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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
If I didn't know this was a published book, I'd think I was reading a very long and boring fanfiction. I was so excited to read this, but now I am sad how disappointing it was. From large info dumping and very bland characters, there wasn't anything new. I do give her a star for giving us a view into how trainee lives work, but the delivery was so boring. I actually fell asleep twice reading this book.
Jung tries to make us pity the main character, but it's so hard when she's not relatable from parents who can afford to send her to international school, rich friends who constantly spoil her, her non-logical choices regarding her "best friend", dating a K-pop idol, etc. If you had a Kpop fanfiction check off list, you probably mark them all off. Don't read this if you're expecting a fresh new YA book about Kpop, but do read if you're having trouble falling asleep.
Jung tries to make us pity the main character, but it's so hard when she's not relatable from parents who can afford to send her to international school, rich friends who constantly spoil her, her non-logical choices regarding her "best friend", dating a K-pop idol, etc. If you had a Kpop fanfiction check off list, you probably mark them all off. Don't read this if you're expecting a fresh new YA book about Kpop, but do read if you're having trouble falling asleep.
Eh.
It's just a YA novel, but it's set in the k-pop world.
I don't even know what I was expecting.
It's just a YA novel, but it's set in the k-pop world.
I don't even know what I was expecting.
I read this for the TEA but it ends just as she debuts so I guess I'll have to read the sequel to get what I want lol. It's a three star book but four stars for being the least cringey kpop YA book I've read so far.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a bad book. I personally didn’t love the ending but it’s a good lighthearted read.
I read this because I realized I had a day left until 2021 was over and I still hadnt reached my aspirational reading challenge goal of one book but you know what we all have off years and my life is a nightmare so god bless all of you and happy new year
deleted my netgalley review to preserve the last shreds of my dignity rip
kpop fanfiction written by someone who thinks those cliche kdrama moments where the girl slips and lands in guy's lap is top tier romance
here are some stats:
-number of times Rachel "accidentally" fell on Jason - 39487
-number of times someone called Rachel pretty but she didn't think it was true - 5947
-number of times Jason acted like a total tool but Rachel forgave him - 455676
-number of times Rachel mentions kpop is hER LIFE - 123135463545
*all of these numbers are 120% accurate
P.S. giving extra star only for the kpop industry trash talk
here are some stats:
-number of times Rachel "accidentally" fell on Jason - 39487
-number of times someone called Rachel pretty but she didn't think it was true - 5947
-number of times Jason acted like a total tool but Rachel forgave him - 455676
-number of times Rachel mentions kpop is hER LIFE - 123135463545
*all of these numbers are 120% accurate
P.S. giving extra star only for the kpop industry trash talk
DNF-ed cause it's indigestible.
This book deserves minus rating.
The amount of hypocrisy and fakeness this woman possess, it's unbelievable and honestly disgusting.
Any fan of SNSD, kindly stay away from this garbage. It will only enrage you.
This book deserves minus rating.
The amount of hypocrisy and fakeness this woman possess, it's unbelievable and honestly disgusting.
Any fan of SNSD, kindly stay away from this garbage. It will only enrage you.
4/5 stars
ARC provided by Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada.
Shine follows a seventeen-year-old k-pop trainee named Rachel Kim. Rachel's goal is to become a k-pop star, and a few years prior to the novel she and her family uproot their lives in the States and move to Korea in order for Rachel to pursue her dream. We follow Rachel on her journey towards debuting and the romance she develops with one of her agency's top stars, Jason Lee.
Shine reminds me very much of a k-drama, with its likeable characters, and dramatic and entertaining plot. It's a very well paced story and the plot is compelling enough, and the stakes high enough, that I easily became invested in the novel. It provided a nice change of pace in terms of what I read, as I've never read a novel about a k-pop trainee experience before. While I'm not sure just how realistic the portrayal is, from what I’ve read and seen from interviews with former k-pop trainees, and given that this is written by a k-pop star, I’m more inclined to believe the industry is as ruthless, invasive, and restrictive as portrayed in the novel. This is Jung's debut novel, and while I can't say that the writing particularly stands out to me, it isn’t bad either. I found it read a bit young, but I think this properly reflects Rachel's age and naivety.
Aside from the plot and pacing, I found one of the novel's strongest aspects to be the friendships and rivalries featured. Initially, I was pretty annoyed that one of the main conflicts Rachel has to deal with is girl hate, but given the situation Rachel is in, and the competitive nature of the industry, I was able to forgive the story for this, and I ultimately really enjoyed how the relationship between the two girls played out. There are no quick fixes here and it struck me as much more realistic than other mean girl portrayals I’ve seen in the past. I also think Rachel’s negative relationship with Mina was well balanced by her really sweet relationship with her younger sister and her friendships with her twin best friends. The one relationship I didn’t really like was Rachel’s relationship with her mother. I thought their conflict was resolved in a very unsatisfying manner and I wish it had been better developed.
While I enjoyed the friendships and rivalries, I can't say I was as fond of the romantic developments. I personally did not feel Rachel and Jason had much chemistry, and this could be more personal preference than anything else, but I thought Jason's over-the-top romantic gestures were more cheesy than romantic. I definitely preferred the aspects of the novel that did not focus on the romance, but I also don't fault the novel too harshly for its romance as I did not feel the romance overtook the overall plot and I ultimately liked how the relationship between Rachel and Jason played out. I also appreciate that gender inequality in the k-pop industry was addressed and that Rachel really stood up for herself in this regard. I’m invested enough in Rachel to wonder what is next in regards to her relationship with Jason.
As for Rachel’s character, she’s likeable enough, but I did have a few complaints. There were times when I found it hard to sympathize with her because of her hypocritical behaviour and Rachel’s stage-fright was also a relatively large hurdle in the beginning of the novel so I don’t like how that matter essentially got brushed under the rug later on.
As for the ending, I really liked how the novel ended, it made me want to continue with the story without feeling like a cliffhanger. I'm hoping Rachel is a boss in the next novel, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
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ARC provided by Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada.
Shine follows a seventeen-year-old k-pop trainee named Rachel Kim. Rachel's goal is to become a k-pop star, and a few years prior to the novel she and her family uproot their lives in the States and move to Korea in order for Rachel to pursue her dream. We follow Rachel on her journey towards debuting and the romance she develops with one of her agency's top stars, Jason Lee.
Shine reminds me very much of a k-drama, with its likeable characters, and dramatic and entertaining plot. It's a very well paced story and the plot is compelling enough, and the stakes high enough, that I easily became invested in the novel. It provided a nice change of pace in terms of what I read, as I've never read a novel about a k-pop trainee experience before. While I'm not sure just how realistic the portrayal is, from what I’ve read and seen from interviews with former k-pop trainees, and given that this is written by a k-pop star, I’m more inclined to believe the industry is as ruthless, invasive, and restrictive as portrayed in the novel. This is Jung's debut novel, and while I can't say that the writing particularly stands out to me, it isn’t bad either. I found it read a bit young, but I think this properly reflects Rachel's age and naivety.
Aside from the plot and pacing, I found one of the novel's strongest aspects to be the friendships and rivalries featured. Initially, I was pretty annoyed that one of the main conflicts Rachel has to deal with is girl hate, but given the situation Rachel is in, and the competitive nature of the industry, I was able to forgive the story for this, and I ultimately really enjoyed how the relationship between the two girls played out. There are no quick fixes here and it struck me as much more realistic than other mean girl portrayals I’ve seen in the past. I also think Rachel’s negative relationship with Mina was well balanced by her really sweet relationship with her younger sister and her friendships with her twin best friends. The one relationship I didn’t really like was Rachel’s relationship with her mother. I thought their conflict was resolved in a very unsatisfying manner and I wish it had been better developed.
While I enjoyed the friendships and rivalries, I can't say I was as fond of the romantic developments. I personally did not feel Rachel and Jason had much chemistry, and this could be more personal preference than anything else, but I thought Jason's over-the-top romantic gestures were more cheesy than romantic. I definitely preferred the aspects of the novel that did not focus on the romance, but I also don't fault the novel too harshly for its romance as I did not feel the romance overtook the overall plot and I ultimately liked how the relationship between Rachel and Jason played out. I also appreciate that gender inequality in the k-pop industry was addressed and that Rachel really stood up for herself in this regard. I’m invested enough in Rachel to wonder what is next in regards to her relationship with Jason.
As for Rachel’s character, she’s likeable enough, but I did have a few complaints. There were times when I found it hard to sympathize with her because of her hypocritical behaviour and Rachel’s stage-fright was also a relatively large hurdle in the beginning of the novel so I don’t like how that matter essentially got brushed under the rug later on.
As for the ending, I really liked how the novel ended, it made me want to continue with the story without feeling like a cliffhanger. I'm hoping Rachel is a boss in the next novel, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
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