Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

As de picas by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

394 reviews

withlivjones's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Jesus Christ what a story. I heard someone say that this book is like if Gossip Girl and Get Out had a baby, and that is so true. The mystery had me absolutely hooked, and then the focus on institutionalised racism both within the education system and within society in general was simultaneously difficult to read and very important. Some of the things that Aces does made me feel sick to my stomach, and I was really rooting for Devon and Chiamaka - who are both fantastic, well-developed characters in their own right. I felt like the depictions of racism were a little heavy-handed at times and perhaps could have been written with more nuance, but that isn’t necessarily a criticism since this is a YA novel and it may well be many readers’ first introduction to an example of institutionalised racism - and the book does that job spectacularly. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Gaslighting, and Racism

Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, and Death

fleur____'s review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Racism, Racial slurs, and Homophobia

Moderate: Car accident, Outing, Violence, Blood, Bullying, and Gaslighting

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Classism, and Gun violence

ratnix's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Stalking, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, Murder, Bullying, Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, and Death of parent

Moderate: Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Drug use

emily_mh's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I don’t want to write too much about this read, because I fear I would spoil something by accident, and I truly think the best way to experience this book is to go in not knowing much about the plot, so that you’re as confused as the MCs and disocvering the trurth right alongside them. The only reason I’m giving this less than five stars is because of some pacing issues. The first half could have been tightened up more, and more time needed to be spent on the climax. There was also an aspect of one MC that felt a bit shoehorned in and underdeveloped. But other than that, this was a truly phenomenal read, both insightful and harrowing. There were so many layers to the plot and characters that Àbíké-Íyímídé artfully constructed and peeled back for the reader. I can see why everyone raves about this work, and I’m really looking forward to reading Àbíké-Íyímídé’s 2024 release.

Rep: gay Black MC, sapphic biracial Black/white Italian/Nigerian-American MC, bi SC, Black Achillean SC

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Violence, Homophobia, Bullying, Outing, Racism, Gaslighting, and Hate crime

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Vomit, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, and Car accident

Minor: Murder, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Child death, Sexism, Sexual content, Death, Blood, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Drug use, Ableism, Police brutality, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Slavery, and Pregnancy

Major: three uses of the n-slur, eugenics Moderate: imprisoned loved one, capital punishment Minor: disownment, toxic masculinity, texturism, sick loved one, suicidal ideation, disordered eating

denee16's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

This book was intense and heartwrenchin. Hopeful and challenging.  It follows Devon and Chiamaka as they navigate their senior year while their lives are quite literally blowing up in front of them. It covers the systemic racism that traces throughout generations and holding those perpetrating it accountable. 
While I may never personally feel these struggles, walking through these characters fights for justice and pain caused by rigged systems and a society working to keep them oppressed.
The constant questions of who Aces was only for the reveal to be absolutely horrifying and yet so real was exactly what kept this book moving so fast. 

This book was fantastic and I can't recommend it enough!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, Bullying, Death, Stalking, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Classism, Outing, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Gun violence

dalek_caan's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I feel like there is no feedback I can provide that can do this book the justice that it deserves other than to say go read it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole book through, and was really emotionally invested in the characters, the plot, and the overall messages of the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Racism, Hate crime, Stalking, Death of parent, Child death, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny

Moderate: Suicide attempt and Homophobia

alreadsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

this book is like if pretty little liars was way gayer and way more rooted in real world issues and it was so good

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Racism

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Death of parent, Drug use, Death, Grief, and Stalking

Minor: Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Police brutality

corvingreene's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

4.0

I ended up really enjoying this YA novel that's part Pretty Little Liars, Part Gossip Girl, but with a twist. It's a 4-star read for me because the first half was so slow I almost gave up on it, but once the pace picks up in the second half, and it becomes more of a mystery/thriller, I was hooked, and finished the book in one sitting. 

I loved that the author intentionally kept the setting location vague so it could exist in a wide variety of locations, not one specific city. I don't want to say much more and risk spoiling it, because the surprise twists are key to the plot, but it's worth it to get through the beginning to the more exciting ending.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Death of parent

death row, prison

gtorian22's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Minor: Death of parent

f4ye's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.75

might adjust to 5 stars. i wish i could say what part of this book makes it a five star bc even in my head i feel like it deserves it. but there was something that i felt was lacking im the last part. EVERYTHING ELSE THOUGH?!?! absolutely perfection. it’s crazy that this is a debut novel. it’s so thought provoking and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time! CHECK CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE READING

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, Car accident, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Racial slurs