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Last Dance Kindle & comiXology

by Hanna Schroy (Author, Penciller) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
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Miriam has trained her whole life to fulfill her dreams, and it's finally paid off now that she's the prima ballerina of the Lulli Dance Company. But she's been keeping a secret from them.

The years of sprains, fractures, and bruises have been taking their toll, and a catastrophic ankle injury now means one terrible thing: she has to give it all up forever.

Distraught beyond consolation, Miriam runs from the studio and discovers a secret room she's never seen before. Inside she finds a pair of gleaming white and gold slippers, and a mysterious voice whispering to her in the dark.

If she tries on the slippers, it says, she'll regain the strength to rise en pointe.

It speaks the truth! Soon, Miriam is back, but each achievement on her journey back means more negotiation with the spirit who claims it wants just one harmless thing in return... to join the ballerinas and dance, just like her.
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  1. Part of Series
    Last Dance
  2. Print length
    202 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  5. Publisher
    Iron Circus Comics
  6. Publication date
    January 12, 2021
  7. File size
    305006 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-A career-ending injury leaves Miriam, a white teen prima ballerina, desperate to regain her former glory. After her release from the hospital and a failed attempt to dance on her injured leg, she discovers a hidden room behind the studio's mirrored walls-and a shadowy spirit who offers to help Miriam regain her abilities and gives her a pair of ballet shoes that heal her injury, in exchange for a price ("For years I've watched ballerinas through this room. I wish to join them through you."). But Miriam is now a mere company dancer; newcomer Lorelei, who is brown-skinned, is chosen as the prima ballerina. The shadow spirit assures an enraged Miriam that it will help her reclaim her former role. However, it becomes apparent that the spirit is drawing the power to heal Miriam from Lorelei and from another ballerina, Suzanne, who is Black, and Miriam must choose between her friendships and her ambitions. Using loose, fluid lines, Schroy creates beautiful dance sequences and captivating images of traditional ballet poses entwined with musical notes and, in some cases, the spirit's shadows and the ribbons from the enchanted shoes. There is also a glossary of ballet terms at the back of the book. However, aside from Miriam, none of the other characters are fully developed. Also, it's hard to ignore that white Miriam enthusiastically endangers two dancers of color to achieve her own goals. VERDICT Light on horror, heavy on personal responsibility in the cutthroat world of ballet.-Jennie Law, Georgia State Univ., Atlantaα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"A ballet story with a slight surreal twist for dance lovers." ― KIRKUS

"The perfect kind of ballerina drama." ― BOOKLIST

"A sobering fable about the prices that people pay to stay at the top of their art." ― FOREWORD

"An ominous monochromatic dark-blue and gray palette sets the mood for this exploration of ambition set in the world of ballet." ― PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"Schroy makes excellent use of both color and panel design in this graphic novel to evoke the sweeping, sometimes all-consuming world . . . that a longed-for dream can fill." ― BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS

"A strong story for middle-grade readers, and one that deals with classic horror tropes, but in a way that’s safe and comfortable for readers of that age." ― CEMETERY DANCE

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0921XXBV8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Iron Circus Comics (January 12, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 12, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 305006 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 202 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
13 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Charlie Seon
5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional tale of self worth and enjoyment
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
I had the absolute pleasure of being able to see this book from its conception to its print. The story is one that's simple but deep, and one that hits home for me.

The book itself is beautiful in its simplicity. It presents the story in a wonderfully straightforward way that makes it a delight to read. Hanna's graphic style lends itself to the work. I've always thought that her strongest points were composition and portraying emotion, and in this book it shows. The expressions and body language are strong and the blacks and simple color focus on the feeling. Much like the story, it's not about being flashy or the best, but about the feeling, and that translates as beautifully as the steps of the dance.
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Hippolover89
5.0 out of 5 stars Great graphic novel
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2021
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This book is amazing! I ordered an extra for my classroom library! Great graphic novel! The story and illustrations are phenomenal.
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Wayne A McCoy
4.0 out of 5 stars A story about a young dancer who will do anything for her dreams
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021
'Last Dance' with story and art by Hanna Schroy is a graphic novel for younger readers about goals and the kind of ambition that can make them bad.

Miriam has trained to be a prima ballerina her whole life. She gets the role, but is sidelined by an injury that could end her dreams of being a dancer. Her scheming leads her to a mysterious door in the dance studio and a strange voice that promises her dreams will come true. This leads Miriam on a path that will change her one step at a time into something she never wanted to be.

I really liked this story of how dreams can change and how we have to adapt. The art is great with a kind of fluidity that fits this story of ballet and movement.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Iron Circus Comics in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
One person found this helpful
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Joshua Gage
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun YA Horror Graphic Novel
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2021
Hanna Schroy is a cartoonist and illustrator living in Austin. She has participated in a multitude of self-published anthologies including Girls! Girls! Girls! curated by Alex Perkins and Thicker Than Blood curated by Mengmeng Liu. She is a long-time dance enthusiast and recent amateur gardener. Her newest endeavor is the middle-grade graphic novel Last Dance.

Last Dance is the story of Miriam, who has trained all her life to be the best dancer possible. She is now the prima ballerina of her company, but when she misses a move in her duet and fractures her ankle, her dancing career seems to be at an end. However, one night, when Miriam is alone in the studio, she discovers a secret room. Inside the room she finds a pair of golden pointe shoes and hears the voice of a spirit, who tells her to put them on. Miriam follows this spirit’s instructions, and suddenly feels stronger, better, and more powerful — but at what cost? Disaster after disaster befall the company, while Miriam continues to excel. Will her thirst for success eventually lead to the death of one of her fellow dancers? Or will she come to terms with her body, her limited abilities, and allow others to succeed?

What propels this story is the characters. Miriam is a well-developed protagonist with a great arc that will appeal to middle-grade readers. Furthermore, the other characters work well, and have their own arcs that are developed in such a short graphic novel. Readers, especially those in the target audience, will be able to identify with the jealousy and in-fighting that happens between the characters, as well as the characters who want to be good, friendly people, but occasionally allow their desires to get in the way of that.

Schroy has created a very interesting take on the Faustian bargain tale. This is a strong story for middle-grade readers, and one that deals with classic horror tropes, but in a way that’s safe and comfortable for readers of that age. Furthermore, the modern dance setting will appeal to readers who may want to read scary books but dislike the usual horror settings. The horror is there, and present, and Schroy uses very striking colors and graphics to represent the dark spirit that Miriam is fighting against; however, it is very much age-appropriate, and the ending is satisfying and wholesome. Strongly recommended for young readers who want to get into horror, but safely and comfortably.
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Top reviews from other countries

Ícaro de Souza
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful art and beautiful story.
Reviewed in Brazil on January 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
I've always loved ballet. As a little kid, I watched every Barbie ballet-focused movie and I even visited a Bolshoi school near me. But I lacked the skill and the passion to make it into any dance style, instead I picked up drawing. It's been my life ever since, and I can't imagine where I'd be without it.

This charming comic teleports me directly into the world of the main character, Miriam. When she becomes injured and finds she'll no longer be able to dance ballet, she makes a deal with a spirit that promises to make her a prima ballerina assoluta. Of course, this spirals out of control as Miriam realizes she got more than she bargained for.

The art is beautiful, the story is charming and timeless, and Miriam's flawed and ambitious character makes us both feel bad for her, but want to see her fail at the same time, and see her grow from the failures she's facing. The ending is a good tearjerker and will make you feel the fuzzy feelings.

It's said that a dancer dies twice, and the most painful death is of their careers. I believe this story relates to this very well.
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Ani
4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for ballerinas-to-be!
Reviewed in Germany on May 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Last Dance follows Miriam, a ballerina who injures herself during practice. Because of that, she doesn't just have to give up her role as prima ballerina, but she has to give up dancing altogether. How can she do that when being a professional ballet dancer is what she has worked for her whole life? In the depths of her despair, she encounters a spirit that gives her magical ballet shoes that allow Miriam to dance again. But what will be the cost?

As a dancer, I know firsthand how cruel the dance world can be. Injuries due to overworking are unfortunately very common there. I love how Last Dance addressed this. The plot of this graphic novel isn't the only thing that addresses the consequences of overworking, because throughout the story, fellow ballet dances warned Miriam as well and I love that.

The story is beautiful, but the plot isn't unique. I enjoyed the story a lot and will definitely read it again, despite the story being quite predictable. I highly recommend this graphic novel to others, but I wouldn't call it a masterpiece.

3.5 stars
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