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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
kayaknya saya saja ya yang ngerasa buku ini nggak ada isinya selain cuma drama-skandal-bullying-drama-bullying-tarik ulur perasaan-drama-bullying-skandal-drama.... begitu terus sampai Rachel Kim debut. sigh.
gegara jadi Blink, kepingin dapat suasana training calon bintang K-Pop dari orang dalam. sebelum baca sana-sini, nggak nyadar kalau Jessica ini rupanya pernah jadi member Girls Generation aka SNSD ya. Too bad, too much drama on this one.
gegara jadi Blink, kepingin dapat suasana training calon bintang K-Pop dari orang dalam. sebelum baca sana-sini, nggak nyadar kalau Jessica ini rupanya pernah jadi member Girls Generation aka SNSD ya. Too bad, too much drama on this one.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
difficult to separate fiction from speculation while reading this book, especially with how closely Rachel’s story parallels Jessica’s real life. was the writing a little bad? maybe. was it ridiculous but still a little believable? yeah! at least the high-level commentary about the misogyny in the k-pop industry was accurate. if you like the possibility of this story being actual gossip fanfictionalized, it can be fun read.
(no one prepared me for the Canadian subplot. Brantwood is not 3 hours from Toronto, it is not home to the Blue Mountains, and I doubt there’s a significant Korean population. suspend your belief for a few chapters if you’re from Ontario.)
(no one prepared me for the Canadian subplot. Brantwood is not 3 hours from Toronto, it is not home to the Blue Mountains, and I doubt there’s a significant Korean population. suspend your belief for a few chapters if you’re from Ontario.)
things just kinda happen in this book. I read it for the gossip, good excuse to spend a bunch of time listening to gee by snsd on repeat over and over again.
I just wish Rachel and Mina would have gotten into a wild lesbian enemies to lovers romance instead of being isoginystic to each other. I was not interested in Jason at all.
I just wish Rachel and Mina would have gotten into a wild lesbian enemies to lovers romance instead of being isoginystic to each other. I was not interested in Jason at all.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I got this book by accident while trying to check out Shine by Lauren Myracle, which was a pretty funny mistake. Still, I figured I'd read it anyways, since I like K-pop and I've heard of Jessica Jung. I thought the novelty of the author, along with the expertise she brings to the table about the industry, would make for at least an interesting read.
What I got was a book that more resembles wattpad K-pop fanfiction than a novel. I was half expecting Jackson Wang to show up any second.
The entire book is really written like fanfiction, all absurd and ridiculous. For a while, I was charmed by this, and I wasn't going to judge it very harshly. When I read teen/YA, I don't judge it based off of how much I like it as a grown woman, but how much I would have liked it as a teenager. You know, the target demographic. It's only fair. It was going to get a solid 3 stars from me as something decent enough that young me would have been giggling and kicking her feet at. But good grief, does the last third of the book nosedive quick.
In the last 40 pages or so, everybody becomes unlikeable. I was actively rooting on everybody's downfall, including the main character. Not only is everybody making the stupidest decisions possible for absolutely no reason, going against everything else they're saying and thinking, but they're being assholes about it the whole time too. It really lost me when one character basically made the argument of "how is lying to you about our entire relationship and humiliating you in front of the entire country, ruining your career...any different than you making a viral video singing with me that does absolutely no harm to me whatsoever and actually made me more famous and beloved" LIKE WHAT??
I didn't even realize going into it that it was apparently partially autobiographical. It's really impressive to make a self insert character who you're clearly trying to paint as above everyone else, more down to earth, more talented, kinder, etc, and still manage to come across as unlikeable. I will not be reading the second book and I feel bad for the other women in her girl group who were probably ripped to shreds by fans who read this and assumed it was 100% accurate and truthful.
What I got was a book that more resembles wattpad K-pop fanfiction than a novel. I was half expecting Jackson Wang to show up any second.
The entire book is really written like fanfiction, all absurd and ridiculous. For a while, I was charmed by this, and I wasn't going to judge it very harshly. When I read teen/YA, I don't judge it based off of how much I like it as a grown woman, but how much I would have liked it as a teenager. You know, the target demographic. It's only fair. It was going to get a solid 3 stars from me as something decent enough that young me would have been giggling and kicking her feet at. But good grief, does the last third of the book nosedive quick.
In the last 40 pages or so, everybody becomes unlikeable. I was actively rooting on everybody's downfall, including the main character. Not only is everybody making the stupidest decisions possible for absolutely no reason, going against everything else they're saying and thinking, but they're being assholes about it the whole time too. It really lost me when one character basically made the argument of "how is lying to you about our entire relationship and humiliating you in front of the entire country, ruining your career...any different than you making a viral video singing with me that does absolutely no harm to me whatsoever and actually made me more famous and beloved" LIKE WHAT??
I didn't even realize going into it that it was apparently partially autobiographical. It's really impressive to make a self insert character who you're clearly trying to paint as above everyone else, more down to earth, more talented, kinder, etc, and still manage to come across as unlikeable. I will not be reading the second book and I feel bad for the other women in her girl group who were probably ripped to shreds by fans who read this and assumed it was 100% accurate and truthful.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
DNF @ 29%
I just can't make myself read more. Sorry Jessica.
Obvious self insert character, and way too much dumb YA tropes for me to read it. The main love interest seems like an ass, and I just don't enjoy reading books where the main character is NoT LiKe OtHeR GiRlS and every other girl is portrayed catty and horrible.
I was hoping for a sneaky tell all, not whatever this trash is.
3,5 stars. There are some interesting points here and there, like how she highlight the sexism issues and the double standards for male and female idols; but overall it’s just… three-point five stars. Nothing wow-ed me, but nothing I immensely dislike too.
cw for drugging and fat-shaming in the book
Shine. What is there to say about Shine? (A lot. Really. So bear with me, this might be a lengthy one)
The story follows the endeavors of Rachel Kim, a seventeen year old Korean girl born and raised in New York City who uproots her entire life—family included—so she can move to Seoul, the City of Kpop, to become a Kpop trainee. Throughout the book we meet a handful of characters that play important roles in Rachel's development, like twins Juhyun and Hyeri, hotshot Jason Lee, the rival Mina and the lovely little sister Leah.
Right off the bat I'll say that if you're expecting some amazing storytelling in this book, please find another one. But if you're looking for something that encasulaptes the cheesiest moments of Camp Rock, High School Musical (the first movie) and almost every Disney film from the 2000's, this is the right place. You just need time and Naver Papago in hand, 'cause you're gonna be met with some funky romanizations for Korean words and the best part is that you get no clarification or translation all that.
For me, I didn't want that. So this book just wasn't for me.
The pacing is bad, okay. Bad. It's like the timeline is all chopped up and glued together. Also, every moment feels too cheesy, and it's like all that cheese and corn is trying to make up for the fact that these characters (re: Jason and Rachel, Rachel and Mina) lack chemistry. There was a moment where I was genuinely rooting for Rachel and Juhyun, because their sweet moment of friendship felt more romantic than anything Jason and Rachel had done and ever did.
Jessica needs to learn how to spice up her characters, give them a drive. Sure, Rachel and Mina (and the other trainees who barely show up) want to debut and all that, but it felt so unidimensional! And their squabbles, as dramatic as they were, lacked that spark that makes the reader think, holy shit, they might actually kill each other.
Another thing, this book is missing something very—extremely!—important: redemption arcs. Every bridge crossed and hatchet buried is done like it's no big deal, even when they abso-fucking-lutely are. That's also why the book doesn't have continuity, or feels like it doesn't, because everything simply happens. So there's no character growth, either. It's just very botchy.
Let's take the biggest, most annoying prick in the world, Jason Lee, as an example. This guy goes around, blind to all the double standards in the industry, does nothing to defend Rachel and is almost forceful in wanting their relationship to be public despite Rachel insisting that she doesn't want that, and suddenly, by some miracle (called Rachel being in danger and those around them ignoring it until Jason steps in), all that ignorance is - poof - gone!
The good thing is that Rachel doesn't forgive him all the easily. The bad thing is that she does end up accepting this unrealistically sudden change of heart.
Which I wouldn't have a problem with if there was a redemption arc of sorts. A good one.
The only redeemable characters in this book are Leah, the twins, Rachel's dad and, believe it or not, Daeho, who doesn't show up all that much but always brings a little spice with his little love triangle with the twins. Also, Jessica tried so bad to insert Minjun (that's one of Jason's groupmates) in the story, so he showed up out of fucking nowhere and was only there to make some brainless commentary. Me, tbh.
Onto more serious matters, let's talk fat-shaming. This is something I cannot commend her for, I don't think this subject was done right. All we see is the girls and the trainers berating the trainees for the body image, and Rachel herself makes sure to comment on Mina's weight as well. So... yeah. And for all the misogyny the girls scowl at, there isn't a drop of unity between them. I get it, debuting is a competition and they are each other's biggest rivals, but really? Really...
Apparently, this is book #1 of lord knows how many, so I hope Jessica gets a little more help (or that her proofreader gets a bit meaner because... c'mon) in the next ones. But I might not read them. Or maybe I will, who knows.
Shine. What is there to say about Shine? (A lot. Really. So bear with me, this might be a lengthy one)
The story follows the endeavors of Rachel Kim, a seventeen year old Korean girl born and raised in New York City who uproots her entire life—family included—so she can move to Seoul, the City of Kpop, to become a Kpop trainee. Throughout the book we meet a handful of characters that play important roles in Rachel's development, like twins Juhyun and Hyeri, hotshot Jason Lee, the rival Mina and the lovely little sister Leah.
Right off the bat I'll say that if you're expecting some amazing storytelling in this book, please find another one. But if you're looking for something that encasulaptes the cheesiest moments of Camp Rock, High School Musical (the first movie) and almost every Disney film from the 2000's, this is the right place. You just need time and Naver Papago in hand, 'cause you're gonna be met with some funky romanizations for Korean words and the best part is that you get no clarification or translation all that.
For me, I didn't want that. So this book just wasn't for me.
The pacing is bad, okay. Bad. It's like the timeline is all chopped up and glued together. Also, every moment feels too cheesy, and it's like all that cheese and corn is trying to make up for the fact that these characters (re: Jason and Rachel, Rachel and Mina) lack chemistry. There was a moment where I was genuinely rooting for Rachel and Juhyun, because their sweet moment of friendship felt more romantic than anything Jason and Rachel had done and ever did.
Jessica needs to learn how to spice up her characters, give them a drive. Sure, Rachel and Mina (and the other trainees who barely show up) want to debut and all that, but it felt so unidimensional! And their squabbles, as dramatic as they were, lacked that spark that makes the reader think, holy shit, they might actually kill each other.
Another thing, this book is missing something very—extremely!—important: redemption arcs. Every bridge crossed and hatchet buried is done like it's no big deal, even when they abso-fucking-lutely are
Spoiler
how the hell did Rachel get over the fact that Mina spiked her drink so fast? She just up and left, continued with her life. Um?Let's take the biggest, most annoying prick in the world, Jason Lee, as an example. This guy goes around, blind to all the double standards in the industry, does nothing to defend Rachel and is almost forceful in wanting their relationship to be public despite Rachel insisting that she doesn't want that, and suddenly, by some miracle (called Rachel being in danger and those around them ignoring it until Jason steps in), all that ignorance is - poof - gone!
The good thing is that Rachel doesn't forgive him all the easily. The bad thing is that she does end up accepting this unrealistically sudden change of heart.
Which I wouldn't have a problem with if there was a redemption arc of sorts. A good one.
The only redeemable characters in this book are Leah, the twins, Rachel's dad and, believe it or not, Daeho, who doesn't show up all that much but always brings a little spice with his little love triangle with the twins. Also, Jessica tried so bad to insert Minjun (that's one of Jason's groupmates) in the story, so he showed up out of fucking nowhere and was only there to make some brainless commentary. Me, tbh.
Onto more serious matters, let's talk fat-shaming. This is something I cannot commend her for, I don't think this subject was done right. All we see is the girls and the trainers berating the trainees for the body image, and Rachel herself makes sure to comment on Mina's weight as well. So... yeah. And for all the misogyny the girls scowl at, there isn't a drop of unity between them. I get it, debuting is a competition and they are each other's biggest rivals, but really? Really...
Apparently, this is book #1 of lord knows how many, so I hope Jessica gets a little more help (or that her proofreader gets a bit meaner because... c'mon) in the next ones. But I might not read them. Or maybe I will, who knows.