Ace of Spades is a compelling young adult thriller described as Gossip Girl meets Get Out by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully. When two Niveus Private Academy students, a school where money talks and in which the students are pushed to be never be anything less than perfect, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, are selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, it looks like their year is off to an amazing start. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too. Shortly after the announcement is made, though, someone who goes by Aces begins using anonymous text messages to reveal dark secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threaten every aspect of their carefully planned futures. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can't escape the spotlight when his private photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn't afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they're planning much more than a high-school game.

As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly? This is a compulsive and captivating thriller with an incendiary plot featuring shocking twists and heart-pounding suspense and delves deep into the social commentary mire with a timely exploration of institutionalised racism - in a school where all but two of the pupils are white, relentless bullying - the kind that will alter job prospects and therefore lives, and the scourge of elitism and patriarchy in society. The cast of characters is filled with multidimensional people, and I found myself feeling deep sympathy for Devon and Chiamaka who can't stop their torment without knowing who is behind it. It is a compelling, eye-opening thriller about the conflicts and contrasts between white privilege and the relentless racism and prejudice felt by many minorities. At once peeling back the layers that can mask the magnitude of systemic racism, while simultaneously weaving a nail-bitingly-plotted story that keeps you guessing from beginning to end, it is nothing short of a searing and disturbing mystery thriller. Highly recommended.

I’m calling it now: this book is going to be one of the books everyone is talking about this year. It deserves to be on so many Best of 2021 lists. Faridah has created a book that is just magnificent in every way. It’s definitely a new favourite for me.

Ace of Spades is the type of book that keeps you glued to its pages well past the murky depths of night and until the sunrise. It is practically perfect in every way.

My copy opened with an incredible, insightful author’s note on racism and how the novel is a love letter to Black kids everywhere. This instantly set the tone and atmosphere, giving me a clear insight into Faridah’s vision. I also heavily appreciated the inclusion of content warnings before the start of the book.

Ace of Spades revels in the strength of its two protagonists. I instantly loved Devon’s voice, which was so relatable and accessible. He had touches of humour to his narrative as well, with witty insights and relatable, complex and all too human messiness in his relationships and feelings. As soon as Chi’s perspective started, I was in love. She compared the high school hierarchy to a kingdom, where it’s a ruthless competition to obtain and maintain popularity and status. Overall, I feel like these two characters stole my heart away completely. They were complex, fractured people stuck in an awful, dehumanising and deadly situation and you just rooted for them with every fibre of your being. The cloying, claustrophobic and deeply unsettling environment of school is well created straight away, putting you on edge and that tension is expertly maintained throughout the book.

Faridah wastes no time getting into the very heart of the mystery. It starts pretty early on and I instantly was intrigued and wanted to know everything. The tonal similarities to Get Out in how the symbol in the assembly phased no one but Devon were genuinely chilling to read. I also really liked how Faridah wove in conversations about white privilege and the privilege of coming from wealth. The social and political commentary was so well-executed and really drove home the horrors within this system. I can only describe this book as being absolutely brilliant. It features such amazing, jaw-dropping twists that genuinely catch you by surprise. The tone, pacing and plotting is all spot on. Combined, this makes for a compelling read that dares you to try and put it down. Considering that this is a debut novel, this just makes me even more eager to devour everything Faridah creates from now on.

Ace of Spades was powerful, grounded in truth and just phenomenal. If there’s one book you pick up this year, make sure it’s this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Usborne Publishing for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.

Chiamaka and Devon are the only Black students at their exclusive, expensive, private school. Their paths don't often cross, but when an anonymous texter "Aces" starts revealing their darkest secrets to the entire school how far do they need to go to get to the bottom of it?

Described as Get Out meets Gossip Girl, this book easily lives up to and surpasses this comparison. Examining institutionalised racism, social class and sexuality, all while keeping you firmly in its grips with an artful building of suspense throughout. The pacing of the narrative hardly let me put it down. We're introduced to a rolling list of suspects as the narrative unfolds, all plausible for various reasons and all casting doubt on one another, leaving the reader on edge as a good thriller should.
The alternating points of view between our two main characters provides an interesting dynamic in the contrast of their personal lives, social standings and approach to their shared predicament, while also moving the narrative forward and providing just enough information at just the right times to keep us guessing.

This was a tense and exciting read, a perfect introduction to the thriller genre for both YA and older readers that not only gives you a complex story with a backdrop of highschool drama, but a deeper look into the institutions and members of society that benefit from and actively add to the oppression of others.

Today’s Pride Month book is one that will appeal to fans of dark teen narratives like Riverdale, Heathers, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Ace of Spades is a dual perspective novel told by Devon Richardson and Chiamaka Adebayo, the only two Black students at the prestigious Niveus Academy. Devon has always tried to keep his head down, he has focused on his music and his ambition to receive a scholarship to Juilliard. His family lives on “the wrong side of the tracks” where he shares a bed with his brothers, never speaks to his incarcerated father, and tries to support his overworked mother by picking up occasional work dealing drugs. Chiamaka, on the other hand, has spent the last few years as a prefect and has just been awarded the role of head girl now she is a Senior. She dreams of studying medicine at Yale and wants for nothing other than the crown at the upcoming Snowflake Ball. However, she is carrying a terrible secret that only her best friend knows about.

On their first day as Seniors, the entire student body at Niveus starts to receive anonymous text messages from someone calling themself Aces. Devon is publicly outed when pictures of him kissing a boy from the football team are circulated. Chiamaka is falsely accused of shoplifting. Whoever is behind the texts seems to know everything – including Chiamaka’s deepest secret and they appear to be specifically targeting the two Black students. Devon and Chiamaka must team up to discover who is behind the Aces mask before their worlds both come crashing down around them.

Ace of Spades is a powerful novel about the real effects of systemic racism within influential institutions. Within only a few chapters, you begin to feel Devon and Chiamaka’s increasing paranoia as they find themselves unsure about who they can trust. Their friends, teachers, and neighbors all become suspects and while I personally had figured out who was behind the Aces mask long before the big reveal, this did nothing to reduce the genuine anxiety I felt whilst reading as I hoped the two protagonists would have the same realization soon.

I did find the ending of this book to be a little disappointing. What promised to be an explosive showdown at the story’s climax ended up fizzling out less dramatically than I had hoped, and the epilogue wrapped things up a little too neatly for my tastes, but this was a minor concern and even taking this into consideration, I still ended up rating Ace of Spades five stars.

I’ll admit that Ace of Spades was an uncomfortable read for me as a white reader, but I can only imagine that it would be so much worse for Black readers who have most likely faced situations similar to those experienced by Devon and Chiamaka. I urge white readers to pick this up to gain some insight into how uncomfortable and genuinely dangerous life can be when you are one of the only Black faces in a sea of white privilege.

GeekMom received a copy of this book for review purposes.

TW: Racism, Homophobia, Bullying, Car Accident, Mentions of Suicide Attempt, Slut Shaming, Stalking, Attempted Murder, Sexual Harassment, Cheating, Misogyny.

I got an arc for this from NetGalley.

I picked this book up, because the cover is absolutely gorgeous and this book was marketed as Gossip Girl meets Get Out. I both love these a lot. I also got some Dear White People and Control Z vibes, I don't know if that's just me tho. However I had to know how that would play out in a YA book with a private high school setting.
I started reading this as a way to start off pride in the best way since both the main characters, it's dual POV, are part of the LGBTQ+ community since Devon is gay and Chiamaka is queer.

I was also crying when I read the little author's note in the beginning, especially I grew up being one of the two black kids at school and I could relate so much to especially Chiamaka, but also to Devon quite a bit. It was so amazing to see myself in these characters. Although sometimes also quite annoying when they did things that I saw myself do as a teen and I just cringed. However those feelings of not entirely fitting in or changing the way that I acted, and the way I looked (like my hair) around people that were supposed to be my besties. Or feeling invisible when everyone clearly knew me, just because I was as one of the only black kids not that hard to spot. All for them to turn around years later and just be straight up racists.

This book didn't hold back like we immediately got into the sinister mess and destruction that is the Aces. It was extremely fast paced and it felt like every chapter something happened and the texts just got more and more vile and all the actions just got more elaborate and just down right disgustingly criminal.

There were quite a lot of rage inducing scenes that made my blood boil. Of course, that's always the case when it comes down to racism, but definitely also because I just really wanted differently for Devon and Chiamaka. Especially since I love them so much and the people that hurt them were people that they felt like they could trust but no. With some people there were little things that got under my skin as I read the scene and some just confused me. And it also made me aware once again that as a teen things like racism are very complicated and sometimes so hard to tell when it's in a environment where you're supposed to feel safe and protected and I felt like Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé really wrote those complex feelings and doubts so well.

Besides Chiamaka and Devon, I really loved Terrell and Dre and the goofy parents of Chiamaka, especially in the way that you can see their relationship with the main characters play out. The parents of Chiamaka brought a bit of light into the book, as in without these characters it would've been a heavy one the entire time. I also kept on flip-flopping between who this mystery man named Terrell really was so how that played out was actually very intense, but extremely effective. And Dre, ohmygod, the way that last scene ended was heartbreaking on top of an already emotional scene, like I was not okay, but it did really help me understand his character more and it just solidified their relationship for me as well. I don't want to talk about the other characters since I will spoil the book and a lot of twists, if I go into how I feel about those characters. Just read the book and find out...

4.5 wonderful stars to this book.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is a fast-paced, dark and twisty YA debut that addresses some very important themes and does a social commentary on racial discrimination along with a very thrilling mystery.

I am not going to lie, I think I read like 200 pages in one sitting ? And it is not something that often happens so you can see how unputdownable this was. I can confidently say that this book just raised the bar higher for YA.
At first, things started in a very trivial manner but as you keep reading you will realize that there are so many layers to what only seemed to be like a Highschool story at first. I also loved how Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé brutally showed us destructive nature of white supremacy, institutionalized racism interwoven with educational gatekeeping, socioeconomic status, elitism and classism in academia.

Every revelation made me gasp in utter disgust and horror. This book is not only a fiction but a slice of what every black person goes through in real life.

Conclusion - Along with being an incredible debut, Ace of Spades is also a very important book. It is thought provoking and stunning with a lot to unpack. I think everyone should read this !

I received a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review thanks to NetGalley and Usborne YA.

This is another book with trigger warnings at the beginning! I’m hoping this’ll become a new norm for books!

First off, holy shit this is so fucked up! Second, THAT ENDING!!

I wasn’t sure whether i’d like this or not as it seemed like it was going to fall into the literary category but thankfully it didn’t!

It follows Chiamaka and Devon, the only black students at Niveus Private Academy. They’re also the only students being targeted by Aces, an anonymous texter revealing their dark secrets.

Tbh, I didn’t really think there would be much to Aces, maybe just a high school prank by some jackass. However, there is more to it all than meets the eye.

It honestly shocked me when the whole reveal happened with who Aces was and how it all happened! So fucked up!

But that ending, it had me shook!! I would just love to know what happens right after that moment!!

This was incredible... like wow. So many important aspects of inequality have been explored. THE DEPTHS OF IT ALL. I truly could NOT put this book down, I really had to force myself! The story made you feel like you can't trust anyone out there. What a phenomenal and captivating debut novel on the sad reality of institutionalised racism and the power of white supremacy.

Ace of Spades was one of my most anticipated release of the year so I am so excited that not only was it an amazing book but also it has definitely become one of my top reads of the year. Described as Gossip Girl meets Get Out, this was definitely going to be amazing but its even more good than I thought it would be.

The Story

The story follows Chiamaka and Devon, recently elected head girl and prefect of Niveus High school. Chiamaka is the popular and confident IT girl of the school who will take whatever it is to stay at the top of the school. Devon is a quiet student interested in music and away from the attention. Anonymous messages start pouring revealing secrets about them which threaten to destory them and this seems to happen only with Chiamaka and Devon and in what follows is a haunting mystery which will keep you on the edge of your seat. This had got me hooked right from page one and the mysterious vibes were present on every page which keep you invested throughout. It was a terrifying story which talks about racism, elitism, secrets and white supremacy. With plot twists which will leave you awed and good writing, this book will instantly pull you in.

The Characters

The characters in this book are so well written and fleshed out. Every character has a part to play and it kind of feels like puzzle pieces coming together the way the characters fit in with the story and carry the plot forward. Chiamaka is Nigerian-Italian who is the head girl and popular and is confident and unapologetic. Devon is Black American student who loves music and just wants to get into college. When anonymous messages pour in specifically targeting them they reluctantly team up to find out the person behind this. Their stark personalities were so well explored and it gave two perspectives to the story. The supporting characters were all so good and as I said before the characters just fits. The combination of the haunting story and formidable characters make this book absolutely stunning.

Stunning writing with atmospheric plot

The writing of this book is such that it pulls you in and keeps you intrigued. There was not a single dull moment in the book. There was an air of mystery and this atmospheric vibe of the book mixed with the stunning writing makes it so hard to stop reading once you start. It’s full of twists and turns gives you the impression of watching a movie. It’s unexpected and haunting and will leave you flabbergasted. It will kind of creep up on you and surprise you.

Thematic

This book talks about institutionalized racism, elitism, class, race, sexuality and white supremacy. It doesn’t just discuss these themes but digs deeper and questions everything and it was compelling and downright chilling. If you think you know what’s going to happen, then no you don’t because this book will surprise you in the best way and will leave you moved. It discussed racism for what it is- that it is structural and micro-aggressions can start from just one person. It also shows classism and how it closely tied to racism. Chiamaka was from the rich neighborhood and the way she perceives society is different from Devon who comes from a poorer neighborhood. The story also shows two different queer experiences for Chiamaka who is bisexual and Devon who is gay and how all this ties up to show two different experiences and challenges. This book also discusses friendship and hope and family and it is all tied up really well.

Overall, Ace of Spades is a chilling and haunting story about two teens with excellent mystery and thriller elements, formidable characters and continuous plot twists which will keep you hooked and intrigued. While also talking about racism and elitism and white supremacy, this book will shock you and will definitely make you a fan.

Thank you the the author and publisher for providing me with an eARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Ace of Spades is a gripping read, but one which I wish wasn’t needed. I’m so grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for letting me read this before publication, and I can’t wait to get a physical copy in school.
Our story focuses on Devon and Chiamaka, two students at the prestigious Niveus Academy. They are both determined students, with high hopes and ambitions...but acutely conscious they have to work harder than some of their peers. When they return to school for their Senior Year things start well...but the year quickly takes a turn for the worse.
Someone calling themself Aces begins to send messages to the student body. They threaten to expose secrets that Devon and Chiamaka desperately want to keep hidden. Initially it seems fairly standard bullying...but we soon realise they are the only students targeted and they are both black. There is, sadly, more to this than we might first think.
What started out as a rather obvious high school bullying story soon takes a much darker turn. A little digging and our two students realise that this is systematic racism, and it has been happening annually since 1965. Nothing has been challenged - so we are, of course, right behind Chiamaka and Devon as they attempt to bring down whoever is behind this.
Once we focused on the bigger picture I couldn’t help but feel anger to my core that this could ever be allowed/encouraged, and that so many were complicit in ensuring no harm came to those responsible. Standing by and allowing it to happen is just as bad as instigating it.

This was SO GOOD.

Exciting and captivating. I did NOT expect this book to go the way that it did.

Ace of Spades follows two main characters. Devon, a caring and kind boy who hides from the spotlight, and Chiamaka, the head girl who will do anything to achieve what she wants. Their characters are both so well established and developed, I loved both of their perspectives equally!

When their deepest secrets start to surface, they find that they can trust no one but themselves.

Let’s talk about the plot itself. Unique and intriguing. The plot twists made my jaw literally drop to the ground. And there were parts where I got literal CHILLS (at one point I was scared of the dark because of this book, I wish I was kidding).

So, the book really started to get amazing after the 60% mark. Despite the action and conflict being introduced quite early on, the beginning was not anything impressive (this explains the 4.5 stars instead of 5). However, this changed SO QUICKLY! Believe me when I say that Ace of Spades gets better and better as you read on. You won’t regret it.

There is really not much to say apart from… I had SO MUCH FUN reading this book! It’s really addictive - I finished it in one sitting.

This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy from this book.

What a truly phenomenal debut by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé! I wouldn't normally choose a thriller but I am so glad that I was given a chance to read this ARC because I literally couldn't put it down. I kept trying to grab snatches where I could read a little more whilst at the same time desperately not wanting it to end!

So many twists and turns that draw you in. The two main characters, Devon and Chiamaka are pole opposites but completely believable and I was so invested in both of them as they strove to uncover the Aces mystery. I was surprised and horrified by the truth, and particularly the scope of the truth. Faridah has absolutely not shied away from dealing with huge and serious topics in this: racism, bullying, sexuality, homophobia, police violence, white supremacy and privilege.

It was such a thrilling, enlightening read and I will 100% be recommending this to everyone I know!

This is potentially the most outstanding debut novel I have ever read, and the fact that Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is so young just goes to show how much potential is stored in the next generation. I'm not usually a fan of YA fiction but this is written spectacularly well, the characters were well developed and I felt that I could relate to quite a lot of the feelings experienced by our two protagonists, Chiamaka and Devon, at some point or other in my own life. There were a couple of intense themes that were tackled but they were handled tastefully and realistically, and I particularly liked how they were woven into the central plot. This book really exceeded my (already pretty high) expectations; I couldn't trust most of the secondary characters, and Àbíké-Íyímídé had me pointing the finger at almost everyone. I pride myself on being able to catch the twist(s) in thrillers, but this had me guessing until the very end. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Àbíké-Íyímídé's future work.

What an absolutely stunning book, unbelievably by a debut author. The author sites gossip girl as an inspiration, but it’s so much more meaningful than that. I was drawn into this story instantly and could not put it down, within a few hours I was finished. The two main characters are extremely well written. I will 100% be ordering myself a physical copy as I envision this will be added to the list of books i constantly re read
I won’t say much more as I don’t want to accidentally spoil this book for anyone but I would 100% recommend.

Apparently 2021 is the year that I pick out really excellent YA books to request as ARCs, because wow this was amazing. It's extremely well-written with an interesting, fast-paced plot, and characters that are relatable and feel real to boot. There were parts in this book that hit so hard, because they described feelings I remember having as a teenager (and sometimes still have if I'm being honest). Devon especially completely stole my heart, and I was so invested in him and his journey. His pain and grief was palpable throughout the story.

I won't say too much about the plot; it's a mystery thriller so the less you know, the better. I guessed some of the twists but others took me by surprise, and I didn't even mind the ones I did figure out because it was just so well executed. Can't wait for the author's next book.

My overall impression? I'm horrified that we live in a world where this story is not unbelievable. I can absolutely believe that there are places and people who would do this.

I liked our characters. I admit the book messed me up so bad I suspected everyone at different times, but I liked the two main characters and a few of the side people. No spoilers!

I would almost definitely. I never like to say 'definitely' about anything, but I can't see any reason I wouldn't read her again. I enjoyed this and I'd like to see what else she has up her sleeve.

At the start, this read like many other YA novels taking inspiration from Gossip Girl but it turns out that it is way more than that. A truly gripping story where you never know who to trust. Made me angry at the fact that, while this books is fiction, similar things have happened, and are still happening, around the world. Thoroughly good read that you would never have guess would be written by a debut author. Recommend to anyone wanting a twisty story with well-thought through characters.

When I requested Ace of Spades I was looking forward to reading it, but I didn't expect to love it this much. This book hit me very hard. It was powerful and thought-provoking, and in that sense it reminded me of The Hate U Give.

The story starts as a YA mystery, but it becomes much more as the story goes on. The book is compared to Gossip Girl and, while I can see the similarities, I think it's also a little unfair because the message here is much more impactful. There are a lot of important themes explored, mainly racism and bullying but also white supremacy and police violence. Some scenes were hard to read, and the truth about what was actually going on was truly terrifying.

The two main characters, Chiamaka and Devon, were great. They were completely opposites, they had different goals and different challenges they had to face, but I loved them both equally. I suffered and was scared for them a lot of the time. I also adored seeing their friendship grow through the story.

All in all, this was a phenomenal debut. I can't wait for everyone to read and love it!

Devon never normally interacts with Chiamaka, they don’t really have much in common other than being black in a traditionally white school. In fact, he tries to avoid being noticed by most people at his school but especially the popular people who bask in the limelight like Chiamaka. But someone has a hidden agenda, and they’ve set their sights on not only embarrassing them but completely obliterating their reputation and spirit.

I know I was going to like this book when I requested it, but I wasn’t expecting to be so invested in the twisty mystery of the vile scheme. It was fascinating. Àbíké-Íyímídé cleverly reels you in chapter by chapter until you are like the main characters, floundering around trying to work out the hidden agenda before the sky falls out of their world, and you are stunned by the scope of the story. It’s a masterpiece in pacing.

Wow, just wow!

When I read the description as  “Gossip Girl meets Get Out” I thought oh, well, publicity but I was wrong, that's a perfect description of the book.
As a huge fan of gossip girl I knew I just had to read this not to mention everyone seemed to be talking about it. So, thanks to Netgalley and Usborne YA for the advanced copy.

I got hooked from the very first chapter of this book and it felt like I was right there with Devon and Chiamaka. Chiamaka is just vibes!! She's unapologetic for being her and a beautiful character to read about.

Ace of Spades tells the story of two teens, Devon and Chiamaka, in their final year at an elite private school. One a scholarship student and the other as rich as the rest of the student body, they have nothing in common but for the colour of their skin. Then Aces shows up ready to divulge the secrets of the students in a Gossip Girl way and I really don't want to give out spoilers 😂😂.

A lot of themes are explored in this book and they take nothing away from the story. Themes like bullying, homophobia, racism, sexuality among others were explored beautifully. The suspense is also lovely, there were so many times I was crazy worried about the two characters and also paranoid on their behalf. I also found the reveal thrilling and insane. Everything made sense at the end and I hope everyone reads this.
It's unbelievable that this is a debut novel and I look forward to reading more books by the author 😊.