*I received a digital copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: Didn’t See That Coming
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: November 28, 2023
ISBN: 9780593434017
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Kiki Siregar is a fabulous gamer girl with confidence to boot. She can’t help but be totally herself… except when she’s online. Her secret? She plays anonymously as a guy to avoid harassment from other male players. Even her online best friend—a cinnamon roll of a teen boy who plays under the username Sourdawg—doesn’t know her true identity. Which is fine, because Kiki doesn’t know his real name either, and it’s not like they’re ever going to cross paths IRL. Until she transfers to an elite private school for her senior year and discovers that Sourdawg goes there, too. But who is he? How will he react when he finds out Kiki’s secret? And what happens when Kiki realizes she’s falling for her online BFF?
As far as sweet, light-hearted YA books goes, this one was alright. It’s not stellar, but it’s a quick and easy read that does tackle some topical and important issues. The plot focuses on Kiki’s transition to a new and elite private school, and follows the romance and tentative friendships she forms along the way. As Kiki navigates not only the new and very traditional high school, but also her online gaming world as well, she is subject to blatant sexism and hatred simply for being a women who’s entering spaces that it’s viewed that women “do not belong” or “should not speak out.” It’s a story we’ve seen before, but perhaps a more modern take.
I don’t really see this book as creating a positive narrative on overcoming or defeating sexism in the gaming world, or even in the school community. At a school rampant with outdated and misogynistic views, Kiki is first labelled an outcast and later, a hero, as she dares to speak her mind and unabashedly share her opinions. Those around her are stifled by fear of repercussion, and instead of offering Kiki support, the school rallies to other her as “crazy.” Kiki is really only seen and supported by others when her love interest stands behind her and shows his support for her. In the gaming world, she’s never able to play publicly as a woman. And lastly, there’s little true resolution to show the change in the education setting towards a more positive and inclusive atmosphere.
The setting and dual perspectives of the real-world view and the online-view are interesting and could have been utilized to make a powerful and impactful statement towards positive change both online and in real life. I do love that Kiki is an open, outspoken character, and her experience in high school is one that so many teens face all over the world. There’s so much potential in this book, and I do think that young readers will really enjoy it. I hope that other readers will be able to approach this novel with a critical lens to see that it’s intentions are good and it’s trying to demonstrate a positive shift for stronger women in the world and online. It’s great to see feminism represented in a YA novel and I hope this is a trend we’ll continue to see more and more of. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t hit the mark for me, personally.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 