Up to this Pointe Review

Up to this Pointe by: Jennifer Longo

  *Thank you so much Random House for sending me an advanced copy of Up to this Pointe in exchange for an honest review*

  Up to this Pointe follows 16 year old past Harper and 17 year old present Harper in alternating chapters. You get to see her life as a ballerina pursuing her dreams with her best friend, who is also a ballerina, Kate. When they were younger, they came up with The List. They were going to graduate early, audition at the SFSB (San Fransisco School of Ballet) and get in, live in an apartment with hardwood floor and live the glorious life of a ballerina. Well, that plan went south. Now, Harper has ran away to Antarctica where she believes she belongs. You follow her as she struggles with finding her new self in the coldest place in the world. Many hurdles have come close to making her fall, but this last one might to the biggest one yet. 

  I have mixed feelings about this one. I was very intrigued with the way that this book is focused around dance, or so I thought. It turned out to be that dance was just the backstory and not really the backbone. Also, dance terminology is quite difficult to understand, unless you've taken dance like me.  For people that want to read this book and don't know it, I would definitely look the words up as you go along, it will help you understand the story more. 

  Kate and Harper's friendship was a mess. Harper was putting all the effort in to the friendship, while Kate was flying away every minute she could. It was always Harper complimenting Kate on her pointed feet or flawless turns. Kate always tried to break The List, as if she grew out of it. 

  The writing style was bit hard to follow along with. I really did like the supporting characters though. Her friends in Antarctica were my favorites. I wish they were shown more in the book. The main issue I had with this book was the alternating chapters. I've never liked them if it alternates between past and present, and I never will. I will always like one more than the other which makes the chapters I dislike a drag. The book would have been much better as just one fluid story.

Overall, Up to this Pointe is a book that will make your heart break for Harper and cheer her on as she goes through the struggles she encounters. Definitely a good book for the winter time.

Star rating: 3/5 stars

-Savannah @abookowl ig