mel_karibian's reviews
71 reviews
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
5.0
I was first intrigued by this book based on the comps (gossip girl x get out) and the fact that it involved queer protagonists. From the very beginning, Ace of Spades drags you in to this dark academia thriller and refuses to let you go. With the turn of each page, I tried to figure out who was Aces and how they were operating. This story beautifully entwines what it is like to feel like an outsider looking in. Both Chiamaka and Devon are complex characters that I fell in love with and rooted for. Having the story told from both their POVs was a great way to delve into their mindset and find out more about their background. There was never a dull moment in this book and I kept finding myself taking a break so that I could admire the cover illustration (and so that I didn’t devour this book too quickly, I wanted to take my time with it!).
Faridah does a wonderful job weaving in homophobia, anti-black racism, social economic status, and what dark academia should always include: the take of microaggressions and systematic oppression.
In summary, add this book to your shelves immediately!!
Faridah does a wonderful job weaving in homophobia, anti-black racism, social economic status, and what dark academia should always include: the take of microaggressions and systematic oppression.
In summary, add this book to your shelves immediately!!
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee
5.0
“A Treasure Island Remix” and this cover brought me in like the incoming high tide waves on a rainy night. The sapphic pirates were what made me stay.
A Clash of Steel is an adventure of a lifetime, staying true to the theme of Treasure Island, while also setting sail on its own path. As a fan of Treasure Planet growing up, this retelling gave me everything I could have hoped for and more. They say family doesn’t always end in blood, and this story shines on the found family trope while giving it justice. I could read another book of Xiang and Anh’s adventures out at sea.
There was never a dull moment, never a lagging point. I found myself enthralled in the lush worldbuilding and complex characters from opening sentence to closing line.
If you like adventurous takes on classics, queer pirates, and headstrong female-led narratives. This story is just for you
A Clash of Steel is an adventure of a lifetime, staying true to the theme of Treasure Island, while also setting sail on its own path. As a fan of Treasure Planet growing up, this retelling gave me everything I could have hoped for and more. They say family doesn’t always end in blood, and this story shines on the found family trope while giving it justice. I could read another book of Xiang and Anh’s adventures out at sea.
There was never a dull moment, never a lagging point. I found myself enthralled in the lush worldbuilding and complex characters from opening sentence to closing line.
If you like adventurous takes on classics, queer pirates, and headstrong female-led narratives. This story is just for you