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A review by pucksandpaperbacks
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
CW: Racism, racial slur (on-page), homophobia, car accident, minor mention of a suicide attempt, drug use, mention & scenes of visiting an incarcerated person, hate crime, violence, blood, injuries.
This debut was phenomenal. It is promoted as a dark academia thriller but I'd also say it's a horror.
When the only two Black students at Nevus Academy are picked as Senior Prefects, things start going awry as texts of the students, Chiamaka and Devon's deepest secrets (and some lies) are spread throughout the school by an anonymous texter, Aces.
This was an excellent YA thriller that shows how systemic racism works in the academic setting. As our protagonists grow to uncover the truth about their school, they learn a lot about themselves the people around them. Both characters are also queer! I really enjoyed seeing queer joy in between the darkness the teens experience.
Please note that this book is very dark. But, as the author intended, it does have a happy ending. I HIGHLY recommend this. I hybrid-read with the physical copy and audiobook and I thought the audiobook was fantastic as well.
This debut was phenomenal. It is promoted as a dark academia thriller but I'd also say it's a horror.
When the only two Black students at Nevus Academy are picked as Senior Prefects, things start going awry as texts of the students, Chiamaka and Devon's deepest secrets (and some lies) are spread throughout the school by an anonymous texter, Aces.
This was an excellent YA thriller that shows how systemic racism works in the academic setting. As our protagonists grow to uncover the truth about their school, they learn a lot about themselves the people around them. Both characters are also queer! I really enjoyed seeing queer joy in between the darkness the teens experience.
Please note that this book is very dark. But, as the author intended, it does have a happy ending. I HIGHLY recommend this. I hybrid-read with the physical copy and audiobook and I thought the audiobook was fantastic as well.