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katievallin's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The ending was a bit ridiculous. I think I need a break from YA. Also though Kiki was a bit annoying, although I did respect her ability to speak her mind. Didn't like the glorification of progressivism, but also got really angry at the school's blatant sexism and misogyny. I did like the gaming aspect of the book and the friendship between Kiki and Liam.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual harassment
vagaybond's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Bullying
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual harassment
stindex's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Cursing
alyssajp's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Cursing, and Sexism
serendipity421's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting, and Cursing
bookishmillennial's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
Oh my gosh, this has to be one of my top young adult coming-of-age/romance reads of the year! Jesse Q. Sutanto writes fierce young characters so well, and I adored this story about Kiki fighting the patriarchy of her uppity, conservative private school!
Kiki's parents transfer her to a new private school (the same one George Clooney goes to in Well, That Was Unexpected) against her wishes and she tries her best to fit in. However, once she gets there, she quickly realizes that she is up against a vehemently strong status quo, which is led by billionaire nepo-baby and top student, Jonas. After she challenges him during a group project meeting, a target lands on Kiki's back for major bullying and side-eye from the rest of the student body, deeming her "Crazy Kiki". Kiki attempts to go to the school principal for assistance, but repeatedly gets gaslighted, mansplained, and dismissed.
On top of all this, she has been battling it out virtually via the video game Warfront Heroes as "dudebro10" and finds out her online bestie "sourdawg" goes to her new school too! The only problem is - sourdawg thinks dudebro10 is a boy because of the username! Kiki only did this to be treated with respect and dignity, as the rampant misogyny in the gaming world was exhausting emotional labor that she did not want to navigate - she just wanted to play the game!
Additionally, Kiki agrees to be part of her younger classmates'/friends' new app "Little Aunties," and hopes to be matched with someone she develops a friendship with, Liam! However, Kiki also makes new friends with Tris, who also likes Liam! At her core, Kiki is a girls' girl and gives us lovely examples of healthy and strong female friendship, which can sometimes be rare in high school representation! Gosh, so much going on hahaha.
Amidst all the hijinks and drama, Kiki's journey is unfortunately not unique. I felt this was an empowering, relatable, and timely story of a young woman fighting back for her agency, dignity, and respect in a world that was set up for men to run it. Kiki encounters misogyny and sexism in almost every space she enters - home, school, online, and she refuses to let it define her. The examples that JQS highlighted in Kiki's story were too familiar - during a time where more and more femmes and nonbinary folks are entering spaces that were once predominantly spaces for cis-men, we need more and more stories like this and more conversations about recognizing the harms of the patriarchy, and combating it in every damn space!
The final scene where Kiki gives a presentation about the ways in which she was treated differently when online gamers knew she was a girl versus when they assumed she was a boy was chef's kiss. I felt so satisfied with this ending, and I was so proud of her!
I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it - the narration by Risa Mei is excellent!
Oh my gosh, this has to be one of my top young adult coming-of-age/romance reads of the year! Jesse Q. Sutanto writes fierce young characters so well, and I adored this story about Kiki fighting the patriarchy of her uppity, conservative private school!
Kiki's parents transfer her to a new private school (the same one George Clooney goes to in Well, That Was Unexpected) against her wishes and she tries her best to fit in. However, once she gets there, she quickly realizes that she is up against a vehemently strong status quo, which is led by billionaire nepo-baby and top student, Jonas. After she challenges him during a group project meeting, a target lands on Kiki's back for major bullying and side-eye from the rest of the student body, deeming her "Crazy Kiki". Kiki attempts to go to the school principal for assistance, but repeatedly gets gaslighted, mansplained, and dismissed.
On top of all this, she has been battling it out virtually via the video game Warfront Heroes as "dudebro10" and finds out her online bestie "sourdawg" goes to her new school too! The only problem is - sourdawg thinks dudebro10 is a boy because of the username! Kiki only did this to be treated with respect and dignity, as the rampant misogyny in the gaming world was exhausting emotional labor that she did not want to navigate - she just wanted to play the game!
Additionally, Kiki agrees to be part of her younger classmates'/friends' new app "Little Aunties," and hopes to be matched with someone she develops a friendship with, Liam! However, Kiki also makes new friends with Tris, who also likes Liam! At her core, Kiki is a girls' girl and gives us lovely examples of healthy and strong female friendship, which can sometimes be rare in high school representation! Gosh, so much going on hahaha.
Amidst all the hijinks and drama, Kiki's journey is unfortunately not unique. I felt this was an empowering, relatable, and timely story of a young woman fighting back for her agency, dignity, and respect in a world that was set up for men to run it. Kiki encounters misogyny and sexism in almost every space she enters - home, school, online, and she refuses to let it define her. The examples that JQS highlighted in Kiki's story were too familiar - during a time where more and more femmes and nonbinary folks are entering spaces that were once predominantly spaces for cis-men, we need more and more stories like this and more conversations about recognizing the harms of the patriarchy, and combating it in every damn space!
I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it - the narration by Risa Mei is excellent!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Classism
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