Book Review: "A+"

 

Blurb

Because of her try-out ranking, Kalypso Dirgantari had to face off against the top four throne holders at Bina Indonesia High School. Re Dirgantara, Kenan Aditya, Adinda Aletheia, and Aurora Calista. Having their own motivations, the five of them compete fiercely for the parallel rankings. At least until the big secret about the school system is revealed.

Aided by the appearance of former Alumni Association President, Bramantyo Sadewa, the five formerly hostile top students are now equally determined to organize a rebellion. In the midst of fighting against the mysterious Director, Kai, Re, Kenan, Ale, Aurora, and Io also still have to struggle with family problems, friends, and even love stories.

Then, how will the six teenagers' long journey to overthrow the ranking system at Bina Indonesia High School end? Do they succeed, or are they trapped in an even bigger secret? And also, how will their love story end?

Review

Amanda Putri's novel A+ is a compelling story of academic competition and complex dynamics at Bina Indonesia High School. The story centers on Kalypso Dirgantari (Kai), a student who suddenly ranks number one in the parallel after a try-out. Kai's presence triggers fierce competition with four other top students: Re Dirgantara, Kenan Aditya, Adinda Aletheia, and Aurora Calista, each with unique characters and backgrounds.

However, the story evolves beyond the competition for grades. When the five discover a big secret about their school system, these archenemies unite to plan a rebellion against the unfair system. In addition to academic rivalry, the novel raises issues of family, friendship, and romance presented with a mixed forward-backward plot and third-person point of view.

This novel will make you freeze while reading it because there are many puzzles, theories, and secrets that will make you think. You will also be amazed by the story of this novel. If you read this novel, you will definitely feel as smart as the characters in it. When reading this novel, it's as if we're watching a Korean drama. And the people in this novel speak directly using logic. This novel is really very interesting to read.

Pros

1. Strong characterization, with each character having distinctive traits and interesting personal conflicts.

2. The storyline does not only focus on competition, but also tackles social themes such as fairness in the education system.

3. Light romantic interactions add an emotional dimension to the story.

4. Modern and relatable language style for young readers.

Disadvantages

1. Some readers found the plot twist predictable.

2. Writing style tends to be clichéd in some parts of the story.

Conclusion

The novel manages to present a combination of intellectual, emotional, and social conflicts, making it an interesting read especially for fans of the teen and educational genres. If you interested, the novel is also available on platforms such as Wattpad and will reportedly be adapted into a movie. Do you want to read this novel? Share your thoughts after reading this novel!