City of Night Birds: A Propulsive Story of Renewal in the High-Stakes World of Ballet— A Reese's Book Club Pick

Prima ballerina Natalia Leonova returns to St. Petersburg in 2019, two years after a career-ending accident. Once celebrated as her generation's greatest dancer, she now struggles with pills and alcohol to cope with her past. Back in her old city, Natalia confronts the ghosts of her former life: her difficult mother, absent father, and two gifted dancers whose actions led to her downfall. One is Alexander, the love of her life and a transformative influence on her art. The other is Dmitri, a dark and treacherous figure. When Dmitri offers her a chance to return to the stage in her signature role, Natalia must decide whether she can face the people responsible for both her greatest triumphs and deepest pain. The novel portrays the Russian ballet world, where cutthroat ambition, shifting politics, and artistic excellence intersect. It explores themes of love, forgiveness, and artistic development through intimate and expansive storytelling.