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ravina_b's review against another edition
5.0
This is potentially the most outstanding debut novel I have ever read, and the fact that Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is so young just goes to show how much potential is stored in the next generation. I'm not usually a fan of YA fiction but this is written spectacularly well, the characters were well developed and I felt that I could relate to quite a lot of the feelings experienced by our two protagonists, Chiamaka and Devon, at some point or other in my own life. There were a couple of intense themes that were tackled but they were handled tastefully and realistically, and I particularly liked how they were woven into the central plot. This book really exceeded my (already pretty high) expectations; I couldn't trust most of the secondary characters, and Àbíké-Íyímídé had me pointing the finger at almost everyone. I pride myself on being able to catch the twist(s) in thrillers, but this had me guessing until the very end. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Àbíké-Íyímídé's future work.
Massive thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Massive thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book had me hooked from the beginning and did not let me go.
I loved how we have dual POVs of Devon and Chiamaka as they both bring their own troubles and perspectives to the book and work to figure out who Aces is and why they are targeting them.
The whole book has a lot of confronting matieral (warnings can be found on Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's site.) which sets up this uncomfortable feeling when reading. There doesn't feel like a moment of rest wen reading which heightens your senses and paranoia that works so well in conjunction with the story. This atmosphere makes for each twist to hit that much more along with the ending.
I loved how we have dual POVs of Devon and Chiamaka as they both bring their own troubles and perspectives to the book and work to figure out who Aces is and why they are targeting them.
The whole book has a lot of confronting matieral (warnings can be found on Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's site.) which sets up this uncomfortable feeling when reading. There doesn't feel like a moment of rest wen reading which heightens your senses and paranoia that works so well in conjunction with the story. This atmosphere makes for each twist to hit that much more along with the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
mckeyla's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hummingbird_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
Let me start by saying: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé had me clutching my pearls, throwing side-eye and staying up at ungodly hours to constantly saying: “This book is WILD!” And if a book can make me do all that? It’s worth every minute—well, almost every minute. We’ll get to that.
You know that uneasy feeling you get in your gut when you sense something isn’t right but you just can’t put your finger on it? That’s Ace of Spades—for about 80% of the novel. The book is set in an elite private school where two Black students, Devon and Chiamaka, suddenly become the targets of an anonymous bully named “Aces” who’s spilling all their tea, airing out their messiest secrets. Think Gossip Girl, but with much higher stakes and none of the cute little “xoxo” at the end.
Àbíké-Íyímídé wastes no time throwing you headfirst into the drama. By the time I realized this wasn’t your typical high school gossip fest but something far more sinister, I was hooked like a fish on a line. You go from “Oh, high schoolers being high schoolers” to “Wait a minute, this is dangerous,” real quick. One minute, you’re reading about a bad haircut, and the next, you’re fearing for the characters’ lives. That’s range.
But—and here’s the thing—it did drag a bit in the middle. I mean, I’m here for the tension, but at one point I started questioning if we were ever going to get to the point. I caught myself zoning out a couple of times, mentally screaming, “Can we get on with it already?” There’s only so much cryptic bullying and side-eyeing I can take before I need some answers, you know? It felt like that scene in a horror movie where you know something’s about to jump out, but the music just keeps building and building… and building… until you’re like, “I’ve been ready, where’s the jump scare?”
Luckily, just when my patience was thinning, Àbíké-Íyímídé reeled me back in. The plot twists hit hard and fast, and by the end, I was convinced I could trust no one—not even my own reflection in the mirror. The tension builds so much that I swear my Apple Watch logged it as a workout.
Devon and Chiamaka are the epitome of “unwilling allies,” but their dynamic is juicy. Devon’s the quiet, talented musician with a few too many skeletons in his closet, while Chiamaka is the queen bee everyone secretly hates. It’s like watching two people from entirely different planets try to solve a conspiracy. It’s equal parts hilarious and nail-biting. I lost count of how many times I screamed at these kids through the pages, telling them to wake up and smell the conspiracy.
And let’s not even start on the themes. Racism, privilege, systemic oppression, survival—it’s all in there, but it’s woven so tightly into the story that you don’t even notice how deep it’s getting until you’re already knee-deep in the truth. This book is like a velvet-covered hammer—it hits hard, but you almost don’t feel it until you’re lying flat on the floor wondering what just happened.
So yes, it dragged a little in the middle, but it’s worth pushing through for the jaw-dropping twists. Ace of Spades is an electrifying mix of high school drama and social commentary, wrapped in a mystery that’ll have you questioning everything and everyone. If you like your thrillers dark and twisty with a side of WTF moments, this is for you. Just don’t blame me when you lose sleep.
P.S. Trust no one. Seriously.
You know that uneasy feeling you get in your gut when you sense something isn’t right but you just can’t put your finger on it? That’s Ace of Spades—for about 80% of the novel. The book is set in an elite private school where two Black students, Devon and Chiamaka, suddenly become the targets of an anonymous bully named “Aces” who’s spilling all their tea, airing out their messiest secrets. Think Gossip Girl, but with much higher stakes and none of the cute little “xoxo” at the end.
Àbíké-Íyímídé wastes no time throwing you headfirst into the drama. By the time I realized this wasn’t your typical high school gossip fest but something far more sinister, I was hooked like a fish on a line. You go from “Oh, high schoolers being high schoolers” to “Wait a minute, this is dangerous,” real quick. One minute, you’re reading about a bad haircut, and the next, you’re fearing for the characters’ lives. That’s range.
But—and here’s the thing—it did drag a bit in the middle. I mean, I’m here for the tension, but at one point I started questioning if we were ever going to get to the point. I caught myself zoning out a couple of times, mentally screaming, “Can we get on with it already?” There’s only so much cryptic bullying and side-eyeing I can take before I need some answers, you know? It felt like that scene in a horror movie where you know something’s about to jump out, but the music just keeps building and building… and building… until you’re like, “I’ve been ready, where’s the jump scare?”
Luckily, just when my patience was thinning, Àbíké-Íyímídé reeled me back in. The plot twists hit hard and fast, and by the end, I was convinced I could trust no one—not even my own reflection in the mirror. The tension builds so much that I swear my Apple Watch logged it as a workout.
Devon and Chiamaka are the epitome of “unwilling allies,” but their dynamic is juicy. Devon’s the quiet, talented musician with a few too many skeletons in his closet, while Chiamaka is the queen bee everyone secretly hates. It’s like watching two people from entirely different planets try to solve a conspiracy. It’s equal parts hilarious and nail-biting. I lost count of how many times I screamed at these kids through the pages, telling them to wake up and smell the conspiracy.
And let’s not even start on the themes. Racism, privilege, systemic oppression, survival—it’s all in there, but it’s woven so tightly into the story that you don’t even notice how deep it’s getting until you’re already knee-deep in the truth. This book is like a velvet-covered hammer—it hits hard, but you almost don’t feel it until you’re lying flat on the floor wondering what just happened.
So yes, it dragged a little in the middle, but it’s worth pushing through for the jaw-dropping twists. Ace of Spades is an electrifying mix of high school drama and social commentary, wrapped in a mystery that’ll have you questioning everything and everyone. If you like your thrillers dark and twisty with a side of WTF moments, this is for you. Just don’t blame me when you lose sleep.
P.S. Trust no one. Seriously.
danagraph's review against another edition
5.0
Fue desesperante, pero me encantó. Pensé que me iba a volver loca con tanta conspiración y admiro a Faridah por hacerme sentir tan sofocada. Fue un libro estupendo.
gingerquinn's review against another edition
3.0
I loved…
all the twists and turns
Chiamaka <3 <3
Devon’s relationship with Andre
the classic mystery/thrilller ‘trope’ of - wait.. how do you know… I didn’t tell you that part
the complex family relationships
how Chiamaka’s sexuality was approached
all the twists and turns
Chiamaka <3 <3
Devon’s relationship with Andre
the classic mystery/thrilller ‘trope’ of - wait.. how do you know… I didn’t tell you that part
the complex family relationships
how Chiamaka’s sexuality was approached
jazzreadsbookss's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
“gossip girl meets get out”
I really enjoyed this book and the heavy topics it discussed. I will say that the beginning was slow for me, and I found myself skimming chapters. I loved the connection Chi and Devon had at the end. How they teared down the school and took back what was theirs.
Excited to see what else this author has to offer!
I really enjoyed this book and the heavy topics it discussed. I will say that the beginning was slow for me, and I found myself skimming chapters. I loved the connection Chi and Devon had at the end. How they teared down the school and took back what was theirs.
Excited to see what else this author has to offer!
alyssacantread's review against another edition
5.0
WHEW CHILE!
As a Black woman who went to a private 'Christian' high school and was one of 5 Black kids, this shit hit my damn SOUL.
This was SUCH a good book to both listen to on audiobook and read terrestrially.
As a Black woman who went to a private 'Christian' high school and was one of 5 Black kids, this shit hit my damn SOUL.
This was SUCH a good book to both listen to on audiobook and read terrestrially.
thestephaniejoy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0