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A Series of Falling Stars #1
Trick of the Spotlight: a K-Pop Drama
They say to never meet your heroes. What about your idols?
K-Pop: a niche market turned global phenomenon. Topping the charts is Vortex, the genre’s hottest group yet. Cue ex-Ohioan Kit Allister, still trying to find her way after dropping out of college. When the Vortex Wave hits America, she is swept up in the craze along with millions of other fans. Her rendition of Vortex's “Delusion”—the debut heard around the world—catches the eye of a talent scout online and hurtles Kit down her own whirlwind path to stardom. Against all odds, she debuts in Seoul under the same agency as Vortex. Yet, there’s much more to them than meets the eye, and Kit might be out of her depth in an industry riddled with secrets, scandal, and shady business…
K-Pop: a niche market turned global phenomenon. Topping the charts is Vortex, the genre’s hottest group yet. Cue ex-Ohioan Kit Allister, still trying to find her way after dropping out of college. When the Vortex Wave hits America, she is swept up in the craze along with millions of other fans. Her rendition of Vortex's “Delusion”—the debut heard around the world—catches the eye of a talent scout online and hurtles Kit down her own whirlwind path to stardom. Against all odds, she debuts in Seoul under the same agency as Vortex. Yet, there’s much more to them than meets the eye, and Kit might be out of her depth in an industry riddled with secrets, scandal, and shady business…
- GenresContemporaryLGBT
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2020
25 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
M.L. East
2 books31 followersM.L. lives on a volcanic island somewhere in the Pacific, bunkered down with many imaginary pets in a cozy little shoebox. She's been reading and writing books, poems, and lyrics since age three or four-ish, maybe five, back when paper was a thing. Her debut novel "Trick of the Spotlight" brings us a scandalous exposé of the K-Pop music industry. A Series of Falling Stars is inspired by events recounted (in strict confidence) by a former (totally non-fictitious) acquaintance who found herself swept up in the destructive vortex of a certain 5-man group.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 19, 2020
So, this was a completely fabulous surprise. I've been way into K-drama's lately, and I saw this book go on sale and decided to pick it up on a whim. Dude. It was EXACTLY what I was looking for. It was fun and romantic with surprising plot twists, fabulous banter and loveable characters, and scenes that I just wanted to jump in and LIVE there. I just totally loved it. Today was a day I was supposed to be doing other things, but I just couldn't stop reading this book.
I am SO ready for book 2. I am so ready for book 2, in fact, that I actually signed up for the newsletter for updates (which I NEVER do), and then went straight to ML East's page to see if she'd written anything else. So yeah. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book and WILL be reading the sequel.
Well done, ML East. 👏👏👏
I am SO ready for book 2. I am so ready for book 2, in fact, that I actually signed up for the newsletter for updates (which I NEVER do), and then went straight to ML East's page to see if she'd written anything else. So yeah. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book and WILL be reading the sequel.
Well done, ML East. 👏👏👏
July 3, 2020
If you're thinking about reading this book, DO IT!
This book was recommended to me by a friend who is well aware that I hate pretty much everything having to do with the romance genre. I was definitely skeptical going into it, but I'm SO glad I decided to trust her opinion on this one.
On the surface level, Trick of the Spotlight certainly does appear to be a straightforward boy-meets-girl romance novel. It features a five-member boy band known as Vortex, hailed as perhaps the greatest international success the pop music industry has ever seen. The boys are introduced right off the bat in the first chapter, and while it did take me a bit of time to familiarize myself with such a large cast, they do manage to distinguish themselves fairly quickly with their vastly different personalities. And I have to say, from the sassy, scandalous Kim Mino to the regal, no-nonsense Mahn Jaeyoon, I just may have let out a few fangirl squeals thanks to their hilarious antics and genuine dynamic.
While the plot is heavily focused on the boys, Trick of the Spotlight is told from the perspective of Kit Allister, an American college drop-out who has forged her own path to K-pop stardom through her undying love for Vortex. At this point, you may think you already know where this story is going (I thought I did too), but here is where I will make it clear: "straightforward" is the LAST word I would use to describe this book.
The first few chapters are mostly lighthearted and fun. The Vortex members are effortlessly charming, and Kit is very much a typical fangirl. This was definitely relatable and even endearing at times, but it did contribute to a bit of a slow start. Before long, though, both Kit and the reader are simultaneously confronted with the fact that Vortex, for better or for worse, are not who they appear to be on camera--and from then on, the book completely hits the ground running. Between the potentially life-ruining secrets, the suspenseful drama, and the rocky relationships between the characters, you barely have a second to gather yourself. I'm pretty sure I wanted to cry for every single character at LEAST once.
During what is probably my favorite scene in the book, everything you thought you'd learned about the characters turns right on its head in one of the most jaw-dropping plot twists I've ever experienced as a reader. Even after all of the chaos that led up to that point, I never saw that one coming. And don't even get me started on the ending!
Between the author's fantastic way with words, the palpable personalities and emotions of the characters, and the plot twists powerful enough to knock you off your feet, this series deserves all the love it can get. M.L. East, you know how to tell a captivating story.
This book was recommended to me by a friend who is well aware that I hate pretty much everything having to do with the romance genre. I was definitely skeptical going into it, but I'm SO glad I decided to trust her opinion on this one.
On the surface level, Trick of the Spotlight certainly does appear to be a straightforward boy-meets-girl romance novel. It features a five-member boy band known as Vortex, hailed as perhaps the greatest international success the pop music industry has ever seen. The boys are introduced right off the bat in the first chapter, and while it did take me a bit of time to familiarize myself with such a large cast, they do manage to distinguish themselves fairly quickly with their vastly different personalities. And I have to say, from the sassy, scandalous Kim Mino to the regal, no-nonsense Mahn Jaeyoon, I just may have let out a few fangirl squeals thanks to their hilarious antics and genuine dynamic.
While the plot is heavily focused on the boys, Trick of the Spotlight is told from the perspective of Kit Allister, an American college drop-out who has forged her own path to K-pop stardom through her undying love for Vortex. At this point, you may think you already know where this story is going (I thought I did too), but here is where I will make it clear: "straightforward" is the LAST word I would use to describe this book.
The first few chapters are mostly lighthearted and fun. The Vortex members are effortlessly charming, and Kit is very much a typical fangirl. This was definitely relatable and even endearing at times, but it did contribute to a bit of a slow start. Before long, though, both Kit and the reader are simultaneously confronted with the fact that Vortex, for better or for worse, are not who they appear to be on camera--and from then on, the book completely hits the ground running. Between the potentially life-ruining secrets, the suspenseful drama, and the rocky relationships between the characters, you barely have a second to gather yourself. I'm pretty sure I wanted to cry for every single character at LEAST once.
During what is probably my favorite scene in the book, everything you thought you'd learned about the characters turns right on its head in one of the most jaw-dropping plot twists I've ever experienced as a reader. Even after all of the chaos that led up to that point, I never saw that one coming. And don't even get me started on the ending!
Between the author's fantastic way with words, the palpable personalities and emotions of the characters, and the plot twists powerful enough to knock you off your feet, this series deserves all the love it can get. M.L. East, you know how to tell a captivating story.
August 10, 2021
RTC about how Penthouse has a new rival for most-dramatic-in-the-best-ways kdrama story.
April 10, 2021
Title: Trick of the Spotlight
Epic Star Review: 5/5
Formatting: 5/5
Story telling: 5/5
Grammer: 5/5
Everything else: 5/5
Doing things a bit differently, as well this book is a bit of a different read. One of the major things that I can appreciate with the author’s storytelling is the fact that the book is flow with description and overall storytelling is absolutely perfect. There weren’t any times where my mind felt the need to wonder. Because every author’s writing style is unique. Some authors want to describe trees for six pages and while some readers enjoy that some readers do not. This was a perfect mix which meant it easily can satisfy both types of readers that enjoy lots of description, and readers that would like to leave it to the imagination.
Now, this is my first K-pop read and with that being said I really enjoyed this.One of my favorite parts with this book is there is so much suspense. The first few chapters seem straight forward like, okay I know exactly what’s going to happen which would not necessarily be a bad thing. As I enjoyed the author’s storytelling. But guess what? I was wrong! With no spoilers, after the first few chapters, you will not want to put the book down. So much happens, drama, and then when you think you have the characters figured out. Nevermind! Another layer into the story, overall plot, and character development. This has honestly become one of my favorite reads for not only this year, but also. I will follow the author’s future adventures into writing and regardless of the story. Like I said, I’ve never read anything like this before, but I am so glad I did!
Epic Star Review: 5/5
Formatting: 5/5
Story telling: 5/5
Grammer: 5/5
Everything else: 5/5
Doing things a bit differently, as well this book is a bit of a different read. One of the major things that I can appreciate with the author’s storytelling is the fact that the book is flow with description and overall storytelling is absolutely perfect. There weren’t any times where my mind felt the need to wonder. Because every author’s writing style is unique. Some authors want to describe trees for six pages and while some readers enjoy that some readers do not. This was a perfect mix which meant it easily can satisfy both types of readers that enjoy lots of description, and readers that would like to leave it to the imagination.
Now, this is my first K-pop read and with that being said I really enjoyed this.One of my favorite parts with this book is there is so much suspense. The first few chapters seem straight forward like, okay I know exactly what’s going to happen which would not necessarily be a bad thing. As I enjoyed the author’s storytelling. But guess what? I was wrong! With no spoilers, after the first few chapters, you will not want to put the book down. So much happens, drama, and then when you think you have the characters figured out. Nevermind! Another layer into the story, overall plot, and character development. This has honestly become one of my favorite reads for not only this year, but also. I will follow the author’s future adventures into writing and regardless of the story. Like I said, I’ve never read anything like this before, but I am so glad I did!
February 21, 2021
Buy. This. Book.
But try to resist reading it for as long as possible because waiting for the next book is pure agony. I am only able to cope by rereading Trick over and over. If I can stop reading it for a bit, I'm going to need to lend it out to some friends because I genuinely need to talk to someone... anyone... about this book. That's part of why I'm writing this review, to be honest. Is there a fan club somewhere I can join?
I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up this book, but every aspect of the writing, the plot, the characters, the world, all of it exceeded my expectations. This is one of those books I wish I could read for the first time over and over again because I worship that feeling of having the rug pulled out from under me. That said, it's just as good the second time through (and the third) because all the clues are right there under your nose. Masterfully done. I've also been combing the pages for anything that seems like a clue to future plot twists because I feel like I know this author now, and I know she's got to be up to more shenanigans.
I'm a fan of M.L. East... but I'm now also a Vortexan and a Kit-Kat, and that is absurd. It kills me that I can't go listen to their music or watch them on Tick Tock Talk or something. Every single one of them is officially living rent-free in my head... which in Kit's case, that's probably pretty helpful so for her sake I shouldn't complain. Still, I can't stop obsessively checking if there's any news of Face the Music.
Buy it. Just do it. You need to step into this beautiful world and meet Kit and Vortex and get your mind blown.
But try to resist reading it for as long as possible because waiting for the next book is pure agony. I am only able to cope by rereading Trick over and over. If I can stop reading it for a bit, I'm going to need to lend it out to some friends because I genuinely need to talk to someone... anyone... about this book. That's part of why I'm writing this review, to be honest. Is there a fan club somewhere I can join?
I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up this book, but every aspect of the writing, the plot, the characters, the world, all of it exceeded my expectations. This is one of those books I wish I could read for the first time over and over again because I worship that feeling of having the rug pulled out from under me. That said, it's just as good the second time through (and the third) because all the clues are right there under your nose. Masterfully done. I've also been combing the pages for anything that seems like a clue to future plot twists because I feel like I know this author now, and I know she's got to be up to more shenanigans.
I'm a fan of M.L. East... but I'm now also a Vortexan and a Kit-Kat, and that is absurd. It kills me that I can't go listen to their music or watch them on Tick Tock Talk or something. Every single one of them is officially living rent-free in my head... which in Kit's case, that's probably pretty helpful so for her sake I shouldn't complain. Still, I can't stop obsessively checking if there's any news of Face the Music.
Buy it. Just do it. You need to step into this beautiful world and meet Kit and Vortex and get your mind blown.
March 19, 2021
Omg! Cliffhanger and ready for more !
I am so glad I found this book and author ! I was hooked from the first chapter. It really drew me in and almost felt like I was back as a pre teen in my young imagination years obsessed with boy bands. I will mention at times it felt long but also I don't have much leisure time to read and often am tired so could only read this here and there. Regardless I enjoyed the plot, characters, and any twists! I am not into K pop but really I could put that aside and think of this as any boy band and can girl who also gets stardom! Ps. I love how the author wrote her bio at the end <3 kudos and looking forward to more from the author - Amanda
I am so glad I found this book and author ! I was hooked from the first chapter. It really drew me in and almost felt like I was back as a pre teen in my young imagination years obsessed with boy bands. I will mention at times it felt long but also I don't have much leisure time to read and often am tired so could only read this here and there. Regardless I enjoyed the plot, characters, and any twists! I am not into K pop but really I could put that aside and think of this as any boy band and can girl who also gets stardom! Ps. I love how the author wrote her bio at the end <3 kudos and looking forward to more from the author - Amanda
December 14, 2020
The characters feel very real and the emotions poignant. The plot went in very unexpected directions. An experience unlike any other I have had while reading. This book will stick with me and I think the next book in this series will too. I look forward to reading more.
April 4, 2022
I am drastically unfamiliar with K-Pop and everything surrounding the explosive genre, but I truly enjoyed this book. When they say never meet your heroes or your idols, it's the truth in this story. What we see is a well-orchestrated, choreographed visual for fans to fall in love with, and we believe the facade we are presented. We forget that behind the scenes there are very real, flesh and blood human beings, with feelings and less than perfect personalities. What does it mean to be perfect? What does it mean when someone with all the authority and all the money is pulling the strings? In Trick of the Spotlight we learn this very thing when new K-Pop sensation Kit is thrown into the lion's den with her idols, Vortex. She quickly learns that not everything we see is a true representation of fact; and when the heart gets involved, things can get really messy. East writes a very explosive and entertaining tale with characters that are fully and individually drawn out; some likable, some not so much. East's writing flows smoothly and is a truly fresh voice in the writing world. I was really impressed with the glossary of suffixes, terms, and terms of endearment - it was greatly helpful in understanding and immersing myself in the whole K-Pop experience! And seeing that this book ended on a cliffhanger, I'm looking forward to reading the next installment!
Some of my favorite lines from the book (I highlighted so many while reading it's difficult to pick just a few!):
"My heart took a swing at my ribs and knocked the air out of me because even his name conjured magic, echoes of a voice like liquid starlight."
"...my stilettos sat in a spiky mass of awkward angles looking like a bird with a broken wing."
"He hopped down the stairs like a cotton candy sparrow, basking in the sound of his name in a thousand mouths."
"But there was always something tragic about the lurid display of a sunset, like the sun was flavoring the air with its desperation as Earth turned her face away."
"His palms were a Rorschach test hosting four dancing pairs of gory shoes."
Some of my favorite lines from the book (I highlighted so many while reading it's difficult to pick just a few!):
"My heart took a swing at my ribs and knocked the air out of me because even his name conjured magic, echoes of a voice like liquid starlight."
"...my stilettos sat in a spiky mass of awkward angles looking like a bird with a broken wing."
"He hopped down the stairs like a cotton candy sparrow, basking in the sound of his name in a thousand mouths."
"But there was always something tragic about the lurid display of a sunset, like the sun was flavoring the air with its desperation as Earth turned her face away."
"His palms were a Rorschach test hosting four dancing pairs of gory shoes."
June 19, 2022
This was EVERYTHING
Oh. My. God. I am officially obsessed. This book was jam packed with classic k-pop drama, making me nostalgic for all of the manwhas I'd read in the past. Kit is a fantastic heroine, and I absolutely adored her. The light admid Vortex's swirl of destructive emotion. Saichi and Mino (Minchi!) were so wonderfully complicated, and the LBGQT+ aspects were powerful and I just loved how Kit stood her ground when it came to protecting her friends and their identities. Ryo, Namgi, and Jaeyoon filled the expected roles of bad boy, goof ball, and caretaker needed to round out the group, and I'm excited to see more of them (especially Ryo) in book 2. Which I'm going to start reading as soon as I finish this review. Because dayuuuum, this was a good book. Seriously, if you like music industry drama, you NEED to read this.
Oh. My. God. I am officially obsessed. This book was jam packed with classic k-pop drama, making me nostalgic for all of the manwhas I'd read in the past. Kit is a fantastic heroine, and I absolutely adored her. The light admid Vortex's swirl of destructive emotion. Saichi and Mino (Minchi!) were so wonderfully complicated, and the LBGQT+ aspects were powerful and I just loved how Kit stood her ground when it came to protecting her friends and their identities. Ryo, Namgi, and Jaeyoon filled the expected roles of bad boy, goof ball, and caretaker needed to round out the group, and I'm excited to see more of them (especially Ryo) in book 2. Which I'm going to start reading as soon as I finish this review. Because dayuuuum, this was a good book. Seriously, if you like music industry drama, you NEED to read this.
September 9, 2020
You HAVE to read this!!! ---
First let's talk about the plot ---
Vortex. The group that rules the kpop industry and has millions of fans worldwide….and Kit Allister is just another Vortex fan in the kpop industry put in the same entertainment company as her biases. A complete Rookie and she gets a chance to have a joint interview with her idols in the Kpop industry’s most well known talk show. Kit can’t just accept the enormity of the situation. Her bias, her idols sitting next to her, given the same position as her and they were talking to her! And may be she fainted when one of the Vortex member, Oh Saichi, reveals that he is a Kit-Kat (Kit’s fandom name) ! Later, the Vortex members (Oh Saichi, Ryo, Jaeyoon, Mino and Namgi) invite her to their party later that night. On going to the party Kit gets to see the side of kpop idols she never knew existed. The night was bizarre! She gets to know that her bias, Oh Saichi, has a crush on HER and if anyone is pissed off by this is, Ryo. He takes pictures of Kit and threatens her to stay away from Saichi or he would leak the pictures in the internet. Over the time, Saichi and Kit get closer and even get a chance to collab. On the same time, the fans of the ship (OTP), Minchi (Mino+Saichi) go wild as they almost kissed onstage! Everything is just so perfect for Kit that it’s hard to believe the fact that now she was friends with Vortex! She even starts having these lil conversations with Mino and Saichi and her feelings for Saichi grow even more. But why is Ryo so eager to leak the pictures? Will he actually leak them? What happens when she gets to know about all these hidden scandals? What will happen if she violates the ‘dating ban’ of her company? Is Minchi real? Above all, how far will she go for Vortex….?
Now, so did I enjoy the book and should you buy it?
I really don't see a point why not! If you're in kpop then you MUST read it. I believe every stan out there must understand the other side of kpop where the lives of idols are not just perfect as it's being showed to us but rather, it's way more complex. This book is really enjoyable as it presents the thoughts of a kpop idol who is a fan of a group herself, so you will definitely relate to her when she's fangirling over her biases. But the story becomes more interesting when you realise that the protagonist,Kit is an idol too! So Kit has her limitations.
And I think it's wonderful to know about something in someone else's perspective. Moreover why wouldn't you like to know what possibly might be going in YOUR bias's mind?
I truly LOVED the book and would definitely it recommend to anyone who is into kpop . So just don't think anything... Read it!!!!!!
Love,
A hardcore kpop stan.
First let's talk about the plot ---
Vortex. The group that rules the kpop industry and has millions of fans worldwide….and Kit Allister is just another Vortex fan in the kpop industry put in the same entertainment company as her biases. A complete Rookie and she gets a chance to have a joint interview with her idols in the Kpop industry’s most well known talk show. Kit can’t just accept the enormity of the situation. Her bias, her idols sitting next to her, given the same position as her and they were talking to her! And may be she fainted when one of the Vortex member, Oh Saichi, reveals that he is a Kit-Kat (Kit’s fandom name) ! Later, the Vortex members (Oh Saichi, Ryo, Jaeyoon, Mino and Namgi) invite her to their party later that night. On going to the party Kit gets to see the side of kpop idols she never knew existed. The night was bizarre! She gets to know that her bias, Oh Saichi, has a crush on HER and if anyone is pissed off by this is, Ryo. He takes pictures of Kit and threatens her to stay away from Saichi or he would leak the pictures in the internet. Over the time, Saichi and Kit get closer and even get a chance to collab. On the same time, the fans of the ship (OTP), Minchi (Mino+Saichi) go wild as they almost kissed onstage! Everything is just so perfect for Kit that it’s hard to believe the fact that now she was friends with Vortex! She even starts having these lil conversations with Mino and Saichi and her feelings for Saichi grow even more. But why is Ryo so eager to leak the pictures? Will he actually leak them? What happens when she gets to know about all these hidden scandals? What will happen if she violates the ‘dating ban’ of her company? Is Minchi real? Above all, how far will she go for Vortex….?
Now, so did I enjoy the book and should you buy it?
I really don't see a point why not! If you're in kpop then you MUST read it. I believe every stan out there must understand the other side of kpop where the lives of idols are not just perfect as it's being showed to us but rather, it's way more complex. This book is really enjoyable as it presents the thoughts of a kpop idol who is a fan of a group herself, so you will definitely relate to her when she's fangirling over her biases. But the story becomes more interesting when you realise that the protagonist,Kit is an idol too! So Kit has her limitations.
And I think it's wonderful to know about something in someone else's perspective. Moreover why wouldn't you like to know what possibly might be going in YOUR bias's mind?
I truly LOVED the book and would definitely it recommend to anyone who is into kpop . So just don't think anything... Read it!!!!!!
Love,
A hardcore kpop stan.
August 26, 2021
*disclaimer for this review: profanity and sass, and if you don't like profanity and sass, either grow a pair or put this book down NOW because nobody wants to hear you whine about all the sCaNdALoUs cUsSwOrDs (clutch your pearls elsewhere) [nobody censors Mino] {back off}*
I don't write reviews, but TOTS is way underrated and some people been vicious so I wanted to balance the books a tad. Vivid scenes, diverse pop-out-of-the-page characters, snappy dialogue, hella shocking plot twists, bla bla bla. Those praises have already been sung. Easy pickings because the writing just plain slaps, especially considering this seems to be a debut book.
So let's have some real talk instead of the easy talk. I see why this book can rub some people the wrong way, but let's be real. It was REAL. We don't live in a utopia. Life isn't perfect. People aren't perfect. The author didn't pull any punches with this book and I respect the hell out of that. These characters were real as all fuck. SJWs, I hear you. I feel you. I get the controversy but don't attack without thinking. This book isn't romanticizing biphobia or homophobia. It's addressing the issues, bringing awareness to a critically underacknowledged demographic, and making every reader feel that pain. We need more books like this.
My advice to prospective readers: Read the back of the book and take it literally. If you want trashy dime-a-dozen erotica (no shade intended) with unrealistic pacing [still no shade] and caricatures instead of real characters {legit NO SHADE}, nothing wrong with that. You do you. But this really isn't your book, honey.
And Kpop fam out here looking for fanfiction, don't expect your usual fan-celeb vicarious experience. Some scenes are going to scratch some yummy itches for you, but this book'll keep scratching til it cuts you in the end if you're expecting a lighthearted fic. That said, the Kpop community is sleeping on this gem. Quit sleeping. Read it. Now. And tell your friends. OK? OK.
Aces, ML. Keep writing real. Get your next book out pronto.
I don't write reviews, but TOTS is way underrated and some people been vicious so I wanted to balance the books a tad. Vivid scenes, diverse pop-out-of-the-page characters, snappy dialogue, hella shocking plot twists, bla bla bla. Those praises have already been sung. Easy pickings because the writing just plain slaps, especially considering this seems to be a debut book.
So let's have some real talk instead of the easy talk. I see why this book can rub some people the wrong way, but let's be real. It was REAL. We don't live in a utopia. Life isn't perfect. People aren't perfect. The author didn't pull any punches with this book and I respect the hell out of that. These characters were real as all fuck. SJWs, I hear you. I feel you. I get the controversy but don't attack without thinking. This book isn't romanticizing biphobia or homophobia. It's addressing the issues, bringing awareness to a critically underacknowledged demographic, and making every reader feel that pain. We need more books like this.
My advice to prospective readers: Read the back of the book and take it literally. If you want trashy dime-a-dozen erotica (no shade intended) with unrealistic pacing [still no shade] and caricatures instead of real characters {legit NO SHADE}, nothing wrong with that. You do you. But this really isn't your book, honey.
And Kpop fam out here looking for fanfiction, don't expect your usual fan-celeb vicarious experience. Some scenes are going to scratch some yummy itches for you, but this book'll keep scratching til it cuts you in the end if you're expecting a lighthearted fic. That said, the Kpop community is sleeping on this gem. Quit sleeping. Read it. Now. And tell your friends. OK? OK.
Aces, ML. Keep writing real. Get your next book out pronto.
July 28, 2022
I wasn’t sure what to except from this book initially especially since the only thing I know about k-pop is that my sister is obsessed with BTS, but I absolutely LOVED this story!
Although a bit slow to start, the immaculate editing and formatting and the author’s beautiful prose kept me going. I found some of the honorifics and unfamiliar terms a bit jarring at first but I quickly caught on as the story unfolded.
The story brought me back to my fanboy days. I definitely related to Kat (minus the famous pop star part.) And once I reached the halfway point, I couldn’t put this book down! I literally stayed up until 1am to finish it last night trying to read with tears pouring down my face because I just had to know what was going to happen then AHHH THAT CLIFFHANGER!!!
This is seriously an author to watch. The descriptions they craft are stunning, almost a work of art in itself. There are some triggers in this book including mentions of self-harm, homophobia, hateful slurs, and mentions of rape, but the author touched on all of these topics with grace and sensitivity and I for one was very pleased with how they were dealt with.
I highly recommend this to any fans of NA romance. It’s definitely one of my favorite books now!
Although a bit slow to start, the immaculate editing and formatting and the author’s beautiful prose kept me going. I found some of the honorifics and unfamiliar terms a bit jarring at first but I quickly caught on as the story unfolded.
The story brought me back to my fanboy days. I definitely related to Kat (minus the famous pop star part.) And once I reached the halfway point, I couldn’t put this book down! I literally stayed up until 1am to finish it last night trying to read with tears pouring down my face because I just had to know what was going to happen then AHHH THAT CLIFFHANGER!!!
This is seriously an author to watch. The descriptions they craft are stunning, almost a work of art in itself. There are some triggers in this book including mentions of self-harm, homophobia, hateful slurs, and mentions of rape, but the author touched on all of these topics with grace and sensitivity and I for one was very pleased with how they were dealt with.
I highly recommend this to any fans of NA romance. It’s definitely one of my favorite books now!
February 20, 2021
I watch a lot of Korean series, thanks to Netflix I am pretty much hooked on them, and just like the series I love so much this book is brimming with personalities, drive, and passion. Straight off the bat you are plunged into a vibrant and energetic world. I am never normally a fan of the pop-fiction genre, but there was just something about this book that drew me in. Filled with suspense, drama, and secrets there really is something for everyone. I loved the reference to the pop culture and came away feeling like I had learnt a few things as well. The characters in the book really were a big draw for me, they are unique and engaging and I found the use of colloquiums really added a little extra something to the read, and since I was unfamiliar with some, I appreciated that the author added a glossary at the back to explain meanings and context. I will certainly be keeping my eyes open for book 2
March 14, 2022
First off, I had a lot of reservations about reading this book. K-pop is about the furthest thing you can get from my musical tastes, and while I might enjoy a concert or two once in a blue moon, I've never "stanned" or "shipped" anyone. It's all unnecessary theatrics to me.
However! What I do love, and cannot get enough of, is drama, especially in my romance, and this book delivered both in spades. Each chapter was juicier than the last, and required no actual knowledge of the K-Pop industry to follow along (not that it doesn't help, of course). East did an excellent job of giving the necessary details when needed, while focusing mainly on the actual plot. I can imagine being a K-Pop fan only adds to the fun and intrigue of reading this story, but it's definitely not a necessity, so don't let that hold you back.
As for East's strengths as a writer, I was thoroughly impressed with her descriptions, especially with emotions. While settings were a bit weak, her ability to convey the intensity and rawness of the characters' feelings really drew me into the story. That ability alone was enough to make me want to keep reading. I will only add to this that if you're the type of reader that gets bogged down by a lot of description, this may not be the book for you, but in my personal opinion, I did not think it was overdone.
Additionally, the plot was solid, and touched on a number of important issues that still plague certain cultures and industries in a way most of us probably don't realize. I can imagine that will be difficult for some readers, but it's important to understand that sometimes representation means being honest about these things. Racism and homophobia are still serious issues, and to deny that reality gives a falseness to stories that are otherwise genuine, so I really appreciated East's courage for tackling that.
I also was not at all expecting that ending. Every theory I had proved false, although a part of me was admittedly expecting more of a conclusion, even knowing there are more books to come. My only complaint is that I honestly would have liked this better if at least one thing got tied up. It almost felt like the book ended based on length, less than plot, so it's definitely not something I would recommend reading unless you're prepared to invest in the series, especially for those of you like me who insist it's not a romance without a HEA.
Overall I was very happy to give this book a chance, and I will absolutely be waiting impatiently for book two.
However! What I do love, and cannot get enough of, is drama, especially in my romance, and this book delivered both in spades. Each chapter was juicier than the last, and required no actual knowledge of the K-Pop industry to follow along (not that it doesn't help, of course). East did an excellent job of giving the necessary details when needed, while focusing mainly on the actual plot. I can imagine being a K-Pop fan only adds to the fun and intrigue of reading this story, but it's definitely not a necessity, so don't let that hold you back.
As for East's strengths as a writer, I was thoroughly impressed with her descriptions, especially with emotions. While settings were a bit weak, her ability to convey the intensity and rawness of the characters' feelings really drew me into the story. That ability alone was enough to make me want to keep reading. I will only add to this that if you're the type of reader that gets bogged down by a lot of description, this may not be the book for you, but in my personal opinion, I did not think it was overdone.
Additionally, the plot was solid, and touched on a number of important issues that still plague certain cultures and industries in a way most of us probably don't realize. I can imagine that will be difficult for some readers, but it's important to understand that sometimes representation means being honest about these things. Racism and homophobia are still serious issues, and to deny that reality gives a falseness to stories that are otherwise genuine, so I really appreciated East's courage for tackling that.
I also was not at all expecting that ending. Every theory I had proved false, although a part of me was admittedly expecting more of a conclusion, even knowing there are more books to come. My only complaint is that I honestly would have liked this better if at least one thing got tied up. It almost felt like the book ended based on length, less than plot, so it's definitely not something I would recommend reading unless you're prepared to invest in the series, especially for those of you like me who insist it's not a romance without a HEA.
Overall I was very happy to give this book a chance, and I will absolutely be waiting impatiently for book two.
December 6, 2020
Very unique read! I was interested the entire time which can be hard for me with these types of books. That characters and plot was fun! The author know how to make you wander what's coming next with this one!
May 19, 2021
This is such a fun and insightful book, and I really enjoyed this! Trick of the spotlight is a deep-dive into the K-Pop world.
Vortex is the top boy-band in the world (think BTS-esque) and Kit McAllister is a college drop out who ends up being signed by the same talent agency as Vortex and finds herself caught up in all of the associated drama. And there's a bunch of it. Lots of phrases I didn't understand (thank goodness for the handy glossary at the end).
What started out as light got fairly dark in places and it made me go woah! There's a lot of dark undertones and the author has touched on this with respect and yet with a surprising amount of intimate knowledge about what really goes on. There is a trigger warning.
Ended on a cliff-hanger (personal peeve) but on the bright side it means I get to read book two when it comes out!!!
Vortex is the top boy-band in the world (think BTS-esque) and Kit McAllister is a college drop out who ends up being signed by the same talent agency as Vortex and finds herself caught up in all of the associated drama. And there's a bunch of it. Lots of phrases I didn't understand (thank goodness for the handy glossary at the end).
What started out as light got fairly dark in places and it made me go woah! There's a lot of dark undertones and the author has touched on this with respect and yet with a surprising amount of intimate knowledge about what really goes on. There is a trigger warning.
Ended on a cliff-hanger (personal peeve) but on the bright side it means I get to read book two when it comes out!!!
July 3, 2020
First of all, omg representation thank you.
Second, I loved every second of this book and every character. I miss them already, even Mino. Book two needs to come soon because I need to know how Kit is going to cope, and I'm praying Minchi is going to be okay.
Third, every Kpop fan should read this. It's brilliant. The surprises had me shook.
Second, I loved every second of this book and every character. I miss them already, even Mino. Book two needs to come soon because I need to know how Kit is going to cope, and I'm praying Minchi is going to be okay.
Third, every Kpop fan should read this. It's brilliant. The surprises had me shook.
March 26, 2021
tw: internalized and externalized homophobia, references to hazing (?), homophobic slurs, blood/injury, outing, blackout drinking, self harm (wall punching, clawing ones own body til it bleeds)
Huh.
It’s 3:30 AM and I should be in bed but instead I’m writing this review because I stayed up finishing this book, so on the one hand - compelling. On the other, I think I have an issue where I don’t really connect with any of the characters aside from maybe Ryo, because he seems to want this whole situation to be over and is the only person who seems aware of how it could blow up in everyone’s faces.
Around the point in time where we had the bisexuality reveal was when a big part of me checked out hard, and that might be because of just the sheer amount of homophobic slurs. I understand that they’re there to define a character but this is also a character I’m supposed to maybe not completely despise later in the series (who knows?) and also it’s just rough to read.
Kit’s presence is also just very odd; something the character lampshades but like, that doesn’t actually make it better. Like several scenes she is present for there isn’t a compelling reason for her presumed closeness with the group at large and honestly her presence seems to be a detriment. She seems to be actively harming them but being around. She seems to be butting her head where it doesn’t belong and I’m not given a compelling reason to feel otherwise, probably because her chemistry with the male love interest is thin.
I will maybe still check out the follow up? The cliffhanger was a compelling one, and overall it’s a kind of dishy, soapy read.
Huh.
It’s 3:30 AM and I should be in bed but instead I’m writing this review because I stayed up finishing this book, so on the one hand - compelling. On the other, I think I have an issue where I don’t really connect with any of the characters aside from maybe Ryo, because he seems to want this whole situation to be over and is the only person who seems aware of how it could blow up in everyone’s faces.
Around the point in time where we had the bisexuality reveal was when a big part of me checked out hard, and that might be because of just the sheer amount of homophobic slurs. I understand that they’re there to define a character but this is also a character I’m supposed to maybe not completely despise later in the series (who knows?) and also it’s just rough to read.
Kit’s presence is also just very odd; something the character lampshades but like, that doesn’t actually make it better. Like several scenes she is present for there isn’t a compelling reason for her presumed closeness with the group at large and honestly her presence seems to be a detriment. She seems to be actively harming them but being around. She seems to be butting her head where it doesn’t belong and I’m not given a compelling reason to feel otherwise, probably because her chemistry with the male love interest is thin.
I will maybe still check out the follow up? The cliffhanger was a compelling one, and overall it’s a kind of dishy, soapy read.
February 3, 2021
Enter a world of “red carpets, flashing lights, and high stages.”
Kit Allister is a K-POP star and one of Korean’s American Dream. This is the story behind the idol dream and how it was never really a dream for Kit—just something she kind of fell into. The hardest part, though, was keeping up appearances.
Story carries an easy and candid narrative. It had an interesting perspective on a behind-the-scenes look. Kit’s life and career seemed to revolve around a group called Vortex, which also seems to act like a competing performance. It’s funny because whenever she’s around them, she acts like a giddy, awkward, silly fan girl. Some of the Korean names were a little hard to come by.
Overall, this was a decent and unique read.
Kit Allister is a K-POP star and one of Korean’s American Dream. This is the story behind the idol dream and how it was never really a dream for Kit—just something she kind of fell into. The hardest part, though, was keeping up appearances.
Story carries an easy and candid narrative. It had an interesting perspective on a behind-the-scenes look. Kit’s life and career seemed to revolve around a group called Vortex, which also seems to act like a competing performance. It’s funny because whenever she’s around them, she acts like a giddy, awkward, silly fan girl. Some of the Korean names were a little hard to come by.
Overall, this was a decent and unique read.
February 28, 2021
This is the first book I have read in this genre. Trick of the Spotlight is a K-Pop story set in Korea.
This is a very well written book which focuses on Kit and her encounter with a band, Vortex. The plot is quite detailed as her life becomes embroiled behind the scenes with the band members.
Some parts of the book were quite dialogue heavy in that the conversations between Kit and other characters moved the story along.
My only criticism would be the pace of this book. Perhaps I’m used to books which are a bit faster paced. Having said that, it was an enjoyable read.
This is a very well written book which focuses on Kit and her encounter with a band, Vortex. The plot is quite detailed as her life becomes embroiled behind the scenes with the band members.
Some parts of the book were quite dialogue heavy in that the conversations between Kit and other characters moved the story along.
My only criticism would be the pace of this book. Perhaps I’m used to books which are a bit faster paced. Having said that, it was an enjoyable read.
July 17, 2021
Despite a few holes in the narrative (which no doubt will be filled in in later books), this is an interesting and enjoyable read, offering a look at what it might really be like at the (in)famous K-pop production companies. Looking forward to the next in the series.
September 8, 2021
Daebak
I really loved it, i read it twice in a row, very well written, intriguing,can't wait for the next one.
I really loved it, i read it twice in a row, very well written, intriguing,can't wait for the next one.
Read
September 17, 2021That cliffhanger! I need to know what happens!! I can't wait for the next book
May 11, 2021
(a solid 3.5)
I expected K-pop, K-drama, fashion, potential a reverse harem, and pop culture references. I got k-drama (out the wazoo), a smidge of a reverse harem romance, tons of flirting, power dynamics between the boss and the idols, and a fairly healthy attitude towards LGBTQ characters and good discussions about it. Which, let's be fair, I was not expecting that last one at all.
Kit Allister was headed no where fast, until Vortex, the highest grossing K-Pop group of all time came into her life. She lived and breathed the band so hard, that when accidentally filmed singing one of their hits, she is rocketed into idol-dom. Idol-dom is not as easy as Kit thinks it is. She follows every rule to a T to stay safe and secure in her job. That is, until she's able to Vortex up close and personal, including her ultimate bias, Oh Saichi. Turns out, Saichi likes too. But then again, it seems like the whole band can't get enough of her, what's a girl to do?
I wanted more out of this book, but it was still a very entertaining read. I've been obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas as of late and this book fueled my love for them further. Again, it dealt a lot more with power dynamics and a certain character's sexuality than I thought it would. The sexuality bit was handled mostly okay. Kit handles it like a pro, but there are some other characters who handle it poorly and it could be triggering.
Overall, written okay, Gossip Girl vibes, mentions of mental health and sexuality, a fun, fairly engrossing read if you're a k-pop fan or just want to imagine a whole band of boys making eyes at you.
5.5/10 would recommend
I expected K-pop, K-drama, fashion, potential a reverse harem, and pop culture references. I got k-drama (out the wazoo), a smidge of a reverse harem romance, tons of flirting, power dynamics between the boss and the idols, and a fairly healthy attitude towards LGBTQ characters and good discussions about it. Which, let's be fair, I was not expecting that last one at all.
Kit Allister was headed no where fast, until Vortex, the highest grossing K-Pop group of all time came into her life. She lived and breathed the band so hard, that when accidentally filmed singing one of their hits, she is rocketed into idol-dom. Idol-dom is not as easy as Kit thinks it is. She follows every rule to a T to stay safe and secure in her job. That is, until she's able to Vortex up close and personal, including her ultimate bias, Oh Saichi. Turns out, Saichi likes too. But then again, it seems like the whole band can't get enough of her, what's a girl to do?
I wanted more out of this book, but it was still a very entertaining read. I've been obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas as of late and this book fueled my love for them further. Again, it dealt a lot more with power dynamics and a certain character's sexuality than I thought it would. The sexuality bit was handled mostly okay. Kit handles it like a pro, but there are some other characters who handle it poorly and it could be triggering.
Overall, written okay, Gossip Girl vibes, mentions of mental health and sexuality, a fun, fairly engrossing read if you're a k-pop fan or just want to imagine a whole band of boys making eyes at you.
5.5/10 would recommend
June 30, 2020
I don't know...
The cover was super cute. However the story lacked imagery and the pace was very slow. The author introduced a lot of character's in one scene and it overwhelmed me and made the chapter feel jumbled. There is a such thing as introducing too many characters. I felt the author describe a lot of unimportant things. Every one was hard to picture. The dialogue seemed unnatural. It might be just me. Maybe I'm the problem, but I really wanted to enjoy the plot as I do like Koop and romance. The idea is a good mix. I couldn't connect with anyone. I give this three stars because show vs tell us a really important asset to any book, but the plot has tons of potential
The author should have put the "dictionary" in the front as I don't know Korean and it took over 289 pages to find out if was there the whole time to help me. Maybe this book is for some one else. Sorry
The cover was super cute. However the story lacked imagery and the pace was very slow. The author introduced a lot of character's in one scene and it overwhelmed me and made the chapter feel jumbled. There is a such thing as introducing too many characters. I felt the author describe a lot of unimportant things. Every one was hard to picture. The dialogue seemed unnatural. It might be just me. Maybe I'm the problem, but I really wanted to enjoy the plot as I do like Koop and romance. The idea is a good mix. I couldn't connect with anyone. I give this three stars because show vs tell us a really important asset to any book, but the plot has tons of potential
The author should have put the "dictionary" in the front as I don't know Korean and it took over 289 pages to find out if was there the whole time to help me. Maybe this book is for some one else. Sorry
May 2, 2022
Kit is a rising K-pop star who is doing everything she can to be as successful as her idols vortex she has a crush on one of the members how far will it go?
Oh my gosh, parts of this book had me completely broken! I have never known so many torn emotions swirling around at once. The relationships of everyone involved are almost like a vortex, there are so many moments where my heart was breaking for one character and getting angry at another at the same time.
There are some very important topics covered in this book in my opinion, and I think it would be a good read for anybody who is struggling to be able to be true to themselves. It takes you on a tempestuous journey of romance, heartache, the highs and lows of being famous and the behind the scenes issues and trauma that stars have to deal with in order to keep a picture-perfect world.
This is a recommendation for you to read
Oh my gosh, parts of this book had me completely broken! I have never known so many torn emotions swirling around at once. The relationships of everyone involved are almost like a vortex, there are so many moments where my heart was breaking for one character and getting angry at another at the same time.
There are some very important topics covered in this book in my opinion, and I think it would be a good read for anybody who is struggling to be able to be true to themselves. It takes you on a tempestuous journey of romance, heartache, the highs and lows of being famous and the behind the scenes issues and trauma that stars have to deal with in order to keep a picture-perfect world.
This is a recommendation for you to read
October 10, 2022
“Trick of the Spotlight” introduces Kit Allister, a young woman from Ohio who’s in to k-pop like millions of others around the world. She’s especially a fan of the group, Vortex. When a video of her singing their biggest hit song goes viral, she finds stardom at the same agency as her idols.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Anybody who has been a fangirl of a musician, group, movie star, etc, will get a kick out of how Kit reacts when meeting her idol group and then dreamboat. I laughed at loud several times at her absolute irrational emotional giddy. Amazing. Kit herself is the narrator and more than relatable, she is also very likable. The beginning of the story throws a lot of characters and names out there. It’s a little confusing at first, but about a quarter of the way in they all start to show their individual personalities - do they ever! Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Anybody who has been a fangirl of a musician, group, movie star, etc, will get a kick out of how Kit reacts when meeting her idol group and then dreamboat. I laughed at loud several times at her absolute irrational emotional giddy. Amazing. Kit herself is the narrator and more than relatable, she is also very likable. The beginning of the story throws a lot of characters and names out there. It’s a little confusing at first, but about a quarter of the way in they all start to show their individual personalities - do they ever! Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
February 26, 2021
It took me some time to read, but this was a really good book! I got interested by looking at the cover. At the beginning of the book, there were so many characters that were introduced that I was for sure overwhelmed, and making it hard to remember. But what is good about a story is to have other characters to keep a story afloat. Kit is such an interesting character that I still kept on reading the book. K-pop was something I was not interested in before, and now I am intrigued by reading this book. It was well-formatted, and easy to follow. If I could I would give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. Just so overwhelmed with many characters in the beginning. But the plot is well done. I hope the author writes another!
March 5, 2023
This book was…. Interesting.
It was compelling, fast paced with some decent plot twists.
But the characters are so one-dimensional. The members of Vortex each stuck with their persona. None of them spoke like real people - even behind-the-scenes.
The book handled some tough topics, but it didn’t handle them well.
Kit, our main character, gets assaulted and black-mailed by one of the Vortex members. You would think it would delve into that and hold some consequences, but no, she doesn’t seem to care all too much about it because she’s such a big fan….. what.
Majority of this book is her justifying everything about their characters because of how much of a fan she is of them. I thought maybe this would head somewhere - maybe about how unhealthy this is, and her coming to realise this. But no.
The cliffhanger at the end of the book was her having to get married to the Vortex member that assaulted her to keep Vortex together. Wtf.
Kit goes through so many mental-gymnastics to justify their actions, it’s hard to read.
Kit starts dating one of the members (Saichi) They’re sharing I love yous and being all cute together.
But then, Saichi kisses Mino (one of the other Vortex members.) literally right in-front of her. And she justifies it! Your boyfriend literally just cheated on you but then you forgive him?! It doesn’t matter if he’s exploring his sexuality, he can do that while single.
The reason Saichi kisses Mino is because they’ve been queerbaiting their fans for a longtime. Saichi is bi, and Mino refuses to believe it. He’s all touchy-feely with Saichi but says it’s all for show. This completely messes with Saichis feelings as he is attracted to Mino, but Mino is straight. When he finds out Saichi is gay, he calls him all sorts of derogatory names. By the way, Kit is present throughout all of these revelations and calls Mino out….. but then she doesn’t stop. She keeps cornering Mino and lecturing him about how homophobic he is, how much he is hurting his best friend etc.. and I’m just sitting here like, you’re not helping. If cornering a homophobe and ranting at them worked, their would be no homophobes. She literally corners them both on a boat to talk it out when it is none of her business.
And then she comes to the conclusion that Mino is in the closet. It’s such an old cliche…. I rolled my eyes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2022
The author's fresh, clever writing style elevates this first-person inside look at an American K-Pop singer in Korea whose star is rising. Kit gets close and personal with the members of Vortex, a hot, successful K-Pop boy band that she idolizes. I had never read anything on the subject of K-Pop before and found this to be a fun and enlightening read enhanced by authentic use of language and situations! If you enjoy K-Pop, you are certain to love this!
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