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A review by thewildnorry
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
3.5
In actuality, I think this book is closer to 3.5 stars. The reason I rounded up instead of rounding down is because of the intrigue that managed to carry me through to the end of the story. That said, the reason it's not a solid 4 or even the 5 I thought it was going to be half-way through is because of one major problem: the wrap up.
It became increasingly clear as the novel progressed that the author wasn't sure how they wanted to end the story. The deeper into the book, the more information was handed to the characters rather than discovered, and the more weird twists and turns that didn't make sense. I feel like at some point I may come back to explain more about this and talk about all of the things I did really like (like the characterization, dialogue, character dynamics, exploration of teenage romance, etc.) but for now here are my major issues and questions for anyone who can answer.
Things that never got wrapped up or explained
* It was built up that there'd be consequences to Devon dealing drugs but that just seemed like a thrown in explanation for how he and Andre continued to be attached/he helped his mom make ends meet. It didn't feel like it felt with this story.
* Why did the computer nerd kid give them all of that information about Aces? Spoiler Especially if he was in on it. Like why would Aces want them to potentially have proof? I get it deleted, but they'd already had the USB ploy teaching Devon and Chiamaka to take pictures....
* What was Malcom's specific crime? Like why did he do it and not regret it? Spoiler I'm assuming it's murder since he was on death row but it was shocking that he was killed so quickly (two years after his arrest).
* What happened with Belle? Spoiler Was she serious about her feelings with Chiamaka or did she just feel bad about what she was doing once she was caught? Or was she just straight manipulating Chi? Chiamaka mentions being nervous seeing her at the Ball, but she never does. I really thought that she was the one who set fire to the school, and I also think it would have been more impactful for her to die than Jamie.
* How did Devon's mom know that he wasn't going to school? How?? HOW?
* Whether or not Devon got into Julliard Spoiler and if not, where did he go to become a professor of music? And why why he would want to considering how much he said he hated participating in creating music with other people. He didn't even want Terrell listening to his audition piece for the longest time.
Things I Didn't Like About the Ending
* Everything to do with Headmaster Ward.
* Everything to do with the journalist Spoiler Like didn't we all see this coming from a mile away? Why stretch it out so much? It just felt like the author didn't know how to end it, so she had to find some way for them to go to the ball.
* Terrell's conversation with Devon Spoiler Why throw in that he was spying on Devon? What was that supposed to add to the plot? Was I supposed to think that Devon and Terrell wouldn't end up together? Was it supposed to make sense of Devon being caught kissing him in the tube? It seemed so needless. Like it would have been nice if one person wasn't involved in the plot.
* The weird protestors scene? That made zero sense whatsoever. Spoiler And it felt very deus ex machina
* The Epilogue but that's personal preference I guess.
Things I Didn't Like In General
* Devon's relationship with Jack. We're told it's important to him and impactful but it's nowhere near as developed as Chiamaka and Jamie's. We just get some flashbacks and info dumps more than actually seeing them be friends.
* How traumatic memories were dealt with
* The teachers' roles in the book
Despite these lists, I do recommend reading this book. It's a lot of fun, and I feel like I'd benefit having someone to talk to about it.
It became increasingly clear as the novel progressed that the author wasn't sure how they wanted to end the story. The deeper into the book, the more information was handed to the characters rather than discovered, and the more weird twists and turns that didn't make sense. I feel like at some point I may come back to explain more about this and talk about all of the things I did really like (like the characterization, dialogue, character dynamics, exploration of teenage romance, etc.) but for now here are my major issues and questions for anyone who can answer.
Things that never got wrapped up or explained
* It was built up that there'd be consequences to Devon dealing drugs but that just seemed like a thrown in explanation for how he and Andre continued to be attached/he helped his mom make ends meet. It didn't feel like it felt with this story.
* Why did the computer nerd kid give them all of that information about Aces? Spoiler Especially if he was in on it. Like why would Aces want them to potentially have proof? I get it deleted, but they'd already had the USB ploy teaching Devon and Chiamaka to take pictures....
* What was Malcom's specific crime? Like why did he do it and not regret it? Spoiler I'm assuming it's murder since he was on death row but it was shocking that he was killed so quickly (two years after his arrest).
* What happened with Belle? Spoiler Was she serious about her feelings with Chiamaka or did she just feel bad about what she was doing once she was caught? Or was she just straight manipulating Chi? Chiamaka mentions being nervous seeing her at the Ball, but she never does. I really thought that she was the one who set fire to the school, and I also think it would have been more impactful for her to die than Jamie.
* How did Devon's mom know that he wasn't going to school? How?? HOW?
* Whether or not Devon got into Julliard Spoiler and if not, where did he go to become a professor of music? And why why he would want to considering how much he said he hated participating in creating music with other people. He didn't even want Terrell listening to his audition piece for the longest time.
Things I Didn't Like About the Ending
* Everything to do with Headmaster Ward.
* Everything to do with the journalist Spoiler Like didn't we all see this coming from a mile away? Why stretch it out so much? It just felt like the author didn't know how to end it, so she had to find some way for them to go to the ball.
* Terrell's conversation with Devon Spoiler Why throw in that he was spying on Devon? What was that supposed to add to the plot? Was I supposed to think that Devon and Terrell wouldn't end up together? Was it supposed to make sense of Devon being caught kissing him in the tube? It seemed so needless. Like it would have been nice if one person wasn't involved in the plot.
* The weird protestors scene? That made zero sense whatsoever. Spoiler And it felt very deus ex machina
* The Epilogue but that's personal preference I guess.
Things I Didn't Like In General
* Devon's relationship with Jack. We're told it's important to him and impactful but it's nowhere near as developed as Chiamaka and Jamie's. We just get some flashbacks and info dumps more than actually seeing them be friends.
* How traumatic memories were dealt with
* The teachers' roles in the book
Despite these lists, I do recommend reading this book. It's a lot of fun, and I feel like I'd benefit having someone to talk to about it.