Anna-Marie McLemore's fifth novel, the National Book Award-longlisted Dark and Deepest Red, is an artful, spellbinding YA reimagining of "The Red Shoes."
Lala moved to Strasbourg because of a law that forces the Romani out of their homes: "Whoever harms a Gypsy commits no crime." Then "la fièvre de la danse" takes over, making hundreds of people dance maniacally. Lala knows it is only a matter of time before the stares of the city turn to her, fear in their eyes, "witchcraft" on their tongues. Rosella lives in present-day Briar Meadow, where, every October, a "strangeness" called the "glimmer" settles onto the town. For generations, Rosella's Mexican American family have been shoemakers, known for their red shoes; this year's glimmer has ensnared their shoes and Rosella's pair makes her dance as if possessed.
McLemore's (Blanca & Roja) vision and skill inspire awe in this gorgeously rendered novel that masterfully evokes the vastness of human experience. Dark and Deepest Red's settings and plotting captivate, but it is the devoted and deep character development that makes this novel so enthralling. --Siân Gaetano, children's and YA editor, Shelf Awareness