Reviews tagging 'Death'

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

294 reviews

jei_reads_sometimes's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Homophobia, Racism, Bullying, Classism, Toxic relationship, Hate crime, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Gaslighting, Death, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Gaslighting, and Racism

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

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

---

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!

---

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

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

---

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

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. 

---

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

mamatrauma's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, Outing, Violence, Stalking, Sexism, Murder, Drug use, Death, Cursing, and Classism

shugentobler'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? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I could not put this book down-a dark academia thriller tackling racism? It was explosive and beautiful. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, Violence, Death, and Racial slurs

Minor: Suicide attempt 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.

---

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.

folkofthebook's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective 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? No

4.5

gossip girl meets get out in a dark academia setting.

while it was mostly predictable for me, it was nonetheless enjoyable. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé does an excellent job of examining institutional racism with a frank eye. i felt a bit more connected to devon than chiamaka, but they were both likable. it was mostly fast-paced and quick to read, i didn't feel like it dragged at any parts.

i think this would make an excellent film adaptation.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Car accident, and Murder

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Death

Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Blood, and Sexual harassment