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A review by thesawyerbean
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
challenging
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? It's complicated
5.0
Wow wow wow! This was absolutely incredible - gripping from the first chapter, thrilling throughout. I can’t remember the last time a book made my heart palpitate and adrenaline rush through my veins like this.
Ace of Spades is a YA thriller novel, telling the story of two black students in an entirely white private academy who are targeted by malicious attacks and blasts, exposing their secrets and attempting to destroy them bit by bit. It gives you kicks in the stomach, makes you feel the tension, outrage and despair as this gossip Juggernaut tries to rip them to shreds.
But even amongst the enthralling and meticulous plot, the star of the show was the nuanced and effecting commentaries on racial injustice, institutional racism, homophobia, police brutality, classism and so much more. This book was an absolute triumph on all accounts and I cannot recommend it enough.
They say love and hate are the same, just at different ends of the blade.
Ace of Spades is a YA thriller novel, telling the story of two black students in an entirely white private academy who are targeted by malicious attacks and blasts, exposing their secrets and attempting to destroy them bit by bit. It gives you kicks in the stomach, makes you feel the tension, outrage and despair as this gossip Juggernaut tries to rip them to shreds.
But even amongst the enthralling and meticulous plot, the star of the show was the nuanced and effecting commentaries on racial injustice, institutional racism, homophobia, police brutality, classism and so much more. This book was an absolute triumph on all accounts and I cannot recommend it enough.
They say love and hate are the same, just at different ends of the blade.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Cancer, and Blood