
I almost wish this series had one more book to tie things off, but it leaves the characters in a place where they can shape their own futures, for better and worse. Overall, this was a compulsively compelling read full of angst and drama, which will satisfy readers who want that push and pull tension. There are pieces of depth here considering the references to bullying, suicide, eating disorders, racism/prejudice, and identity, among other things, but they are approached with varying degrees of success and depth, some lagging more than others. It defied my expectations of what I would get from this novel, but still left me wanting more.
Overall: 3.5/5 stars.
March 30, 2018
Liked the first one better, but this was a solid sequel :)
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