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Girls of Dark Divine
A group of hauntingly beautiful girls have been bound together by a cruel curse—and one of them will go to any lengths to save them from their violent dance. A breathtakingly gorgeous gothic fantasy about love and control that will never let you go. This spellbinding debut is perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber!
In the legendary ballet theatre of New Kora, the girls on stage enchant the audience each night with their grace and divine beauty. Before Emberlyn became the show’s star, it was her dream to become one of the ballerinas… until she learned the price of their living nightmare.
A curse has bound the girls to the show’s mastermind, Malcolm, so they must obey his every command. They are controlled by the magic’s invisible strings that has the power to wield their limbs like marionette dolls. Only the commands don’t stop when the curtain comes down, and the girls live a life of fear from Malcolm’s wickedness and the twisted truth that each dancer is destined to turn to dust when the curse finally consumes her.
When the troupe is invited to perform in the glitzy city of Parlizia, Emberlyn knows this could be her best chance to save them all. She meets an elusive boy made of shadows with a magical connection to the girls. Together, they work to unravel the haunting truth about their creation and fight for their survival. But the cost of freedom might be too high, and as she dances closer to the edge of darkness she realizes she might break the curse… or break her own heart forever.
In the legendary ballet theatre of New Kora, the girls on stage enchant the audience each night with their grace and divine beauty. Before Emberlyn became the show’s star, it was her dream to become one of the ballerinas… until she learned the price of their living nightmare.
A curse has bound the girls to the show’s mastermind, Malcolm, so they must obey his every command. They are controlled by the magic’s invisible strings that has the power to wield their limbs like marionette dolls. Only the commands don’t stop when the curtain comes down, and the girls live a life of fear from Malcolm’s wickedness and the twisted truth that each dancer is destined to turn to dust when the curse finally consumes her.
When the troupe is invited to perform in the glitzy city of Parlizia, Emberlyn knows this could be her best chance to save them all. She meets an elusive boy made of shadows with a magical connection to the girls. Together, they work to unravel the haunting truth about their creation and fight for their survival. But the cost of freedom might be too high, and as she dances closer to the edge of darkness she realizes she might break the curse… or break her own heart forever.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2025
41 people are currently reading
2047 people want to read
About the author
E.V. Woods
2 books19 followersE. V. Woods is a YA author from the U.K, who has been writing for almost as long as she can remember. She wrote her first short story when she was six, her first full length novel at 15, and since then, simply hasn’t stopped. She adores all things fantastical, and loves to write tales threaded with both darkness and magic, curses and hope.
E. V. Woods is an avid traveller, a huge music fan, and holds a BA in English Literature with Creative Writing from the University of Birmingham. She is endlessly curious and always looking to discover something new, whether that be from reading books, watching TV shows whilst curled up with her cats, or from one of the many adventures she spends hours daydreaming about having.
E. V. Woods is an avid traveller, a huge music fan, and holds a BA in English Literature with Creative Writing from the University of Birmingham. She is endlessly curious and always looking to discover something new, whether that be from reading books, watching TV shows whilst curled up with her cats, or from one of the many adventures she spends hours daydreaming about having.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 27, 2025
3.5 stars. While this was pretty dark I feel like it lacked substance. I wish the curse would have been explained a little bit more outside of ooo here's a book in a different language that kind of explains the curse so BAM plot.
August 3, 2025
•𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄
1. This is a great choice if you are a fan of YA gothic fantasy.
2. If you’ve ever had a crush on a shadow, check this one out!
3. Curses and evil men? Count me in!
4. If you have a teenage daughter, I recommend picking this one up!
5. The setting is so creepy and really pulls you into the story!
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
In the legendary ballet theatre of New Kora, the girls onstage enchant the audience each night with their grace and divine beauty. Before Emberlyn was the star of the show, it was her dream to become one of them . . . until she learned the price of their living nightmare.
A magical curse binds the girls to the show's mastermind, Malcolm, whose invisible strings wield their limbs as if they are marionettes . . . and the commands don’t stop when the curtain comes down. Each dancer is destined to turn to dust once the curse consumes her.
When the troupe is invited to perform in the glitzy city of Parlizia, Emberlyn knows this could be her best chance to save them all. She meets an elusive boy made of shadows who has a magical connection to the girls. Together, they work to unravel the haunting truth about their creation and fight for their survival. But the cost of freedom might be too high, and as Emberlyn dances closer to the edge of darkness, she realizes she might break the curse . . . or break her own heart forever.
1. This is a great choice if you are a fan of YA gothic fantasy.
2. If you’ve ever had a crush on a shadow, check this one out!
3. Curses and evil men? Count me in!
4. If you have a teenage daughter, I recommend picking this one up!
5. The setting is so creepy and really pulls you into the story!
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
In the legendary ballet theatre of New Kora, the girls onstage enchant the audience each night with their grace and divine beauty. Before Emberlyn was the star of the show, it was her dream to become one of them . . . until she learned the price of their living nightmare.
A magical curse binds the girls to the show's mastermind, Malcolm, whose invisible strings wield their limbs as if they are marionettes . . . and the commands don’t stop when the curtain comes down. Each dancer is destined to turn to dust once the curse consumes her.
When the troupe is invited to perform in the glitzy city of Parlizia, Emberlyn knows this could be her best chance to save them all. She meets an elusive boy made of shadows who has a magical connection to the girls. Together, they work to unravel the haunting truth about their creation and fight for their survival. But the cost of freedom might be too high, and as Emberlyn dances closer to the edge of darkness, she realizes she might break the curse . . . or break her own heart forever.
January 20, 2025
“She felt scared, as she watched her best friend lose control to a monster.”
Omg, I loved this so much!! Fans of gothic literature are in for a treat with this one. The dark, mysterious vibe throughout the book is utterly captivating, making it feel super original and completely engrossing.
The story is written in third person, so I didn’t feel an intense connection to the main character, but that didn’t matter. The tone, the eerie storyline, the layers of mystery, and even the evocative descriptions of the dancing Marionettes all combine to create a mesmerizing read.
“The Marionette and the boy of dust and smoke.” The romance in this book is a tad insta-lovey but unique in its tragic and bittersweet beauty. It’s not the central focus, but it lingers in your thoughts long after reading.
What truly stood out to me, though, was the relationship between the sisters. It’s sweet yet steeped in doom and darkness. I liked their personalities and how they supported each other, knowing they had to face this horror together.
The ending is... tragic, happy, sad... painful yet perfect, leaving a haunting sense of closure that felt entirely fitting for the story.
If you love gothic tales with haunting vibes and layered storytelling, Girls of Dark Divine is a must-read. This one is going to stay with me for a long time!
Omg, I loved this so much!! Fans of gothic literature are in for a treat with this one. The dark, mysterious vibe throughout the book is utterly captivating, making it feel super original and completely engrossing.
The story is written in third person, so I didn’t feel an intense connection to the main character, but that didn’t matter. The tone, the eerie storyline, the layers of mystery, and even the evocative descriptions of the dancing Marionettes all combine to create a mesmerizing read.
“The Marionette and the boy of dust and smoke.” The romance in this book is a tad insta-lovey but unique in its tragic and bittersweet beauty. It’s not the central focus, but it lingers in your thoughts long after reading.
What truly stood out to me, though, was the relationship between the sisters. It’s sweet yet steeped in doom and darkness. I liked their personalities and how they supported each other, knowing they had to face this horror together.
The ending is... tragic, happy, sad... painful yet perfect, leaving a haunting sense of closure that felt entirely fitting for the story.
If you love gothic tales with haunting vibes and layered storytelling, Girls of Dark Divine is a must-read. This one is going to stay with me for a long time!
March 2, 2025
This book blew me away! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and it's not a genre I was very familiar with however, I'm so glad I got to read it.
Woods' starts strong with a hook of death, mystery and magic right from the first page. The pacing throughout the first act was fantastic, little twists and turns guiding you along Emberlyn's journey. The second act starts to ramp up the intrigue as the stakes get higher, leading to an explosive third act that I couldn't put down until I finished it. The ending provoked a catalogue of emotions for both me and the protagonist, masterfully crafted so you cannot guess how it will all end until you finish the final page. I finished it yesterday and can already tell its going to be one of those stories that sticks with me and leaves me wanting more.
Woods' writing is immersive, the detail that goes into the scenes, the characters , the emotions, and the darkness builds a clear vision in your head of the world you have entered. No detail goes unnoticed, all the while maintaining a gripping narrative that keeps you engaged as the mystery surrounding the marionettes' plight is unravelled.
Emberlyn is a strong protagonist and has that quality that you cannot help but both be intrigued by her but also feel a sense of understanding. Malcolm is unspeakably evil, but that doesn't fall into the common trap of being either stupid or predictable. He is a complex and tricky adversary to the marionettes and Emberlyn, as more is revealed throughout the story.
There are many themes within the narrative that weave in and out with good balance. It's the kind of book that is continuously drawing you in, making you more curious about the world it lives in.
For fans of gothic and dark literature, mystery, magic and intrigue, of morality, feelings and romance and of simply enjoying a compelling story, I'd highly recommend this one goes to the tops of your lists.
Woods' starts strong with a hook of death, mystery and magic right from the first page. The pacing throughout the first act was fantastic, little twists and turns guiding you along Emberlyn's journey. The second act starts to ramp up the intrigue as the stakes get higher, leading to an explosive third act that I couldn't put down until I finished it. The ending provoked a catalogue of emotions for both me and the protagonist, masterfully crafted so you cannot guess how it will all end until you finish the final page. I finished it yesterday and can already tell its going to be one of those stories that sticks with me and leaves me wanting more.
Woods' writing is immersive, the detail that goes into the scenes, the characters , the emotions, and the darkness builds a clear vision in your head of the world you have entered. No detail goes unnoticed, all the while maintaining a gripping narrative that keeps you engaged as the mystery surrounding the marionettes' plight is unravelled.
Emberlyn is a strong protagonist and has that quality that you cannot help but both be intrigued by her but also feel a sense of understanding. Malcolm is unspeakably evil, but that doesn't fall into the common trap of being either stupid or predictable. He is a complex and tricky adversary to the marionettes and Emberlyn, as more is revealed throughout the story.
There are many themes within the narrative that weave in and out with good balance. It's the kind of book that is continuously drawing you in, making you more curious about the world it lives in.
For fans of gothic and dark literature, mystery, magic and intrigue, of morality, feelings and romance and of simply enjoying a compelling story, I'd highly recommend this one goes to the tops of your lists.
Want to read
February 13, 2025A troupe of hauntingly beautiful girls have been cursed to perform like marionettes until they turn to dust—but one of them will go to any length to save them from this violent dance.
May 5, 2025
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
August 16, 2025
Girls of Dark Divine Review on K-Books
Girls of Dark Divine on Instagram
Girls of Dark Divine Review on TikTok
“I’m prepared to die tomorrow if that’s what is needed of me, to stop this monster. To stop him from hurting anyone else, ever again.”
Wow! There are no other words that immediately come to mind when I think about Girls of Dark Divine. I don’t really know what I was expecting when I went into the ARC of this book, but I was not expecting to be this obsessed with this fantastic novel. I won an ARC of this book from Usborne at YALC 2024, and I don’t know why I didn’t read it immediately but it was a good 9 months later that I finally picked it up… Why did I wait so long? This is one of the best YA Fantasy books I have read in a really long time.
Girls of Dark Divine is a deliciously creepy, dark romantic fantasy that immerses you completely in its world right from the first page. It follows the story of Emberlyn, the main dancer in the elite dance troupe Malcolm’s marionette’s. What nobody knows is the dark truth of this dance troupe. Malcolm, the manager, is a dark wielder, and he has cast a dark spell on his ‘girls’ making them real life marionette dolls. He can control their every movement and action, on and off the stage. I won’t lie, there’s some super dark themes explored in this book, due to the fact that Malcolm can control the actions of all of the dancers, so that makes this book definitely at the older end of the YA spectrum. I wouldn’t say it is appropriate for younger teens, as we do explore themes of physical violence, manipulation and control and gaslighting. So if these themes may be triggering for you, read with caution.
I personally adored all of the themes explored in this book. It never goes over the line for a YA book, so everything is completely appropriate for the older end of this age range. But parts of it are dark, and creepy. I couldn’t stop reading, as I was dying to know what was going to happen and if the girls were going to be able to break free of Malcolm’s curse. Even from the start, I sat down to read a chapter or two and see how it was and the next thing I knew I was 150 pages in. I honestly couldn’t put it down. There are scenes that will make you uncomfortable. There were moments where I was literally sat with my hand over my mouth, genuinely frightened about what was going to happen. But to me, that shows absolutely fantastic storytelling. I was so emotionally invested throughout the entire duration of this book.
I’m really glad I went into this book pretty blind. I hadn’t read much about the book, and that made me so happy as I experienced everything as a surprise. Including the fact that this is loosely inspired by Phantom of the Opera. As a theatre nerd, and Phantom being one of my all time favourite stories and musicals, when I got to the part where that sort of storyline came in I was like WHAAAAATTTTTTTT????? Honestly I adored every single moment of this book. It’s truly one of the standout reads of the year so far for me. It was everything I could possibly want in a YA Fantasy novel, wrapped up in a musical theatre loving bow. It was perfect!
Girls of Dark Divine has without a doubt been the best surprise of 2025 for me so far. I loved every single moment of it and from the second it was over, I really wanted everyone to read it so I could fangirl about it with them. This will definitely be going on my favourites shelf, and one I will read again and again and again. It’s truly fantastic. If you’re looking for a new YA Fantasy to obsess over, look no further… this is it! It’s dark, creepy, magical and romantic. It has everything I could have wanted and more. I am genuinely obsessed with this book. The writing was stunning, the characterisation fantastic… the plot… perfection! EV Woods is the 2025 debut author to watch out for. She has immediately gone onto my auto-buy list! So if there is one YA debut you pick up this year, make sure it is this one!
“You should get to dance one last time, if you want to. As you. As Emberlyn – not as somebody’s marionette.”
Girls of Dark Divine on Instagram
Girls of Dark Divine Review on TikTok
“I’m prepared to die tomorrow if that’s what is needed of me, to stop this monster. To stop him from hurting anyone else, ever again.”
Wow! There are no other words that immediately come to mind when I think about Girls of Dark Divine. I don’t really know what I was expecting when I went into the ARC of this book, but I was not expecting to be this obsessed with this fantastic novel. I won an ARC of this book from Usborne at YALC 2024, and I don’t know why I didn’t read it immediately but it was a good 9 months later that I finally picked it up… Why did I wait so long? This is one of the best YA Fantasy books I have read in a really long time.
Girls of Dark Divine is a deliciously creepy, dark romantic fantasy that immerses you completely in its world right from the first page. It follows the story of Emberlyn, the main dancer in the elite dance troupe Malcolm’s marionette’s. What nobody knows is the dark truth of this dance troupe. Malcolm, the manager, is a dark wielder, and he has cast a dark spell on his ‘girls’ making them real life marionette dolls. He can control their every movement and action, on and off the stage. I won’t lie, there’s some super dark themes explored in this book, due to the fact that Malcolm can control the actions of all of the dancers, so that makes this book definitely at the older end of the YA spectrum. I wouldn’t say it is appropriate for younger teens, as we do explore themes of physical violence, manipulation and control and gaslighting. So if these themes may be triggering for you, read with caution.
I personally adored all of the themes explored in this book. It never goes over the line for a YA book, so everything is completely appropriate for the older end of this age range. But parts of it are dark, and creepy. I couldn’t stop reading, as I was dying to know what was going to happen and if the girls were going to be able to break free of Malcolm’s curse. Even from the start, I sat down to read a chapter or two and see how it was and the next thing I knew I was 150 pages in. I honestly couldn’t put it down. There are scenes that will make you uncomfortable. There were moments where I was literally sat with my hand over my mouth, genuinely frightened about what was going to happen. But to me, that shows absolutely fantastic storytelling. I was so emotionally invested throughout the entire duration of this book.
I’m really glad I went into this book pretty blind. I hadn’t read much about the book, and that made me so happy as I experienced everything as a surprise. Including the fact that this is loosely inspired by Phantom of the Opera. As a theatre nerd, and Phantom being one of my all time favourite stories and musicals, when I got to the part where that sort of storyline came in I was like WHAAAAATTTTTTTT????? Honestly I adored every single moment of this book. It’s truly one of the standout reads of the year so far for me. It was everything I could possibly want in a YA Fantasy novel, wrapped up in a musical theatre loving bow. It was perfect!
Girls of Dark Divine has without a doubt been the best surprise of 2025 for me so far. I loved every single moment of it and from the second it was over, I really wanted everyone to read it so I could fangirl about it with them. This will definitely be going on my favourites shelf, and one I will read again and again and again. It’s truly fantastic. If you’re looking for a new YA Fantasy to obsess over, look no further… this is it! It’s dark, creepy, magical and romantic. It has everything I could have wanted and more. I am genuinely obsessed with this book. The writing was stunning, the characterisation fantastic… the plot… perfection! EV Woods is the 2025 debut author to watch out for. She has immediately gone onto my auto-buy list! So if there is one YA debut you pick up this year, make sure it is this one!
“You should get to dance one last time, if you want to. As you. As Emberlyn – not as somebody’s marionette.”
September 5, 2025
I was so excited and shocked to be approved this ARC from Usborne Publishing, NetGalley & E.V. Woods in exchange for an honest review.
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ( I'd actually give this book 6stars! )
(Potential Spoilers)
I think it's very important to note that although this is a YA book, you should check the trigger warnings as there are descriptions of abusive and controlling behaviour, mild gore, and bodily harm.
I have so much to say about this book. I don't know where to start. Firstly, I was stunned to find the whole book is much darker and haunting than I had first anticipated. The epitome of this book was truly Dark Gothic Literature, which I found myself completely bewitched and hooked to. From the very first chapter, you are entangled into a dark and eerie setting, which involves death, mystery, dismay, and clinging on to hope that things will improve for the Marionettes. I loved that this book was completely unique, but also had elements of one of my all-time favourite plays Phantom Of The Opera, which I did have to immediately watch after finishing this book. 😍
About the book - Follow the beautiful Marionettes who perform so gracefully and perfectly onstage. Some would even say flawlessly without any mistakes as if they were puppets on a string being controlled by a puppet master. But, the controlling doesn't stop there. When the curtain falls, so do the girls, who have no real say and are powerless over their own bodies. Their only choice is to obey the vile and cruel Malcolm, for if they choose to defy him, they will find themselves having to suffer whatever cruel and wicked punishment he strikes them with. But, how long can someone endure such sickening treatment? Our female protagonist, Emberlyn, has had enough of living this wicked nightmare for her and her sisters. When the troupe is invited to perform in the glitzy city of Parlizia, Emberlyn knows this could be her best chance to save them all. She meets an elusive boy made of shadows with a magical connection to the girls. Together, they work to unravel the haunting truth about their creation and fight for their survival.
I found E.V. Woods writing for her first debut novel, perfect! The pacing was great, and I found the writing so well explained and detailed. Like I was truly watching all the performances on stage myself. The sisterhood and bond between all the girls and especially Emberlyn & Aledia really spoke volumes, I adored their love for one another, and despite the most tragic circumstances, they always looked out for one another. I would have loved some more depth on all the girls... Maybe a book two? But, I still found the plot and the whole story perfect!
Tropes Included are;
🩰 - Strong FMC
🩰 - Curses/ Unique Magic system
🩰 - Dark Setting
🩰 - Sweet Romance
Overall - If you love dark gothic fantasy with a strong FMC, a vile villain, and female rage, set in a dark eerie setting, then this is the book for you!
This book will grip you with its dark tendrils; you'll be eagerly turning the pages to know what's next whilst also savouring all the sweet and innocent moments. The ending was so bittersweet and will stay with me. 😭🥀
I can't wait to meet E.V. Woods at YALC and tell her in person how much I loved this book. 🖤❤️
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ( I'd actually give this book 6stars! )
(Potential Spoilers)
I think it's very important to note that although this is a YA book, you should check the trigger warnings as there are descriptions of abusive and controlling behaviour, mild gore, and bodily harm.
I have so much to say about this book. I don't know where to start. Firstly, I was stunned to find the whole book is much darker and haunting than I had first anticipated. The epitome of this book was truly Dark Gothic Literature, which I found myself completely bewitched and hooked to. From the very first chapter, you are entangled into a dark and eerie setting, which involves death, mystery, dismay, and clinging on to hope that things will improve for the Marionettes. I loved that this book was completely unique, but also had elements of one of my all-time favourite plays Phantom Of The Opera, which I did have to immediately watch after finishing this book. 😍
About the book - Follow the beautiful Marionettes who perform so gracefully and perfectly onstage. Some would even say flawlessly without any mistakes as if they were puppets on a string being controlled by a puppet master. But, the controlling doesn't stop there. When the curtain falls, so do the girls, who have no real say and are powerless over their own bodies. Their only choice is to obey the vile and cruel Malcolm, for if they choose to defy him, they will find themselves having to suffer whatever cruel and wicked punishment he strikes them with. But, how long can someone endure such sickening treatment? Our female protagonist, Emberlyn, has had enough of living this wicked nightmare for her and her sisters. When the troupe is invited to perform in the glitzy city of Parlizia, Emberlyn knows this could be her best chance to save them all. She meets an elusive boy made of shadows with a magical connection to the girls. Together, they work to unravel the haunting truth about their creation and fight for their survival.
I found E.V. Woods writing for her first debut novel, perfect! The pacing was great, and I found the writing so well explained and detailed. Like I was truly watching all the performances on stage myself. The sisterhood and bond between all the girls and especially Emberlyn & Aledia really spoke volumes, I adored their love for one another, and despite the most tragic circumstances, they always looked out for one another. I would have loved some more depth on all the girls... Maybe a book two? But, I still found the plot and the whole story perfect!
Tropes Included are;
🩰 - Strong FMC
🩰 - Curses/ Unique Magic system
🩰 - Dark Setting
🩰 - Sweet Romance
Overall - If you love dark gothic fantasy with a strong FMC, a vile villain, and female rage, set in a dark eerie setting, then this is the book for you!
This book will grip you with its dark tendrils; you'll be eagerly turning the pages to know what's next whilst also savouring all the sweet and innocent moments. The ending was so bittersweet and will stay with me. 😭🥀
I can't wait to meet E.V. Woods at YALC and tell her in person how much I loved this book. 🖤❤️
July 17, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 stars.
This book is so intriguing and fair amount darker than I expected. The unique magic woven into the story to create a tale of sacrifice and feminine rage is very well done. I love how dance is incorporated into the story it brings a little showman ship to the pages which creates a mask for what is lurking behind the scenes once the curtain is pulled.
Our FMC is courageous and broken, but I adored her on page. The villain in this story is as callous as they come, his greed and selfish desires are what plagues our main character and her troupes lives. As the story unravels we get to figure out how this happening and our main character must make decisions she may not recover from in order to truly be free.
This is a beautifully haunting story with magic and sisterhood that will draw you in.
This book is so intriguing and fair amount darker than I expected. The unique magic woven into the story to create a tale of sacrifice and feminine rage is very well done. I love how dance is incorporated into the story it brings a little showman ship to the pages which creates a mask for what is lurking behind the scenes once the curtain is pulled.
Our FMC is courageous and broken, but I adored her on page. The villain in this story is as callous as they come, his greed and selfish desires are what plagues our main character and her troupes lives. As the story unravels we get to figure out how this happening and our main character must make decisions she may not recover from in order to truly be free.
This is a beautifully haunting story with magic and sisterhood that will draw you in.
November 17, 2024
✨3.75
A ratos algo repetitivo pero escrito de forma exquisita.
A ratos algo repetitivo pero escrito de forma exquisita.
April 20, 2025
Having been crowned as the lead Marionette brings more horror than honor to Emerblyn as she buries her sister, taken too soon by the rot of a curse that haunts all in their trope. Being bound to their Puppet Master and forced to perform to perfection she and her sisters travel to a new theatre where secrets of the past threaten to unravel the threads that bind them.
What a haunting tragic fairytale like story we have.
I devoured this book fast than I anticipated, immediately I was hooked by this doomed collection of girls compelled to follow every demand of Malcom until it kills them. The anger of not fully being in control of your body is not lost on me in todays current climate and those little wins of defiance be it action or a cool smile when no one is looking was very powerful and I too hope we are able to find that kind of true freedom.
I loved the relationships between the sisters and while I wish we had more scenes of them together I understand why we could not. The journey Emberlyn needed to take in order to recognize the strength she always possessed within her could not be done in a situation where she felt the weight of responsibility for her friends at all times. Her friendships held her spirit but her lingering connection to the a Shadow helped her find her heart and that was truly beautiful.
There is so much to enjoy and be horrified with within this story leaving you with a feeling like falling into a dream that you don’t realize is a nightmare until the hooks are already buried deep within and I enjoyed every single second.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
What a haunting tragic fairytale like story we have.
I devoured this book fast than I anticipated, immediately I was hooked by this doomed collection of girls compelled to follow every demand of Malcom until it kills them. The anger of not fully being in control of your body is not lost on me in todays current climate and those little wins of defiance be it action or a cool smile when no one is looking was very powerful and I too hope we are able to find that kind of true freedom.
I loved the relationships between the sisters and while I wish we had more scenes of them together I understand why we could not. The journey Emberlyn needed to take in order to recognize the strength she always possessed within her could not be done in a situation where she felt the weight of responsibility for her friends at all times. Her friendships held her spirit but her lingering connection to the a Shadow helped her find her heart and that was truly beautiful.
There is so much to enjoy and be horrified with within this story leaving you with a feeling like falling into a dream that you don’t realize is a nightmare until the hooks are already buried deep within and I enjoyed every single second.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
April 22, 2025
Netflix, if you’re looking for your next mini series, this is it. Black Swan meets Phantom of the Opera, yet a wholly original story, something that has sorely been lacking in YA lately.
4.5 rounded down, this was magical, creepy, haunting, and that ending…oof. What a punch. More writers should have the balls to do that shit even when it hurts. This is a stunning debut, and I’m already looking forward to what this author has next.
4.5 rounded down, this was magical, creepy, haunting, and that ending…oof. What a punch. More writers should have the balls to do that shit even when it hurts. This is a stunning debut, and I’m already looking forward to what this author has next.
November 23, 2024
Before I actually start discussing this book, I should probably mention that I read an ARC and that any remarks regarding the actual content of the book in whatever way could, in principle, still change in the final, officially published version.
But if you read this discussion, you'll probably agree with me that I have so many remarks for this book on all levels that there's no way I would have liked the final version much better.
I believe the technical term for the content of this book is something like 'sloppy execution'.
Where to start?
Girls of Dark Divine (vague and odd title, but that goes for 90% of all YA fantasy these days, so we'll let that slide) probably has one of the ten most disgusting characters I've ever read about. In fact, 'disgusting' is too nice a word, but I can't think of anything else at the moment. My mind is still reeling just thinking of him.
Basically, this book is about a group of female dancers who have been cursed by a megalomaniacal theatre director to do his every bidding. He is a total, utter nasty piece of work and creep - the only positive thing I have to say about him is that he doesn't sexually abuse the dancers in any way, but that's as far as it goes. He's a terrible creature ('person' is too nice a word for it) in all aspects you can think of. Malcolm, that's his name, gave me the shivers. That's on a purely personal level, of course, but believe me, it didn't do anything to make me enjoy the book a bit more.
The main character, Emberlyn, decides she has enough and that she needs to escape - except the curse probably won't let her. That's the start of the book. And then it just goes on forever... The pacing is so slow, I honestly got bored of it. After about 120 pages, she figures out that running away won't work and so she decides to . Except that, well, she just doesn't. And I still don't understand why. She's very adamant that she is going to do it, but she never does. The story keeps dragging on without any real progress that is being made. For some reason, she doesn't confide in her 'sisters' - the other dancers - but decides to bear the burden on her own...
... Except there's also Étienne, her new partner in crime. There's a bit of a spoiler of the book coming up right now, but I'm not hiding it, because honestly, if you haven't figured this out all by yourself while reading this book, then you really haven't been paying attention. So here goes: Étienne is Emberlyn's shadow. Brief explanation: During the performances, she has to dance with a shadow without a body (also connected to the curse). And this shadow belongs to a boy, the only boy she has ever had any contact with - including bodily contact.
So here's another not-so-spoilery-spoiler coming up: Ember falls in love with him/it. Not just with Étienne, who she meets later, but even earlier on, when the shadow is just a shadow who doesn't do or even say anything except dance with her. These are the four words that went through my brain: 'Like, what the fuck?'
All this to make clear as to why Ember doesn't actually do the deed with Malcolm I mentioned in the spoiler above: She's too busy swooning over her shadow (body included by that time). She gets sidetracked all the friggin' time by him and by other stuff that really has no point being in this story at all.
Around halfway through - so about 200 pages in - I had finally run out of patience and I decided to just skip through the latter 200 pages in just over an hour. Everything that happens in those first 200 pages, could have been taken care of in 50 pages or even less. Apart from Malcolm being disgusting, Ember mooning over a weird shadow and one character dying right at the start of the book, virtually nothing happened. Hardly anything was explained, too; it takes an incredibly long time before Woods starts making some things clear - and I'm not talking about any mysterious plot twists here, but just to basic stuff such as how the curse works and what its repercussions are. Heather, the one who dies at the start, dies because of the curse - but if you thought you were going to find out how the curse kills her right after it's happened, then you are most definitely out of luck. Because it takes ages. Snore.
All in all, the idea and the setting reminded me a bit of Showstopper by Hayley Barker (which I read before I started putting reviews online). That book was fine, albeit not great, but this is just bad. The setting and the story itself do have some potential, but the pacing is terrible, the information is spread out badly (if there's an antonym to 'infodump' that means 'providing not nearly enough information when you should', then that word would be very fitting indeed) and the romance is just much too present in the book while also being completely out there (and then I'm still being polite here).
The other female characters, with Aleida number one, are nice to read about, and in some places I did appreciate Ember more as well. And the writing style itself was nice too. But those elements were not enough to convince me - not in the slightest. Like I said: a sloppy execution at best.
4/10
But if you read this discussion, you'll probably agree with me that I have so many remarks for this book on all levels that there's no way I would have liked the final version much better.
I believe the technical term for the content of this book is something like 'sloppy execution'.
Where to start?
Girls of Dark Divine (vague and odd title, but that goes for 90% of all YA fantasy these days, so we'll let that slide) probably has one of the ten most disgusting characters I've ever read about. In fact, 'disgusting' is too nice a word, but I can't think of anything else at the moment. My mind is still reeling just thinking of him.
Basically, this book is about a group of female dancers who have been cursed by a megalomaniacal theatre director to do his every bidding. He is a total, utter nasty piece of work and creep - the only positive thing I have to say about him is that he doesn't sexually abuse the dancers in any way, but that's as far as it goes. He's a terrible creature ('person' is too nice a word for it) in all aspects you can think of. Malcolm, that's his name, gave me the shivers. That's on a purely personal level, of course, but believe me, it didn't do anything to make me enjoy the book a bit more.
The main character, Emberlyn, decides she has enough and that she needs to escape - except the curse probably won't let her. That's the start of the book. And then it just goes on forever... The pacing is so slow, I honestly got bored of it. After about 120 pages, she figures out that running away won't work and so she decides to . Except that, well, she just doesn't. And I still don't understand why. She's very adamant that she is going to do it, but she never does. The story keeps dragging on without any real progress that is being made. For some reason, she doesn't confide in her 'sisters' - the other dancers - but decides to bear the burden on her own...
... Except there's also Étienne, her new partner in crime. There's a bit of a spoiler of the book coming up right now, but I'm not hiding it, because honestly, if you haven't figured this out all by yourself while reading this book, then you really haven't been paying attention. So here goes: Étienne is Emberlyn's shadow. Brief explanation: During the performances, she has to dance with a shadow without a body (also connected to the curse). And this shadow belongs to a boy, the only boy she has ever had any contact with - including bodily contact.
So here's another not-so-spoilery-spoiler coming up: Ember falls in love with him/it. Not just with Étienne, who she meets later, but even earlier on, when the shadow is just a shadow who doesn't do or even say anything except dance with her. These are the four words that went through my brain: 'Like, what the fuck?'
All this to make clear as to why Ember doesn't actually do the deed with Malcolm I mentioned in the spoiler above: She's too busy swooning over her shadow (body included by that time). She gets sidetracked all the friggin' time by him and by other stuff that really has no point being in this story at all.
Around halfway through - so about 200 pages in - I had finally run out of patience and I decided to just skip through the latter 200 pages in just over an hour. Everything that happens in those first 200 pages, could have been taken care of in 50 pages or even less. Apart from Malcolm being disgusting, Ember mooning over a weird shadow and one character dying right at the start of the book, virtually nothing happened. Hardly anything was explained, too; it takes an incredibly long time before Woods starts making some things clear - and I'm not talking about any mysterious plot twists here, but just to basic stuff such as how the curse works and what its repercussions are. Heather, the one who dies at the start, dies because of the curse - but if you thought you were going to find out how the curse kills her right after it's happened, then you are most definitely out of luck. Because it takes ages. Snore.
All in all, the idea and the setting reminded me a bit of Showstopper by Hayley Barker (which I read before I started putting reviews online). That book was fine, albeit not great, but this is just bad. The setting and the story itself do have some potential, but the pacing is terrible, the information is spread out badly (if there's an antonym to 'infodump' that means 'providing not nearly enough information when you should', then that word would be very fitting indeed) and the romance is just much too present in the book while also being completely out there (and then I'm still being polite here).
The other female characters, with Aleida number one, are nice to read about, and in some places I did appreciate Ember more as well. And the writing style itself was nice too. But those elements were not enough to convince me - not in the slightest. Like I said: a sloppy execution at best.
4/10
August 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this deliciously dark and edge of your seat story! E.V. Woods debut breakout is amazing! I love the unique story line and her characters are deep. If you love Stephanie Garber, this book is for you.
August 22, 2025
“Soon the air became thick with their hopes, like the perfume of a field of flowers, their petals turning to the burning sun after a long winter.”
All Emberlyn ever wanted was to be a renowned ballerina. Her burning passion for dancing landed her in the most revered ballet theater of New Kora, where she reigns as the principal dancer of Malcolm Manrow’s troupe, The Marionettes. She achieved her greatest dream—only to learn that she has been trapped in a nightmare. Emberlyn is not a dancer; she’s a puppet. When she joined The Marionettes, Malcolm bound her to him with a curse that allows him to control her, and all of the other Marionettes, with invisible strings. With the curse also preventing the girls from talking about their entrapment, they are condemned to dance—and bend—at Malcolm’s will until it eventually rots them from the inside out. When the troupe is invited to perform in the city of Parlizia, however, Emberlyn sees a glimmer of hope amidst the sparkle of the city’s chandeliers. There, she might be able to break the Marionettes free of Malcolm’s grasp, a conviction that only grows stronger when she encounters a mysterious boy of shadow who seems to know more about their affliction than she does. But the cost of freedom is staggering, and Emberlyn will have to decide whether it’s worth the price.
I was drawn in by this book’s promises of gothic fantasy goodness, and I am happy to say that I was not disappointed. From descriptions of the dusty theater underbelly to scenes with the specter in the rafters, E.V. Woods delivered. I loved that Woods included several of the Marionettes’ performances in the story, which added to the tension of the novel while allowing the reader to really see the girls as dancers. During these performances, Woods also dug deeper into the issue of autonomy, or what it’s like to lack it, which I thought honored the girls by making the horror of Malcolm’s curse feel real to the reader, instead of allowing it to be a mere conflict in the story. That being said, I appreciated the heart-warming elements of the story just as much. The sisterly bond between the Marionettes was touching, and the romance was charming. Though the pacing occasionally felt stagnant and I found the writing style to be stilted at times, Woods made up for it by using her voice to craft a delightfully eerie and magical atmosphere. Fans of media like Phantom of the Opera and Black Swan are sure to love this debut novel.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Delacorte Press for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
All Emberlyn ever wanted was to be a renowned ballerina. Her burning passion for dancing landed her in the most revered ballet theater of New Kora, where she reigns as the principal dancer of Malcolm Manrow’s troupe, The Marionettes. She achieved her greatest dream—only to learn that she has been trapped in a nightmare. Emberlyn is not a dancer; she’s a puppet. When she joined The Marionettes, Malcolm bound her to him with a curse that allows him to control her, and all of the other Marionettes, with invisible strings. With the curse also preventing the girls from talking about their entrapment, they are condemned to dance—and bend—at Malcolm’s will until it eventually rots them from the inside out. When the troupe is invited to perform in the city of Parlizia, however, Emberlyn sees a glimmer of hope amidst the sparkle of the city’s chandeliers. There, she might be able to break the Marionettes free of Malcolm’s grasp, a conviction that only grows stronger when she encounters a mysterious boy of shadow who seems to know more about their affliction than she does. But the cost of freedom is staggering, and Emberlyn will have to decide whether it’s worth the price.
I was drawn in by this book’s promises of gothic fantasy goodness, and I am happy to say that I was not disappointed. From descriptions of the dusty theater underbelly to scenes with the specter in the rafters, E.V. Woods delivered. I loved that Woods included several of the Marionettes’ performances in the story, which added to the tension of the novel while allowing the reader to really see the girls as dancers. During these performances, Woods also dug deeper into the issue of autonomy, or what it’s like to lack it, which I thought honored the girls by making the horror of Malcolm’s curse feel real to the reader, instead of allowing it to be a mere conflict in the story. That being said, I appreciated the heart-warming elements of the story just as much. The sisterly bond between the Marionettes was touching, and the romance was charming. Though the pacing occasionally felt stagnant and I found the writing style to be stilted at times, Woods made up for it by using her voice to craft a delightfully eerie and magical atmosphere. Fans of media like Phantom of the Opera and Black Swan are sure to love this debut novel.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Delacorte Press for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
August 5, 2025
Gothic tale of naïve young dancers given their heart’s desire – with strings attached.
Girls of Dark Divine by E.V. Woods is a mesmerizing gothic tale of what happens when some naïve and ambitious young dancers are lured into unknowingly trading their lives for their heart’s desire to dance as a member of the renowned Manrow’s Marionettes. The story follows lead dancer, Emberlyn, and her sister dancers, revealing the truth behind the success of the magical troupe.
The dancers of Manrow’s Marionettes are exquisitely beautiful, flawless visions as they perform the magical choreography of Malcolm Manrow, giving the audience the illusion of full-sized, lifelike dolls. What the audience doesn’t realize is that, despite being living, breathing women, their amazing “stringed” performances are real, the result of a curse and controlled by Puppetmaster Malcolm Manrow himself.Emberlyn, the lead and longest tenured of the Marionettes, has always been looked up to by her fellow dancers for guidance and protection. However, by the time of the opening in the novel, she is burnt out and exhausted by the unimaginable truth of her life, stretched to the breaking point by her horrific existence. She is ready to attempt an escape, with or without her best friend in the troupe, Aleida, even though Malcolm has made it clear that dancers can never leave. Her planned escape is one of survival rather than an abandonment of her sisters. I felt she was long past being selfish and heartless or any noble sentiments whatsoever by this time. Malcolm is a cruel predator and master, especially after he’s been drinking. He exercises control through fear and violence, and is devoid of any redeeming qualities.
The workings of the curse are original and horrifying, and details are kept hazy and mysterious through most of the story, increasing the gothic feel of the work all the more. I was captivated by the unique addition of the shadow, which initially only appeared during Marionette performances, to lift and twirl Emberlyn across the stage. His mysterious existence was a highlight for me, and I particularly enjoyed this aspect of the story.With its atmospheric settings, many sympathetic characters, and a frighteningly imaginative plot, I recommend GIRLS OF DARK DIVINE to readers of gothic young adult mysteries, thrillers, and tales of horror.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.February 7, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
E.V. Woods’ “Girls of Dark Divine” is a gothic fantasy brimming with eerie beauty and dark enchantment. Set in the haunting world of the New Kora ballet theatre, the book immerses you in a twisted fairytale where grace and horror intertwine. Beneath the shimmer of the stage lights, a sinister secret lurks—the ballerinas are bound by a terrible curse, forced to dance at the whims of their ruthless director, Malcolm. When Emberlyn, the theatre’s star, realizes the true cost of their enslavement, she embarks on a perilous journey to break the spell before it consumes them all.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its hauntingly atmospheric storytelling. With echoes of The Phantom of the Opera and The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Woods crafts a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. The prose is lush and evocative, painting a picture of a world where elegance masks oppression. The marionette-like control of the dancers adds an extra layer of eeriness, making the stakes feel all the more dire.
The relationship between Emberlyn and her fellow dancers is another compelling aspect of the novel. Their bond is deeply emotional, filled with love, fear, and the desperation to survive together. The sisterhood they share adds heart to the story, making their struggle against Malcolm’s control even more poignant. Malcolm himself is a villain who exudes pure menace—his presence in the book is unsettling, and his power over the ballerinas is suffocating.
The first half of the book is a bit sluggish as the unraveling of the mystery only slowly advances. Emberlyn’s determination to escape feels like it drags at times, and though her plan to kill Malcolm is a driving force in the plot, her constant hesitation can be frustrating. Additionally, the romance element is likely to divide opinions. Emberlyn’s connection with Étienne, the shadowy boy who is magically tied to her performances, is both haunting and peculiar.
Overall, “Girls of Dark Divine” is an engrossing read for fans of gothic fantasy, particularly those who enjoy dark fairytales, twisted curses, and tales of love and defiance. The book’s chilling atmosphere lingers long after the final page, making it a mesmerizing story of fate, control, and the price of freedom.
E.V. Woods’ “Girls of Dark Divine” is a gothic fantasy brimming with eerie beauty and dark enchantment. Set in the haunting world of the New Kora ballet theatre, the book immerses you in a twisted fairytale where grace and horror intertwine. Beneath the shimmer of the stage lights, a sinister secret lurks—the ballerinas are bound by a terrible curse, forced to dance at the whims of their ruthless director, Malcolm. When Emberlyn, the theatre’s star, realizes the true cost of their enslavement, she embarks on a perilous journey to break the spell before it consumes them all.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its hauntingly atmospheric storytelling. With echoes of The Phantom of the Opera and The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Woods crafts a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. The prose is lush and evocative, painting a picture of a world where elegance masks oppression. The marionette-like control of the dancers adds an extra layer of eeriness, making the stakes feel all the more dire.
The relationship between Emberlyn and her fellow dancers is another compelling aspect of the novel. Their bond is deeply emotional, filled with love, fear, and the desperation to survive together. The sisterhood they share adds heart to the story, making their struggle against Malcolm’s control even more poignant. Malcolm himself is a villain who exudes pure menace—his presence in the book is unsettling, and his power over the ballerinas is suffocating.
The first half of the book is a bit sluggish as the unraveling of the mystery only slowly advances. Emberlyn’s determination to escape feels like it drags at times, and though her plan to kill Malcolm is a driving force in the plot, her constant hesitation can be frustrating. Additionally, the romance element is likely to divide opinions. Emberlyn’s connection with Étienne, the shadowy boy who is magically tied to her performances, is both haunting and peculiar.
Overall, “Girls of Dark Divine” is an engrossing read for fans of gothic fantasy, particularly those who enjoy dark fairytales, twisted curses, and tales of love and defiance. The book’s chilling atmosphere lingers long after the final page, making it a mesmerizing story of fate, control, and the price of freedom.
June 22, 2025
I had really hoped I'd like this book, but it just wasn't for me. I DNF'd at the 40% mark, and while I don't typically review DNFs at all, this is one I have some thoughts on. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to submit my honest reivew.
What I liked:
-Lovely settings
-The curse itself was fun and unique, and Woods did a fantastic job describing the curse taking hold and conveying that feel to the reader.
-I got some Phantom of the Opera vibes here and there, which was unexpected and fun
Now, for what I didn't like:
-Emberlynn. She just wasn't a very likeable protagonist, and I found her to be selfish and annoying. Particularly the way she acted toward her 'sisters' in the troupe. The Marionettes are all in this situation together, and I would expect that alone to bond them, but Emberlynn didn't seem to genuinely care about any of them, even her 'closest friend' Aleida. Her disdain and judgement toward the other Marionettes who were excited to go to Parlizia also struck me as odd--that she would fault them for attempting to find some small bit of happiness in this life that seems so bleak. Just because you're miserable doesn't mean everyone else needs to be as well. If they want to process their situation by trying to find little crumbs of joy and excitement, LET THEM.
-Malcom. His character had the potential to be really strong and unsettling, but unfortunately he was a cartoon villain I couldn't take seriously, even with the power he wielded through the curse. I found myself rolling my eyes every time he tried to flex his 'bad guy muscles' to intimidate Emberlyn.
-The pacing dragged and the characters were not interesting enough to keep me reading. The only member of the cast who was anywhere close to interesting for me was Grace, who we saw tricked and trapped to be a Marionette.
-I was just...bored. Which surprised me because it's not that Woods wasn't including action. There was plenty happening but it just wasn't compelling enough. And I imagine my strong dislike of Emberlynn likely played a large role in this. I haven't been this annoyed by a protagonist in a while.
A DNF is a rare thing for me. I really did try to get through this one, trying to slog my way through in order to say I made it to the end. But I can't.
2/5 stars.
What I liked:
-Lovely settings
-The curse itself was fun and unique, and Woods did a fantastic job describing the curse taking hold and conveying that feel to the reader.
-I got some Phantom of the Opera vibes here and there, which was unexpected and fun
Now, for what I didn't like:
-Emberlynn. She just wasn't a very likeable protagonist, and I found her to be selfish and annoying. Particularly the way she acted toward her 'sisters' in the troupe. The Marionettes are all in this situation together, and I would expect that alone to bond them, but Emberlynn didn't seem to genuinely care about any of them, even her 'closest friend' Aleida. Her disdain and judgement toward the other Marionettes who were excited to go to Parlizia also struck me as odd--that she would fault them for attempting to find some small bit of happiness in this life that seems so bleak. Just because you're miserable doesn't mean everyone else needs to be as well. If they want to process their situation by trying to find little crumbs of joy and excitement, LET THEM.
-Malcom. His character had the potential to be really strong and unsettling, but unfortunately he was a cartoon villain I couldn't take seriously, even with the power he wielded through the curse. I found myself rolling my eyes every time he tried to flex his 'bad guy muscles' to intimidate Emberlyn.
-The pacing dragged and the characters were not interesting enough to keep me reading. The only member of the cast who was anywhere close to interesting for me was Grace, who we saw tricked and trapped to be a Marionette.
-I was just...bored. Which surprised me because it's not that Woods wasn't including action. There was plenty happening but it just wasn't compelling enough. And I imagine my strong dislike of Emberlynn likely played a large role in this. I haven't been this annoyed by a protagonist in a while.
A DNF is a rare thing for me. I really did try to get through this one, trying to slog my way through in order to say I made it to the end. But I can't.
2/5 stars.
Read
August 5, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Girls of Dark Divine by E. V. Woods is a third person YA fantasy horror. The travelling ballet troupe, The Marionettes, are the most famous in the realm with unparalleled skills. Their leader Malcolm, however, is hiding a dark secret from the rest of the world as he drives his dancers to the brink of death and then infects them with a magic that lets them perform perfectly but also allows him to control them. Emberlyn has had enough and she will do whatever it takes to escape his clutches.
This is very much about abuse and how sometimes attractive people with stellar reputations are actually monsters beyond closed doors. This is driven further by the fact that the dancers are supposed to assist in the turning of new members, showing everyone just how helpless they are against him. The girls are incapable of leaving as Malcolm will use his magic to punish them and then when he gets rid of them, he tells their families that the girl ran off with a boyfriend or got pregnant, relying on social norms to protect him.
Emberlyn is a very active character who is unable to move around as much as she wants to. I see a lot of conversations around active vs passive MCs and how characters have to make choices in order to be active even if they fail and that is certainly the case here. Many of the same things will happen whether Emberlyn does anything or not, but she is actively trying to find ways to rebel. She is not sitting on her hands letting things just happen to her.
Sometimes Emberlyn dances on stage with a shadow, with no understanding where it came from or whose shadow it might really be if it belongs to a person. She can still sometimes feel the shadow’s touch on her skin long after the dance is over and it's fairly clear that she misses having a connection with someone besides her sisters in the troupe. She meets Étienne, a young man who works in one of the biggest theaters in the realm but she only ever sees him inside. The two slowly circle around each other as Étienne seems to know more than he lets on and he's drawn to Emberlyn for reasons he can't explain
Content warning for abusive relationships
I would recommend this to fans of horror fantasy looking for something with a ballet twist and readers of YA who want a darker fantasy
Girls of Dark Divine by E. V. Woods is a third person YA fantasy horror. The travelling ballet troupe, The Marionettes, are the most famous in the realm with unparalleled skills. Their leader Malcolm, however, is hiding a dark secret from the rest of the world as he drives his dancers to the brink of death and then infects them with a magic that lets them perform perfectly but also allows him to control them. Emberlyn has had enough and she will do whatever it takes to escape his clutches.
This is very much about abuse and how sometimes attractive people with stellar reputations are actually monsters beyond closed doors. This is driven further by the fact that the dancers are supposed to assist in the turning of new members, showing everyone just how helpless they are against him. The girls are incapable of leaving as Malcolm will use his magic to punish them and then when he gets rid of them, he tells their families that the girl ran off with a boyfriend or got pregnant, relying on social norms to protect him.
Emberlyn is a very active character who is unable to move around as much as she wants to. I see a lot of conversations around active vs passive MCs and how characters have to make choices in order to be active even if they fail and that is certainly the case here. Many of the same things will happen whether Emberlyn does anything or not, but she is actively trying to find ways to rebel. She is not sitting on her hands letting things just happen to her.
Sometimes Emberlyn dances on stage with a shadow, with no understanding where it came from or whose shadow it might really be if it belongs to a person. She can still sometimes feel the shadow’s touch on her skin long after the dance is over and it's fairly clear that she misses having a connection with someone besides her sisters in the troupe. She meets Étienne, a young man who works in one of the biggest theaters in the realm but she only ever sees him inside. The two slowly circle around each other as Étienne seems to know more than he lets on and he's drawn to Emberlyn for reasons he can't explain
Content warning for abusive relationships
I would recommend this to fans of horror fantasy looking for something with a ballet twist and readers of YA who want a darker fantasy
July 23, 2025
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got a copy of this on ebook from NetGalley for review.
Thoughts: This was decent and I finished it, so that says something. Although I will admit by the end I was skimming portions of the book because it was fairly predictable and not much actually happened here.
We follow the lead dancer Emberlyn throughout the story, she is one of the Marionettes trapped and controlled by the Puppet Master, Malcolm. She is determined to escape his curse with or without her Marionette sisters.
This is beautifully written, and the darkly magical settings really come alive. You can almost taste and feel the items in this book. It has serious Phantom of the Opera vibes, which is cool. However, it is very slow. There isn't much that actually happens in this book.
This is a simple and predictable story. The descriptions were beautiful and magical; there are some very sweet interactions between Emberlyn and the shadow. I liked the setting and the idea of the curse.
However, I struggled with how the curse was described...was this the only magic in this world? I never got a good feel for this world; was it a modern world, a historical world? I also struggled with how the curse was resolved. This seemed contrived and felt a bit grasping to me.
The other Marionettes definitely felt like background characters; they didn't have much depth and were given token stereotypical personalities (caring one, difficult one, perky one). I also thought it was strange how Grace was set up to be a more major character and just dropped partway through the story. I did like that there is a focus on sisterhood and young women who are helping each other to survive.
As I said, I finished it. This was a quick and easy read. However, I was skimming a lot towards the end and was a bit disappointed when it wrapped up how I thought it would. If you are looking for a fairly simple dark, glittering YA read, this is a decent one. There isn't a lot of depth here or really any unexpected twists. This is a very forgettable read, and I doubt I will ever think about it again or even remember that I read it in a few months.
My Summary (3/5): Overall this was okay. I loved the dark, glittering description throughout the story and thought the idea of the curse was intriguing. However, the story is predictable, and the way things wrapped up felt forced and contrived. There really wasn't any world-building, and the side characters are paper thin. This was an easy enough read, but I found myself skimming towards the end...it was just such a simple story. I probably won't seek out more books by Woods, but if you are looking for a dark, glittering YA read this is a decent one.
Thoughts: This was decent and I finished it, so that says something. Although I will admit by the end I was skimming portions of the book because it was fairly predictable and not much actually happened here.
We follow the lead dancer Emberlyn throughout the story, she is one of the Marionettes trapped and controlled by the Puppet Master, Malcolm. She is determined to escape his curse with or without her Marionette sisters.
This is beautifully written, and the darkly magical settings really come alive. You can almost taste and feel the items in this book. It has serious Phantom of the Opera vibes, which is cool. However, it is very slow. There isn't much that actually happens in this book.
This is a simple and predictable story. The descriptions were beautiful and magical; there are some very sweet interactions between Emberlyn and the shadow. I liked the setting and the idea of the curse.
However, I struggled with how the curse was described...was this the only magic in this world? I never got a good feel for this world; was it a modern world, a historical world? I also struggled with how the curse was resolved. This seemed contrived and felt a bit grasping to me.
The other Marionettes definitely felt like background characters; they didn't have much depth and were given token stereotypical personalities (caring one, difficult one, perky one). I also thought it was strange how Grace was set up to be a more major character and just dropped partway through the story. I did like that there is a focus on sisterhood and young women who are helping each other to survive.
As I said, I finished it. This was a quick and easy read. However, I was skimming a lot towards the end and was a bit disappointed when it wrapped up how I thought it would. If you are looking for a fairly simple dark, glittering YA read, this is a decent one. There isn't a lot of depth here or really any unexpected twists. This is a very forgettable read, and I doubt I will ever think about it again or even remember that I read it in a few months.
My Summary (3/5): Overall this was okay. I loved the dark, glittering description throughout the story and thought the idea of the curse was intriguing. However, the story is predictable, and the way things wrapped up felt forced and contrived. There really wasn't any world-building, and the side characters are paper thin. This was an easy enough read, but I found myself skimming towards the end...it was just such a simple story. I probably won't seek out more books by Woods, but if you are looking for a dark, glittering YA read this is a decent one.
July 12, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
I've found that YA Horror is generally a mixed bag for me. It's either not quite scary enough or it's more suspenseful and eerie rather then a true horror novel. It actually starts out quite grisly with the death of a girl from the curse. I do think its unusual that no one seems to notice that girls keep dying under Malcolm although perhaps it could be the nature of the curse.
I'm also not sure how the girls are able to write home to their families to prevent their families from knowing, yet they are also losing their memories to the curse. I was confused on why Emberlyn was so insistent on running away specifically with Aleida. Their relationship needed more building to show why Emberlyn was so dedicated to her in comparison to the other girls. I did like the shared sisterhood between the Emberlyn and the rest of the girls. It was nice to see how they helped and supported each other.
The story was quite dark and delves into body horror with girls having no control over their bodies and being forced to dance until they die. That's where I could truly feel some of the creepiness, with the showing of the lack of autonomy and ability to escape. There was also questions brought up about what limits they would go to, to escape, which were thought-provoking.
Etienne, the shadow boy, was such an interesting character. He reveals a lot more information regarding the history and nature of the curse. I also thought his particular curse was very unique. However, I thought the romance between him and Emberlyn was very sudden as there didn't seem to be very much buildup. I also thought the way they broke the curse was somewhat anti-climatic and I kept expecting there to be more.
Overall, this is definitely a creepy and fun read! I'd highly recommend it to people who love YA horror.
I've found that YA Horror is generally a mixed bag for me. It's either not quite scary enough or it's more suspenseful and eerie rather then a true horror novel. It actually starts out quite grisly with the death of a girl from the curse. I do think its unusual that no one seems to notice that girls keep dying under Malcolm although perhaps it could be the nature of the curse.
I'm also not sure how the girls are able to write home to their families to prevent their families from knowing, yet they are also losing their memories to the curse. I was confused on why Emberlyn was so insistent on running away specifically with Aleida. Their relationship needed more building to show why Emberlyn was so dedicated to her in comparison to the other girls. I did like the shared sisterhood between the Emberlyn and the rest of the girls. It was nice to see how they helped and supported each other.
The story was quite dark and delves into body horror with girls having no control over their bodies and being forced to dance until they die. That's where I could truly feel some of the creepiness, with the showing of the lack of autonomy and ability to escape. There was also questions brought up about what limits they would go to, to escape, which were thought-provoking.
Etienne, the shadow boy, was such an interesting character. He reveals a lot more information regarding the history and nature of the curse. I also thought his particular curse was very unique. However, I thought the romance between him and Emberlyn was very sudden as there didn't seem to be very much buildup. I also thought the way they broke the curse was somewhat anti-climatic and I kept expecting there to be more.
Overall, this is definitely a creepy and fun read! I'd highly recommend it to people who love YA horror.
August 11, 2025
Will Emberlyn find a way for herself and her "sisters" to escape from Malcom's clutches?
Malcom Manrow's Marvelous Marionettes are cursed by Malcom to obey his every whim and command in exchange for becoming the famous dancing troupe of New Kora. However, there is an even greater danger for the marionettes: the curse can kill them. Heather was the second to fall victim to this curse. Emberlyn, the lead dancer, has had enough. When an opportunity arises for the marionettes to perform in Pariliza, will Emberlyn be able to seize her chance to escape?
Initially, this book unfolds at a leisurely pace, almost like a gentle breeze that gradually transforms into a tempest of intrigue. As the story progresses, it reveals layers of captivating narratives that draw you deep into its dark and twisted depths. The atmosphere shifts from calm to chilling, with moments that linger in the shadows and evoke a sense of suspense.
The characters are intricately crafted, each one painted with depth and nuance. Emberlyn stands out with her daring spirit and an innate empathy that makes her incredibly relatable. I found myself cheering for her, longing to see her triumph against the odds. However, I couldn’t help but feel that the other marionettes deserved more attention; their stories beckoned for exploration and elaboration.
On the other hand, Malcom emerged as the embodiment of villainy, a character so loathsome that he ignited fierce emotions within me. I suspect many readers, like myself, found themselves fervently wishing for his inevitable downfall.
This book is a must-read for those who revel in gothic tales enriched with compelling twists and unexpected turns, promising a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @topplingstackstours, for the e-book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Malcom Manrow's Marvelous Marionettes are cursed by Malcom to obey his every whim and command in exchange for becoming the famous dancing troupe of New Kora. However, there is an even greater danger for the marionettes: the curse can kill them. Heather was the second to fall victim to this curse. Emberlyn, the lead dancer, has had enough. When an opportunity arises for the marionettes to perform in Pariliza, will Emberlyn be able to seize her chance to escape?
Initially, this book unfolds at a leisurely pace, almost like a gentle breeze that gradually transforms into a tempest of intrigue. As the story progresses, it reveals layers of captivating narratives that draw you deep into its dark and twisted depths. The atmosphere shifts from calm to chilling, with moments that linger in the shadows and evoke a sense of suspense.
The characters are intricately crafted, each one painted with depth and nuance. Emberlyn stands out with her daring spirit and an innate empathy that makes her incredibly relatable. I found myself cheering for her, longing to see her triumph against the odds. However, I couldn’t help but feel that the other marionettes deserved more attention; their stories beckoned for exploration and elaboration.
On the other hand, Malcom emerged as the embodiment of villainy, a character so loathsome that he ignited fierce emotions within me. I suspect many readers, like myself, found themselves fervently wishing for his inevitable downfall.
This book is a must-read for those who revel in gothic tales enriched with compelling twists and unexpected turns, promising a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @topplingstackstours, for the e-book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 12, 2025
The girls of the New Kora ballet company are ethereal and beautiful. Emberlyn wanted to become one of them, and learns the hard way the price of this grace. The shows mastermind Malcolm bound them with a curse that has him controlling them as if they're his marionettes, even when not dancing. Once the curse runs its course, the girls turn to dust. When the troupe is invited to perform in Parlizia, Emberlyn meets with a boy that has a magical connection to the girls. Trying to unravel the curse might have a price too high to pay.
Emberlyn is angry at being trapped by the curse and forced to perform at Malcolm's behest. Even though she is a dancer, there's a difference when she isn't given the choice to perform or not, there's no chance to practice, and she's used to lure in other victims to join the troupe. This is understandable. The other girls in the troupe are more afraid of the torture that comes in response to noncompliance, which is also a valid response. She is so angry that she doesn't consider consequences to the other marionettes until it's pointed out to her, then she understands there are risks to them all, not just herself. The curse involves life energy and ties them to Malcolm, so cutting the ties can lead to intense blowback.
For all her anger, Ember loves the other girls and does what she thinks will help them. She has a great capacity for love despite her trauma, which we get a chance to see once she opens up to them and Étienne. The finale is as theatrical as the story implies it will be, with sacrifices made. At the same time, we also get a chance to see that healing and recovery is possible, a light for the future that will carry the characters forward.
Emberlyn is angry at being trapped by the curse and forced to perform at Malcolm's behest. Even though she is a dancer, there's a difference when she isn't given the choice to perform or not, there's no chance to practice, and she's used to lure in other victims to join the troupe. This is understandable. The other girls in the troupe are more afraid of the torture that comes in response to noncompliance, which is also a valid response. She is so angry that she doesn't consider consequences to the other marionettes until it's pointed out to her, then she understands there are risks to them all, not just herself. The curse involves life energy and ties them to Malcolm, so cutting the ties can lead to intense blowback.
For all her anger, Ember loves the other girls and does what she thinks will help them. She has a great capacity for love despite her trauma, which we get a chance to see once she opens up to them and Étienne. The finale is as theatrical as the story implies it will be, with sacrifices made. At the same time, we also get a chance to see that healing and recovery is possible, a light for the future that will carry the characters forward.
August 21, 2025
✶✶✶.5 / 5 𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔰 ꔫ
This book was such an interesting read, and honestly the perfect soft launch into autumn. I’ve personally never read anything quite like it, which made the story all the more intriguing.
This story follows a group of ballerinas who are cursed, bound, and controlled by the troupe’s mastermind, Malcolm. With his magic, he pulls at invisible strings, manipulating their limbs like marionettes. But the control doesn’t end on stage—the commands extend into their everyday lives: what they eat, who they speak to, how they spend every moment. They have no freedom. Everything shifts when the troupe is invited to perform in the dazzling city of Parlizia, and Emberlyn realises this may be her last chance to save herself and her friends.
I have to say, this story was beautifully written and very easy to consume. However, it was a little slow, and not much actually happened. I genuinely feel like around 30% of the book could have been cut, as a lot of it didn’t really contribute to where the story was going. The magic system was interesting, but it wasn’t well explained—I didn’t like that by the time we reached the end, everything just seemed to fall into place without a clear understanding of what Malcolm’s power really was or how it was truly defeated. Grace also felt like she was being set up to be a main character, but then she just disappeared into the background.
Overall, I think this book was intriguing and definitely a fun read. It could benefit from some tighter editing, but the changes needed aren’t major—which is a good sign. There’s a really strong plot here, it just needs clearer explanation, particularly around the magic system.
Thank you to NetGalley and Usborne Publishing for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This book was such an interesting read, and honestly the perfect soft launch into autumn. I’ve personally never read anything quite like it, which made the story all the more intriguing.
This story follows a group of ballerinas who are cursed, bound, and controlled by the troupe’s mastermind, Malcolm. With his magic, he pulls at invisible strings, manipulating their limbs like marionettes. But the control doesn’t end on stage—the commands extend into their everyday lives: what they eat, who they speak to, how they spend every moment. They have no freedom. Everything shifts when the troupe is invited to perform in the dazzling city of Parlizia, and Emberlyn realises this may be her last chance to save herself and her friends.
I have to say, this story was beautifully written and very easy to consume. However, it was a little slow, and not much actually happened. I genuinely feel like around 30% of the book could have been cut, as a lot of it didn’t really contribute to where the story was going. The magic system was interesting, but it wasn’t well explained—I didn’t like that by the time we reached the end, everything just seemed to fall into place without a clear understanding of what Malcolm’s power really was or how it was truly defeated. Grace also felt like she was being set up to be a main character, but then she just disappeared into the background.
Overall, I think this book was intriguing and definitely a fun read. It could benefit from some tighter editing, but the changes needed aren’t major—which is a good sign. There’s a really strong plot here, it just needs clearer explanation, particularly around the magic system.
Thank you to NetGalley and Usborne Publishing for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2025
This book drew me in with the suspense of whether the Marionettes will gain their freedom or suffer dancing in front of an unsuspecting audience until they die. The relationship between Malcolm and the women is clearly abusive as he uses emotional and physical abuse to control them, along with the curse.
The story is about surviving abuse with a side of heartbreaking romance. The romance in the book is hinted at several times as a fated lovers. Woods does an excellent job of describing Emberlyn’s emotions of suffering from the abuse, loving her sisters, and falling in love with the elusive shadow boy. She also broke my heart with the ending.
The theme of Girls of Dark Divine is selflessness. Emberlyn struggles between saving herself and saving her sisters.
I enjoyed reading Girls of Dark Divine. The fantasy story of dancers cursed to perform like marionette dolls, mixed with the story of surviving abuse, made for a wonderful book. It pulled on my emotions and kept me in suspense over what would happen next. The magic in the worldbuilding could have been expanded, including giving the shadow boy a reason (magical or not) to not tell the authorities about Malcolm’s many crimes. Still, Girls of Dark Divine is a good book for anyone interested in women fighting back, surviving abuse, dancing, or curses. The Bookworm’s Snack recommends reading Girls of Dark Divine.
Read the full review at BWS Review: Girls of Dark Divine.
https://thebookwormssnack.wixsite.com...
August 9, 2025
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
GIRLS OF DARK DIVINE is a fantasy about control and sisterhood.
The magic is so creepy. The strings that give the girls their name and the way it violates their rights to control their own bodies is horrible. The descriptions of it made me shiver, turning what should be beautiful (dancing) into something ugly. It was a very effective way of making me root for Emberlyn to find a way to escape.
This is a book about sisterhood, the ones we choose to become our sisters. It's that bond between girls and women that's the closest sort of friendship possible and how impossible it is to imagine our lives without these people sharing it. Emberlyn's love for them is the driving force of this book, the motivation propelling her to act and find a way out.
I really liked that, despite there being a romantic attraction with the shadow boy, the bond between her and Aleida (another dancer) was the focus of the book. It is for her sister that she's acting, not this boy (who is very helpful and nice, it should be said.)
I liked how the "just kill him" option was explored. It seems like a potentially easy option but the book looks at what it would take to go down that route and how Emberlyn feels about being pushed to the point that she is considering it. I really appreciated that - I feel like a lot of books often overlook the personal cost to taking a life, writing it off as easy and inconsequential.
GIRLS OF DARK DIVINE is a fantasy about control and sisterhood.
The magic is so creepy. The strings that give the girls their name and the way it violates their rights to control their own bodies is horrible. The descriptions of it made me shiver, turning what should be beautiful (dancing) into something ugly. It was a very effective way of making me root for Emberlyn to find a way to escape.
This is a book about sisterhood, the ones we choose to become our sisters. It's that bond between girls and women that's the closest sort of friendship possible and how impossible it is to imagine our lives without these people sharing it. Emberlyn's love for them is the driving force of this book, the motivation propelling her to act and find a way out.
I really liked that, despite there being a romantic attraction with the shadow boy, the bond between her and Aleida (another dancer) was the focus of the book. It is for her sister that she's acting, not this boy (who is very helpful and nice, it should be said.)
I liked how the "just kill him" option was explored. It seems like a potentially easy option but the book looks at what it would take to go down that route and how Emberlyn feels about being pushed to the point that she is considering it. I really appreciated that - I feel like a lot of books often overlook the personal cost to taking a life, writing it off as easy and inconsequential.
August 22, 2025
Emberlyn, our main character, is a Marionette. They are an ensemble of stunning yet haunting girls, all cursed to live out a grand performance until they fatefully turn to dust. Emberlyn once thought of them as different, once a dream role, but after learning of another sister’s demise, she can’t resist the feeling of retribution that comes over her toward their tormentor, the one who controls their very limbs; The Puppet Master. The one who compels them to perform and keeps their curse binds fortified and bound. Still, she stands up to fight back, determined to free them all from dancing with death.
Only, when she’s taken to a new theatre and set for a new challenge entangled with eeriness and darkness, she decides to make a break for freedom, though instead coming face to face with a newfangled kind of danger. Treacherous, evil secrets lay ahead on the road to settling scores, intertwined with a boy made of shadows and a love that takes Emberlyn by surprise. Through her new look on their tortured existence and what it means to be truly cursed, she knows the only thing to do is to destroy the Puppet Master and bring an end to his cruelty. But in doing so, would that mean losing the Marionettes—her sisters—too? And is it a price she is willing to dance her way to the endgame to do so?
Overall, Girls Of Dark Divine was darkly enthralling, tragically romantic at times and haunting to the core. Though told in third person, I was still compelled by the voice of Emberlyn at the heart of the novel to turn pages fast into the night, desperate to learn more, to absorb more of the bewitching story submerged in so much sadness and magic alike. It’s hard to talk too much about the story without giving away plot points and endings, and I never want to do that and spoil things, so the best thing I can say is that this story is truly unique through-and-through, beguiling, tender and unnerving at every shadowy corner. A brilliant spectacle of a book.
Only, when she’s taken to a new theatre and set for a new challenge entangled with eeriness and darkness, she decides to make a break for freedom, though instead coming face to face with a newfangled kind of danger. Treacherous, evil secrets lay ahead on the road to settling scores, intertwined with a boy made of shadows and a love that takes Emberlyn by surprise. Through her new look on their tortured existence and what it means to be truly cursed, she knows the only thing to do is to destroy the Puppet Master and bring an end to his cruelty. But in doing so, would that mean losing the Marionettes—her sisters—too? And is it a price she is willing to dance her way to the endgame to do so?
Overall, Girls Of Dark Divine was darkly enthralling, tragically romantic at times and haunting to the core. Though told in third person, I was still compelled by the voice of Emberlyn at the heart of the novel to turn pages fast into the night, desperate to learn more, to absorb more of the bewitching story submerged in so much sadness and magic alike. It’s hard to talk too much about the story without giving away plot points and endings, and I never want to do that and spoil things, so the best thing I can say is that this story is truly unique through-and-through, beguiling, tender and unnerving at every shadowy corner. A brilliant spectacle of a book.
August 6, 2025
Girls of Dark Divine by E.V. Woods was an interesting read.
This book focuses on a ballet troupe in the city of New Kora. The girls who make up the dance troupe are legendary and dance beautifully every night. And while we are introduced to all the girls, the main fmc is Emberlyn, the show's star. As we learn more about her, we find out that the theatre isn't exactly what everyone sees on the outside. See, Emberlyn had always wanted to become a ballerina before she became a Marionette, but now that she is living in a nightmare, she isn't sure she wants to do it anymore.
What we find out is that the girls have been bound by a curse by the show's leader, Malcolm. They are essentially controlled by him and the magic strings that he has within them which allows him to move them around like marionette dolls. He is their puppeteer during the show but he can also control them away from the show so the girls live in fear of what he will do as he drinks a lot and doesn't control his anger. The other thing that has been happening is that the curse has been slowly eating away at the girls and they are eventually destined to turn to dust and Emberlyn wants to escape it all.
When the troupe travels to the city of Parlizia to perform, Emberlyn knows that this might be her only chance to save herself and the other girls and when she meets a shadow of a boy who happens to have a connection to her, she is determined to work harder to find a way for them to all escape Malcom's clutches.
This was an interesting story with some interesting characters. Malcolm was a kind of evil that you just wish the worst thing ever would happen to him because he actually never thought he was doing anything wrong. He actually believed by making these girls famous that he was doing them a favor, no matter what he did to them. The romance part with Etienne was ok - I actually think they could have just been friends and ended up with the same result, I thought the friendships between the girls and how they all considered themselves sisters was great knowing that they were all they had to rely on. Overall, this was a solid book and I found myself turning the pages to see what was going to happen to everyone. If you're looking for a new YA that has some magic and a unique story, consider picking this one up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book focuses on a ballet troupe in the city of New Kora. The girls who make up the dance troupe are legendary and dance beautifully every night. And while we are introduced to all the girls, the main fmc is Emberlyn, the show's star. As we learn more about her, we find out that the theatre isn't exactly what everyone sees on the outside. See, Emberlyn had always wanted to become a ballerina before she became a Marionette, but now that she is living in a nightmare, she isn't sure she wants to do it anymore.
What we find out is that the girls have been bound by a curse by the show's leader, Malcolm. They are essentially controlled by him and the magic strings that he has within them which allows him to move them around like marionette dolls. He is their puppeteer during the show but he can also control them away from the show so the girls live in fear of what he will do as he drinks a lot and doesn't control his anger. The other thing that has been happening is that the curse has been slowly eating away at the girls and they are eventually destined to turn to dust and Emberlyn wants to escape it all.
When the troupe travels to the city of Parlizia to perform, Emberlyn knows that this might be her only chance to save herself and the other girls and when she meets a shadow of a boy who happens to have a connection to her, she is determined to work harder to find a way for them to all escape Malcom's clutches.
This was an interesting story with some interesting characters. Malcolm was a kind of evil that you just wish the worst thing ever would happen to him because he actually never thought he was doing anything wrong. He actually believed by making these girls famous that he was doing them a favor, no matter what he did to them. The romance part with Etienne was ok - I actually think they could have just been friends and ended up with the same result, I thought the friendships between the girls and how they all considered themselves sisters was great knowing that they were all they had to rely on. Overall, this was a solid book and I found myself turning the pages to see what was going to happen to everyone. If you're looking for a new YA that has some magic and a unique story, consider picking this one up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2025
I truly tried to read and enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it was a “no” for me. The Mastermind, Malcolm, was skeezy and unsettling—he gave me the creeps as a woman in my forties, and I can’t imagine how a younger reader might perceive him. I disliked him from the start and kept dreading that his behavior would escalate. The only small relief was that he never sexually abused the girls, though honestly, he was so revolting I wouldn’t have put it past him.
I wanted to like this book because the premise was promising and felt like a fresh idea. However, the character development fell short. I found myself repeatedly frustrated with Emberlyn’s lack of action, and the pacing made it a challenge to stay engaged. I often had to set the book down and come back to it later, which made it a slow read for me.
The Shadow character had potential, but the dynamic between them was often confusing, and I wish more of the focus had been on taking down Malcolm. The ending was also underwhelming. While there were moments of good writing and hints of potential, the story overall felt uneven. I would have liked to see stronger, more empowered female characters that young women could look up to and be inspired by.
Sadly, this one just didn’t work for me, even though I had high hopes going in.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I wanted to like this book because the premise was promising and felt like a fresh idea. However, the character development fell short. I found myself repeatedly frustrated with Emberlyn’s lack of action, and the pacing made it a challenge to stay engaged. I often had to set the book down and come back to it later, which made it a slow read for me.
The Shadow character had potential, but the dynamic between them was often confusing, and I wish more of the focus had been on taking down Malcolm. The ending was also underwhelming. While there were moments of good writing and hints of potential, the story overall felt uneven. I would have liked to see stronger, more empowered female characters that young women could look up to and be inspired by.
Sadly, this one just didn’t work for me, even though I had high hopes going in.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 18, 2025
Atmospheric, eerie, and beautifully haunting, GIRLS OF DARK DIVINE hit so many high marks for me. A gripping story that hooked me from the very first chapter, I loved following along with Emberlyn and the rest of the girls as they dance their way from one glittering event to another, their invisible marionette strings being tugged constantly by their cruel puppet master.
This was a darkly gothic YA tale that will appear to lovers of fantasy with touches of light horror. There’s also a bit of romance thrown in for good measure, though it’s certainly not the focus of this book. The focus and the shining star of this story truly are the girls and their relationship and the bonds they form under trauma. It’s heartbreaking when they lose one of their own and that grief is definitely felt by the reader. Or at least it was for me.
All told, this was a dark and delightful book filled with curses, beautiful ballerinas and dances with a dark side, and an overwhelming sense of gloom that runs throughout. There are some bright spots peppered through the story, but don’t expect rainbows and sunshine because you won’t get that here. Instead, you’ll get a story with an ending that will haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.
*Thanks so much to Toppling Stacks Tours, NetGalley, and the publisher for the gifted copy.
This was a darkly gothic YA tale that will appear to lovers of fantasy with touches of light horror. There’s also a bit of romance thrown in for good measure, though it’s certainly not the focus of this book. The focus and the shining star of this story truly are the girls and their relationship and the bonds they form under trauma. It’s heartbreaking when they lose one of their own and that grief is definitely felt by the reader. Or at least it was for me.
All told, this was a dark and delightful book filled with curses, beautiful ballerinas and dances with a dark side, and an overwhelming sense of gloom that runs throughout. There are some bright spots peppered through the story, but don’t expect rainbows and sunshine because you won’t get that here. Instead, you’ll get a story with an ending that will haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.
*Thanks so much to Toppling Stacks Tours, NetGalley, and the publisher for the gifted copy.
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