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A review by paupereads
Didn't See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The book itself is quite simple. But, if we look more deeply, the issue that the author brings it's a bit complicated. If I am not wrong, it is bringing up the issues about a girl who can easily get harassed and bullied online or real world. And, that is what happens to the main character in this book, Kiki Siregar. In short, Kiki Siregar makes a profile pretending as a boy when playing games (She said it is her own to make her feel safer), meets another player, and becomes a friend. Surprisingly, she moves into her friend's school that she just knows accidentally.
It is a stranger-lover trope mixed by an accidental meeting between the two characters, and falling in love trope. The conflict itself is cliche. She realized liked her friend, Liam (Who is her friend too in the games). But, she keeps the secret that both know each other before their first meeting in real life. Then, someone called Jonas Arifin comes, to Kiki's side, Jonas is bullying her. But, Jonas said it is how he flirted and showed how he likes her so much. In the new school, she is having a hard for getting a new friend. And, ended up Crazy Kiki becoming a trademark.
KIKI. As a main character, I see her character development in the end and she should do that. I see her as a teenager who facing a world that she doesn't want to live in. A new school means a new problem. She struggles to make friends, faces what her parents want, and also how she learns to recognize herself. Everything in. She represents teenagers who are still searching for their identity. I do not love or hate her. But, I prefer to be beside her as a friend to comfort them and hug her.
LIAM. I don't see something special about him. Does he want to be mysterious? He failed. Or does he want to be funny? Still failed. I see him as a supportive role that ONLY moving because the main character did that first. If not, MAYBE he is still stuck in the basement. But, I think I will give him a five star to become a gentleman, who wants to uphold justice, listens to Kiki well, and also accept Kiki's apologies. He mad. But, no such drama at the end of the love story.
JONAS ARIFIN. Well, we must talk about him. This man, I was supposed to love him. I love the trope about enemies to lovers. To be honest, I am falling for him at a moment when he calls Kiki, "Babe" (SORRY. I AM TOO HOPELESS ROMANTIC). Back again what he did, SO CREEPY. I believe, all the (stupid) rich kids will do the same thing (Tracking the IP ADDRESS?) Jonas is so dramatic, egoist, and too confident about himself and it makes him forget NOT BECAUSE YOU ARE POPULAR YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING. And, when he confesses during the dance stage (SORRY, FORGET THE NAME) about Kiki, YUP, THAT MOMENT. I HATE HIM. That's all.
As an Asian, this book does not too much talking about it. Yes, it still has on it. But, not detailed. So, for all the things I said before, why do I still give this book a higher rating? That's simple. Because I AM HAPPY AND ENJOY when I read this. Reading this do not think too much. JUST READ IT and done. You can feel how good this book is!