Review: As If On Cue

 

Tbh I was kinda into this book the moment it entered into my tbr, but I wasn't quite able to bring myself to read it, if that makes sense? Well, nothing in this world makes sense. Normal is a social construct, get over it.

As If On Cue by Marisa Kanter is the story of Natalie, a girl who's put her life into writing a drama with her best friend Henry. But all of that is jeopardized when the school decides to cut of all the art clubs, except the music club which has her archenemy Reid, whom she has hated since forever. Circumstances arise and Reid and Natalie are forced to work together for a  musical, which includes a LOT of fighting, secret pining and prank wars, but no one can avoid the undeniable spark that grows between them.

QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW:  3.9/5, it didn't make my heart flutter as I hoped it would but is a great read nonetheless.

PROS:

1. Rep: One of the things I absolutely adored was rep. Like seriously, how many books actually look past the normal stereotypes? Except Rick Riordan because Rick Riordan is phenomenal and Riordanverse is the best universe to ever exist and I would sell my soul to live in Riordanverse and be a demigod. But yeah, if I am going to be honest, rep is something that is highly required in novels, which there is a lack thereof. Rep in novels is literally the most effective way to let people know about something. So yeah, the representation of the Jewish community and their rituals and (mainly) FOOD, was kinda  a nice break from the normal conventions. And also Fitz being a raging bisexual (Complete MOOD), and also Danica being a confused biromantic individual, very valid, very valid. The first step of admitting to being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community is being confused. I agree. Full support.

2. I related to Natalie completely antagonizing Reid in her life. Which kid would like to be outshined in the only sphere where your  parent would actually acknowledge you for. I mean, I wanted to throttle Natalie's dad for a few moments like NATALIE'S YOUR OWN KID AND YOU MADE HER FEEL YOU WON'T LOVE HER UNLESS SHE PLAYS CLARNET. And the fact that she actually might have realized that her trying to play clarinet was useless cuz she would never get her dad's approval kinda broke me from the inside you know. Really heartbreaking stuff. The story that Natalie tells between the chapters that tells us why she actually hates Reid is kinda heartbreaking too. NATALIE PROTECTION SQUAD: MISSION PROTECC NATALIE! THOU SHALT NOT PASS!

3. The prank wars were fun in themselves. 

4. Iconic Fitz. There, that's the point.

5. The fact that the people actually made a drama out of Frozen, except just reversing it. For real, it has been my dream to see something like that. And the name "Infernodelle" really cracked the shit out of me. 

6. The moment when Reid confesses as to why he took up the clarinet just...

CONS:

1. At some point it felt like it was just information dumping? Like I wanted to see the plot move forward but all I saw was the reasons why Nat hates Reid or how they pranked each other. There were points where the narration really did little to move the story forward and I really didn't like it.

2. The prank wars were really BRIEF? Like I'd have liked to see mini pranks happening. For real it would have spiced up.

OVERALL, A NICE READ, I really felt good after reading it.