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spaghettii's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Car accident, Classism, Death, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Outing, Physical abuse, Vomit, Alcohol, Biphobia, Child death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Addiction, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Drug use, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Biphobia, Bullying, Classism, Emotional abuse, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Addiction, Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
filipa_maia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked this book, it addresses very important issues that our society tries to pretend that don't happen anymore: not only bullying and racism, but also homophobia and classicism - And I think that the author does it very well.
I think my problem with this book it that every single character (except Devon) is so unlikeable... I understand that that's the point but, apart from Devon, I couldn't really connect with any of them. Chiamaka's "friends" are described in the most despicable way; Jamie is red flags all over, since the beginning of the story; even Terrell is a bit weird...; but for me Chiamaka is the worst - she is the worst main character ever: dates guys and makes "friends" for social status, mistreats people that she considers "inferior", thinks the entire world revolves around her... ugh...
Even though I think that some of the situations described are a bit "too much", what made me give a 4-star review is the plot itself - what a brilliant storyline!
I don't want to reveal to much but - if you are looking forward to read this book - you are not going to be dissapointed!
Graphic: Murder, Lesbophobia, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Racism, Outing, Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Classism, Homophobia, and Hate crime
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Drug use
karlasbookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Stalking, Biphobia, and Bullying
anonymous_blobfish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I guess firstly, check the trigger warnings. This book is a lot for so many different reasons and may not be something you’re in the right place to read.
I always feel conflicted when it comes to reviewing something like Ace of Spades because I am not the voice that should be listened to in this space. But for what it’s worth I thought this was incredible. The detail, world building and characters were so realistic it felt almost more autobiographical than fiction. It was also really hard to read when I felt so powerless and privileged all at once.
I think the main thing I want to comment on is this: racism is a spectrum that all white people exist on. But how the hell are people questioning the authenticity of the institutionalised racism?? Get a fucking grip, open your eyes and educate yourself on how fucked up we - white people - have made this world. Also do your own research and stop relying on Black voices to educate you.
Rambling points aside, I would die for Chi and Von and I encourage everyone to read their stories and fall in love with their characters just as much as I have.
******Spoiler-ish below:
P.S. in case you need it there is a light at the end of the tunnel that is this story.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Murder, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Classism, Colonisation, Racial slurs, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Addiction, Biphobia, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Police brutality
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Xenophobia, Biphobia, Drug abuse, Racism, Colonisation, and Homophobia
Moderate: Car accident, Violence, Death, and Mass/school shootings
leahrosiee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I couldn't read this fast enough, definitely binge-worthy.
The first half is very high school, Pretty Little Liars vibes except obviously racially motivated.
The second half is when it comes together and shit really goes down right at the end, which even if you can see it coming, you'll still be stunned.
The tension and pacing is amazing, but I think the best parts are the side stories and little details.
Silence is betrayal cannot be more evident in this book.
"This world, our world, the one with houses as crooked as the people in them"
IMPORTANT: This isn’t just a cute little queer/black representation high school mystery. There are many many many CW. It’s actually in the front of the book. For those exact reasons, I think everyone should read this but not everyone might be able to.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Hate crime, Homophobia, Bullying, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Alcohol, and Car accident
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, and Death
emily_journals's review against another edition
- 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
This book is such an incredible mix of a preppy high school setting with a secret society type mystery/thriller, and the setting, mystery, plot, characters, EVERYTHING, was so well done and blended together seamlessly. It did take me a little while to get into at the beginning (as with most mysteries and thrillers that are set up well and take the time to fully showcase the setting and characters), but once I was into it, I was SO INTO IT. The complexity of all of the characters was so expertly done, all of the characters were very multifaceted. The inclusion of other real world problems going on in the characters' lives added immensely to the feeling that this was something that was actually happening, and was very influential in the emersion of the story. The mystery aspects of this book were also incredibly well executed, and there were so many spine tingling moments and jaw dropping reveals that really fulfilled the mystery. The character growth in this book was also incredible, I loved watching both Devon and Chiamaka grow so much, and also loved that they grew both independently and together. The epilogue conclusion was also so beautiful; the fact that these characters didn't just try to bury or forget everything after, but continued to remember and try to help others was so great since a lot of thrillers and mysteries end on a more ambiguous notes or end with the character essentially saying that they'll just forget or move on past the events of the book.
Highly, HIGHLY recommend this book!
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Classism, Bullying, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexual content
This book moderate mentions of homo/bi/lesbophobia. There's also some moderate mentions of sexual content, along with some blurred consent lines. There is some explicit details of a hit and run accident throughout the book. This book contains several toxic relationships (both platonic and romantic). The main focus of this book is on racism (and how the racism leads into classism), along with severe gaslighting and bullying. If you're triggered at all by gaslighting/emotional manipulation (friendship or romantic), car accidents, or racism/classism discussions or easily triggered by blurred sexual consent lines and/or homo/bi/lesbophobia, I would skip this book.bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Biphobia, Violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Racism, Racial slurs, Outing, Hate crime, Gun violence, Gaslighting, Drug use, Classism, Car accident, Bullying, and Alcohol
maria_luciani's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Outing
Minor: Biphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia