A review by rotatinglibrary
Shine by Jessica Jung

challenging funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I listened to this book on audio and found the narrator frustratingly old-sounding. The secondhand embarrassment in this book is HIGH. 
I was also incredibly disappointed that in Rachel's father's storyline. He just lies for 3 years about going to law school and it's cool? NAH. 


I think Jung attempted to shed some light on the negative aspects of the KPOP industry: cattiness behind the scenes, sexism, and valuing looks over talent, HOWEVER Shine spends a lot of time talking about weight, body image, disordered eating etc. As this is a YA novel, I think it's important to remember how incredibly vulnerable young people are to disordered eating and body image issues. Jung could have presented her critiques in a stronger manner, but I understand where's she's coming from, having lived through them.

CW: 
Body talk, weight talk, disordered eating, negative self talk, vomit, racial microagressions, internalized racism, drugging, profanity, teen drinking, slut shaming.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Vomit, and Fatphobia

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, and Sexism

CW: Body talk, weight talk, disordered eating, negative self talk, vomit, racial microagressions, internalized racism, drugging, profanity, teen drinking, slut shaming.