You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
sasaboba 's review for:
Ace of Spades
by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
originally posted on gr in 2021
6 stars
HOLY SHIT!! This was my first foray into dark academia and I don't even know if I'll enjoy another as much as I enjoyed this one. Two Black students are on the top of the world at a private high school academy in a sea of whiteness until secrets start leaking and things stop making sense. What an incredible premise!
I enjoy shows like Gossip Girl to a degree because I feel squicky that the characters are always hypersexualized teenagers acting like adults. A little bit of that shows up, but not to the point where it made me feel uncomfortable enough to quit. There are a ton of enjoyable YA tropes, a lot of intrigue, and twists and turns at every chapter. It had me scared and screaming, "NOOOO DON'T DO THE THING!" as if I were watching a thriller flick. I absolutely loved the way everything wrapped up—it's one of my favorite endings!
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is an incredible writer and her creativity and passion for it really shows. She worked really hard on this novel and I cannot thank her enough for getting this into our hands. Strong writing, strong debut, and strong messages. I recommend Ace of Spades to literally everybody (please see content warnings on her site here). I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
----
hardback cover artist: adeleke adekunle
paperback cover artist: kingsley nebechi
6 stars
HOLY SHIT!! This was my first foray into dark academia and I don't even know if I'll enjoy another as much as I enjoyed this one. Two Black students are on the top of the world at a private high school academy in a sea of whiteness until secrets start leaking and things stop making sense. What an incredible premise!
I enjoy shows like Gossip Girl to a degree because I feel squicky that the characters are always hypersexualized teenagers acting like adults. A little bit of that shows up, but not to the point where it made me feel uncomfortable enough to quit. There are a ton of enjoyable YA tropes, a lot of intrigue, and twists and turns at every chapter. It had me scared and screaming, "NOOOO DON'T DO THE THING!" as if I were watching a thriller flick. I absolutely loved the way everything wrapped up—it's one of my favorite endings!
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is an incredible writer and her creativity and passion for it really shows. She worked really hard on this novel and I cannot thank her enough for getting this into our hands. Strong writing, strong debut, and strong messages. I recommend Ace of Spades to literally everybody (please see content warnings on her site here). I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
----
hardback cover artist: adeleke adekunle
paperback cover artist: kingsley nebechi