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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
”I’m here to divide and conquer. Like all great tyrants do.”
The Story
Secrets are spilling at Niveus Private Academy, and it’s all because Aces, an anonymous texter, has plenty to share.
However, Aces seems to have a mission. Most of the secrets belong to Devon, a quiet gay musician, and Chiamaka, the resident HBIC—two seniors who have hardly ever spoken.
Well, until now. Because Aces is turning up the heat, and as petty pranks quickly escalate to sabotage, what connects these two may be the reason they’re in physical danger.
My Verdict
SNATCHED! RIP my wig
Scandalous and unputdownable.
What I Loved
- Chiamaka is the rightful heir to the queendom. Inspired by Blair Waldorf, she rules and, later, grows with excellence. I’m a stan.
- I found Aces to be an incisive allegory for existing villains in the US. If you pay close attention to the real history and timelines referenced throughout, the inspiration comes together.
- “By fire. By force.” I love stories where awful people get what they deserve. 😈
What You’ll Love
- A twisty narrative perfect for fans of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and Get Out.
- Nonstop gags that just won’t let up. Whenever you think you figured it out, more treachery is waiting around the corner.
- This book reinforces why “I’m not racist” is not enough. When many of us might perpetuate racism without realizing it, anti-racism is the only answer.
This review has been repurposed from content designed to be published on my Instagram, so it may be missing elements that would complete the presentation. To see more or follow other reviews, meet me on Instagram at @dbg.was.here.
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
The gossip-girl and teenage drama tv series vibes were *chef’s kiss* and the reveals were bone chilling left me speechless.
The gossip-girl and teenage drama tv series vibes were *chef’s kiss* and the reveals were bone chilling left me speechless.
Ace of Spades by Faridah Äbiké-lyimidé, not to be confused with Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody (this is the Evelyn books all over again, my mind can’t tell them apart) is a YA Thriller/Mystery.
Comparable to series such as Gossip Girls and Pretty Little Liars, Ace of Spades follows two black characters who are students a prestigious school,each coming from a vastly different life style, yet have more in common than they think.
Romance heavy, this book left me feeling frustrated. Without going into detail of why, as it would have major spoilers, too much was happening when all was revealed near the end. Some of the characters plot lines were left unresolved or ended with no closure and typically I wouldn’t mind but when a lot of one characters interaction revolve around this other character, I at least expected something. I actually had to look it up because I thought I missed a page or even a chapter.
Most of the book had be on my toys and then at the end I just was left feeling “that’s it?”. I just feel like so much more could have been done. So much was left on the table and it could have been a great read had it not ended so abruptly.
Comparable to series such as Gossip Girls and Pretty Little Liars, Ace of Spades follows two black characters who are students a prestigious school,each coming from a vastly different life style, yet have more in common than they think.
Romance heavy, this book left me feeling frustrated. Without going into detail of why, as it would have major spoilers, too much was happening when all was revealed near the end. Some of the characters plot lines were left unresolved or ended with no closure and typically I wouldn’t mind but when a lot of one characters interaction revolve around this other character, I at least expected something. I actually had to look it up because I thought I missed a page or even a chapter.
Most of the book had be on my toys and then at the end I just was left feeling “that’s it?”. I just feel like so much more could have been done. So much was left on the table and it could have been a great read had it not ended so abruptly.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
hard to put down so a decently fun read - however frustrated with lack of a proper setting (author wanted us/uk mix but that ignores the specific problems of both areas?) also I loved the concept and the idea of addressing systematic racism in the education system/especially in elite schools. but execution wise not so good and constant twists at end were not really shocking, especially the side character reveals were kind of dumb. romances were cute
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely DEVOURED this book! Ended up speed reading while I was supposed to be working because every chapter was a cliff hanger and I had to know if the main characters were ok lol.
AIt left me thinking a lot. Great and unfortunately accurate representation of being mixed race with racist family, institutional racism, the complexities of wanting to please your family, the things we'll do to survive and the dangers of not being honest and with those close to us.
The only let down was the almost Disney channel -esque descriptions at the beginning of the book but I've more than aged out of this genre 🤣
AIt left me thinking a lot. Great and unfortunately accurate representation of being mixed race with racist family, institutional racism, the complexities of wanting to please your family, the things we'll do to survive and the dangers of not being honest and with those close to us.
The only let down was the almost Disney channel -esque descriptions at the beginning of the book but I've more than aged out of this genre 🤣
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes