Scan barcode
jillianm713's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
3.25
When I heard this book described as a mix of Gossip Girl and Get Out I immediately bought it. The concept is so good and so horrifying I’m amazed it’s a debut novel.
I enjoyed the book, but the pacing and overall details fell a little short. Some very dramatic plot points happen and they feel very rushed. I wish the author gave more time to letting each discovery sink in before moving to the next plot point. I read a lot of thrillers, so I wish there had been more breadcrumbs of twists or a more tense atmosphere, but on the other hand the characters spoke and felt like teenagers, which I appreciate when characters in YA novels feel and think like their appropriate age. I had such high expectations for this book and some elements definitely met them and others fell a little short
I enjoyed the book, but the pacing and overall details fell a little short. Some very dramatic plot points happen and they feel very rushed. I wish the author gave more time to letting each discovery sink in before moving to the next plot point. I read a lot of thrillers, so I wish there had been more breadcrumbs of twists or a more tense atmosphere, but on the other hand the characters spoke and felt like teenagers, which I appreciate when characters in YA novels feel and think like their appropriate age. I had such high expectations for this book and some elements definitely met them and others fell a little short
aashton93's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
p1amelie's review against another edition
4.0
4 ⭐️ - “no matter what i do. no matter how much i iron down the hair that springs from my scalp, or work as hard as i can. i'm always going to be other to them. not good enough for this place I've tried to call home all my life. i can "fix" the kinks in my hair, but not the kinks in this whole system that hates me and devon and everyone who looks like us.”
theveronicareview's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up because I was looking for dark academia. When I found out that this book is touted as Gossip Girl meets Get Out, I was immediately intrigued.
Aces of Spades is a dual perspective book about Chiamaka and Devon who are about to graduate from the private school they attend, but major changes take place on the first day of their senior year that dramatically affect not only their future prospects, but their worldview and their livelihood as well.
Ace of Spades held my attention throughout and, although the pacing is rather slow, it is important to establish who Chiamaka and Devon are, their intrinsic motivations, and to build up their hopes so that the reader can feel the overwhelming weight of their downfall. I liked Devon the entire way, but it took a bit longer to warm up to Chiamaka, and I did end up rooting for both of them as the narrative wrapped up.
Ace of Spades is heartbreaking and scary, especially when considering the real-world potential. It's difficult to elaborate on the book without spoiling anything. I think the overarching impact of this book is better when you know less about what is going to happen.
Even though Ace of Spades is a fictional story, Chiamaka & Devon's experiences are very real, and the tension felt by the reader is nothing compared to the reality that a lot of communities face every single moment of every single day.
Aces of Spades is a dual perspective book about Chiamaka and Devon who are about to graduate from the private school they attend, but major changes take place on the first day of their senior year that dramatically affect not only their future prospects, but their worldview and their livelihood as well.
Ace of Spades held my attention throughout and, although the pacing is rather slow, it is important to establish who Chiamaka and Devon are, their intrinsic motivations, and to build up their hopes so that the reader can feel the overwhelming weight of their downfall. I liked Devon the entire way, but it took a bit longer to warm up to Chiamaka, and I did end up rooting for both of them as the narrative wrapped up.
Ace of Spades is heartbreaking and scary, especially when considering the real-world potential. It's difficult to elaborate on the book without spoiling anything. I think the overarching impact of this book is better when you know less about what is going to happen.
Even though Ace of Spades is a fictional story, Chiamaka & Devon's experiences are very real, and the tension felt by the reader is nothing compared to the reality that a lot of communities face every single moment of every single day.
bookmagnet23's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0
rahmya_t's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
grace_frank's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
wisterialeah's review against another edition
5.0
This was difficult to get through and packed with so much pain but for a YA audience, Faridah REALLY did that! Especially if you have the experience of being one of few Black or Biracial Black kids in a predominantly white space, a lot of this unfortunately just makes sense. Are there critiques to be made for the rushed and messy end? Yes. Are there critiques for just how much Black trauma was thrown into this book or the stereotypes that Devon and Chiamaka fall into? Also yes. But for the space Faridah was in when she wrote this, again it just makes sense. Without the epilogue I don’t think I could have rated this 5 stars but that little glimpse into the after really added to an otherwise rushed ending. Also shoutout to the narrators of the audiobook, especially Devon’s, they were amazing!
ajhaney's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s was giving pretty little liars & gossip girl at the same time