Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Ace of Spades

It's not a grand happy ending but I am relieved the characters find some peace and love at the end of the road. I do not think the author could have explained how deep systemic racism can run in a more simplistic plot. It does not get better and it IS that fucked

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haleysversion's review against another edition

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dark mysterious 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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fragilelikejas's review against another edition

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mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.5

ngl i thought this had a prominent aspec character but that’s on me for assuming…

Fiction that shows black children/teens Realizing firsthand how anti-black racism impacts them is always heartbreaking to consume.

I liked Devon’s character a lot! Chiamaka i feel for u but my tolerance for how she Moved and Thought would’ve been hard for me to relate to her through if i was in this situation w her… the consequences of being biracial i guess… (/hj)

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niftyreads's review against another edition

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5.0

Audiobook review:
Excellent. Fantastic. Perfection. Did I expect less? No. Read it with your eyes or ears - an exceptional book.

OG review:
“How do you stop and unknown enemy?” Even reading that gives me chills as I think about moments in ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. Honestly, what a fantastic book in every sense of the way. I stayed up way past my bedtime reading each night, but especially last night when I finished because I had to know who Aces was and what was going to happen to Chiamaka and Devon. If I had to describe this in a simple way I would say combine Gossip Girl and Get Out then make it Black, queer, and incredibly thought provoking - sounds amazing, doesn’t it? It was.

ACE OF SPADES is Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s debut novel. I’m now a full-fledged fan of hers. She will be an auto-buy author for me because this book was a thriller that kept my heart beating at every twist and turn. I was completely enraptured by her writing. She made two very distinct voices with Chiamaka and Devon and their alternating points of view that told the story. And I especially loved her author’s notes at the end of the book, which was a personal touch, but still kept you thinking about the important points that novel made.

For the ya genre, this book deals with so many important topics such as bullying, classism, racism, and homophobia, and Àbíké-Íyímídé did this extremely well in mixing them into a thriller that keeps you hooked. The story grasps you and doesn’t let go. The thriller keeps you on your toes, but the essence of it makes you think. It’s perfect. It’s a must-read. Pick up ACE OF SPADES, it’s fantastic, I promise.

Content Warnings: (per author in book, but more can be found on her website) racism, homophobia, bullying, and suicidal ideation

Thanks so much to Bookish First for the book to review!

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alexashabit's review against another edition

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dark 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? Yes

2.25

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jester_k's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious

5.0

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loopread's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.5

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