Reviews

Idol Gossip by Alexandra Leigh Young

animelanie's review

3.0

Book for Review:
This debut contemporary novel, set in the popular world of K-Pop, is well written, with relatable characters. Fans of K-dramas and K-pop will love this YA set in Seoul, with frequent references to Korean culture. With a nice steady pace through the whole novel, this book is easy to read. Told from Alice's perspective, with infrequent 'Idol Gossip' littered throughout - in the form of an anonymous K-pop blog run by 'V'. Though set in South Korea, there is little interaction with the setting, due to the nature of K-Pop training - which is where the description comes in. Readers will find this an enjoyable read, trusting they are interested in Korean culture. As a fan of K-Pop and K-Dramas myself, I found the book quick and easy to read.

Themes: Contemporary; South Korea; K-Pop; Relationships; Music; Commitment; Passion.

annabeth324's review

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

darrahsteffenwrites's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

2.75

sofieishere's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was not rooting for the mc at all. She never even wanted to be an idol and just so happens to meet someone in that works in the industry. She isn't charismatic, can't dance and has a mediocre visual. The only things she can do is sing. And when gets chosen to become a trainee (Taking away this chance from more talented girls.) all she does is complain, complain, complain. Plus she creates unnecessary conflict. 

And the romance subplot was just not it.

The cover art is pretty though.

TLDR: Your average pick me girl randomly decides to become an idol.

jaydup14's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

moonielobo's review

2.0

Alice Choy es, probablemente, uno de los peores personajes que me he encontrado durante este año. Egocéntrica, maleducada y, la mayor parte de las veces, estúpida. Y aunque al final se redime un poco, no me creo sus palabras.

Aquí nos damos cuenta de la importancia de crear buenos personajes. Entiendo qur no pueden ser perfectos. Al final del día, son humanos. Pero Alice es una persona que “cambia” demasiado tarde, y ese cambio hace parecer que justifique todo lo que ha hecho/dicho, pero no es así. Porque sus disculpas son tan apresuradas y tan poco creíbles que soy incapaz de apoyarla.

Por todo lo demás, la historia es bastante normalita. Entretenida, sí, pero sin nada que la haga brillar.

thisisalexw's review

funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

taskgoblin's review

3.0

I loved all the characters in this - except for the protagonist, Alice. All the conflict and issues were because of her pride and lack of effort to bond with her group mates. She barely takes responsibility for anything, which is incredibly frustrating. I thought all the other characters were wonderful though. I would love to see another book featuring one of them! This one ended kind of abruptly, but seems open to more books in the future, which I would still pick up despite how obnoxious Alice was.

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

3.0

An entertaining YA coming of age novel about a young Korean American girl who gets caught up in the K-pop world when she's chosen to become the new member of a K-pop girl band. Alice has to adjust to a whole new world when she wins a spot at the coveted Star Academy. New to Korea as her family has just moved to Seoul from San Francisco thanks to her diplomat mother's job, Alice has a huge culture shock to overcome plus new band members to befriend. Interspersed through the story are snippets from a K-pop gossip reporter (think Gossip girl). I enjoyed this one a lot and recommend it for fans of Once upon a K-prom, I'll be the one by Lyla Lee or the K-pop confidential series by Stephan Lee.

chamomiles_bandages's review

3.0

3.7
Writing style was cute and loved the characters!!
[All hail So-ri]
I do wish we got to know more about the other members of A-List apart from Alice and Aria, though <33