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readtomea97's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really wanted to like this book but it was so full of eye rolls and just trying so hard to stay engaged. It really doesn’t pick up until about 1/3 of the way in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
aalexander8's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Toxic relationship
jennmichelle_otsr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is my first read by this author, and I devoured it in two days. I picked this book for the 2024 PopSugar Challenge for a book that centers on video games. This book is so much more than that. It deals with heavy real world issues (racism, loss, belonging, a trans character, and an abusive relationship being among them). I did not want to put it down when I had to go to bed the day I started it, and the next day I read it almost nonstop until I finished it. There were some surprises, and I really felt for these characters. They are richly drawn. I debated on the rating for this one, but since it was not predictable and because I could not put it down until I knew how it ended, I am giving it five stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Stalking, and Death of parent
There was a bit more profanity than I expected going in, but the teen characters voices ring as authentic. The various narrators helped keep me engaged throughout.maralaene's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This is an incredibly powerful story, with so many references to black culture in a ready player one style setting. My favorite parts about this story was the dialogue between characters, particularly between the two main game developers.
While this wasn’t my favorite book, I do think it was worth a read. This book celebrates black culture and female empowerment and it is so awesome to read about a super smart, badass FMC (yay math 😁) in a book about video games!
The narrators also did a phenomenal job for anyone who listens! The French POVs were awesome.
While this wasn’t my favorite book, I do think it was worth a read. This book celebrates black culture and female empowerment and it is so awesome to read about a super smart, badass FMC (yay math 😁) in a book about video games!
The narrators also did a phenomenal job for anyone who listens! The French POVs were awesome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Death and Death of parent
katelynprice's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I'm pretty sure that this book made me start playing video games again. The world-building in the game SLAY is immersive and truly remarkable. I loved this reading experience and the themes of this novel, but I had trouble setting aside some of my disbelief with the MC and her secrecy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
mythian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Racial slurs and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Transphobia
jg93's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny and Death of parent
christinakann's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
adamsbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was such a fantastic read. We follow Kira who seems like your average highschool girl, but by night she is the Queen of a fantasy world called Slay. The only catch is no one know she is the creator of the game. Being one of four black students in an all white school Kira uses Slay to be close to other black gamers. After one of the gamers is murdered in real life, Slay blows up in the mainstream media. People call the game racist, offensive, discriminatory and it's up to Kira to stop the trolls and make Slay the fantastic world it used to be.
Kira was such a fantastic character. I loved seeing her vulnerability and how she educates people around her about race. Even at the end she doesn't want to call the cops on Malcolm. The amount of police violence against black people is truly appalling. It truly shows how caring of a person Kira is she doesn't retaliate against Malcolms violence with more violence. We see a constant theme of black excellence and it was beautiful. The descriptions of the Slay universe were so detailed and made me gasp in awe.
This novel truly feels like the authors love letter to her community. I am so grateful that I was able to read this novel before Republicans ban this book for being "Racist" like they are doing to other black authors writing about black experience.
Kira was such a fantastic character. I loved seeing her vulnerability and how she educates people around her about race.
This novel truly feels like the authors love letter to her community. I am so grateful that I was able to read this novel before Republicans ban this book for being "Racist" like they are doing to other black authors writing about black experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Police brutality
This books talks about most of the mentioned content warnings in an informative way, not a derogatory way.