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A review by pagesofplatypus
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
School thrillers are always so fun! Great Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars vibes.
I read this through audiobook, and the narration was very engaging. Devon's narrator, Tapiwa Mugweni, really captured the inner conflict of Devon's character as his life started spiraling from Ace's attacks. And Giamacca's narrator, Jeanette Illidge, served as the perfect somewhat snooty, more than a little neurotic, popular girl.
First, I love dual pov stories! And both Gia's and Devon's unfolding stories were equally engaging. As well as their individual reactions to Ace's demented "game" and their realisation of why Ace was doing what they were doing.
SPOILERS BELOW!!
I love how Gia's and Devon's queerness was portrayed! I love how casually Gia's queerness and her first relationship with a girl bloomed so tenderly and naturally. And Devon. I want to scoop him in a hug.
SPOILERS ABOVE!!
The unfolding mystery itself definitely had me guessing and I was not prepared for the actual reveal. But wow.
SPOILERS BELOW!!
The Ace program being such a widespread, multi generational attempt to destroy the lives and reputations of Niveus' Balck students is so insidious, and *such* a good, chilling allegory for systemic racism and undermining of Black students in school systems. How school systems automatically set Black students up to fail, are more likely to give Black students detentions and suspensions on things they wouldn't punish non-Black students for, and recommend them less for universities/automatically assume Balck students wouldn't be able to get into unis, is so powerfully shown through Ace.
SPOILERS ABOVE!!
Also, the epilogue is very satisfying :). And I'm glad we got one.
I absolutely recommend everyone read this, especially non-Black readers, to understand the systemic racism and racial biases in school systems.
I read this through audiobook, and the narration was very engaging. Devon's narrator, Tapiwa Mugweni, really captured the inner conflict of Devon's character as his life started spiraling from Ace's attacks. And Giamacca's narrator, Jeanette Illidge, served as the perfect somewhat snooty, more than a little neurotic, popular girl.
First, I love dual pov stories! And both Gia's and Devon's unfolding stories were equally engaging. As well as their individual reactions to Ace's demented "game" and their realisation of why Ace was doing what they were doing.
SPOILERS BELOW!!
I love how Gia's and Devon's queerness was portrayed! I love how casually Gia's queerness and her first relationship with a girl bloomed so tenderly and naturally. And Devon. I want to scoop him in a hug.
SPOILERS ABOVE!!
The unfolding mystery itself definitely had me guessing and I was not prepared for the actual reveal. But wow.
SPOILERS BELOW!!
The Ace program being such a widespread, multi generational attempt to destroy the lives and reputations of Niveus' Balck students is so insidious, and *such* a good, chilling allegory for systemic racism and undermining of Black students in school systems. How school systems automatically set Black students up to fail, are more likely to give Black students detentions and suspensions on things they wouldn't punish non-Black students for, and recommend them less for universities/automatically assume Balck students wouldn't be able to get into unis, is so powerfully shown through Ace.
SPOILERS ABOVE!!
Also, the epilogue is very satisfying :). And I'm glad we got one.
I absolutely recommend everyone read this, especially non-Black readers, to understand the systemic racism and racial biases in school systems.