A Riveting Tale of Acceptance, Power and Sacrifice
Jamison's novel “I feed her to the beast and the beast is me” is an electrifying tour de force that plunges the reader into a world of cutthroat competition, privilege, and deep-seated ambition. Seamlessly interweaving elements of thriller, fantasy, and social commentary, this is Hunger Games meets Black Swan—with the competitive high stakes of ballet taking the place of archery.
From the first two chapters, the book ensnares the reader, promising a tumultuous journey filled with unexpected twists and psychological depths akin to a rollercoaster ride to the dark side.
Set in the backdrop of the ballet world, a realm rife with competition and exuding privilege, readers accompany Laure, a determined dancer from the streets who stands out not only for her skin colour but her fiercely raw talent. After excelling at one of the performance trials, Loure is told: “It’s not typically what our audience expects, to be forced to think of inequality and social issues…”. The novel boldly explores the boundaries Laure is willing to stretch, the sacrifices she's poised to make, and her desperate efforts to survive in an unforgiving industry.
Her desire for recognition, adoration, and respect propels her to the unthinkable point where she strikes a life-altering bargain, high notes of Faust here, that sends the narrative down a sinister spiral.
Character development is a pinnacle strength of Jamison's writing style. She introduces us to a multifaceted Laure, who’s pulled from her comfort zone into the murky depths of her identity, forcing her to uncover her inner beast to survive. This introspective journey, coupled with a bold and unique storyline, is a standout element of the book.
However, the book's manner of handling controversial themes may impact individual readers differently. I, for one, loved it. It is not perfect and despite carrying a warning before the book commences, the content, while not personally distressing to me, could potentially be impacting for others.
Jamison’s debut novel is a unique contribution to the YA literary world, encapsulating a thrilling narrative that roots deep into the realm of the human psyche.
From the first two chapters, the book ensnares the reader, promising a tumultuous journey filled with unexpected twists and psychological depths akin to a rollercoaster ride to the dark side.
Set in the backdrop of the ballet world, a realm rife with competition and exuding privilege, readers accompany Laure, a determined dancer from the streets who stands out not only for her skin colour but her fiercely raw talent. After excelling at one of the performance trials, Loure is told: “It’s not typically what our audience expects, to be forced to think of inequality and social issues…”. The novel boldly explores the boundaries Laure is willing to stretch, the sacrifices she's poised to make, and her desperate efforts to survive in an unforgiving industry.
Her desire for recognition, adoration, and respect propels her to the unthinkable point where she strikes a life-altering bargain, high notes of Faust here, that sends the narrative down a sinister spiral.
Character development is a pinnacle strength of Jamison's writing style. She introduces us to a multifaceted Laure, who’s pulled from her comfort zone into the murky depths of her identity, forcing her to uncover her inner beast to survive. This introspective journey, coupled with a bold and unique storyline, is a standout element of the book.
However, the book's manner of handling controversial themes may impact individual readers differently. I, for one, loved it. It is not perfect and despite carrying a warning before the book commences, the content, while not personally distressing to me, could potentially be impacting for others.
Jamison’s debut novel is a unique contribution to the YA literary world, encapsulating a thrilling narrative that roots deep into the realm of the human psyche.