Title: Corpse de Ballet
Author: Meagan Kearney
Publisher: First Second
Publication date: July 7, 2026
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Summary
When Rosamund Hammond arrives at her new dance boarding school, she’s excited to practice hard and prove she’s earned her place there. However, shortly after her arrival, she realizes things don’t quite seem right at the school. Strange things start happening around her, along with rumors about what happened to the girl who was there before her.
As Rosamund investigates the disappearance of the previous student with her new roommate, she starts to spiral into the supernatural. Will she be able to hold it together for the school’s showcase, or will she fall apart before it?
Review: Corpse de Ballet
Thanks to First Second and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Corpse de Ballet by Meagan Kearney to review! What initially drew me to this book was the cover, and the comparison to Black Swan. It’s maybe not quite as dark as Black Swan, but it definitely has those vibes.
There’s an air of mystery to the boarding school that Rosamund finds herself at; with the mystery furthered by the fact that Rosamund isn’t exactly a reliable narrator. Are all of these weird things really happening to her or are they just in her head? Kearney does a good job spinning this mystery, and creating an atmosphere that leaves you guessing for most of the story.
The art and color palette in this book helps in bringing the story to life. Focusing on the darker blue color hues adds to the overall foreboding nature of the story. As the reader, you get just as engaged in the mystery as Rosamund. Though not everything is pulled together by the end, leaving it open will mean you’ll be thinking about the story after you’ve finished reading it.
If you like dark academia and dance driven stories, definitely check this one out when it comes out in July!
4/5 stars