This book is excellent, delving deeply into racism and social eugenics. If you're a fan of Gossip Girls, you'll adore this book; it even inspired me to binge-watch the series again. The romance and the portrayal of diverse upbringings within the same demographic were captivating.

The characters were exceptionally well-developed, making me feel a strong connection and empathy towards them. Be mindful that the book addresses bullying, which is a significant theme throughout.

I have rated this book a well deserved 5 stars.

"Ace of Spades" by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is a gripping and intense thriller set in an elite private school. The novel masterfully combines elements of mystery and social commentary, addressing issues of privilege and systemic racism. Àbíké-Íyímídé crafts a compelling narrative with well-developed characters, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

This book was reviewed as part of my Mini Book Reviews for August on my YouTube channel, which can be found here. https://youtu.be/1RhFoAQCyHI

This book will also feature in my upcoming Favourite Reads on 2023 video

This was a very compelling and fast paced social thriller exposing the institutionalised racism of the private school system. I found our protagonists fascinating - both flawed in their own ways, but with their own strength and perseverance to stop the systematic attacks against them. The plot itself was a bit ridiculous, but with enough verisimilitude to keep it believable (who knows what rich white people get up to?) and the pacing was pretty great, with the first half devoted to a slow build up of aggression against Devon and Chiamaka focusing on the mystery of who 'Aces' could be, and the second half an action packed ride. Overall, this was a really enjoyable and thought provoking read and I would definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a dynamic, brilliantly unsettling YA novel about two Black teens at a majority white prestigious school who discover a plot against them. It's fast-paced, gripping, and very unnerving at times, with sinister undercurrents building up as the story progresses. I wanted a little more from the narrative style, but on the whole this was a really captivating read.

One of the best books I've ever read in my life. This books sucks you in and doesn't let you back out again. i was glued to the page and I wish I could read this book for the first time again. if there's one book you read in your lifetime make it this one!

I was blown away by this debut! The way the author weaved the central mystery with the personal lives of the main characters was fantastic and I was truly shocked by the reveal at the end. A really important message told in a really exciting story.

Dnf after 11%

There's nothing wrong with the book. I mean....I can barely judge the book after 11%.
But I have been quite bored with the few pages I've read and I realised that I'm not interested in the story or the characters at all. I think if I continue reading this book I would only end up being bored the whole time and I don't want to waste my time with a book I know I'm not interested in anymore.

I'm sure the book is great for the intended audience, but I simply have to say that I've outgrown this genre.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a gripping, thrilling read that kept me glued to the page. There was lots of intrigue, but also a powerful message about racism. A very powerful book, that I am sure teenagers (and many adults) will love.

Dark, gritty, and pretty messed up—which is exactly what makes this a book that leaves you speechless and shocked for how wild it actually is. Perfectly pairing institutionalised racism and elitism, this debut novel lands strong in the dark academia genre through an exploration of history, bigotry, and queerness against a thrilling backdrop that reminds of Gossip Girl but delivers way more in terms of classism, emotions, gate-keeping, and an absolute thrill.

Groundbreaking. I ended up buying my copy as the format of the ARC made it hard for me to read. But the pace was superb and the twists have had me gasping for air like never before. What a fantastic debut!

“....sometimes I feel like I am stuck in a loop, reliving the same day over and over.”

Some books grab your attention with their stellar writing, then there are some books whose characters with whom you feel related to so much with just a couple of pages that you feel stuck with them. And even though this book falls in the category of neither, it was easy to get into it and keep going.

Ace of Spades is a story about students sharing the same dark skin color in a very white world, hailing from two starkly different worlds. Their fate brings them to a very unfortunate point in and throughout their life when an invisible person starts revealing their darkest secrets to everyone around their school slowly choking their breath and making them realize that survival there wasn’t an option.

The book deals with the heavy topic of racism, and racism in the institutions to be exact. The boxes the book tried to check really would have made it stellar and it checked them properly. The plot has so much potential but the execution kind of felt to be falling flat. The timing of events that happened in the book could have had a better sequence and the turns of events a little bit less obvious.

The characters weren’t given enough time before they were shoved in the whirl of the main plot because of which I didn’t feel connected with them throughout the book and this was the biggest drawback, from my perspective. At one time they are so smart and mighty and the very next moment they can’t see the bullshit happening right below their nose. The obviousness of the main plot twist was another turn-off and I felt the disrupted response of both the protagonists was annoying.

I would have really loved this book if it had been a bit more properly constructed around the focus points. For a mystery thriller, it was too much obvious after a few pages and the climax was rushed and lousy. One thing I like a lot was how the author kept the personal life of both protagonists separate from the start till the end. I am glad a romantic relationship wasn’t forced on them just for the sake of increasing spices in the plot.

All in all, it was a good read, only and just.

(4.8/5) Ace of Spades’ came very highly recommended all over my #bookstagram feed and it certainly did not disappoint! I had months to anticipate it and the wait between publication and when I could actually get a copy (didn’t help that for once, I’d missed the archive date on NetGalley) was absolute torture.

This book is incredibly bingeable, near impossible to put down if you’ve picked it up and both myself and my buddy read partner (Vivian) were way ahead of schedule! Normally we aim for two chapters a day but I remember accidentally barrelling all the way to Chapter 6 on the first day. I’d actually wake up earlier so I could read some of it over breakfast, and as I’m the furthest creature from an early bird, this is serious business!

The dual POV between Chi and Devon is nicely done, though I did have the odd moment of confusion regarding where I was in the timeline, but this was just at the beginning. Both are really vivid characters too – while Chi isn’t nearly as likeable as Devon, she still has a very ‘real-person’ feel and every chapter was tense and intriguing, no matter who the narrator was.

I wasn’t actually expecting any romance in this book, so it was a nice surprise to become invested in both romantic sub-plots! Chi’s romance arc was really interesting and fun, especially as I could personally relate to its early stages. I did see it coming from a mile off, though again that’s probably because I could relate so much to it. Devon’s arc was both more surprising and more bittersweet to follow. I wouldn’t say no to a POV of one of the love interests – name withheld for spoilery reasons, but if you’ve read it you’ll know who I mean. At present I think they’re a coward who wouldn’t use their privilege to help someone they purportedly care deeply about, but I suppose we all can grow up from our high school days…though my high school was certainly not as twisted as Niveus!

The reality presented in ‘Ace of Spades’ is horrifying but depressingly plausible…I won’t deny that this book has been haunting the back of my mind since turning the last page. It leaves you seriously unsettled and lingers, much like the feeling I get after reading or watching horror. Some aspects of the mystery I guessed, but others like Aces’ identity and how intricate the conspiracy was were truly shocking as the pieces thudded into place all around our two protagonists.

I loved the ending, even if we did seem to move on very rapidly from the book’s climax. I was also slightly confused/curious about how the characters’ circumstances change between the ‘end’ and the Epilogue. On an unrelated note, I kept thinking the previous (Niveus) Headmaster was going to pop up! The mystery of what happened to him feels quite unresolved; given how often it was brought up I was certain he’d be significant.

Overall, a riveting and searing mystery-thriller that feels painfully relevant to very pressing real-life issues. This held up impressively against the colossal hype and I look forward to reading Àbíké-Íyímídé’s future work!

I got this one in a bookbox, so I read the physical book instead of the earc. My 5 star prediction ended up being correct. This book was tense and unsettling from the start, but they got worse (or maybe better) in the second half and I couldn't put it down! This is what dark academia should be - challenging systemic oppression and the white supremacy embedded in academia.

**Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacted my opinion of the book**

This was an intense ride. I disliked every character in this novel and yet I was enthralled by the mystery and power of the plot. This book deals with some very heavy topics, including racism. I was so impressed by the writing style and the way that the author was able to convey the systematic racism present in society through this story of bullying and trauma.

I found myself unable to guess what would happen next and every twist and turn lead me further into the compounded problems, so that I was unravelling everything alongside the characters. It was very well constructed, in my opinion. Bravo.

What a winner. Just unputdownable. I went into the story with very high hopes and it did not disappoint. A thriller dark-academia book surrounding struggles of two teenage black students in a white-dominant academy. Devon and Chiamaka were so different yet working towards the same goal. To find who is revealing their secrets to the world. It's a YA Thriller guys, so talking about the thrill, it is written so perfectly, So well done, I'm still in the hangover of it.

WOW. WOW. WOW.

I have been screaming internally for the past few hours about this book. What a story. I'll be honest and say it took me a while to get into this book. I couldnt pick it up. Maybe because I was scared about the hype around it. Its always disappointing when a book fails to live up to the hype.

But HUNTYYYY, when I got into it, I couldnt put it down. Whew. Chile. I-.

Chiamaka and Devon are the ONLY Black students at their prestigious private school. They have their sights set on the best colleges. But one day, messages from Aces threatens to expose their darkest secrets and ruin their chances of getting to those colleges. Lord, I was suspecting everyone at every point. A fantastic book that keeps you guessing. Loved how well-paced the book is and it really does leave you in suspense at times.

This is definitely a book I wont forget for a long time. Cant wait to see what Faridah releases next! Dont keep us waiting long!

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Where do I even START with this one?! This is another June read of mine that I just never reviewed, and now I’m desperately going through my notes to try and remember what I wanted to talk about. Mental breakdowns completely fuck up every little thing in your life, huh! Who knew!!

Anyway, yes. The book!! I’ve never watched Gossip Girl in my long life of 24 years, but the author herself and also a couple of friends of mine have likened the vibes in this book to that show so make of that what you will. The setting of this book is a really prestigious private school in the States called the Niveus Academy. We follow our main characters Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo as they enter their senior year of high school. They also, incidentally, happen to the only two Black students at this academy. Which is like, totally not suspicious at all, don’t think about it.

On the first day of their senior year, Devon gets named as a senior prefect, which is very surprising, because he’s not really someone who attracts notice of any kind. And Chiamaka gets named as the Head Prefect, which is no surprise to anyone because she is a #girlboss and this was something of an inevitability. Things start taking a dark turn when someone who calls themselves “Aces” starts revealing secrets about the students to the entire school via anonymous texts. At first, it does seem a little like they’re going after everyone - kinda like in Alice Oseman’s Solitaire, you know? - but then it becomes clear that the students being targeted are Chiamaka and Devon.

The thing is, these two kids come from completely different worlds. Chiamaka is rich and her outlook on things is completely different from Devon’s. She wants to be a doctor. She’s a straight A student who is popular in the school! She fits in in that school - at least at first glance. And Devon is a scholarship kid who wants to get into Juilliard. He’s all but a recluse who does what he needs to do to get where he wants to go. It’s not really clear why someone would target them because, like, they don’t exactly have anything in common. Except that one very obvious thing we don’t want to think about.

This book, Y’ALL!!!! When I tell you it had me SCREAMING! It deserves ALL the hype it got!!!! It’s a motherfucking masterpiece and I cannot believe it even exists like that for people to read and experience like oh my GOD! Not going to lie, for the first quarter of the book, I was only mildly intrigued. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style (because, like, it seemed a little juvenile to me, and also too sharp and to the point, and not really descriptive enough, but that’s a subjective thing, I suppose), and I didn’t really get into the way I thought I would from what I’d read everyone say about this book! I thought I would be very instantly sucked in, and it felt like I wasn’t. I still kept reading, because it wasn’t ~boring~, just not as interesting as I was promised. But then, BUT THEN, things started happening and then they did not stop happening and I could not put the book down or stop the unending stream of “what the fuck”s in my head and MY GOD, WHAT A FANTASTIC, THRILLING READ!!!!!

This book literally has everything!! Queer leads, an unlikely, heartwarming friendship, an extremely engaging mystery, twists and turns that will have you at the edge of your seat, themes that make you think about the state of the world!!! EVERYTHING!! I really cannot recommend this book enough.

The thing I love about this book the most - from, like, a writer’s perspective -, is that I do not like Chiamaka as a person, but she is such an incredible character! Like I am rooting for her, and I don’t like her at all, and that almost never happens in books for me! Both these main characters make mistakes and do fucked up things, and it should make you want to not root for them, usually. But, you know, they’re just kids doing stupid shit, man. It’s just human, and that comes through and I really liked that!

I don’t want to say too much about the plot because I don’t want to give anything away, but Black oppression and white supremacy are at the center of the discussion here. It’s insane and fucked up, the stuff that happens, and the worst part? Not unbelievable. And that completely fucked with my head. Because, like, the state of the world today? I could totally picture this happening. It’s extreme and batshit, but also, IS IT REALLY? And that’s why this book is, like, one of the best books I’ve read this year because I cannot stop thinking about it, even now, four months down the line. It’s a book that’ll make you uncomfortable and kind of terrified, but it makes valid points and you’re just sitting there watching the events unfold, losing your entire shit. Like. God. What an experience! Honestly, YA thrillers and Dark Academia books have a new standard to live up to, and I’m worried it has been set too high lol.

Anyway, yes. Read it. Do yourself a favour and read it, and then buy this book for everyone you know and then make them read it and then you can all sit and scream together. And that’s really all I’ve got to say, my dudes!

There aren't words to describe just how phenomenal this book was - my favourite thriller by far! This was a gripping story the entire way through, with two incredible leading characters, discussing the institutionalized racism going on amongst them. With an outstanding twist at the end, you will be left with your mouth wide open and craving more. I will definitely be returning to this book now we're in spooky season!

TW: Racism/ Violent Racism, Homophobia/Violent Homophobia, Classism/Elitism, Drug Abuse, Sexual Assault (mentioned).

I was really excited to read this book, especially for Gothtober and the Dark Academia vibes. I loved Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl as a teen, and was really looking forward to a more inclusive version of that. This was not it. *Spoilers Ahead*

I've read through a few of the other reviews, and most of the negative ones comment on how slow the pacing of the novel is. I didn't find that as such, more that the author has worked really hard to cram a lot of important topics into two characters. Devon and Chiamaka are two of three Black kids at Niveus High, dealing with intersectional issues such as homophobia, classism, sexism etc. They're also not good people. Devon is a part-time drug dealer, and Chiamaka was involved in a hit and run that she then helped her friend cover up for. And I just didn't believe it. I didn't believe that in their final year of school, the whole school and local media turned against these students in this way. The author's intentions of commenting on the current political climate RE: Racism and Racial violence is important, discussing the systematic way White Privilege develops into rage and into violence in an accessible way is vital. But I have to believe it. And I can't believe that after four years of being at the top of her class, the whole school would finally turn on Chiamaka in this way. She's been top of the class, head prefect, science monitor, she's got her references for Yale and for what? So the school could take it away from her at the last moment? It's not that I don't believe this happens; that students of colour have to work twice as hard to get half as much as their white peers. But if a narrative is going to comment on the systematic nature of that inequality, it needs to feel systematic. This narrative spent a lot of time developing the theory that the attacks on Devon and Chiamaka are personal. It feels personal.

Belle was a great suspect, she's just nice enough not to be suspicious - and if it had just been her, or Scotty or Jeremy, I'd have been more engaged.

Something I don't usually say in negative reviews is: I wanted more of it. If this had been a series of shorter books, looking at individual characters with their individual issues, rather than one book about two characters, I think the pacing and tension would have been more evenly distributed.
And if there were individual antagonists for each book, and then a secret network at the end: that would have been powerful.

I am interested in reading more books by Àbíké-Íyímídé - as this concept has great potential, as does their writing style.