Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Pik-Ass by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

44 reviews

mostlykenny's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative 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? No

5.0

This was so moving. I recommend so many people to read this. It’s amazing and twisted. And tells you a lot about our systems today. Warning, check the trigger warnings before reading if you’re pretty sensitive to these kinds of topics. But I still think it should be read since the world isn’t alll good in real life. Fiction mirrors reality sometimes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Car accident, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Terminal illness, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, and Classism

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

emily_mh's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I don’t want to write too much about this read, because I fear I would spoil something by accident, and I truly think the best way to experience this book is to go in not knowing much about the plot, so that you’re as confused as the MCs and disocvering the trurth right alongside them. The only reason I’m giving this less than five stars is because of some pacing issues. The first half could have been tightened up more, and more time needed to be spent on the climax. There was also an aspect of one MC that felt a bit shoehorned in and underdeveloped. But other than that, this was a truly phenomenal read, both insightful and harrowing. There were so many layers to the plot and characters that Àbíké-Íyímídé artfully constructed and peeled back for the reader. I can see why everyone raves about this work, and I’m really looking forward to reading Àbíké-Íyímídé’s 2024 release.

Rep: gay Black MC, sapphic biracial Black/white Italian/Nigerian-American MC, bi SC, Black Achillean SC

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Outing, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Major: three uses of the n-slur, eugenics Moderate: imprisoned loved one, capital punishment Minor: disownment, toxic masculinity, texturism, sick loved one, suicidal ideation, disordered eating

mamatrauma's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious sad 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Classism

deepcurvesahead's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Car accident, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Blood, and Outing

Minor: Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism

kdailyreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Abandonment

Minor: Slavery, Terminal illness, Vomit, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

moniipeters's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

station12reads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

"Ace of Spades" by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is a haunting story about two Black students at Niveus Academy who, when their futures are threatened by the mysterious Aces, discover a plot that goes to the very heart of their school's identity. The entire plot is a rollercoaster of suspense, intrigue, and social commentary, expertly tackling complex themes of identity, racism, and power dynamics. Àbíké-Íyímídé fearlessly exposes the dark underbelly of privilege and discrimination, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about our society.

Both of the MCs, Devon and Chiamaka, are remarkably well-developed and relatable. Their intertwining narratives kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly yearning for more. The levels to which their so-called friends, outright enemies, and even random acquaintances go to destroy their futures stems from such a deep place of hatred and bigotry it was often painful to read. 

Overall, Àbíké-Íyímídé has crafted a gripping and socially relevant narrative that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. This book deserves all the praise it receives and more!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Gaslighting, and Classism

maverique's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Trafficking, Car accident, Death of parent, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Alcohol

goodgirlsguidetobooks's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Shocked

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Stalking

Moderate: Car accident and Gaslighting

Minor: Slavery and Suicide

rrio's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Stalking, Car accident, and Outing

Moderate: Sexual assault, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Drug use, Mental illness, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Classism