Other Stages by Terez Mertes Rose: A Balanced Review of Professional Ballet Challenges and Relationships

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the OTHER STAGES by Terez Mertes Rose Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: OTHER STAGES (Ballet Theatre Chronicles Book 4)

Author: Terez Mertes Rose

Pub. Date: January 25, 2024

Publisher: Classical Girl Press

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 325

Find it:  Goodreads, https://books2read.com/OTHER-STAGES 

They thought the professional ballet world was tough. Then they tried parenting.

From the author of Outside the Limelight—named a Kirkus Best Book of 2017—comes a story about parenting, the performing arts, surviving high school and fighting back, in this gripping finale to the Ballet Theatre Chronicles.

Katrina Devries, having navigated the cutthroat world of professional ballet to arrive at the top, has found the perfect life as a principal dancer and mother of a three-year-old. But when her partner announces he’s found true love elsewhere and moves out, Katrina’s perfect world begins to crack. Devastated, she turns to April, her best friend among the company’s artistic staff. 

April, a seasoned ballet master and parent, is confident she can solve any problem thrown her way and plants a distraction at the studios: a handsome young pianist, eager for work as an accompanist. Only it’s April’s teen daughter, not Katrina, who falls for him, hard.

Now April’s dealing with new, tougher problems on the home front and at the studios, where a celebrity choreographer’s ballet featuring Katrina borders on disturbing. When he and his ballet reveal violence—toward Katrina—April must make a controversial decision that upends protocol and imperils the careers both she and Katrina have worked a lifetime to build. 

Other Stages chronicles the behind-the-scenes challenges of professional ballet, parenting and friendships, amid the journey of learning what to accept and when to fight back for what’s right.

“An accomplished interweaving of character trajectories in the intense world of ballet.”– Kirkus Reviews

“Other Stages is a fascinating peek behind the curtain of elite ballet, and the price it exacts from the women who dare to become mothers in this rarified, exquisite world, all while making the agonizing look effortless.”– Kristina Riggle, bestselling author of Real Life & Liars and Vivian in Red

“Don’t be surprised if you find yourself devouring Other Stages—this is one of those stories that keeps you up way past midnight, turning page after dazzling page in anticipation of the grand finale. Brava! to Terez Mertes Rose as she brings down the curtain on this remarkable series.”— Lauren E. Rico, award-winning author of Familia, the Reverie trilogy and Solo

 

Read the first 3 books for FREE With A Kindle Unlimited Membership!

 

Why Should You Read This?

“Other Stages” by Terez Mertes Rose offers readers a glimpse into the cutthroat world of professional ballet, intertwining the challenges of career, parenting, and friendship. While the novel presents a unique perspective on the behind-the-scenes struggles of dancers, it falls short of achieving a solid three-star rating.

The story revolves around Katrina Devries, a principal dancer, who sees her perfect life unravel when her partner leaves her for someone else. The narrative takes an intriguing turn as Katrina seeks solace in her best friend, April, and the introduction of a distraction – a young pianist with unintended consequences. The exploration of the ballet world’s complexities and the dynamics of personal relationships is commendable.

However, the execution of the plot feels somewhat predictable and lacks the depth needed to fully engage the reader. The romantic subplot involving April’s daughter and the pianist adds an element of cliché to the storyline, diverting attention from the more compelling aspects of the ballet world’s challenges. The decision-making process of April in response to the violent situations faced by Katrina comes across as forced, sacrificing authenticity for dramatic effect.

Furthermore, the characters, while adequately developed, fail to evoke a strong emotional connection. Katrina’s struggles are portrayed, but there is a missing layer of nuance that would have made her character more relatable. April’s role as the problem-solver seems at times too convenient, leaving her character less dynamic than desired.

Despite these shortcomings, “Other Stages” does have its moments of intrigue, especially in its portrayal of the controversial ballet choreography and the difficult decisions faced by the characters. The novel successfully highlights the sacrifices and challenges inherent in pursuing a career in ballet while balancing personal life.

In summary, “Other Stages” is a decent read for those interested in the world of professional ballet and the intricacies of personal relationships. However, it falls short of a higher rating due to its predictable plot, stereotypical romantic subplot, and characters that lack the depth needed for a truly immersive experience.

 

About Terez Mertes Rose: 

Terez Mertes Rose is the author of the Ballet Theatre Chronicles (OFF BALANCE, OUTSIDE THE LIMELIGHT, BALLET ORPHANS, OTHER STAGES) and A DANCER’S GUIDE TO AFRICA. Writing nonfiction as Terez Rose, her work has appeared in numerous journals, anthologies and online publications. She makes her home with family in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Visit her at The Classical Girl where she blogs about ballet, classical music and life, with twin dollops of humor and philosophy thrown in.

BookFunnel Author Newsletter sign-up links:

Free e-copy of Book 1 of the Ballet Theatre Chronicles https://dl.bookfunnel.com/czq1onfuil

Free excerpt from soon-to-be-released Book 4” https://dl.bookfunnel.com/gf3kr7k7ua

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a tote bag of Ballet Theatre Chronicles, a finished copy of OTHER STAGES, & a $10 Amazon gift card, US Only.

Ends February 13^th, midnight EST.

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