Review by Booklist Review
In Lackey's fifth Elemental Masters novel, set in fin de siècle Paris and Blackpool, Ninette Dupond dances with the Paris Opera Ballet. Fired after being too well reviewed as the stand-in for the première danseuse, she goes home to her apartment to find a rangy, tabby-striped tomcat that addresses her, mind to mind. The cat suggests Ninette pose as a well-known Russian ballerina and work in a Blackpool music hall. It will provide money, teach her English and Russian, and take care of the details. Lacking alternatives, Ninette agrees. The cat is an Elemental Spirit, of course, sent by her long-lost Elemental Master father. The music hall is owned by another Elemental Master. What neither master knows is that the ballerina whom Ninette is impersonating has been absorbed by a highly malevolent Elemental Spirit, which now seeks to destroy Ninette. The Paris of Degas, turn-of-the-century Blackpool, and the desperation of young girls without family or other protection come to life in a story that should interest a broad readership.--Murray, Frieda Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A fantastic cat-and-mouse game among a shape-changing troll, Elemental Masters and a gifted dancer in Victorian England makes Lackey's latest Elemental Masters installment (after 2005's The Wizard of London) a charmer. When young, impoverished Ninette Dupond is fired from the Paris Opera Ballet after upstaging its star, her Elementally gifted cat, Thomas, reveals his extraordinary skills and urges her to flee France. Once in Blackpool, Thomas shows her how to assume the identity of Nina Tchereslavsky, a Russian prima donna, and brings her to the attention of Elemental Master Nigel Barrett and his theatrically inclined cohorts. Soon, "Nina" is dancing happily in their latest theatrical production, until the real Nina-or rather, the troll that long ago possessed the real Nina's body-learns of the imposter and rushes to unmask her. This is Lackey at her best, mixing whimsy and magic with a fast-paced plot. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Ninette Dupond's fortunes undergo a dizzying series of highs and lows as she finds herself first catapulted into the position of lead dancer with the Paris Opera Ballet, then fired because of the jealousies she's aroused. When all seems lost, she encounters a strange brown tabby that speaks to her mind to mind and outlines a radical course of action that involves traveling from France to England and impersonating a Russian ballerina. Following the cat's advice leads Ninette into the world of the Elemental Masters and Spirits, complete with all its powers and dangers. The fifth in the series (following The Wizard of London) involving the mysterious Elemental Masters, this story of a resourceful young dancer also delivers a new version of a classic fairy tale. Richly detailed historic backgrounds add flavor and richness to an already strong series that belongs in most fantasy collections. Highly recommended. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
