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chalamets's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
wtf wtf wtf wtf wtf
insanity combined with a genius plot with a little bit of lesbianism sprinkled in (and of course gay men i suppose)
insanity combined with a genius plot with a little bit of lesbianism sprinkled in (and of course gay men i suppose)
anix_04's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0
lenaoknihach's review against another edition
4.0
Začal nový školní rok, pro Devona a Chiamaku poslední, než půjdou na vysokou. Všechno se zdá být dokonalé, jenže pak přijde první zpráva od Esa a domeček z karet se pomalu hroutí.
Devon je tichý talentovaný hudebník, který bydlí v chudé čtvrti a touží studovat na Juilliardu. Premiantka Chiamaka pochází z bohaté rodiny a chce se stát doktorkou. Právě na tyto dva studenty se záhadný Eso zaměří a odkrývá ty nejtemnější tajemství.
Pikové eso mi chvílemi připomínalo Jeden z nás lže. Jenže v této knize se toho skrývalo mnohem víc - šikana, diskriminace, rasismus, homofobie.
Chvíli mi trvalo, než jsem se začetla, ale po padesáti stranách jsem se zas nemohla odtrhnout.
Závěrečné překvapení z odhalení se u mě nekonalo, protože jsem Esa odhadla mnohem dřív, ale i přesto tento ya thriller doporučuji fanouškům Karen M. McManus (Jeden z nás lže) nebo Holly Jackson (Návod na vraždu pro hodné holky).
Devon je tichý talentovaný hudebník, který bydlí v chudé čtvrti a touží studovat na Juilliardu. Premiantka Chiamaka pochází z bohaté rodiny a chce se stát doktorkou. Právě na tyto dva studenty se záhadný Eso zaměří a odkrývá ty nejtemnější tajemství.
Pikové eso mi chvílemi připomínalo Jeden z nás lže. Jenže v této knize se toho skrývalo mnohem víc - šikana, diskriminace, rasismus, homofobie.
Chvíli mi trvalo, než jsem se začetla, ale po padesáti stranách jsem se zas nemohla odtrhnout.
Závěrečné překvapení z odhalení se u mě nekonalo, protože jsem Esa odhadla mnohem dřív, ale i přesto tento ya thriller doporučuji fanouškům Karen M. McManus (Jeden z nás lže) nebo Holly Jackson (Návod na vraždu pro hodné holky).
lexijas's review against another edition
5.0
This. Book. Was. Fucking. Amazing!
I bought this and stored it on my shelves for months. Until 3 am in the morning, I decided to give it a go and was unputdownable after the first couple of chapters. Pretty Little Liars meet Gossip Girl meet Get Out. Certain scenes of this book have sent chills down my spine, my anxiety rising for the main characters' safety.
Social eugenics is not talked about enough in society! There are many schools--prestigious ones that have a history of terrorizing black students and many others who are people of colour. This sick game of power and abuse feels so unreal--almost unbelievable how ludicrous white supremacy really is. What do they fucking gain from this shit? Honestly.
This book captured the surface of the inequality, discrimination, and fear black people go through daily because of the colour of their skin. Even though social eugenics was "mostly in the past", I have no doubt in my mind, the under-the-table business on this is still operating with the rich and white.
The characters are well written. Their contrasting dynamic was amazing. Devon and Chiamaka were complex enough that their perspective on the social hierarchy, subjects, and impressions of students are interesting to read about. And their character development is truly a *chef's kiss* (especially Chiamaka's)
The twists and turns, the suspense, and the reveals that are shown in the book kept me on the edge of my seat. I love this so so so much and it is such a great debut novel written by Faridah, truly.
I bought this and stored it on my shelves for months. Until 3 am in the morning, I decided to give it a go and was unputdownable after the first couple of chapters. Pretty Little Liars meet Gossip Girl meet Get Out. Certain scenes of this book have sent chills down my spine, my anxiety rising for the main characters' safety.
Social eugenics is not talked about enough in society! There are many schools--prestigious ones that have a history of terrorizing black students and many others who are people of colour. This sick game of power and abuse feels so unreal--almost unbelievable how ludicrous white supremacy really is. What do they fucking gain from this shit? Honestly.
This book captured the surface of the inequality, discrimination, and fear black people go through daily because of the colour of their skin. Even though social eugenics was "mostly in the past", I have no doubt in my mind, the under-the-table business on this is still operating with the rich and white.
The characters are well written. Their contrasting dynamic was amazing. Devon and Chiamaka were complex enough that their perspective on the social hierarchy, subjects, and impressions of students are interesting to read about. And their character development is truly a *chef's kiss* (especially Chiamaka's)
The twists and turns, the suspense, and the reveals that are shown in the book kept me on the edge of my seat. I love this so so so much and it is such a great debut novel written by Faridah, truly.
turrtleaugust's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
spatterson12's review
5.0
This has been on my list for years, but once I saw a friend say she was about to start it — I had to check it out from the library. Then, it was mentioned in the book I was finishing before this one, so truly the universe said it was TIME.
This was such an engaging read. I’m also almost finished with my first rewatch of Pretty Little Liars for the first time since it was on air, and this was hitting all the YA twists and turns with the character Aces. I’m just glad Ace of Spades didn’t go off the rails (and to the extreme) PLL did. Really hoping this gets turned into a series if it hasn’t already been picked up.
This is told from two POVs, Devon — the kid on scholarship who wants to be left alone and make it to Julliard — and Chiamaka — the most ambitious and perfect Prefect to have ever existed at Niveus Private Academy.
Devon and Chiamaka are forced into each others’ orbits when their secrets are revealed by the unknown Aces through text messages to the entire student body. They have to learn to work together while unraveling the truth of who of their peers they can trust.
This was such an engaging read. I’m also almost finished with my first rewatch of Pretty Little Liars for the first time since it was on air, and this was hitting all the YA twists and turns with the character Aces. I’m just glad Ace of Spades didn’t go off the rails (and to the extreme) PLL did. Really hoping this gets turned into a series if it hasn’t already been picked up.
This is told from two POVs, Devon — the kid on scholarship who wants to be left alone and make it to Julliard — and Chiamaka — the most ambitious and perfect Prefect to have ever existed at Niveus Private Academy.
Devon and Chiamaka are forced into each others’ orbits when their secrets are revealed by the unknown Aces through text messages to the entire student body. They have to learn to work together while unraveling the truth of who of their peers they can trust.
charliejaxx's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐
This was a page turner ngl. I loved the first 60-65% of the book but after that, everything just went downhill.
I went into this book thinking yay, I finally found an author with Nigerian roots that wrote a book with queer characters. And it's a thriller too (something I've been looking for, for a long time). I was hooked from the beginning but after that reveal that Aces is well, EVERYONE. I just couldn't stop laughing as I completed the book, it just didn't make sense anymore. So they admit 2 black students every 10 years.. the remaining 9 years, the school is just full of white people? No other people of color mentioned. Just white. Can't believe that. I found myself asking, was this book set in 1920 or what? I'm Nigerian, lived in Nigeria all my life and I don't know much about things going on outside my country but damn, I just don't believe for a second that's something as crazy as that would ever happen in this time period. It's just unbelievable. Well, okay it might but that just looks ridiculous from my point of view.
I finished the book feeling a little bit disappointed and unsatisfied.
- what happened to Dre?? (I loved him lol), did he die? Go to jail? I needed to know!
- was really waiting for an explanation why Chiamaka has her mother's last name? And her Italian father was even referred to as Mr. Adebayo at one point. I know, it could happen but I still needed an explanation.
- the "fake" accident. So where the hell did Martha disappear to? I was expecting more on the Martha reveal. I mean we just found out her "maybe girlfriend" sister was the one she supposedly killed and we never heard anything from her again.
- um, hello? Bella? She seemed like she really liked Chiamaka and didn't really play a role in ruining their lives, except she didn't say anything even if she knew about it (unless I skipped something). Also Terrell did the same thing almost everyone in the book tried to do even if it was just for one day, he only confessed at the last minute, but he did do it! And he was given a second chance. Why? I know their relationship might not have worked out but I don't like that we didn't hear anything from her anymore.
- the mention of the old headmaster suddenly leaving in the beginning seemed like it was really important to the story or maybe it's just me with my big expectations lol.
- what did Devon's dad go to jail for? I WANTED TO KNOW.
I thought this would be my favorite for the year but i guess not. I still look forward to reading more books by the author.
This was a page turner ngl. I loved the first 60-65% of the book but after that, everything just went downhill.
I went into this book thinking yay, I finally found an author with Nigerian roots that wrote a book with queer characters. And it's a thriller too (something I've been looking for, for a long time). I was hooked from the beginning but after that reveal that Aces is well, EVERYONE. I just couldn't stop laughing as I completed the book, it just didn't make sense anymore. So they admit 2 black students every 10 years.. the remaining 9 years, the school is just full of white people? No other people of color mentioned. Just white. Can't believe that. I found myself asking, was this book set in 1920 or what? I'm Nigerian, lived in Nigeria all my life and I don't know much about things going on outside my country but damn, I just don't believe for a second that's something as crazy as that would ever happen in this time period. It's just unbelievable. Well, okay it might but that just looks ridiculous from my point of view.
I finished the book feeling a little bit disappointed and unsatisfied.
- what happened to Dre?? (I loved him lol), did he die? Go to jail? I needed to know!
- was really waiting for an explanation why Chiamaka has her mother's last name? And her Italian father was even referred to as Mr. Adebayo at one point. I know, it could happen but I still needed an explanation.
- the "fake" accident. So where the hell did Martha disappear to? I was expecting more on the Martha reveal. I mean we just found out her "maybe girlfriend" sister was the one she supposedly killed and we never heard anything from her again.
- um, hello? Bella? She seemed like she really liked Chiamaka and didn't really play a role in ruining their lives, except she didn't say anything even if she knew about it (unless I skipped something). Also Terrell did the same thing almost everyone in the book tried to do even if it was just for one day, he only confessed at the last minute, but he did do it! And he was given a second chance. Why? I know their relationship might not have worked out but I don't like that we didn't hear anything from her anymore.
- the mention of the old headmaster suddenly leaving in the beginning seemed like it was really important to the story or maybe it's just me with my big expectations lol.
- what did Devon's dad go to jail for? I WANTED TO KNOW.
I thought this would be my favorite for the year but i guess not. I still look forward to reading more books by the author.
mainereading's review against another edition
5.0
This was a lot of fun to read and was filled with twists and turns, some of which I did see coming but did not ruin my overall enjoyment of the book. It explores themes such as bullying, racism, and classism, all of which made it difficult to read at times but all the more necessary. I highly recommend any and everyone to read this!
cobaltbookshelf's review
2.0
2.5 stars
This book was described like mix of Gossip Girl and Get Out so I was excited to read and I mean look at cover, just stunning.
In end I was disappointed Gossip Girl part was like 10% in beginning and rest is Get Out and if you watched that movie you can predict everything. I liked Devon and Chiamaka but Devon more because he has more depth. Also it was disappointing was that two MCs didn't have closer dynamic with everything happening.
It's wasn't bad but also it's wasn't good.
This book was described like mix of Gossip Girl and Get Out so I was excited to read and I mean look at cover, just stunning.
In end I was disappointed Gossip Girl part was like 10% in beginning and rest is Get Out and if you watched that movie you can predict everything. I liked Devon and Chiamaka but Devon more because he has more depth. Also it was disappointing was that two MCs didn't have closer dynamic with everything happening.
It's wasn't bad but also it's wasn't good.