I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me

Laure Mesny is a student at a prestigious ballet school in Paris, relentlessly pushing herself to the point of being bruised and bloody, aiming for a coveted spot as an apprentice in the Paris Ballet Company. No matter how much effort she makes, her fellow students and teachers constantly dismiss her because of her race and upbringing. Worn down by their prejudice and angry about being overlooked and powerless, she makes a bargain with a mysterious being in a bloody river deep in the catacombs. Suddenly she has unprecedented control and influence and becomes unable to resist using her newfound power to advance her career, hurting those who stand in her way. The story follows Laure's transition from being a victim of monstrous treatment to becoming a monster herself. This unique debut horror novel is creepy, unsettling and deliciously dark. The story explores themes of racism, privilege, nepotism, entitlement and power. The setting was atmospheric and vivid, alternating between the beautiful Palais Garnier and the gloomy depths of the Paris catacombs. The writing skillfully weaves fantasy, horror and real-world elements creating a compelling, haunting, tense and exciting story. I could not stop reading and am thrilled to hear there will be a sequel.

I found this book very intriguing. While I do not think Laure was a real villain (I would say that goes to the other character that was off killing people), she was definitely a morally grey character. She made good decisions and and good goals (mostly) but kinda also let loose sometimes. I feel they were warranted though because of the super vicious things that go on in the world of ballerinas. There are so many stories about how awful it is to be a ballerina that I am not sure why anyone still tries to be one. So much meanness and racism (made plain in this book with how they treat Laure who is so talented but still not enough due to the shade of her skin). I actually felt like cheering Laure on for most of the book. Her and her friends were the best part, and the powers they got from Acheron. While this book stands well on its own, I am happy to see the blip at the end of more adventures with Acheron. I am looking forward to reading it.

A truly incredible story about Laure, a ballerina in her own right wanting to prove herself worthy after years of thieving to pay her way through school. Fighting her way through life’s challenges with her best friend until everything changes and she decides to welcome in the darkness, to let it consume her. Offering it her life in exchange for the ability to be noticed in the way her ballet dancing always should have been without question. Laure has to manage her new found power all while trying to control the beast inside her and the things it makes her feel all while struggling with the problems that arise with her new friends through their bond with their own darkness. With a small touch of romance Laure isn’t sure she wants to explore. A truly incredible book with an incredible plot line and even more amazing characters that is gripping and leaves a reader wanting more.