Scan barcode
emeryyy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Before, Sunny Lee was a member of the popular teen group Sweet Cadence, along with her best friends Candie and Mina. But that quickly fell apart after a scandal and the death of Mina. Several years later, Sunny can't stop thinking about the cause of Mina's death. When she discovers Candie is taking part in a K-pop workshop in her own hometown, Sunny seizes the opportunity to finally get some answers. What she finds instead is a blur between reality and nightmares, terror-inducing visions, her competitors being injured in bizarre incidents, and a growing mystery she needs to solve if she wants to stay alive.
this is a sapphic thriller inspired by the k-pop industry, but k-pop actually doesn't play as big of a role as i expected. it's very unlike any other k-pop-inspired story that i've read (in a good way!). the story was immediately chilling and mysterious, and i didn't expect to be drawn in so quickly! it alternates between the past and present, which i enjoyed. there is some romance (and a lot of tension) but it isn't the focus
thank you to BookishFirst and Roaring Brook Press for the copy of this book!
this is a sapphic thriller inspired by the k-pop industry, but k-pop actually doesn't play as big of a role as i expected. it's very unlike any other k-pop-inspired story that i've read (in a good way!). the story was immediately chilling and mysterious, and i didn't expect to be drawn in so quickly! it alternates between the past and present, which i enjoyed. there is some romance (and a lot of tension) but it isn't the focus
thank you to BookishFirst and Roaring Brook Press for the copy of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Body horror, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide
alekya's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
alyrayj's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Minor: Alcohol and Infidelity
booksmoviesandstories's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Gaslighting, and Gore
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Bullying, Infidelity, Child death, Body horror, Violence, Gore, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Death, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Dysphoria, Torture, and Abandonment
theofficialzhang's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest, spoiler-free review!
NOTE: I am reviewing an audiobook
Themes: Grief, Death, Popularity
Representation: Queer MC and LI, Asian-American MCs and SCs
Content Warnings: Gore, Horror, Grief, Suicide
PERSONAL COMMENTS
I thought that the story was quite interesting. As a person who loves mystery and easily intrigued by thrillers, this book captured my attention. It was slow to start, and for me it was hard to start listening because I was super busy with school and didn’t have too much time to read this month. However, once I started reading and the action ramped up, I couldn’t wait to figure out what happened next!!!
The characters in this book are frustrating but realistic and the mystery is super strange and mysterious. But it kept my attention all the same. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a really enjoyable read. Plus, it fits the time of the year since I read this around Halloween.
Thus… I give it 4/5 stars.
CHARACTERS
I thought the characters were well written, especially Sunny and Candie. I thought Sunny was definitely a complex character. She is someone who might not necessarily be likeable. However, as you read the book, you can definitely see how her experiences shape her. Also, if you’re a person who likes character development and reveals, then you’ll definitely vibe with Sunny.
For Candie, she is sort of mysterious at first. Sunny really likes her, and you might not understand why at first. But as you read on, you’ll definitely see why Sunny really cares about Candie. I wished that there would be a bit more development for Candie. However, I quite enjoyed her relationship with Sunny and how they help each other out.
Finally, as for the side characters, I really enjoyed Sunny’s relationship with Mina as well as the people at the workshop. I thought it revealed a lot about her character and made her more human. As for the antagonist(s), they are somewhat foreshadowed in the book, but who they are still caught me slightly by surprise. But more on that in the plot of the book….
Rating: 4.3/5
PLOT
I’d say that I think this book focuses a bit more on plot. However, there is a lot of focus on characters too.
I feel like the book starts out slow and doesn’t immediately grasp your attention. However, action DOES build up towards the middle of the book. The pacing changes a lot so your enjoyment of the plot depends on how much you like dynamic pacing. As for the things in the plot, there are enough plot twists and things occurring in the plot. I felt like there could’ve been more going on in terms of plot, but I think it’s enough to keep your attention.
Finally, the ending of the book is super nice. It ties things together and is super sweet.
Rating: 3.7/5
OTHER
The book has a unique narration style: it is told in two different timelines. You have Sunny from 2–3 years ago as well as the Sunny of present day. I do not personally mind the narration and thought it was a nice touch to the story. However, it can definitely be hard to switch from one timeline to another. It’s for sure difficult to write dual timelines.
In terms of perspective and tense, it’s told in first-person perspective (from Sunny’s perspective) and the present tense. I think that having Sunny as the sole narrator is great as it provides an unreliable narrator as well as a limited view on the events of the plot.
Finally, for the narrator, I enjoyed her voice. I liked how she did different voices for different characters and conveyed the emotions of the book.
Overall, 4/5
RATINGS
Personal Rating: 4/5
Characters: 4.3/5
Plot: 3.7/5
Other: 4/5
Final Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Grief
likeagilmoregirl's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces is exactly what you want a YA thriller to be; it’s entertaining, dramatic, fun, and original. It’s not every day you pick up a sapphic K-Pop competition novel filled with scandal and horror.
The story centers around Sunny, a fallen-from-grace star, as she navigates the gruesome incidents happening to the girls she’s competing with in a K-Pop competition. A completion she joined to reunite with her estranged best friend (and former co-star) Candie who disappeared from her life after the tragic loss of their other friend and co-star, Mina.
Told in alternating chapters of Then and Now, the competition continues as the number of victims grows and the past events leading up to Sunny and Candie’s estrangement are unraveled.
Filled with drama, scandal, and gore, Gorgeous Gruesome Faces is a fantastic example of YA Thrillers. I loved the concept and the writing.
This book ended up being 4 stars for me because I felt that while the novel as a whole was structured well, the pace of the novel fluctuated inconsistently. Some parts felt more rushed than I found myself hoping them to be. And there were moments I felt that I had missed something or wished that more time had been spent detailing some events or character relationships.
I was given the chance to read this book in audiobook format and the narrator was fantastic!
Overall, Gorgeous Gruesome Faces is a wonderful, fun read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys YA thrillers. Especially with a little scandal involved.
*Huge thanks to Linda Cheng, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for providing the ARC of Gorgeous Gruesome Faces in audiobook format*
The story centers around Sunny, a fallen-from-grace star, as she navigates the gruesome incidents happening to the girls she’s competing with in a K-Pop competition. A completion she joined to reunite with her estranged best friend (and former co-star) Candie who disappeared from her life after the tragic loss of their other friend and co-star, Mina.
Told in alternating chapters of Then and Now, the competition continues as the number of victims grows and the past events leading up to Sunny and Candie’s estrangement are unraveled.
Filled with drama, scandal, and gore, Gorgeous Gruesome Faces is a fantastic example of YA Thrillers. I loved the concept and the writing.
This book ended up being 4 stars for me because I felt that while the novel as a whole was structured well, the pace of the novel fluctuated inconsistently. Some parts felt more rushed than I found myself hoping them to be. And there were moments I felt that I had missed something or wished that more time had been spent detailing some events or character relationships.
I was given the chance to read this book in audiobook format and the narrator was fantastic!
Overall, Gorgeous Gruesome Faces is a wonderful, fun read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys YA thrillers. Especially with a little scandal involved.
*Huge thanks to Linda Cheng, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for providing the ARC of Gorgeous Gruesome Faces in audiobook format*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Body horror, Toxic friendship, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
caseythereader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thanks to Macmillan for the free copy of this book.
- GORGEOUS GRUESOME FACES is a YA thriller that combines K-pop glitter with Chinese mythology.
- I love a book that explores some of the traumas of fame, especially for young people, and that is woven into the larger supernatural mystery of this book.
- I didn't realize this book was the first in a series until I got to the end, and I'm excited to see where Cheng takes this next.
- GORGEOUS GRUESOME FACES is a YA thriller that combines K-pop glitter with Chinese mythology.
- I love a book that explores some of the traumas of fame, especially for young people, and that is woven into the larger supernatural mystery of this book.
- I didn't realize this book was the first in a series until I got to the end, and I'm excited to see where Cheng takes this next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Gore, Murder, Bullying, Death, Stalking, and Suicide
caitc90's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Gorgeous gruesome faces is a story about a K-pop inspired music show where 3 teen girls audition and become Sweet Cadence: Candie, Mina and Sunny. The story starts with Sunny upset they didn’t finish the ritual and that Mina is behaving oddly and she thinks that’s what caused Mina to jump off her balcony. So scary, I don’t know what I was expecting with a title like that but it definitely wasn’t what that:
Horror x Romance wasn’t a genre I thought I’d ever read but 2023 being my year of going out of my comfort zone genres I’m so glad I did. it. I'm not a K-pop girlie, but I liked that she was able to discuss issues like racism, sexism, and body image within the K-pop industry. I never thought this would be a story I would be interested in and even though it was much scarier than I expected I was compelled to keep reading and couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened to Mina and what was happening with Sunny. It was so well written there were bits where I could nearly feel the cold hand on my skin giving me chills. Cheng is a brilliant writer and as scared as I am I would continue reading the series.
**This book was provided to me as an ARC on netgalley, and this is an honest review of the material. I was not paid or asked to supply a review for this book and am doing so because I enjoyed the content. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Childrens group for the advance copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore