Variation by Rebecca Yarros: Cue the Curtain Drop on This Twisty Tale

Every now and then, you stumble upon a book that feels like winning the literary lottery — and for me, that book was Variation by Rebecca Yarros. Funny thing is, I knew absolutely nothing about this book before diving in. I’d just been on a bit of a Rebecca Yarros binge lately, so I hit “play” on the audiobook and hoped for the best. Honestly, had I read the description first — a story about a professional ballerina navigating family secrets and romance? — I probably would’ve skipped it. Big mistake. Because this? This was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

Now, I am not a dancer. I don’t even dance at weddings. I know nothing about the world of professional ballet beyond what I’ve seen in movies where people suffer for their art in beautifully tragic ways. But none of that mattered. The way Yarros builds her characters makes you feel like you’re right there with them. You don’t need to know a plié from a pirouette to connect with what’s happening (thanks Google!)

I listened to this as an audiobook, which can sometimes leave me a little lost if the story’s too intricate or the narration isn’t strong. Not this time. The voice acting in Variation is hands down some of the best I’ve ever heard. Distinct, engaging, and perfectly suited to the tone of the book — they kept me completely immersed. I never once had to rewind to figure out who was speaking or what was happening — which, if you’ve listened to enough audiobooks, you know is sometimes an issue.

As for the plot? Every time I thought I had things figured out, Yarros threw in a twist that had me muttering “Wait, what now?!” like a total lunatic. The pacing was spot on — enough tension to keep you hooked without feeling exhausting — and the surprises felt earned, not forced.

Now, was it perfect? No. But was it damn good? Absolutely. It’s one of those rare stories that pulls you in, surprises you at every turn, and leaves you feeling oddly grateful you stumbled into it.

So if you’re like me and tend to avoid books with ballerina leads and family drama vibes — trust me, don’t skip this one. It’s surprising in all the best ways, and I can’t recommend the audiobook enough.

Have you read Variation yet? If so, I’d love to hear what you thought — especially if you also found yourself muttering “Wait, what?!” out loud too.

VERDICT