Members of a former pop group reunite in a reality competition after tragedy and scandal have torn them apart.

This book felt like several books forced together. While there was much promise, the best parts of this book were the ones that focused on Sunny, the main character, and her relationships with others as well as her journey to overcome her past.

I did not want to write this review. I just didn’t know what I wanted to say. I liked it well enough, but it has a bit of a slow burn. And after that first slow burn horror book I had this year (I Feed Her to the Beast) I was a bit afraid this one would also take so long. This one had a wait, but it wasn’t near as brutal.

This book was about an ex K-Pop group member who is taken aback when she sees that her ex-group member is attending a workshop in town. She makes plans to attend the same workshop hoping to figure out what went wrong in their group those years back. What she finds instead is a ghost who’s haunting her and the many weird mutilations her competitors have, including plucking their faces off……

The plot was done very well in my opinion. Yes it was slow, but once she got to the competition, I remember being on pins and needles worried about when something was going to happen. And I thought it was really unique how this happened in the first place. There is so much focus on image in K-Pop, so I thought it was interesting that the author decided to spin that on it’s head and make it to where the image was also what brought them down.

The scary bits were where I would have beefed this up a bit. There’s body horror and then there’s the grotesque ghost, but I wanted more of the ghost. And if not, I wanted more of the person saying “Do this” and then it happened. Idk, I just wanted more creepy. I know this is a YA body horror book, but I think if they didn’t want to make it more gross, they could have beefed up the horror in those areas instead.

The characters were ok, but I was annoyed by Sunny. Why? She was so concerned about Candie when she did her wrong. (We find out why later on in the book, but by the time it was revealed, I was already annoyed lolol) I guess I just didn’t understand why she kept subjecting herself to that. Candie seemed mean and so did those other competitors. As someone who was gone from the scene for such a while, I definitely would have shot them the deuces and been like byeeeeeeeeeee lol But I guess this is just further proof that I would never be a good main character. Well in the types of books I read anyway lol

I am also not Korean, so i can’t speak on the representation, just on the way K-Pop is portrayed and the beauty standard. As a YA librarian who used to be in the branches, K-Pop was very popular and i had to stay up on trends, but that’s as far as my expertise took me. With that being said, I do think this was a fair representation of the way the author wanted to spin this on it’s head. By writing this book the author took that aspect and made it scary and I’m always for making anything scary lol

This book was good, but I do wish there a little more umph to it if that makes sense. Would that have made it Adult if there was “more”? Idk. But that’s the only thing that I felt was missing from this time. Hopefully there will be more of it in the next one……. I heard this was a series….. I thought it closed well in this one, but with them setting out to do the thing, I’m not surprised there will be more. Just in a state of shock because WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO FIND TO DO UNTIL THE NEXT ONE COMES OUT?!

Thank you to @NetGalley for the ARC. The cover of this book is stunning. The synopsis sounded great, but unfortunately the book did not deliver for me. The flipping back from the past to present was confusing at times and I just felt no connection to the characters. Also the bits of witchery was hard to follow.

Sunny along with Minnie and Candie are teen popstars, but a scandal breaks up the group and then later a tragic accident occurs. Sunny pines for what she's lost, but when she finds out Candie is attending a K-pop workshop, she sees this not only as a chance to get back up to the top but to reconcile with Candie as well.

What I liked about this book was the bi rep. Sunny is a bisexual main character. What I didn't like about this book was well Sunny and literally every other character. Sunny is a literal child for most of this book as in her behavior is way more juvenile than you'd expect a teen to be. She comes off very babyish at times. Since we're stuck in her head for the entire book, yeah it just grated on me after a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Elaine Wang was a fine narrator but this book wasn't for me.

I just need to give up on YA books. They're not meant for me anymore. But also maybe horror? I think I just prefer thrillers. This book brought in magical goddesses and just overall fell flat for me. The story pulled away from the narrator to hand us the story when I would have rather just felt the confusion alongside her for a more unsettling story. It was less creepy or unsettling and more weird. Then all of the goddess stuff came along. I was expecting a Carrie situation and I got a magical secret society. Not a fan of cultish secret societies. It's a boring plot point to me. Here in my review is where I sound like I'm taking back what I just said. If I were reading this for fun I would say it bored me and I wasn't scared nor was I incredibly entertained. However, if you want to write an analytic paper about this book or use it in a classroom then it actually has a ton of potential in a high school setting. It discussed the societal pressures placed upon young women to be homogenized and perfect all the time. For women to look the same, act the same, be the same. But also to be perfect and do everything right. How being entrenched in society can lead to this homogenous thinking and way of being without trying to grow and change. How women are used and abused and taken for granted. Whether in the main story or in the goddess' story there is actually a ton to unpack about womanhood and being perceived as a woman in this world's society. Being famous in this society. Having every move you make scrutinized by the entire world and how damaging that can be to a person. So, I say all of that to say that I came for a haunting and creepy horror book and it did not deliver so it ended up with the review it has from me personally. But if you want more feminism and deeper levels of thought then give this one a read. I hope if you go in thinking about the book like that then you'll love it more than me. I'd love to see this author write some contemporary novels dealing with these issues because there is a lot of potential there for some powerful works that could start some important discussions.

K-Pop + Black Swanish horror + folklore + friendship + sapphic + cliffhanger

Please sequel please!!!!!

What a fun read. The narration was wonderful. I really liked the MC and mythology.

I would love a prequel or a sequel !

Thanks NetGalley. Highly recommend this read!

"Gorgeous, Gruesome Faces" unfolds as a captivating sapphic thriller, seamlessly blending elements of queer romance, contemporary gothic horror, and social commentary within the cutthroat world of K-pop.The story follows Sunny Lee, a former teen popstar haunted by a scandal that shattered her career and her relationships. The narration skillfully navigates between past and present, unraveling the mystery behind the tragic death of Mina, Sunny's bandmate, and the unsettling events that follow.

While the title might seem a bit on the nose, Linda Cheng's storytelling prowess shines through, offering a chilling exploration of the pressures to conform to unattainable beauty standards and perform femininity in the unforgiving K-pop industry. The narrative crafts a palpable gothic atmosphere, intensifying as ghostly visions and mysterious mutilations haunt Sunny and her fellow workshop participants.

The audio narration enhances the immersive experience, bringing the characters to life with emotional resonance. The pacing keeps listeners on the edge, and the eerie ambiance is effectively conveyed through atmospheric sound design. The blending of social commentary on the unrealistic expectations placed on young performers, especially in terms of femininity, adds a thought-provoking layer to the narrative.

Linda Cheng skillfully weaves mystery, horror, and social commentary, making it a recommended listen for those seeking a compelling and thought-provoking story. This spellbinding sapphic thriller is a commendable entry point for teen readers into the gothic horror genre, with an intriguing mythology that keeps audiences hooked. I recommend this audiobook for its engaging narrative, compelling characters, and excellent audio narration, earning it a solid 4-star rating.

Sunny is still recovering from the crash and burn of her girl group disbanding. Told using two timelines - past and present, Cheng slowly builds the plot. At times slow and methodical but worth finishing.
Queer. Family legend. Angry ancestor desperate for freedom. Good read!
The narration was fantastic - held my attention and kept me going.

By turns sweet and utterly sinister, this is a recommended purchase for YA and HS collections where horror is popular.

A sapphic horror with a K-Pop twist!

I love the story and find it quite compelling, especially with the incorporation of Asian folklore. However, the first half could benefit from a faster pace.

Overall, an entertaining read! Highly recommend to those who enjoyed I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me or sapphic horror with Asian folklore.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Linda Cheng, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

I absolutely adored this book! I am a sucker for queer horror and this book was amazing. I loved the way the horror was done and how this book is a duel time line. The idea of a singing and dancing competition going so terribly wrong was amazing as well.
I'm trying not to say to much as I think its best to go into this book not knowing very much. Just know that this book is wild and it can be gory in places. I would absolutely recommend this though!

Thank you to Macmillan for the audio ARC!

This was absolutely captivating. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did! From the beginning, I was hooked.

Gorgeous Gruesome Faces is a fast paced thriller/horror with interesting commentary on the K-pop idol industry and influencers. This was creepy and atmospheric and kept me interested the entire time. I love books that handle darker content, and this definitely delivered some darker content!

There is a split timeline to some extent - flashes of "then" interspersed between the "now." This was done well! I had no trouble keeping track of what was going on, and all of the "then" sections were interesting and relevant.

The different elements of the novel were tied together very well. The K-pop/idol parts of this didn't overwhelm the creepy/horror parts of the novel.

I will say that some of the side characters felt a little two-dimensional and a few of the twists were predictable. However, I still enjoyed listening to things play out!

The ending section was great. I really liked how the narrative progressed! I would absolutely read a sequel to this.

When you play with forces beyond your control or this world, you'll find that the price for your dreams may not be something you are willing to pay.

The way that this book gaslit me, was genuinely amazing! I really questioned if somethings were a game for fame or supernatural or both!
The unique way that this, 'Gorgeous Gruesome Faces' portrayed the psychological torment that seems to come with K-Pop stardom, while also keeping us reeling from Sunny's 'ghost' hauntings was an experience.

I have absolutely zero interest in Kpop but all the interest in the way society expects everything from women—the top of that being aesthetic perfection. This was a great balance of body horror while still keeping it YA vibes. I personally wanted a bit more, but can reason with myself that more may not be entirely appropriate for the target audience. Would be very interested in seeing adult horror from Linda Cheng.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC

Narration for the story was good. It wasn't dynamic or overly-engaging, but it worked at 2x speed to convey what was needed.

Sunny, Candy, and Minnie are members of a hit K-pop group Sweet Cadence... but the trio quickly finds out that fame isn't all glitz and glamour. Told in variations of "THEN" (when the teens were tight-knit and their stars were rising) and "NOW" (the aftermath that focuses on trying to mend broken bonds and maintain the elusiveness of fame), the story mainly focuses on Sunny--who needs to understand her past as she grapples with staying grounded in her present.

The Sweet Cadence group in the THEN and the attendees at a workshop in NOW all depict teenage girls and the struggles that come with growing up--perfectionism, self-confidence, comparisons, social media, parental expectations, and more. As a result, it's easy to relate to the interactions (both good and bad) that occur amongst the characters.

Those moments sweep along the plot, which often brings up more questions than it provides answers for. It's clear that things between the Sweet Cadence girls aren't right, and that Candy is at the center of it, but it takes determination and several events in the NOW to finally get to the bottom of it.

An engaging read that's worth picking up--and one that's sure to hit with the YA audience.

Overall: 4 stars

I'll tell my students about: mental health/trauma, death/violence/gore, alcohol, language, suicide, drugs, LGBTQIA+

**Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

3.5 stars rounded up. I was IMMEDIATELY pulled into this book. Creepy and haunting and bizarre, I’ve never read anything like it. An interesting and unique look at not only female friendships but child stardom, this story was dark and grizzly and will certainly be sticking with me for a while.

The narrator was great as well. I’ll happily pick up more books by this author in the future.

Sunny Lee is a former K-pop star and one-third of the former popular group Sweet Cadence. A scandal happens, and the group is torn apart. Two years later, Sunny spends her days wishing for her former fame. When Sunny learns that her former groupmate is attending a K-pop workshop, she decides to jump right on it in hopes of finding answers from the past, not knowing that decision might be her worst yet. Gorgeous, gruesome faces Is much more than just a thriller. I would say this toes the line of horror very well. Several times I had to stop reading because horror is just not my thing, but I couldn't not finish because I was so intrigued. There is so much going on here, from the romance to the revenge plot to the complicated friendship and mystery, that it might feel overwhelming, but I loved it. Linda Cheng also does a wonderful job integrating social commentary into this book. Overall, this was a great experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly had no clue what to expect going into this book. It ended up reminding me a little of a mashup of The Honeys and Our Crooked Hearts.

I liked the twists along the way because they kept me guessing and at any given moment I didn’t really know what was going on.

I did find that it took a little to fully get into the story and that some of the past timeline chapters were unnecessary.

The narrator did a great job and I would still likely recommend this book to anyone looking for a slow burn YA thriller.

The premise of this novel was instantly intriguing. A YA thriller following a dethroned K-pop star as she navigates a possible comeback amidst scandal, unreal beauty expectations, and the supernatural. Um…yes please sign me up! The story has two timelines, “then” the revelation on what happened the night Mina died, and “now” Sunny’s current tryout for a K-pop workshop that brings her back together with Candie. Both timelines were easy to follow and left the appropriate number of loose threads to be tied up as the novel progressed.

Sunny, Mina, and Candie had it all as an emerging wholesome K-pop group, until they didn’t. After Mina’s death, the circumstances of which are supernatural, Sunny has a difficult time finding passion for the limelight. Her home life is difficult, relationship with her mother is strained, and she feels the unreal expectations of beauty and performance weighing her down. She sees an opportunity to reconnect with her old groupmate, Candie, at a local workshop and she takes it. Once at the workshop, nothing is what it seems. She envisions Mina everywhere, girls begin to have accidents, and something nefarious seems afoot. Sunny starts to worry that Candie may be the reason.

I very much enjoyed 90% of this novel. The one drawback was unfortunately the twist. The two timelines were weaving together nicely as was the supernatural, but the behind the scenes of the workshop dipped into the ridiculous for me. Overall, I would still recommend this novel as an entertaining YA thriller.

Kandi Mina and Sunny OMG we’re all a part of the TV show about a K-pop band and although they had their fair share of scandals it was Minas jump off of a penthouse balcony that ended the group and the TV show. Sunny and her Hollywood producer mom moved to Atlanta and even though the mom says it’s for her daughters own good Sunny knows better. So a few months later when she finally gives in and checks on what Candace is up to she is surprised to see she’s about to be a part of a summer competition to find new members for another K-pop group. She is even more surprised when she learns coincidentally it’s being held in Atlanta and the surprises keep coming because when she applies to be a part of the clinic she gets in. I don’t think I have described the book in a great way because I haven’t even talked about how Sunny is being haunted and not just at home and not just at night I mean everywhere this book is so good. They say competition can be deadly but OMG I did not see it going the way this one did if you like books about ancient rituals deadly entities and teenage angst then you would definitely love this book I certainly did! Not to mention the hypnotic narrator who did such a great job and I thought she really brought a lot to this audiobook because she had really good character distinction and definitely knows how to set a mood and boy did she I had the heebie-jeebies throughout the whole last chapter of the book and that was because of the writing and her great narration. I want to think McMillan audio and net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes I am blind.