Scan barcode
katiemack's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is written like a bad K-drama, but I happen to like K-dramas (and so do many teenagers and young adults--the primary audience for this book).
While it's not winning any awards for its writing, it's a fun, juicy look into the dark inner world of K-pop. Jung calls out the more problematic aspects of the industry, including sexism and fatphobia (though some of the scenes about counting calories aren't critical enough of the practice), while also creating enough drama to be compelling (again, compelling for fans of K-dramas and readers in their teens).
While it's not winning any awards for its writing, it's a fun, juicy look into the dark inner world of K-pop. Jung calls out the more problematic aspects of the industry, including sexism and fatphobia (though some of the scenes about counting calories aren't critical enough of the practice), while also creating enough drama to be compelling (again, compelling for fans of K-dramas and readers in their teens).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Sexism
elskabee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
A fun read overall, but it was a pretty mediocre book.
The good:
- The actual writing was pretty decent, not standout, but not bad for a cheesy teen novel
- Not as childish as I was worried. there's teen drinking, swearing, and real-world problems among all the over the top k-pop drama
- Much of the 'over the top' drama was pretty entertaining despite being unrealistic at times
- The main characters weren't entirely one dimensional throughout
(notice how the praise is very measured?)
The not so good:
- With all the over the top drama, it felt like it would've worked better as a k-drama (which based on the acknowledgments at the end seems to be the goal). It couldn't decide how realistic it wanted to be and made for a bit of a confused tone. It could have been an entertaining melodramatic story OR it could have been a more realistic story of a girl struggling to achieve her dreams depending entirely on the chapter. I don't mind a mix, but I wish this novel had a clearer identity.
- VERY fan-ficcy. By which I mean there were many tropes that were distractingly cliche. For example: describing outfits constantly, random insertions of Korean language that seemed out of place, describing luxury experiences without having any real meaning behind them. All three of those things at the very least could have been worked into the story better or even just left out 50% of the time.
- Although the main three characters (Rachel, Jason, and Mina) were not 1D they weren't exactly 3D either. The other background characters suffer more, almost all of them being very 1D throughout. This book subscribes to the notion that in teen media every character is the best friend or worst enemy and it gets tired pretty quickly.
- Short. I don't think I would want it longer, but some things felt rushed, especially the ending. I know there's a sequel planned for next year and some of the stuff at the end could have been pushed into the sequel rather than being tacked on in the last chapter.
Overall:
I didn't hate reading this book and at times could be entertaining, but it has a confused identity and some tropes that stop it from being a more unique and interesting story. I'd probably read the sequel when it comes out out of curiosity, but I wouldn't be rushing to recommend this to anyone. I think the target audience of teen girls interested in kpop may find it more enjoyable than I did though.
The good:
- The actual writing was pretty decent, not standout, but not bad for a cheesy teen novel
- Not as childish as I was worried. there's teen drinking, swearing, and real-world problems among all the over the top k-pop drama
- Much of the 'over the top' drama was pretty entertaining despite being unrealistic at times
- The main characters weren't entirely one dimensional throughout
(notice how the praise is very measured?)
The not so good:
- With all the over the top drama, it felt like it would've worked better as a k-drama (which based on the acknowledgments at the end seems to be the goal). It couldn't decide how realistic it wanted to be and made for a bit of a confused tone. It could have been an entertaining melodramatic story OR it could have been a more realistic story of a girl struggling to achieve her dreams depending entirely on the chapter. I don't mind a mix, but I wish this novel had a clearer identity.
- VERY fan-ficcy. By which I mean there were many tropes that were distractingly cliche. For example: describing outfits constantly, random insertions of Korean language that seemed out of place, describing luxury experiences without having any real meaning behind them. All three of those things at the very least could have been worked into the story better or even just left out 50% of the time.
- Although the main three characters (Rachel, Jason, and Mina) were not 1D they weren't exactly 3D either. The other background characters suffer more, almost all of them being very 1D throughout. This book subscribes to the notion that in teen media every character is the best friend or worst enemy and it gets tired pretty quickly.
- Short. I don't think I would want it longer, but some things felt rushed, especially the ending. I know there's a sequel planned for next year and some of the stuff at the end could have been pushed into the sequel rather than being tacked on in the last chapter.
Overall:
I didn't hate reading this book and at times could be entertaining, but it has a confused identity and some tropes that stop it from being a more unique and interesting story. I'd probably read the sequel when it comes out out of curiosity, but I wouldn't be rushing to recommend this to anyone. I think the target audience of teen girls interested in kpop may find it more enjoyable than I did though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Racism
rotatinglibrary's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Vomit
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Cursing, Sexism, and Death of parent
CW: Body talk, weight talk, disordered eating, negative self talk, vomit, racial microagressions, internalized racism, drugging, profanity, teen drinking, slut shaming.scarlettreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When I first heard that Jessica Jung had written a book all about the K Pop industry, I had to read it! Jessica was in one of the most famous K Pop Girl Groups on the planet, Girls Generation. I was such a fan when I was a teenager.
When I first started reading Shine, I wasn’t sure if it was a book for me. But by the end I absolutely loved it. We follow Rachel, a K Pop trainee who’s whole life has been dedicated to becoming an Idol. The book discusses a lot about the industry itself, such as the harmful environment all trainees are subject to and the sexism faced for the female Idols. It’s worth noting that there are a lot of toxic topics, such as overworking to the point of exhaustion and eating disorders.
It was by far one of the cheesiest books I’ve read this year, but it was a really great YA with a lot of drama 🍿
And there is a sequel coming out this year?! YES PLEASE!
Thank you so much to @electricmonkeybooks for sending me this #gifted copy!
When I first started reading Shine, I wasn’t sure if it was a book for me. But by the end I absolutely loved it. We follow Rachel, a K Pop trainee who’s whole life has been dedicated to becoming an Idol. The book discusses a lot about the industry itself, such as the harmful environment all trainees are subject to and the sexism faced for the female Idols. It’s worth noting that there are a lot of toxic topics, such as overworking to the point of exhaustion and eating disorders.
It was by far one of the cheesiest books I’ve read this year, but it was a really great YA with a lot of drama 🍿
And there is a sequel coming out this year?! YES PLEASE!
Thank you so much to @electricmonkeybooks for sending me this #gifted copy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
snowhitereads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
When I heard that THE Jessica Jung was writing a novel about k-pop I knew I had to get it. I rarely pre-order books, but this was one of the cases I HAD to.
Shine follows a teenager during her k-pop trainee days.
I do think it does a great job showing the hardships of k-pop trainees and idols and that not everything is rainbows and unicorns and not everyone gets along.
In regard to that I think it’s a great book for the people that romanticizes that industry.
It does touch on more serious topics such as bullying and eating disorders and body shaming, not always criticizing enough of that aspect of the industry in my opinion, so you might want to consider that before reading this book.
Now for the things that I didn’t really like.
I didn’t really like any of the characters. I didn’t find them likeable at all, and I never found myself actually rooting for them.
At times, this book reads more like fanfiction, especially when it comes to the romance part. That might be due to the inexperience of the author so there's room for improvement.
Overall, the story didn’t click with me but also keep in mind that I’m way past the target audience’s age for this novel so that might be why.
If k-pop is something that interests you, consider checking out this book but keep your expectations on the lower side.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia