Funny how one of the first books I reviewed this month ends up being the one I forgot to share originally.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted copy!
THE SHADOW GIRLS – Nina Laurin (Released April 22nd, 2025)
Book Description:
Set in the ruthlessly competitive world of elite ballet schools, this psychological thriller is for fans of Black Swan and Megan Abbott’s The Turnout.
Georgina Prescott’s world collapses when her daughter, star dancer at a prestigious ballet academy, is grounded by a metatarsal fracture—the same injury that ended Georgina’s own career two decades prior. And one person knows what happened: Naomi Thompson, Anna’s best friend who takes over the principal role.
Dawn Thompson is proud of her daughter. But suddenly, ugly rumors course through the close-knit ballet community saying that Naomi somehow caused Anna to fall and hurt herself. But Naomi would never do such a thing… Would she?
While Georgina grows obsessed with Naomi, Dawn wonders just how far a mother should go to protect her daughter. Then Anna receives an anonymous letter telling her to keep her mouth shut—and vanishes without a trace…
My Thoughts: 4/5 stars
Who knew the world of ballet could be so cut throat? Then you add the shattered dreams of a mother being projected onto her daughter, and we have the perfect storm for some drama and excitement.
Georgina Prescott was the prima ballerina and her career was just getting started, but tragedy struck when she gets a metatarsal fracture (I had to look that up and that sounds awful) and completely ended her bright future in ballet. Now, two decades later, Georgina lives vicariously through her daughter, Anna, as she rises to the same status she has reached. As they say, history repeats itself, and Anna suffers the SAME injury that is ultimately career ending, and just as she lands the lead role in the upcoming production. Rumors swirl that Naomi, Anna’s close friend and the dancer taking her place, had something to do with sabotaging her.
To say Georgina becomes obsessed is an understatement. She’s determined to find out what happened to her daughter and why she would be targeted. To make things worse? Anna receives a threatening letter and then vanishes without a trace.
While there was plenty of drama, I think this is geared more towards a YA audience. The alternating POVs felt a little jumpy at times, but it wasn’t hard to follow. The ending. If you aren’t a fan of cliffhangers, prepare to be upset, but it’s very fitting for this story. Sabotage, secrets, and plenty of teen drama for a quick little mystery/thriller!
Jessicamap Reviews 