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onetrooluff's review against another edition
5.0
Sooooo.... I don't tend to read a lot of YA anymore, but this appealed to me because the premise was interesting. I love video games (though I've never played an MMORPG) and the issues being addressed in the novel were intriguing.
I feel that it is a personal responsibility to read outside of my own experience. I try to read lots of things by authors with different backgrounds from my own. I think this book was a great choice, because the author wrote brief, organically included explanations or definitions so that people who didn't know what a word or phrase meant wouldn't be left in the dark.
A lot of big issues got touched on here: identity politics, various philosophies on how Blacks can best achieve equality and personal success, cultural appropriation, relationships (particularly toxic ones), institutionalized racism (particularly in video games, in this case). All of it gave me a lot of food for thought. These are very hard issues and there isn't one correct answer to these questions, which is frequently acknowledged in the book.
I think the book is pretty fair with its presentation of white characters. There are true racist, bigoted dirtbags, there are people who are racist or insensitive without realizing it, and there are people actively trying to be more understanding and be better. I hope this book inspires lots of people to think about their viewpoints, their actions, and what they say - to be better.
I haven't read much YA in a while, like I said, and this is partly because I've run into some really poorly-written stinkers. This is not one of them. Brittney Morris did a great job developing her characters; they felt realistic and made realistic mistakes, and the dialogue felt natural.
My least favorite part of this book is Kiera's boyfriend, Malcolm. Good grief, he gave me the chills he was so domineering. I won't get into it too much, but even from the first introduction where Kiera said he (intentionally) based his hairstyle on Killmonger, I already wasn't sure how I was going to feel about him. A devotion to Black excellence, in itself a good thing, can take so many different forms, and sadly some of those are also misogynistic and/or anti-white to dangerous extremes.
This book really gave me a lot to think about and presented me with some viewpoints and experiences I hadn't thought about before. It was also enjoyable as a story. I'd definitely recommend it.
I feel that it is a personal responsibility to read outside of my own experience. I try to read lots of things by authors with different backgrounds from my own. I think this book was a great choice, because the author wrote brief, organically included explanations or definitions so that people who didn't know what a word or phrase meant wouldn't be left in the dark.
A lot of big issues got touched on here: identity politics, various philosophies on how Blacks can best achieve equality and personal success, cultural appropriation, relationships (particularly toxic ones), institutionalized racism (particularly in video games, in this case). All of it gave me a lot of food for thought. These are very hard issues and there isn't one correct answer to these questions, which is frequently acknowledged in the book.
I think the book is pretty fair with its presentation of white characters. There are true racist, bigoted dirtbags, there are people who are racist or insensitive without realizing it, and there are people actively trying to be more understanding and be better. I hope this book inspires lots of people to think about their viewpoints, their actions, and what they say - to be better.
I haven't read much YA in a while, like I said, and this is partly because I've run into some really poorly-written stinkers. This is not one of them. Brittney Morris did a great job developing her characters; they felt realistic and made realistic mistakes, and the dialogue felt natural.
My least favorite part of this book is Kiera's boyfriend, Malcolm. Good grief, he gave me the chills he was so domineering. I won't get into it too much, but even from the first introduction where Kiera said he (intentionally) based his hairstyle on Killmonger, I already wasn't sure how I was going to feel about him. A devotion to Black excellence, in itself a good thing, can take so many different forms, and sadly some of those are also misogynistic and/or anti-white to dangerous extremes.
This book really gave me a lot to think about and presented me with some viewpoints and experiences I hadn't thought about before. It was also enjoyable as a story. I'd definitely recommend it.
ellereadsalottt's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t believe I’m saying a YA book about a VR video game world is 5 stars, and a new favourite of all time. But I am.
This was so interesting and layered and cool.
This was so interesting and layered and cool.
candiecane333's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I was at 5/5 until the ending. <spoiler The message, the world building, characterization & culture insertion made this book amazing. What detracted was excusing & dismissing the microaggrssions by her white friends & making the ultimate villain the Black man. > spoiler
jayinbee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
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
4.75
This was a very immersive read. I finished it in around 12 hours. Being a white chick, I didn't automatically grasp all of the references but it was informative enough with context or flat-out explaining things that it wasn't an issue at all. I loved then imagery and the creativity of the game scenes. The perspectives were fantastic and inspiring. It shown a bold and direct light on some of the issues that black people deal with regularly all around the globe. I've made several references to it while talking to my husband and it has made for some good conversation. Super glad I decided to read this one.
jessbemindingmybusiness's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! The idea of a young black female gamer!
chriszook's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for the book's positive and important messages. Though overall I enjoyed the delightful story, I'm beginning to think YA literature centered on the experiences and dramas of teen girls probably isn't my thing. I also found it very unrealistic that two teenagers could've created and maintained by themselves an online VR video game as expansive and graphically sophisticated as described in the book, with hundreds of thousands of regular users around the world, without any financial resources beyond tutoring money. Games by indie developers tend to be much more modest and simpler in scope and presentation, and they still require some capital (or a substantial platform partnership) for global access and ongoing user support.
lostinfrance's review against another edition
3.0
I just happened to start this book during the latest BLM protests and I couldn't help but feel a bit relevant...I had originally grabbed this ARC bc YA and interesting premise...
This is the story of a teen who has created a game for Blacks around word--- and no one in her life knows about. In the beginning is about her juggling her two lives, but then a player is killed in real life and she finds herself having to defend the game and what it represents.
I found the book slow-- and I didn't get "invested" until \the player in her game was killed. I was a bit annoyed that she kept explaining all the black history references, but I guess if she is writing for a teen audience, I understand. I was also really disappointed in her creepy boyfriend...and the character that is the villain. But, just me.
It was a fun book, definitely not earth-shattering, but a thought provoking read.
Read if you enjoy YA and gaming and books that support minority writers because this is worth your time.
Popsugar 2020: A book about or involving social media
This is the story of a teen who has created a game for Blacks around word--- and no one in her life knows about. In the beginning is about her juggling her two lives, but then a player is killed in real life and she finds herself having to defend the game and what it represents.
I found the book slow-- and I didn't get "invested" until \the player in her game was killed. I was a bit annoyed that she kept explaining all the black history references, but I guess if she is writing for a teen audience, I understand. I was also really disappointed in her creepy boyfriend...and the character that is the villain. But, just me.
It was a fun book, definitely not earth-shattering, but a thought provoking read.
Read if you enjoy YA and gaming and books that support minority writers because this is worth your time.
Popsugar 2020: A book about or involving social media
alyssacantread's review against another edition
5.0
Ok, this was AWESOME!
Ready Player One for Black folks. Listened on audiobook and read both in less than a day, which says a lot because I generally pick books down and alternate them depending on genre. I loved reading this and I really loved this on audiobook.
Ready Player One for Black folks. Listened on audiobook and read both in less than a day, which says a lot because I generally pick books down and alternate them depending on genre. I loved reading this and I really loved this on audiobook.
emerisms's review against another edition
4.0
Are you a fan of video games? Women who take no shit and will stand up for what's right? Then Slay is the book you should be reading. I was so moved by the book that it didn't take me long to finish it. The novel follows Keira Johnson, a high school student who carries a huge secret: she developed Slay, a game for black people. After having to dealt with racist behavior from gamers of other MMORPG games, Keira took upon herself to create a safe space where black people could enjoy themselves.
Everything changes when one player is killed as a result of a conflict, related to the game. All of the sudden Slay is everywhere, and not for the good reasons. The game gets called "racist" and "discriminatory" due to not allowing white people in it. Keira will have to find a way to deal with what is happening, while at the same time, trying to keep her identity in the game a secret.
I had lots of fun reading Slay. The book is entertaining and engaging. It might be an eye-opening for some (it was for me) and comforting to others. Keira is an extraordinary character, a force of nature. She's not afraid to stand her ground, and the relationships in the books were also something else i enjoyed. From her relationship with her sister, Steph, to with her game moderator, Cicada/Claire. Another thing i should add about this book is that it's not all from Keira's POV. We also get glimpses at other characters, and understand just how important the game Slay is to them.
It's a beautiful book, one i certainly recommend if you are into gaming and strong characters. However, i should warn you, this book contains an abusive relationship (emotional), racism, violence (video game), and mention of death.
Everything changes when one player is killed as a result of a conflict, related to the game. All of the sudden Slay is everywhere, and not for the good reasons. The game gets called "racist" and "discriminatory" due to not allowing white people in it. Keira will have to find a way to deal with what is happening, while at the same time, trying to keep her identity in the game a secret.
"If black gamers want their own space online away from the eyes of the majority, let them have it. Y’all have Mummy and Legacy of Planets. Do you need to have everything?"
I had lots of fun reading Slay. The book is entertaining and engaging. It might be an eye-opening for some (it was for me) and comforting to others. Keira is an extraordinary character, a force of nature. She's not afraid to stand her ground, and the relationships in the books were also something else i enjoyed. From her relationship with her sister, Steph, to with her game moderator, Cicada/Claire. Another thing i should add about this book is that it's not all from Keira's POV. We also get glimpses at other characters, and understand just how important the game Slay is to them.
It's a beautiful book, one i certainly recommend if you are into gaming and strong characters. However, i should warn you, this book contains an abusive relationship (emotional), racism, violence (video game), and mention of death.