Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

As de picas by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

710 reviews

chrisb913's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Please check the TWs.

This book was absolutely incredible. A thrilling story about two high school students on the verge of having a very successful senior year before hell breaks loose. I was on the edge of my seat throughout waiting for the next shoe to drop. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's debut was such an incredible show of talent and I cannot wait to see what is next from this author. I don't want to say too much to avoid any type of spoiler but seriously do yourself a favor and read this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Outing, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Emotional abuse, Classism, and Gaslighting

sashweana's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Car accident, Racism, Homophobia, Bullying, Stalking, Blood, and Alcoholism

katelynprice's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

I loved the premise of this book, but it was a bit too long. It was a slow burn and took a long time to build up to the action and resolution. I was also frustrated and yelling at the characters in my mind because I thought they would make smarter decisions at times. However, the overall plot was really good, and it was a gut-punch of a book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Bullying, Racism, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content

Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, and Addiction

vashaava's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Lowkey traumatized me but in a good way.  Highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Hate crime, Homophobia, Outing, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Car accident, and Self harm

se_wigget's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Highlight, copy, paste--you know, like a phone that isn't a piece of shit. Stop proving that you're garbage, stupidphone.

Paste, paste, paste, paste, paste, paste 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Stalking, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail

myromantasyempire's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Normally when media is touted as a “this meets that” I am highly sceptical because it rarely lives up to it. But this is legit Gossip Girl meets Get Out and it’s great. And by great I mean it’s rage inducing and heartbreaking, a bit of a thriller, but also heartwarming because despite the shitstorm that is the story, there is some love and joy for the main characters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Bullying

Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Outing

Minor: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts

sloanelesita's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Racism, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Bullying, and Classism

marissaumble's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Classism, Gaslighting, Racism, and Homophobia

Minor: Death of parent, Murder, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

voidature's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Hate crime, Stalking, Racial slurs, Racism, and Torture

Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Grief, and Outing

Minor: Classism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Gun violence

aurora4847's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Ace of Spades was such a good read, especially for a white college graduate during Black History Month. While the stakes seem so low in the beginning, the tension and mystery keep ramping up the further in you get. It feels almost like a paranormal thriller, but with the monster being systemic racism instead of a demon. The ordeals Chiamaka and Devon have to survive are truly horrifying, and terrifyingly realistic. While it may seem exaggerated for the sake of the story, it really isn't too far off what black students actually have to deal with in academia. Chiamaka and Devon's differing socioeconomic statuses adds another layer of complexity in how they handle and think about what they're enduring. Ace of Spades is practically required reading for any white person who's benefited from access to higher education, especially more elite private schools and universities, and actually gives a damn about how POC are treated in those spaces.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Outing, Homophobia, Classism, Stalking, and Racism

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Police brutality

This book is about systemic racism and eugenics. The main characters are the victims of harassment that grows to assault, hate crimes, stalking, and abuse. They are repeatedly betrayed by trusted individuals.