Mundie Moms

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Dance of Shadows: Exclusive Dairy Entry from Margaraet


I am so sorry this post is up late! I've had a bad spout of the flu, and have falling behind on my posts for the blog. I'm thrilled to be able to share an exclusive diary entry from Margaret, who's from Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black.


[October 14]
Dearest of diaries,

I asked Maddy if she leaked that I kept a journal to anyone at school and she said No. But also, when she said it, the centers of her cheeks turned pink and I’m pretty sure a tiny dribble of drool escaped her mouth. (And to me, drool definitely = lying.) So now I have to make sure you are well hidden, in case Anna or Chloe or any other of those byotches comes looking for you. [Secret: I am hiding you underneath my bed. Don’t tell!!!]

Today in class, Josef was having us do center practices to some Tchaikovsky piece I can’t remember the name of. The routine was simple (plies, releves, a few leg lifts) because, as Josef says, “in order to execute the most complicated steps, you first must master the basics. Technique is key.”

I have to say that I agree with him. As we were practicing, he had everyone stop and watch me. “Do the first eight count,” he instructed. “Now.”

I danced and, when I was done, I stopped. “Again,” Josef instructed. He came over to where I was standing and placed his hands on my shoulders. He was so close to me that I could feel his breath on my neck. Meanwhile, the steely stares of Anna and Chloe and the other girls were making my stomach queasy.

“Dance for me,” Josef said sternly. “Again.”

I did what he told me, and felt his fingertips press into my shoulders and then lift away. I closed my eyes and let my body do the work. For a second, it felt like I was somewhere else … somewhere far away from the practice room and the other dancers. I felt my body twist and spin and bend and it was as if something else was controlling me, like I was dancing—but at the same time I wasn’t.

Breathless, I stopped in the middle of the floor and opened my eyes. Everyone was watching me with their jaws nearly on the ground.

“And that is how you dance,” Josef said to the class. His eyes were bright with something—I’m not sure what.

I felt elated by his praise but also—and I’m not sure exactly why—frightened.

Until tomorrow …

xoxo, Margaret


***********

About the Book:
By: Yelena Black
Published by: Bloomsbury Teens
To Be Released on: February 12th, 2013
Series: Dance of Shadows #1

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . . 

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Josh, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed - quoted from Goodreads

Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author:


Yelena Black is a recent MFA graduate of Columbia University. She currently resides in New York City and is a full-time writer. She has a keen interest in dance and all things devilish.

Follow Yelena via her Website | Twitter | Facebook

Labels