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nmfcarney's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Rape
jelkebooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Honestly, this was a fun enough read, but I wasn't in love with it. I absolutely flew through this novel. I couldn't put it down, and it was such an easy and fun read. Therefore I would definitely recommend it to anyone who's just the slightest bit interested in it. I also think this book had some great messages, although they did end up being a bit too heavy-handed for me.
That truly is the first of my problems with this book. They aren't big problems, but there are some issues I had with this book. The writing felt a bit stiff to me. It felt like Jesse Q. Sutanto isn't used to writing teenage characters, and didn't quite find the voice of this main character. Despite Kiki being an amazing main character, with great character growth throughout the novel, her inner monologue just didn't feel very natural. In the beginning it was the most noticeable as Jesse Q. Sutanto did several info dumps to make us understand what point of her life our main character was in, how the game she plays works, how her family dynamic works, and so on. I think you get the point. As the book continued the info dumping dissapeared, but there was still something about the inner monologue that didn't fully click for me.
The romance also felt a bit underdeveloped for me. There were quite a lot of cute moments between Kiki and her love interest, and I definitely ended up rooting for them to get together throughout the novel. However, I do feel like their feelings came a little bit out of nowhere. Especially for Kiki, as we actually get her inner monologue. It just goes from "this is my best friend" to "I'm madly in love with him" very abruptly and quickly. I just feel like it could have been developed a bit better, despite still thinking the romance was incredibly cute.
I also quite appreciated the discussions around sexism, and sexism within the gaming space, but also the double standard still very present in our society despite institutions constantly telling us that the genders are completely equal already and there is no more fight to be had. I do think those discussions were really interesting, and realistic. I definitely think it's great to present this the way that it did to a YA audience, so different girls can know that they're not alone, and no it's not alright. However, like I said before I do think it could get a bit heavy handed at times. Especially because Jesse Q. Sutanto would repeat the same few points over and over again, not really phrasing them any differently. It felt a bit too much. But overall, I did still think this was a really strong aspect of the novel.
Graphic: Bullying and Sexism
stindex's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Cursing
puria's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Having said that, I picked this book because I have read the author before and I thought fun. I didnt realize this was a YA book. I still thought I might enjoy it because gamers, and set in Indonesia.
The school that the MC is transferred to was woefully familiar from my own childhood, public shaming, teachers yelling, strict uniforms. What was not familiar was the bullying. This book really needed it own trigger warning for bullying.
I saw the big identity reveal coming a mile away so that was no surprise, what was a surprise was the complete inept lack of communication and the chaotic decisions the leads were making that lead to a train wreck (imo) of a blow up. The parents seemed cold and oblivious to the amount of bullying she faced in the new school. The book was not for me at all.
Graphic: Bullying and Misogyny
lvleggett's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Bullying
nicolepaul_ine's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Classism
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Bullying, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
mccalla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Bullying
maidmarianlib's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Bullying, and Sexism
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Classism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism