Three girls. One spot at the top. Who will come out on top?
“Tiny Pretty Things” is set in an elite dance academy in Manhattan and follows the lives of three students: Gigi, Bette, and June. Gigi is the new girl from California, trying to adapt to the intense environment in New York. Bette is struggling to step out of her older sister’s shadow, a successful graduate of the academy. June feels almost invisible but is desperate to be noticed. The characters are diverse, with Gigi being black, June half-Asian (with a Korean name, E-Jun), and a few LGBT+ characters, offering readers a chance to see themselves in the story.
The novel starts with a scene narrated by a character named Cassie, who isn’t at the academy anymore. Cassie is having a hard time at practice, desperate not to mess up her big chance. She’s at a lower level than other girls and is under pressure because she has a solo usually meant for older students. The tension heightens as it’s revealed she spent the previous night drinking with Bette, leading to a mishap during practice.
As the story unfolds, narrated alternately by Gigi, Bette, and June, we learn that Cassie was seriously injured in a fall and had to leave the academy. Her boyfriend, Henri, still a student, suspects there’s more to Cassie’s fall. Each character has secrets they’re trying to keep from their peers.
Gigi’s heart condition threatens to stop her from dancing forever. When June, who is also her roommate, discovers this, she sees an opportunity to eliminate Gigi from the competition. June, dealing with her own eating disorder and under scrutiny from the academy nurse, struggles to keep everything under control. She also faces emotional turmoil after her former friend and roommate, Sei-Jin, tried to kiss her. Knowing the uproar it would cause, June decides to keep this incident to herself as potential leverage.
Bette has her own secrets and pressures. Her seemingly perfect relationship with Alec ends when he leaves her for Gigi, fueling Bette’s anger and prompting her to target Gigi with bullying and pranks. Bette’s pill addiction spirals out of control after losing Alec, a coping mechanism for dealing with her abusive and alcoholic mother. She also harbors the secret of her former friend, Will, who confessed his feelings for Alec to her while Alec was still Bette’s boyfriend, causing their friendship to deteriorate.
Romantic entanglements add spice to the story, often involving the enigmatic Henri. These moments don’t slow down the plot but add layers of complexity amid the intense competition.
Each chapter transitions smoothly from one girl to another, depicting the relentless competition for the lead roles in the academy. The students will do whatever it takes to be seen as the best by their ballet masters.
The story is filled with blackmail, injuries, and gossip, making Tiny Pretty Things full of thrilling twists and turns. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the plot surprises you with a twist, ending on a cliffhanger that will leave readers eager for more. A sequel is expected next spring.
With the recent spotlight on Misty Copeland and her historic achievement at the American Ballet Theater, Tiny Pretty Things could quickly gain a devoted audience if adapted for TV. Fans of “Center Stage” and those missing shows like Amy Sherman-Palladino’s “Bunheads” might find this darker, more sinister take on the ballet world intriguing.
For casting, Keke Palmer could bring Gigi to life, Kiernan Shipka could embody Bette’s icy demeanor, and Chloe Bennet could skillfully navigate June’s complex life. Whether these actresses can perform ballet routines is uncertain, but their acting would surely be entertaining.
Overall, Tiny Pretty Things captures the essence of ambition and rivalry in the world of ballet, making it a compelling read for fans of drama and romance.
