Genre: Romance / Drama

Pages: 369

First published: 2025

Original language: English

The plot: Celebrated prima ballerina Nina Leonova returns to St Petersburgh, two years after a devastating accident that derailed her once glittering career. Now unmoored after years of success, she turns to pills and alcohol to mourn the loss of her former life. Torn between two loves – Alexander, the lover who transformed her into a star, and Dimitri, a treacherous genius – Natalia must now decide whether to return to the cut throat world of ballet.

What did I think of this book?

I had high hopes for this novel. I enjoy stories about individuals who are specialists in their field, prodigious talent brought low by the trials and tribulations of life. But I think my expectations were perhaps too high in this case.

City of Night Birds begins well, and this tale of a ballerina’s career gripped me from the beginning. But the narrative is deathly slow, and sections of it dragged. It would have benefited from some editing in parts. It also took a long time to reach the narrative’s conclusion, and some nights I just didn’t feel like dipping into it. (unusual for me)

What was most interesting about this book?

I learnt a huge amount about the world of dance from this novel, and how the career of a prima ballerina is more than just a job – it is a choice, an entire life. And when that life ends, it can be devastating. This is a novel primarily about the juxtaposition between ambition, talent and love. Natalia’s relationships with Alexander and Dmitri may be passionate, but they will always come second to her true love : dance.

What am I going to take away from this book?

This book caused me to reflect on the lines between our personal and professional lives, and what happens when they intersect. Many relationships begin at work, but when, if ever, is it a good idea to blur the lines between home and work life in such an intense way? It also led me to reflect on what happens when such an all-consuming life comes to a crashing halt. Where would we be if suddenly forced, as Natalia is in the novel, to stop or slow down? What would life mean to us then? Would we find a way to move forwards, or numb the pain and stagnate? Natalia does survive, but in a different way. But her life will never be the same again.

Will I enjoy this book?

You might. This one is a bit of a hybrid in tone – it has the feel of historical fiction, but is set in the present day. It is a romance, but neither of the principal relationships is particularly romantic. It concerns addiction, but the is never really explored in full. Overall, it is a bit of a muddled work. Read it, but keep your expectations measured. There’s some beautiful language to enjoy and engrossing depictions of the world of dance, but little below the surface.

Rating : 3/5