A review by alizirrah
Flip the Script by Lyla Lee

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I do really like the idea behind this book (young actors fighting for better treatment and queer representation in the South Korean entertainment industry, specifically K-dramas), although things get wrapped up a little too neatly to be believable. Similar to the author's first novel, I'll Be the One, this is mostly fluffy wish fulfillment overlaid with a social justice theme that comes off a bit heavy-handed at times. That isn't totally a bad thing, and it might even work for a reader that is in the 12-16 year old age range.

The characters didn't feel as fully fleshed out as I'd like, which I am not sure how much of that has to do with it being YA. I chuckled at one or two cute moments, when a spark of irreverent silly humor shone through that I wished there was more of.

Despite the fact that it really didn't work for me, I'm still giving this book 3 stars because I may just need to accept that while some of them do have really interesting premises, a lot of modern YA is going to feel too young and lack depth for me. (There was a line at one point where the main character mentioned that she was 5 years old when Game of Thrones first aired, so she "never got around to watching it" and I just about crumbled into dust on the spot.)
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