The Finalist

The Finalist is a showstopping debut, dripping with dread and dressed in blood-spattered tulle. The horror is delicious and the atmosphere is en pointe. This book gives new meaning to the phrase ‘dance until you die’ * Luke Dumas, bestselling author of Nothing Tastes as Good *
Rich in atmosphere, dripping with menace, and offering an insider’s view of ruthless competition between would-be ballerina stars, The Finalist is a haunting story about how far some will go to win and what it costs them - whether they win fairly or not. It got under my skin and had it crawling * Craig DiLouie, author of My Ex, The Antichrist *
The Finalist explores the psychological and body horrors that hide behind ballet’s graceful facade, in a sinister setting that looms as large and threateningly as a prima donna’s ego. This unique take on the gothic had me hooked to the blistering end * E.L. Chen, USA Today bestselling author of Slasher Summer *
A terrifying and claustrophobic debut, Faith Gladwin’s The Finalist combines atmospheric queer horror with the brutal world of ballet, in an unputdownable novel that will keep you up at night * Annie Summerlee, author of The Book of Blood and Roses *
Sharp-edged, bloodthirsty, and beautifully written, The Finalist is as brutal as it is brilliant. A dark and vicious tale that reckons with the cost of ambition and the intersection of pain and desire. This book will absolutely ruin you! * Kelsea Yu, Shirley Jackson Award–nominated author of Bound Feet *
An intensely choreographed page-turner that left me as breathless as the ballerinas competing in this darkly twisted manor. Sapphic Black Swan with a deadly competition? Don’t threaten me with a good time! Gladwin has established herself as a superb new voice in the horror space - truly thrilling! * Hazel McBride, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Fate Forged in Fire *