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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.
emailloux5's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 4.5 stars! This was my first toe dip into contemporary for 2021 and what an exceptional read to start the genre with. I learned so much about black culture and loved how Kiera’s confidence grew throughout the book. Shoutout to Kennedy for recommending it and I agree it’s a must read for everyone!
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
thebookishboymom's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
3.0
I picked this one up for the #popsugarreadingchallenge prompt “centers on video games” and while this wasn’t a winner for me, I’m really glad I picked up the audio.
There’s a side character named Steph and she was an absolute joy! Everything she said I was clapping at! She kept things real and I gotta say, I relate to that 😉
I think this book would be a hit with folks who read “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow” or “Ready Player One”.
There’s a side character named Steph and she was an absolute joy! Everything she said I was clapping at! She kept things real and I gotta say, I relate to that 😉
I think this book would be a hit with folks who read “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow” or “Ready Player One”.
alibrareads's review against another edition
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I love video games, and the discussion around inclusivity/representation/diversity in the gaming sphere is something I am familiar with. The problems Kiera faces are very relevant. This book hits on SO many aspects of being Black, including a heavy focus on why safe spaces for minorities are so important and worth protecting. And there’s also some discussion that I wasn’t expecting, like differences of opinion among Black people on what constitutes Black success and excellence in society. All of the characters played important roles in the story, whether they are supportive of Kiera or pit themselves against her and what her game represents. And Kiera herself felt like a believable teenager, with some thought spirals that I can totally see myself going down in that situation.
There were plenty of moments where I got angry and frustrated at the bad faith arguments and assumptions being made by certain people, but it was also wonderful to read about how a game like SLAY means so much to so many people. I’m just a layman when it comes to video game design, so I can’t speak to how realistic it is for someone with a high schooler’s resources to have developed a VR game with the kind of dynamic elements that SLAY has. But it sounds very fun, and it's full of black culture and love and references. I also got a dry chuckle out of the fact that everyone assumes that the developer of the game is a man, which is a whole other conversation about women in gaming that this book doesn’t get into.
Really enjoyed this!
YouTube review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtAD3...
There were plenty of moments where I got angry and frustrated at the bad faith arguments and assumptions being made by certain people, but it was also wonderful to read about how a game like SLAY means so much to so many people. I’m just a layman when it comes to video game design, so I can’t speak to how realistic it is for someone with a high schooler’s resources to have developed a VR game with the kind of dynamic elements that SLAY has. But it sounds very fun, and it's full of black culture and love and references. I also got a dry chuckle out of the fact that everyone assumes that the developer of the game is a man, which is a whole other conversation about women in gaming that this book doesn’t get into.
Really enjoyed this!
YouTube review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtAD3...