Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
This was definitely on the younger side of YA in terms of prose and execution of conflicts. The writing was honestly kind of cringe...
It does showcase an "insider look" into the life of a k-pop trainee, including all the fierce competition and awful verbal abuse from trainers you hear so much about from the industry.
If you're looking for tea about how Jessica was kicked out of SNSD, you're not gonna find it here. (This is the first book of a 2-book series, and the first book focuses on the trainee life, not post-debut.)
If you're looking for a 1:1 life story of Jessica's life as a trainee under SM, you probably won't find it here. However, it's 100% believable that some of the things that happened in this book really did happen to actual k-pop stars/trainees. With fierce competition comes sabotage and backstabbing. The book touches on sexism and double standards within the industry, and even showcases a male idol who is unable to recognize his own male privilege. Sure it wasn't a very nuanced portrayal, but it's almost too real considering the known problematic people in the industry.
Overall, Shine wouldn't be a book I would recommend to anyone unless they were already fans of SNSD or Jessica herself. 5/10
It does showcase an "insider look" into the life of a k-pop trainee, including all the fierce competition and awful verbal abuse from trainers you hear so much about from the industry.
If you're looking for tea about how Jessica was kicked out of SNSD, you're not gonna find it here. (This is the first book of a 2-book series, and the first book focuses on the trainee life, not post-debut.)
If you're looking for a 1:1 life story of Jessica's life as a trainee under SM, you probably won't find it here. However, it's 100% believable that some of the things that happened in this book really did happen to actual k-pop stars/trainees. With fierce competition comes sabotage and backstabbing. The book touches on sexism and double standards within the industry, and even showcases a male idol who is unable to recognize his own male privilege. Sure it wasn't a very nuanced portrayal, but it's almost too real considering the known problematic people in the industry.
Overall, Shine wouldn't be a book I would recommend to anyone unless they were already fans of SNSD or Jessica herself. 5/10
This book was GRIPPING! The romance is addicting, the imagery in each unique setting is immersive, and the discussion of gendered double standards in the industry is something I think everyone should acknowledge. I also think the pacing of this story was really masterful--just when you think things are turning out to be okay, there's new problems, or rather what you think was true was false all along. It reminds me of reading/watching a palace intrigue book/drama in that within this tight-knit group of people, bound together for one reason or another, there are multiple layers to the relationships and nothing is really so simple.
One of my favorite scenes was towards the end where Rachel's mom tells her she's sorry for not being more supportive. Then Rachel asks her younger sister Leah if she's been okay with everything that's happened and Leah - excuse my tears - says "you're my sister. your dreams are my dreams." yeah i pretty much teared up.
Another one of my favorite parts of the book was the section about the haenyo / mermaid divers in Jeju Island. I had never heard of this group of amazing women and I thought it showed a beautiful side of the main character, Rachel, that those women were so inspiring to her. "When we think we cannot go on, we remember that we have done this before, and we will do it again." Damn if those aren't some of the most inspiring words I've ever heard.
But personally to me the most amazing thing about this book was the discussion of what K-pop could mean to a Korean-American teen who grew up facing a lot of racism, both microaggressions and overt aggressions. In this world, Rachel saw a place for her to be celebrated and to be proud. I think that's the reason a lot of Asian-American kids turned to it when I was growing up, even if we didn't realize it. It was heartbreaking that Rachel wasn't as accepted as she hoped, but inspiring that she insisted she deserved her place anyways.
One of my favorite scenes was towards the end where Rachel's mom tells her she's sorry for not being more supportive. Then Rachel asks her younger sister Leah if she's been okay with everything that's happened and Leah - excuse my tears - says "you're my sister. your dreams are my dreams." yeah i pretty much teared up.
Another one of my favorite parts of the book was the section about the haenyo / mermaid divers in Jeju Island. I had never heard of this group of amazing women and I thought it showed a beautiful side of the main character, Rachel, that those women were so inspiring to her. "When we think we cannot go on, we remember that we have done this before, and we will do it again." Damn if those aren't some of the most inspiring words I've ever heard.
But personally to me the most amazing thing about this book was the discussion of what K-pop could mean to a Korean-American teen who grew up facing a lot of racism, both microaggressions and overt aggressions. In this world, Rachel saw a place for her to be celebrated and to be proud. I think that's the reason a lot of Asian-American kids turned to it when I was growing up, even if we didn't realize it. It was heartbreaking that Rachel wasn't as accepted as she hoped, but inspiring that she insisted she deserved her place anyways.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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:
N/A
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I am not a KPop girlie. That being said I had a good time reading this book. Seeing part of the insanity that these hopefuls go through in order to become a KPop star. The double standards based on gender is ridiculous.
I'm looking forward to the sequel!
I'm looking forward to the sequel!
I really loved this book. And the most amazing things about it was not only the story, but the style of writing, also. It really made me want to keep going and find out what's happening as soon as possible. I can't wait for the next book. Right now I hope this series never ends.
3,5/5
i had really high hopes for this one, but it mostly reminded me of fan fictions i used to read years ago. the whole relationship with Rachel, Mina and Jason was kind of weird and seemed cheesy sometimes.
there were some parts in the book that made me feel angry, happy or surprised, but some parts were boring as well.
the end was really good in my opinion and it makes me curious about her second book “bright” and i hope this one will spill more tea about the industry.
i had really high hopes for this one, but it mostly reminded me of fan fictions i used to read years ago. the whole relationship with Rachel, Mina and Jason was kind of weird and seemed cheesy sometimes.
there were some parts in the book that made me feel angry, happy or surprised, but some parts were boring as well.
the end was really good in my opinion and it makes me curious about her second book “bright” and i hope this one will spill more tea about the industry.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated