Book Review: A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

A Midnight Dance (A Midnight Dance #1). Joanna Davidson Politano. Revell (2021). 384 pages.  Genre:  Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance.

First Lines: "Covent Garden, London, 1833.  He was so very blue. That was all my scattered mind could gather as he sailed past the window of Craven Street Theatre."

Summary:  Ella Blythe has always loved to dance.  It's not surprising considering her mother was the famous Delphine Bessette and her father, whose identity is unknown to her, was also a dancer.  Delphine Bessette was badly burned in a fire and presumed dead.  But she survived and went on to give birth to Ella.  Delphine and Ella have always lived in seclusion.  Ella longs to dance at the Craven Street Theatre like her mother did.  But, her mother begs her not to.  She doesn't want Ella's life ruined like hers was.  

While Delphine is alive, Ella keeps her promise.  But once she is dead, Ella auditions and is accepted into the corps de ballet.  After working hard and receiving a scholarship, she has her wish of dancing at the Craven Street Theatre.  Part of her reason for wanting to be at Craven Street is to discover who her father is.  As she is preparing for her first show, she realizes that the world of the ballet is cut-throat.  Ella is not willing to do the things some of the other dancers do to secure their position in the hierarchy.  Will she be able to survive in this world of dance?

My thoughts:  I read the second book in this series a couple of months ago not realizing it was part of a series.  I loved it so much that I wanted to go back and read the first book.  However, each of these books could be read as a stand alone with out missing too much.  The characters from this book make an appearance in the second book, but it is a small part.

I took ballet when I was young and am always drawn to books about dancing.  When the book begins, Ella is fifteen-years-old and desperately wants to train to be part of the ballet.  Her mother has danced with her from a young age, but never leaves the house.  Just before Ella was born, there was a terrible fire at the Craven Street Theatre.  Her mother was believed to have died in that fire that was deliberately set.  She changed her name and has stayed in seclusion all these years.  Delphine loved to dance, but theatre life was cruel to her and she wants to protect Ella from that.  It was shocking and fascinating to learn about the life of a dancer in Victorian times.  The author gives a few more details in her Author's Note as well.

I really liked Ella as a character.  She worked hard for what she wanted, but she wasn't willing to  compromise her convictions to get it.  Because of this she received lots of ridicule.  Something she has always struggled with is feeling like she is not enough, both as a dancer and as a person.  This story is her journey of growth toward realizing that she is enough.  It is also a beautiful example of giving glory to God in everything you do. 

Jack Dorian is the choreographer at the theatre.  He is known for being charming, wild and a ladies' man.  Ella does not make life easy for Jack.  She refuses to be charmed by him and assumes that anytime is offering her something, he expects something in return.  Eventually, when she has no other choice, she decides to accept a kindness her offers her.  She keeps telling herself that eventually Jack will want something in return.  I enjoyed watching Ella and Jack's relationship grow.  

Ella wants to learn who her father is and who set the fire that almost took her mother's life.  There are so many layers to this mystery.  Just when I thought she was getting close to the truth, there was another twist.  In the end, Ella discovers what she needs to and many things she didn't know she needed.  

This was a beautifully written story full of vibrant, deep characters.  I highly recommend it.

Quotes: 

"'Always maintain marvelous posture, even in little things - smaller roles, backstage conversations, darning a pair of shoes - make beauty and elegance a way of life, even in the mundane moments, and they cannot help but notice you shining in your little corner.'"

"Already he felt freer, calmer, simply being outside."

"'A great many things that were originally noble and beautiful have been tarnished by this world, but that doesn't change what they were originally created to be.'"

The second book in the series:

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano