maryam162424's review against another edition
4.0
*3.75 stars* this just wasn't a 4 in my eyes for some reason!! The mystery was amazing and I totally didn't see the ending coming, I just think this book wasn't MY cup of tea. I did like Nikki's character and the plot was interesting as well! I think some people will really enjoy it, i was just a bit detached I guess! Still a good read.
zeeeniiia's review against another edition
3.0
I dont know if I liked this book or did'nt, but it was'nt bad. Full of suspense, but ending was not my favourite.
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
Just didn't buy much of the premise: not denying the mob isn't involved in Vegas casinos, or that a teen can't be great at poker but there are moments here, particularly those involving The Big Secret that just felt too forced. Nikki was a good character but the others were fairly one-dimensional, which isn't unusual in a mystery/adventure but this would have been far stronger with more character development.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
4.0
Pop Sugar’s 2017 Reading Challenge - A book by a person of color
azagee's review against another edition
4.0
Don't read if you're looking for solid romance or character study. Absolutely do read if you're looking for fiercely intelligent women, the mad gambits of organized crime, and a hazy noir version of Vegas.
steel_city_peach's review
4.0
Gritty
This story was packed full of drama. It was a lot to take in. At times, the storyline got really dark. I loved how strong and fearless Nikki was throughout the book. I don’t know how believable her heroics were, but it made for an interesting read. The suspense was thick. I was racing to see how it would all unfold. I liked that there wasn’t a fairytale ending. There was a fair and just ending. Lamar Giles is an amazing storyteller. I have become such a big fan of his work.
This story was packed full of drama. It was a lot to take in. At times, the storyline got really dark. I loved how strong and fearless Nikki was throughout the book. I don’t know how believable her heroics were, but it made for an interesting read. The suspense was thick. I was racing to see how it would all unfold. I liked that there wasn’t a fairytale ending. There was a fair and just ending. Lamar Giles is an amazing storyteller. I have become such a big fan of his work.
kalena_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This book was actually pretty interesting. I read this in 2017 but it was a very well thought out book. I normally don't read books that have to do with urban things, but this one overturned (haha get it) a new leaf for me.
This book is about a girl who her father runs a casino and she has to deal with all the repercussions that this causes. She has also learned to gamble, watching her father do it over and over despite her father telling her not to.
When bad things start to happen to her family she has to try and gamble her way out of it, all the while watching her back from the gangs wandering around her neighborhood.
This book is about a girl who her father runs a casino and she has to deal with all the repercussions that this causes. She has also learned to gamble, watching her father do it over and over despite her father telling her not to.
When bad things start to happen to her family she has to try and gamble her way out of it, all the while watching her back from the gangs wandering around her neighborhood.
ravencrantz's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
This was not what I expected. Partly in a good way, partly in a bad way. I thought it would focus on Nikki and her dad trying to figure out who framed him, but the first half of this book focused very heavily on Nikki and her love life. We followed her gushing about a crush, and their first date, being paired together on a class project. Typical YA tropes. It was done well, it's just not my thing and I don't like it when I go into a book expecting one thing and then get this. Thankfully, the second half focused on murder plots and detective work.
One thing I really appreciated was Nikki asking for help. Sure she tried to do things on her own first, but when she realized she needed help, she wasn't afraid to ask for it. Her friends were always there for her, and when she realized her mom was hurting just as much as she was, she made amends. She's such a great character and feels so real, this may have been an impulse read, but for once I'm glad it happened.
The only real thing that bugged me (other than tropes, I understand why those are included) was brand dropping. I'm never a fan of brand dropping in media because it can so easily date the story. What happens when Uber is no longer a thing? What happens when people no longer care about iPhones? The only time this works is when authors purposely use something outdated, usually to make a point (I think Jay Asher talked about this with Thirteen Reasons Why, but that book is full of its own problems).
Overall this was a good book! The writing was smooth and entertaining, and once plot started happening, I didn't want to put the book down. It definitely made me interested in his other books too, so I look forward to reading those.
This was not what I expected. Partly in a good way, partly in a bad way. I thought it would focus on Nikki and her dad trying to figure out who framed him, but the first half of this book focused very heavily on Nikki and her love life. We followed her gushing about a crush, and their first date, being paired together on a class project. Typical YA tropes. It was done well, it's just not my thing and I don't like it when I go into a book expecting one thing and then get this. Thankfully, the second half focused on murder plots and detective work.
One thing I really appreciated was Nikki asking for help. Sure she tried to do things on her own first, but when she realized she needed help, she wasn't afraid to ask for it. Her friends were always there for her, and when she realized her mom was hurting just as much as she was, she made amends. She's such a great character and feels so real, this may have been an impulse read, but for once I'm glad it happened.
The only real thing that bugged me (other than tropes, I understand why those are included) was brand dropping. I'm never a fan of brand dropping in media because it can so easily date the story. What happens when Uber is no longer a thing? What happens when people no longer care about iPhones? The only time this works is when authors purposely use something outdated, usually to make a point (I think Jay Asher talked about this with Thirteen Reasons Why, but that book is full of its own problems).
Overall this was a good book! The writing was smooth and entertaining, and once plot started happening, I didn't want to put the book down. It definitely made me interested in his other books too, so I look forward to reading those.
elephant_mouse's review against another edition
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Murder, and Alcoholism