Scan barcode
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
lecturerousse's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Bullying, and Misogyny
leahjanespeare's review
5.0
A mix of Moxie (addressing misogyny) and Slay (bullying in video games) with meddling South-Asian aunties in the form of two 13 year olds too smart for their own good. A riot that packs a punch of social-awareness. I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Bullying
jelkebooks's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.0
I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexism
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
nicolepaul_ine's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Classism
fkshg8465's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
I really like this author. She has a wide range of genres, and I think I’ve read all her books - at least the ones I could find at the library. As an adult, I’d probably give this book four stars because it’s way too cheesy for me. But given it’s a YA book, I think she’s captured the heart of how most teens think and talk and hope and feel. So five stars it is. Plus, I love that she tackled bullying of women both online and in person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Bullying, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
maidmarianlib's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
Delightful romance some fun side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Bullying, and Sexism
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
A surprisingly heartfelt, You’ve Got Mail Style Rom-Com that offsets its witty charm and humorous quips, with a deft exploration into sexism, toxic masculinity and online harassment of girls that I found refreshingly relevant.
Though not really a gamer myself (Pokemon and Animal Crossing being pretty much my only experience), I enjoyed exploring both the perks and pitfalls of the gaming community from a female centred perspective.
And what a perspective it was! Kiki was such a confident and compelling protagonist, with flaws and insecurities that brought depth to her character— which I found utterly endearing. Her relatable foray into the world of first love, starting a new school and the awkward task of making friends is certain to be a just as much of a hit with teen readers as well.
As I previously mentioned, we do explore some highly important subject material, such as the emotional and psychological impact of bullying (both on and off-line) and the multitude of problems that an environment of misogyny and toxic masculinity can cause.
However, the biggest highlight for me was the witty banter and character cameos from Jesse Q. Sutanto’s previous YA Rom-Com (Well, That Was Unexpected) which imbued the perfect amount comic relief to break up the more emotionally intense scenes. Especially with the return of the precocious Eleanor Roosevelt Tanuwijaya, whose elaborate (and secret) school wide dating service brings Kiki face to face with her online gaming bestie— who doesn’t know she’s a girl.
The romance was really good, in a slightly angsty will-they-won’t-they-kind of way but I did really enjoy it. Our male love interest was an adorable cinnamon roll and he and Kiki’s IRL interactions are the absolute cutest. My only criticism is that the pace did dip a little in the middle—however, Kiki’s resilient attitude and determination not to give into her bullies,and drive to change her school’s outdated (and sexist) policies, did lead to a satisfyingly uplifting conclusion that did definitely make up for it.
So, if you’re an avid gamer or adore YA Rom- Coms with a message then I highly recommend checking this out!
Also huge thank you to Rachel Quin and Electric Monkey Books for the finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Classism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism