Scan barcode
A review by bookishevy
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Friends, I can't believe this amazing read sat on my shelf for months. I couldn't get my thoughts down fast enough.
Chiamaka Adebayo and Devon Richards are the only non-white students at the prestigious Niveus Private Academy. At the beginning of their senior year, Chi is on her way to being premed at Yale, while Devon is working hard to get into Julliard. But soon after the school year begins, someone called Aces starts texting their secrets to the student body and things become increasingly dangerous as Chi and Devon realize this is more than just a game and they must stop Aces from revealing anything that could jeopardize their futures.
Thoughts while reading: Chi and Devon did things they would not like to come to light even though Devon's actions were more for survival. Chi has money, which gives her some power. So when these things start happening, she believes certain people will help her. But as a woman of color, her money can only offer her so much protection. Devon is at Niveus on a scholarship. He lives in a rough neighborhood and is used to being bullied in his own community for being gay. He's been beaten down by the system, so he's more skeptical of others and wisely so. He must learn to go with his gut to figure out who's behind this because he's the more self-aware of the two.
It becomes clear that Chi and Devon are merely being tolerated at the academy. There are a few twists that had me on the edge of my seat. Something more sinister is at play, and they can't trust anyone.
This story is an allegory for institutionalized racism. I loved that the setting is an unspecified location in the U.S. because anti-blackness is global. Àbíké-Íyímídé shows that someone being nice doesn't make them good. A racist would smile and greet you warmly as they scoff at your audacity to dream and do everything in their power to keep you back because they don't believe you deserve happiness. I spent the last 50 pages of this read dreading the outcome because the system is so rigged.
Chiamaka Adebayo and Devon Richards are the only non-white students at the prestigious Niveus Private Academy. At the beginning of their senior year, Chi is on her way to being premed at Yale, while Devon is working hard to get into Julliard. But soon after the school year begins, someone called Aces starts texting their secrets to the student body and things become increasingly dangerous as Chi and Devon realize this is more than just a game and they must stop Aces from revealing anything that could jeopardize their futures.
Thoughts while reading: Chi and Devon did things they would not like to come to light even though Devon's actions were more for survival. Chi has money, which gives her some power. So when these things start happening, she believes certain people will help her. But as a woman of color, her money can only offer her so much protection. Devon is at Niveus on a scholarship. He lives in a rough neighborhood and is used to being bullied in his own community for being gay. He's been beaten down by the system, so he's more skeptical of others and wisely so. He must learn to go with his gut to figure out who's behind this because he's the more self-aware of the two.
It becomes clear that Chi and Devon are merely being tolerated at the academy. There are a few twists that had me on the edge of my seat. Something more sinister is at play, and they can't trust anyone.
This story is an allegory for institutionalized racism. I loved that the setting is an unspecified location in the U.S. because anti-blackness is global. Àbíké-Íyímídé shows that someone being nice doesn't make them good. A racist would smile and greet you warmly as they scoff at your audacity to dream and do everything in their power to keep you back because they don't believe you deserve happiness. I spent the last 50 pages of this read dreading the outcome because the system is so rigged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Classism