Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

196 reviews

alexthegoat's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful mysterious 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? N/A

4.0

Couldn’t put it down.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Racism, Death of parent, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Hate crime, Homophobia, Death, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, and Car accident

theuncannydani's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Racism, Child abuse, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Stalking, Classism, Death, Car accident, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Drug use, Sexual harassment, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Confinement, Alcohol, Suicide, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual violence

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Cursing, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug abuse

emilyreads15's review

emotional 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

4.5

This book is POWERFUL. I’ve truly never read anything like this before and I’m super thankful that my book club chose this as one of our reads. Not only was it deeply emotional but it was also very enlightening and inspiring. Ace of Spades was not only an interesting read with an interesting plot but it also discussed real world stereotypes and issues that I think more people should be aware of. This book and these characters allowed me to see our world from a completely different perspective. I was aware that racism is very much still a thing to this day but never to this extent. I’m thankful to the author for writing this book to allow readers, like myself, to learn more about topics that may have never been exposed to me before. 

On top of the meaningful message, the story was also beautifully written with lots of diversity and fast paced chapters that always kept my attention. I’ve given it 4.5 only because it’s not an all time favorite but it is easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. So much happened throughout the book, it was never boring and I’m very happy with the ending.

Overall this book was so beautiful and emotional. I 100% recommend this not just to readers but to everyone. I think every person should read this book at least once in their life. I’m looking forward to reading more by Faridah Àbíké-íyímídé in the future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Homophobia

Moderate: Racial slurs, Drug abuse, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug use

Minor: Gun violence, Death, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury

sofiarodriguez's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I feel like the ending was a bit rushed but overall a great read

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Death, Racism, Murder, Gun violence, Colonisation, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, and Addiction

softgalaxy's review against another edition

dark 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? No

5.0

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I could hardly put it down. It is spine-chilling. But it is reality for Black people in a world that holds whiteness above anything. 

I had my theories but what came about in the end was much more horrifying. Àbíké-Íyímídé weaved such an intense storyline that just stays with you. 

I felt so strongly for Devon and Chiamaka. The psychological torture that they were going through was unreal (something I’d never experience as a white person). 

Just an amazing book from start to finish. It had me hooked. Can’t wait to read more from Faridah in the near future!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Blood, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Death of parent, Bullying, Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, Gun violence, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime

elfyn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

Fucking fantastic. Challenging in all the right ways. I finished it in one sitting.

I literally cried at reading dr and professor in the epilogue.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Drug use, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Stalking, Addiction, Death, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Grief, Bullying, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment

oleaceae_18's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Such a good book! I felt like it was a little bit slow in the beginning, and the resolution at the end was wrapped up a little too quickly in my opinion. But this book is such a good depiction of systemic racism and how everyone around you really is involved. I loved the friendships developed among the black characters. The gaslighting and microaggressions were so aggravating to read, but only because it's so real. I highly recommend reading for everyone. And the authors note was really touching. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, and Racism

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Homophobia, Outing, Car accident, Gun violence, Colonisation, Police brutality, and Racial slurs

modernthymes's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.0

I was going to give this a 3.5 but the last 50-100 pages was so thrilling and the ending was great.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism

Moderate: Stalking and Sexual harassment

Minor: Police brutality, Gun violence, and Fire/Fire injury

ismildlypoetic's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

5 stars are typically reserved for books that changed my life or I hyperfixated on them

While I don't know if Ace of Spades fits those qualifications, its resemblance to media (that very much did have some core memories) and the importance of its message, plus the way it had me turning pages, I very much feel that this book deserves the 5 stars anyway.

For fans of Pretty Little Liars, this book gives that horrendous cyberbullying experience we're familiar with, plus the added twist of

systematic racism.

There were multiple times I wrote in my reading app that I was terrified to turn the page, knowing that whatever was coming wouldn't be good for our two title characters.

Now time for my infodump:

As for the characters, Devon, I loved. I loved him from the first page. I think he has a genuine care for people, even those who've wronged him. He shoots high, but he does what is right to get to them, and I truly admire that.
As for Chiamaka, my love-hate relationship with her was strong. There are very few people in this world she cared for besides herself, and she didn't give a shit who fell as long as she didn't fall with them. However, I am very happy she got a happy ending. And I hope she kept on her journey of self-growth in those sixteen years after Niveus burned.

I highly recommend this book, especially for those who see themselves, like me, relating to some of the other characters at Niveus. We could all use a lesson in seeing others from a different point of view.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, Bullying, Car accident, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Alcohol, Stalking, Death of parent, Outing, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Blood, Racial slurs, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Vomit, and Sexual assault

mkelly's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

this book is fucking chilling. an incredible and difficult read but so worth it. would rate higher than 5 stars if i could. cannot wait to read what àbíké-íyímídé writes next

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Homophobia, Stalking, Outing, Hate crime, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Car accident, Drug use, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment