DNF - I attempted to start this book and it just did not hold my interest. This may be a book I come back to in the future.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

This one took a bot for me to get into - and I ended up getting the audiobook from my library to finish reading it. It feels like an almost exposé of the world behind celebrity,

I couldn’t even finish this. I really couldn’t stand the way this was written. It is executed so poorly. I was confused because the synopsis did not match the book. I thought I was sent the wrong book at first. I DNF’d about 25% in. It was terrible

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

If you are someone that loves K-Pop and celebrity culture, this book is for you. You are exposed to the darker side of the K-Pop world and shown what I would be like to be one of the beloved members of a K-Pop band.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into it. While the concepts were great, the writing did not capture me and made me feel sluggish to get through the novel. I must also admit I am not a K-Pop fan, so this may have missed the mark for me because of that. There were also some parts that were a little hard to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the copy of this book.

So over my head! I don’t know enough about K-Pop or pop culture in general to have any grasp of this. I also have never understood to desire for fame so I probably should have skipped this read. The storyline is quite engaging and funny so I enjoyed it, I just felt that I missed a lot by not being more educated about the world of K-Pop and current icons.
Personally, I didn’t feel the plot and characters were well developed. That could also be a function of my lack of enthusiasm and interest in the topic. Where normally I would fall down a Wiki rabbit hole for unknown terms and references, I just couldn’t muster that energy for this book.
Fun writing style and I would definitely read more of Ma-Kellams writing on different topics!

The Band: A Novel by Christine Ma-Kellams is a thought-provoking and engaging read that delves into the dark underbelly of the K-pop industry. The story follows Sang Duri, the eldest member of a popular boy band, as he navigates the pressures of fame, mental health struggles, and a scandal that threatens to derail his career.

Ma-Kellams' writing is sharp and insightful, expertly weaving together themes of celebrity, obsession, and the complexities of human relationships. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own demons and insecurities. The book also offers a scathing commentary on the toxic culture of fandom and the lengths fans will go to protect their idols.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Band is its exploration of mental health. Duri's struggles with anxiety and depression are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance, shedding light on the often-hidden struggles of celebrities. The book also raises important questions about the role of therapy and medication in managing mental health conditions.

Overall, The Band is a complex and ambitious novel that will resonate with fans of K-pop and those interested in exploring the darker side of celebrity culture. It is a timely and important read that sheds light on the pressures and challenges faced by celebrities in today's world.

I think the concept of this story was just too out there for me. I get that it's a satire of K-bands and the heavy lingering worries of cancel culture. But that's about all I could get from the story.

The run-on sentences without much emotion other than throwing out pop culture references made the plot difficult to understand.

While I enjoyed the pop-culture references, they also got on my nerves.

I'm middle-age and I didn't understand if the story was about the plight of the middle-aged women (I could relate to some of this, maybe?) or if it's more about young people finding their way. Maybe both?

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-copy of THE BAND to review.

I rate THE BAND two out of five stars.

DNF at 11%
2 stars for the interesting premise.

Unfortunately this book has a very clinical feel to it that I did not enjoy. I know that I DNF’d very early on but I didn’t feel like the start was promising enough to continue. I didn’t like the clinical feel, the overall vagueness, the writing style, or the characterization. I wish I could have continued but I just did not connect to this story at all. Maybe I’ll pick it up again in the future?

I did not finish this book. I wanted to read it because it was marketed to fans of K-pop and I’m a BTS fan. I’m sure that if I had read the whole thing, it probably had some really important and insightful things to say about K-pop and celebrity culture. But to be honest, her descriptions of the group and their rise to fame at the beginning felt like a pretty clear BTS reference, and I just am not interested in reading a critical, biting, dark take on a group that brings me joy and comfort.

I wanted to like this book. I really really wanted to like it because it reminded me of "Almost Famous" in the description but it really was nothing like it. I was expecting a little more behind the scenes,

Thank you NetGalley!

The Band was a very interesting read. I loved the exploration of fandom and the character study was great. I'd read more from this author.

The Band by Christine Ma-Kellams is everything! 🎸💖 It’s a super gripping read about a rock band’s dramatic ups and downs, with intense friendships, jaw-dropping secrets, and a touch of romance. 😍✨ If you love backstage drama and sizzling chemistry, this book is totally your next obsession!

This one was just okay for me. The cover attracted it to me first and for most. It’s an okay book, but didn’t hold my attention very well.

Christine Ma-Kellams’s debut novel, THE BAND, takes readers on a journey through the music industry, cancel culture, and the complexities of fame. At the center of the story is Sang Duri, the eldest member of a K-Pop boy band at the peak of global superstardom. When the lyrics of his latest single ignite tensions between Korea, China, and Japan, Duri seeks refuge in the home of a Chinese-American psychologist, and it is through this nameless narrator that the story is told.

Ma-Kellams weaves a satirical tapestry, exposing the dark underbelly of fandom and the industry’s indifference to mental health. The footnotes—ranging from plastic surgery explanations to H Mart trivia—add clever layers, even if they occasionally distract from the main plot. The novel’s exploration of blurred lines between fame and vulnerability keeps readers engaged.

Duri and the psychologist form an unlikely bond, their complicated relationship unfolding against a backdrop of intrigue. Duri’s disappearance from the spotlight sets off a shocking chain of events, revealing the high stakes of fame. While the characters lack depth at times, their interactions remain intriguing.

Balancing tension and humor, the fast-paced narrative leaves readers both entertained and contemplative. Whether you’re a K-Pop aficionado or a curious observer, THE BAND offers a fresh perspective on stardom and the consequences of fame with biting satire, memorable characters, and a thought-provoking narrative.

An unnamed psychiatrist meets Sang Duri, a disgraced K-Pop artist who is in hiding after he writes a problematic song, at H-Mart. She casually offers that he come over to her house so he could help her cook some Tteokbokki. When she finally places who he is, she tries to help Duri process his current state of affairs.

I enjoy k-pop (and think I’m as well-versed as I can be) so I thought I would enjoy this book. While parts were definitely interesting, I didn’t like the jumping around and the writing style felt too YA for me.

Overall, a solid read and I would recommend it if you are semi-versed in k-pop or are interested in the critique of hyper-stan // celebrity culture.

I struggled to read this book- it was one that I kept picking up and putting down and never really getting in to. I feel like its a fairly niche book, and its just not my niche. I think fans of K-pop will enjoy it most so than most.

While THE BAND centers an international superstar K-pop group, what Christine Ma-Kellams grapples with most in her debut is obsession. The novel focuses in on one member of an international K-pop group, Sang Duri, who is in hiding from his fellow group mates. He finds himself hiding at the home of a Chinese American woman who is enamored with him because of his status and because she is a psychiatrist.

Filled with humor and ruminations on fandom and those at the crosshairs of obsession, THE BAND ended up being much more lacking than I anticipated. Perhaps it's because I am not a super fan myself? I am curious what those who are very into K-pop groups will think. The ending is really interesting, and probably the closest thing to a HEA that I could've expcted.

I learned a lot more than I ever needed to know about KPop bands! It was easy to read, but I didn't love it.