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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Vomit
More like 2.5 stars. Something about high school drama (especially revolving around people being mean to each other just for the sake of ambition) just doesn't do it for me anymore. Not sure if I'll read the next one. But, when I actually got into the book I flew through it because it's breezy and predictable.
*2.5/5
As a K-pop stan, I was sorta excited for SHINE. It was mediocre.
SHINE is a story that follows Rachel Kim, a Korean-American trainee at DB Entertainment. It touches up on some very important topics like misogyny in the K-pop industry but that does not excuse the bad things about SHINE.
I went into this with pretty low expectations. The synopsis sounded extremely corny. Fiction written by celebs is usually…not the best.
The characters were okay. Rachel wasn’t a very stand-out main character and Jason was honestly pretty meh. Akari though — Akari was 100% my favourite character; I would read the sequel if it meant finding out how she was doing. However, all of them (even Akari sigh) felt kind of plastic — like there wasn’t a whole lot of emotion in any of them.
To add along with that, the writing style was not really my cup of tea. There were some words and sentences that I found too cheesy. The writing style was actually the reason I stopped halfway through the book and took a break for like a month before resuming reading. The writing style is very YA, which isn’t always a bad thing (I’ve read wonderful books with very YA writing styles) but it just added to the already cheesiness of the story.
Let me rant about the ending. That ending is not an ending. I know open endings are things, but I have way too many questions. There’s a sequel coming out, according to Goodreads, so if I read that, I suppose my questions might be answered.
I felt like the plot was over the place sometimes. There were far too many sub-plots that ended up adding absolutely nothing to the overall story in the end. One of the sub-plots ended up getting too major, although I’m pretty sure it was to explore deeper into misogyny and the double standards.
I want to give a plus to the fact that SHINE opens immediately with action. The girls are at a mock interview and we are instantly thrust into the trainee life. Many stories open with a long ass introduction and info dump before actually getting into the action but SHINE, to my delight, did not.
Like I said, SHINE covers on things like misogyny, especially the double standards there are. There are little touches of racism, xenophobia, saesangs, and mistreatment from companies here and there. I’m glad Jessica decided to mention things like these because they’re very genuine problems. I do think there was a lot of potential to discuss racism, xenophobia, and sasaengs further, however, and I don’t think it would’ve taken away from the main point (misogyny) but rather would’ve actually added to it.
Overall, SHINE was a pretty mediocre book that I have a 1% chance of rereading. It touched up on some important topics but had the capacity for a deeper exploration. If you’ve read all of my review, damn, thank you for doing that.
As a K-pop stan, I was sorta excited for SHINE. It was mediocre.
SHINE is a story that follows Rachel Kim, a Korean-American trainee at DB Entertainment. It touches up on some very important topics like misogyny in the K-pop industry but that does not excuse the bad things about SHINE.
I went into this with pretty low expectations. The synopsis sounded extremely corny. Fiction written by celebs is usually…not the best.
The characters were okay. Rachel wasn’t a very stand-out main character and Jason was honestly pretty meh. Akari though — Akari was 100% my favourite character; I would read the sequel if it meant finding out how she was doing. However, all of them (even Akari sigh) felt kind of plastic — like there wasn’t a whole lot of emotion in any of them.
Spoiler
There was a lot of telling, and not enough showing. Also, Leah saying she didn’t care what those other girls think of her is very unrealistic to me. She’s a teenage girl, she’s going to want the approval of other people.To add along with that, the writing style was not really my cup of tea. There were some words and sentences that I found too cheesy. The writing style was actually the reason I stopped halfway through the book and took a break for like a month before resuming reading.
Spoiler
It was during a kiss scene and I just could not with the writing during the scene. Rachel I do not want you to describe how wonderful that kiss with Jason in aMaZiNg detail was while literally saying “the wall were white” the next time you describe a room.Let me rant about the ending. That ending is not an ending. I know open endings are things, but I have way too many questions. There’s a sequel coming out, according to Goodreads, so if I read that, I suppose my questions might be answered.
I felt like the plot was over the place sometimes. There were far too many sub-plots that ended up adding absolutely nothing to the overall story in the end. One of the sub-plots ended up getting too major, although I’m pretty sure it was to explore deeper into misogyny and the double standards.
I want to give a plus to the fact that SHINE opens immediately with action. The girls are at a mock interview and we are instantly thrust into the trainee life. Many stories open with a long ass introduction and info dump before actually getting into the action but SHINE, to my delight, did not.
Like I said, SHINE covers on things like misogyny, especially the double standards there are. There are little touches of racism, xenophobia, saesangs, and mistreatment from companies here and there. I’m glad Jessica decided to mention things like these because they’re very genuine problems. I do think there was a lot of potential to discuss racism, xenophobia, and sasaengs further, however, and I don’t think it would’ve taken away from the main point (misogyny) but rather would’ve actually added to it.
Overall, SHINE was a pretty mediocre book that I have a 1% chance of rereading. It touched up on some important topics but had the capacity for a deeper exploration. If you’ve read all of my review, damn, thank you for doing that.
Maybe the goodread reviews really lowered my expectations but I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I haven't read any kpop themed books before this one.
Some of the lines did remind me of Disney Channel music themed movies/TV shows but as a whole I think Jessica made the story very unique. And then of course added enjoyment is trying to figure out how much is real. I'd love to read a memoir by Jessica but of course pesky ndas. Can't wait to read Bright.
Some of the lines did remind me of Disney Channel music themed movies/TV shows but as a whole I think Jessica made the story very unique. And then of course added enjoyment is trying to figure out how much is real. I'd love to read a memoir by Jessica but of course pesky ndas. Can't wait to read Bright.
*3.5 stars
Lighthearted in certain parts and fast paced.
Some tea was spilt in this novel, the kpop world might look pretty but as fans we really don’t know the in’s and out’s that’s happening behind the scenes, I do respect idols who work for years to get to become the best of the best.
I enjoyed the whole exploring or Rachel’s pre-debut era, I’m sure in real life it’s extremely hard to make sure you come out on top, so to see Rachel working hard all the time to fulfil her childhood dream made sense that this is how a lot of trainees feel in real life. She was an okay character, her voice wasn’t anything particularly unique but for the most part she was likeable.
Jason as a love interest was also “ok”, I did feel as if he didn’t have much of a personality expect witty comments, good looks and a sad backstory which we’ve seen before (I’m sorry I’m just tired of this), I feel as if more could’ve been done. To me it seemed as if the only thing they had in common was the fact that they were born outside Korea (Jason also being part Caucasian). I did enjoy the family dynamics, I feel as if more could’ve also been explored with this especially Rachel’s relationship with her mum. I feel like the heart to heart conversation at the end felt extremely short and honestly rushed ??
As for the plot itself, there wasn’t really any, it was more so romance based or I’m assuming setting up the base for the sequel, in which I was surprised to find out there is one considering the fact that this could’ve been a standalone. The bitchiness between the girls in this book is a TAD too much, I’m not a fan of girl hate, why can’t women just all support each other .... not everything is a competition. I will call Rachel out on how poorly she treated her best friend Akari because she was too focused on Jason and his antics. As for the ending itself, it felt rushed and short again, this genuinely could’ve been made into a stand-alone.
I’m not sure if I’m interested in the sequel in all honesty but we will see when it’s released. But for the most part I’m satisfied with what I read, and I’m not necessarily looking for more.
Lighthearted in certain parts and fast paced.
Some tea was spilt in this novel, the kpop world might look pretty but as fans we really don’t know the in’s and out’s that’s happening behind the scenes, I do respect idols who work for years to get to become the best of the best.
I enjoyed the whole exploring or Rachel’s pre-debut era, I’m sure in real life it’s extremely hard to make sure you come out on top, so to see Rachel working hard all the time to fulfil her childhood dream made sense that this is how a lot of trainees feel in real life. She was an okay character, her voice wasn’t anything particularly unique but for the most part she was likeable.
Jason as a love interest was also “ok”, I did feel as if he didn’t have much of a personality expect witty comments, good looks and a sad backstory which we’ve seen before (I’m sorry I’m just tired of this), I feel as if more could’ve been done. To me it seemed as if the only thing they had in common was the fact that they were born outside Korea (Jason also being part Caucasian). I did enjoy the family dynamics, I feel as if more could’ve also been explored with this especially Rachel’s relationship with her mum. I feel like the heart to heart conversation at the end felt extremely short and honestly rushed ??
As for the plot itself, there wasn’t really any, it was more so romance based or I’m assuming setting up the base for the sequel, in which I was surprised to find out there is one considering the fact that this could’ve been a standalone. The bitchiness between the girls in this book is a TAD too much, I’m not a fan of girl hate, why can’t women just all support each other .... not everything is a competition. I will call Rachel out on how poorly she treated her best friend Akari because she was too focused on Jason and his antics. As for the ending itself, it felt rushed and short again, this genuinely could’ve been made into a stand-alone.
I’m not sure if I’m interested in the sequel in all honesty but we will see when it’s released. But for the most part I’m satisfied with what I read, and I’m not necessarily looking for more.
I LOVED THIS YA ROMCOM! I’m so sad I waited so long to read it. I stand for all books k-pop related and this one was my favorite, hands down. I think because of how authentic and real it was and after learning the author is a former K-pop girl group member it all made sense. I can’t wait for book 2 in this series to release! Also the audiobook made it even better because of all the Korean culture pronunciations that I’m sure I would have butchered if I read myself.
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So many references to SNSD hahaha, even the name of the group?! Kinda tempted to buy the sequel once it comes out just for the lols and the gossip
Maybe the goodread reviews really lowered my expectations but I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I haven't read any kpop themed books before this one.
Some of the lines did remind me of Disney Channel music themed movies/TV shows but as a whole I think Jessica made the story very unique. And then of course added enjoyment is trying to figure out how much is real. I'd love to read a memoir by Jessica but of course pesky ndas. Can't wait to read Bright.
Some of the lines did remind me of Disney Channel music themed movies/TV shows but as a whole I think Jessica made the story very unique. And then of course added enjoyment is trying to figure out how much is real. I'd love to read a memoir by Jessica but of course pesky ndas. Can't wait to read Bright.