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A review by lmshearer
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book was frustrating to read for several reasons.
First, while I can appreciate the author's desire to keep the location as vague as possible, I think it hindered the character development and story overall. The language was muddled American and Britishisms that diminished the characters' voice and authenticity.
Second, the plot was a composite of every contemporary teen trope, from Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars to I Know What You Did Last Summer, Carrie, and more. The book promised a Black-centered homage to these works, but did not deliver. Had the author selected two or three of these themes to craft the story around would have made for a clearer read and overall message. [Prospective readers should be aware of the CW noted below this review.]
Finally, the book is about 100 pages too long. It came close to being a DNF for me. I wish it had gone through one or two more revisions before publication.
I did appreciate the diversity of characters and the LGBTQIA+ representation in this book and hope to see stronger work from this author in the future, but overall this one did not live up to its hype.
First, while I can appreciate the author's desire to keep the location as vague as possible, I think it hindered the character development and story overall. The language was muddled American and Britishisms that diminished the characters' voice and authenticity.
Second, the plot was a composite of every contemporary teen trope, from Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars to I Know What You Did Last Summer, Carrie, and more. The book promised a Black-centered homage to these works, but did not deliver. Had the author selected two or three of these themes to craft the story around would have made for a clearer read and overall message. [Prospective readers should be aware of the CW noted below this review.]
Finally, the book is about 100 pages too long. It came close to being a DNF for me. I wish it had gone through one or two more revisions before publication.
I did appreciate the diversity of characters and the LGBTQIA+ representation in this book and hope to see stronger work from this author in the future, but overall this one did not live up to its hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Cursing, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Grief, and Death
Minor: Addiction, Classism, and Death of parent