Girls of Dark Divine

Gr 7 Up–With rich prose and a gothic setting, this novel immerses readers in the dark world of cursed ballerinas and their sinister puppeteer. Set against the backdrop of a ballet theater, the narrative follows Emberlyn and her troupe, who have been cursed by their master, Malcolm. Known as the Marionettes, these beautiful dancers are Malcolm’s puppets, controlled by invisible strings and forced to dance each night. But the torment isn’t just on stage: the Marionettes are slowly turning to dust as the curse consumes them. When an opportunity arises to leave their country of New Kora to perform in neighboring Parlizia, Emberlyn believes she finally has a chance to escape. However, it's clear Malcolm’s power is stronger than she realized. To free the Marionettes, Emberlyn must unravel the mysteries of her curse, Malcolm’s past, and the mysterious boy made of shadows she dances with each night. With luxurious descriptions and gothic elements, the novel’s dark aspects shine. The theater setting—with its shadowy corridors, dormitories, and hidden underbelly—creates a hauntingly atmospheric read. The plot maintains suspense and builds to a climactic finale, with a thoroughly evil villain who raises the stakes at every turn.