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cripcor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'm so glad I finally read this book it's fucking WILD. I don't think I have read a book in a Long time with such well done twists.
I'm trying to think of what I can say without spoilers but just,,,wowie. Private school drama???? Incredible. The way the author instills this sense of fear and in paranoia in both readers and characters is like, seriously insane. I never knew what was going to happen next. I was absolutely going BONKERS. Dark academia with black queer leads and mysteries and secrets!!! Incredible!!
I listened to this on audio while reading it because it is dual pov and the narration was Fantastic. Dual narrators really made me feel connected to these characters and their families like they were real people going through real events. Definitely listen to it if you can.
One thing to note is this book deals very heavily, and openly with antiblack racism. It is central to the story. It also covers many instances of homophobia and classism as well, so I would encourage readers to check trigger warnings (which are listed in the front of the book, and author's website) before reading.
All in all Faridah Àbíké Íyímídé is a wonderfully talented storyteller, I cannot wait to read more of her work!
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Car accident, and Outing
Moderate: Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
melist6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Outing, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racial slurs, Car accident, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Suicide attempt
seren's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
emsavors's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ava_jpg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Grief, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Classism
kristynpittman's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Outing, and Toxic friendship
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
royalrainboww's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, and Racism
sadie_g's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
matidareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Drug use, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury