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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
ok i'll be honest. this book was SO entertaining and i read it in one sitting (cackling in bed at 1am, it was amazing). jessica jung is my fave and of course i would have liked more tea, but there was a lot of fun YA shenanigans. it was a little sad seeing how isolated she was from the other trainees, but this was a lovely tribute to her family. i was kind of ehhhhh on the loveline, though i think it brought up good discussions about choosing idol life. i didn't realize this entire book was going to be about trainee life, so i'm expecting the next book to have more juicy bits about actually being in a group and promoting. I JUST WANT TO KNOW they were barely established in this book which i think was a total weakness. they might get ignored again in the next book, and it's possible her NDA keeps her from having characters with too many similarities...lol...but also. [eats popcorn]
DNF @ 26%. What I read of it was really cliche, very insta-love, and ultimately just shaping up to not be something I'm interested in reading. I was looking for a more nuanced view into the world of K-Pop, but Jung's book focuses too heavily on the mean girls and secret romances to really make it more than a light, fluffy novel. Which is totally fine, it's just not for me.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of NetGalley. The world can finally catch a glimpse behind the curtain of the cutthroat world of kpop.
I had high hopes for this book, that I’m kind of disappointed. In the story Rachel struggles with following her dreams in a world that doesn’t truly accept her and I think that many people will be able to relate to that. What I didn’t like about this book was the romance. It felt too fast paced, and I wish she could have written more interactions between them. I also found myself frustrated with Rachel and the choices she made throughout the book. This book left me with so many unanswered questions that I hope the next book will clear up.
I had high hopes for this book, that I’m kind of disappointed. In the story Rachel struggles with following her dreams in a world that doesn’t truly accept her and I think that many people will be able to relate to that. What I didn’t like about this book was the romance. It felt too fast paced, and I wish she could have written more interactions between them. I also found myself frustrated with Rachel and the choices she made throughout the book. This book left me with so many unanswered questions that I hope the next book will clear up.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was fine, I wish there was more character development
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
slow-paced
adventurous
Fairly interesting description of the k-pop industry written by someone who has experienced it. Earns extra points for describing tidbits as a Canadian delicacy. Overall though while ìt was a fun read, it was not too memorable.
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have been a fan of Girls Generation during my childhood, so I was intrigued by this book. Shine mainly focuses on things about what happens behind the KPOP industry. The challenge that every KPOP artist face to stay on top. In short, the harsh realities. I admired Jessica Jung's excellent job of pointing out the sexism in the industry. Also, how K-pop male idols get to praise more often, and female idols get to be critiqued always.
I enjoyed reading from Rachel's perspective and following her on this journey. Shine follows a seventeen-year-old Rachel Kim as she fulfills her dreams to train to become a K-pop star in Seoul. Also, it explores the harsh standards of the KPOP industry. That includes intense dieting, body-shaming, and pressure to get plastic surgery. It also controls the life aspect of every artist, such as no dating and no social media.
The story was good. There is drama, romance, comedy, and pain throughout, and as you read it, your emotions will be all over the place, but the pacing is a little bit off. Also, I find the romance between characters a bit cringy and cliché. If you are a fan of K-pop and K-dramas, then you are going to love Shine.
I enjoyed reading from Rachel's perspective and following her on this journey. Shine follows a seventeen-year-old Rachel Kim as she fulfills her dreams to train to become a K-pop star in Seoul. Also, it explores the harsh standards of the KPOP industry. That includes intense dieting, body-shaming, and pressure to get plastic surgery. It also controls the life aspect of every artist, such as no dating and no social media.
The story was good. There is drama, romance, comedy, and pain throughout, and as you read it, your emotions will be all over the place, but the pacing is a little bit off. Also, I find the romance between characters a bit cringy and cliché. If you are a fan of K-pop and K-dramas, then you are going to love Shine.