'The Turning Pointe' by Vanessa L Torres is an emotional coming of age story set in the heart of Minneapolis during the peak reign of The Purple One, Prince.
Rosa, our main character is at once relatable despite her somewhat unique situation. Daughter of ballet Master Geno who rules with an iron fist, she's deeply conflicted by a mixture of familial loyalty, tradition, and the desire to give in to the call of her true passion.
With her perfect sister no longer on the rise to principal dancer of the ballet company, the expectation falls to her. Unfortunately, her love of dance lies somewhere else... in a funky little corner of the world called First Avenue under the starbright gaze of His Royal Highness of shredding guitar riffs and sultry vocals.
It's a sweet story carrying some very real world baggage. Rosa's struggle isn't an easy one and things aren't necessarily what they seem for those around her either.
Nikki, our 'darling' one.. or the 'hot fox' as Rosa likes to call him, is the big reason I wanted to read this book and he was absolutely worth the effort. Honestly though, all the core characters have backstories with substance and something to tell.
It's obvious that Torres has a deep love of dance, Prince, and the old Minneapolis scene. It's definitely not a passing reference here, the story is deeply rooted in both. Having visited First Avenue & 7th Street Entry back in the day.. because if I was going to be in Prince's stomping grounds it was a must.. I completely understand how growing up around there would be something you carry with you for a lifetime. Even passing through, my experience there still echoes through me.
I really enjoyed this read. If you like books centered in historic eras of music, transformative stories of underdogs, and characters who want to live without boundaries.. this is the book for you.
(I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)