A review by n_asyikin_
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

dark 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? Yes

5.0

Ace of Spades centred around two students, Chiamaka & Devon, whose secrets were revealed via anonymous text messages by someone who called themselves Aces. Fearing that the texts could impair their future plans, the two found themselves in a race to stop Aces, trying to solve who they might be & why they were being targeted by them.

Ace of Spades accentuated the alluring drama borne out of the desire to excel which shaped distrustful & disingenous interactions between the cast of characters. I thought the emotional rollercoaster that came from that distrust did dial up the reader's curiosity, leaving you highly invested in the storyline; it was easy to find yourself in the MC's shoes, feeling their urgency to solve the mystery in hand.

Personally, I think the hallmark of a good mystery was how it can make you forget everything else & roped you into the need to reach its resolution as fast as possible. Ace of Spades was precisely that for me. I could not put it down! And the dramatize depictions of its unravelling were just perfect for such a thriller; some scenes leaving me with goosebumps. What a solid, enjoyable thriller!
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