Review: Dancergirl by Carol M Tanzman

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 256

Source: Personal Ebook

Rating: 3.5/5

Ali Ruffinio lives and breathes dance, and dreams of attending Julliard when she graduates. When a film buff student takes some footages during a party, and posts it on Zune Ali is confused by the sudden attention and decides to just go with it. Her and Charlie begin to shoot more scenes for Zune, and create a backstory of Charlie being an innocent admirer watching Ali and wishing she would notice him. The Zune segments go viral, and Ali begins to have a creepy feeling that someone is watching her, this feeling doesn’t even go away when she is in her bedroom. When a video of Ali is posted to Zune, dancing in her underwear Ali tells Charlie that enough is enough. He can’t spy on her and post these videos without her permission. He can’t video her unknowingly in her bedroom. Charlie denies these accusations, and insists that it wasn’t him. Ali has a disturbing feeling that she has a stalker, she can’t go to the police because her mother can’t see those videos of her drinking and smoking pot. She doesn’t know what to do or where to go. Her best friend Jacy has been distant but he’s still willing to help her. 

Dancergirl is filled with paranoia, and mystery. Ali doesn’t deal well with the instant fame of Zune, and tries to keep her mother in the dark. Her mother works nights, and Ali is home alone most of the time. Ali initially enjoys the attention, but she once she becomes powerless she becomes paranoid. She begins to be skeptical of everyone, and she can’t even escape in her own home. The creepy factor of this book is huge, who can it be? Is Ali really in danger or is this some high school joke? 

I did clue in to who the stalker was, and I just waited to see if I was right. This book was not predictable, but I did clue in to some details. I think it was well written, and the plot was very original. The whole story was realistic, including Ali’s mother being a single mother who works as a nurse, as a result Ali is home alone most nights. The idea that she couldn’t feel safe in her own home, felt incredibly invading. The book was very well paced, and addresses a very complicating and real issue. I really enjoyed reading this one. A nice change from the usual Young Adult novels.