You in Five Acts

"It felt like our time had run out before it started."

Five friends belong to a posh ballet school; all are a little similar, all a little different. The book is divided into five acts, each told unconventionally in a blend of first and second person. The person narrating is in first person, and a different friend each act becomes the second person POV, constantly being called, "You" by the first-person narrator. This became easier to digest over time as I grew used to it, but it was still awkward for my reading brain. Artsy, sure. Workable? Sometimes. It gets easier after the first few chapters.

It does work to show alternating viewpoints of different characters in a fresh light each stage, though, so it's not all bad - just out show more there.

Ballet is fascinating, whether in the performing world or a school like this - the book takes as much time outside the studio as in it - but the setting still works.

A tragedy happening wasn't a surprise since each act ended with a preclude of what was to come, the ominous warning of pending disaster. Some of it felt a little rushed, and the story wasn't overly unique, but it was readable. The end tragedy DID surprise me though, I was figuring on the wrong thing happening to the wrong person. Not only was it sad, but it also pissed me off because of the injustice of it.

Definitely a story with feeling, but it could only keep my attention part of the time.

Received from First to Read in exchange for an honest review show less

I tried but I could not get through it. I found that the constant change of characters in first and second person confusing and the plot was not engrossing enough to keep my attention.