Ace of Spades is a twisty, gripping queer YA academic thriller confronting the themes of systemic racism and white supremacy that leaves you shocked and disturbed. It’s about two Black students fighting for their future in an institution and surroundings hell bent on bringing them down.

Switching between two POVs — Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo — Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé does a great job at providing distinct character voices. They showed the different, contrasting experiences of minorities (Chiamaka being rich and biracial, Devon being poor) and perceptions of the society.

Chiamaka, outspoken and arrogant, willing to do whatever it takes to be on top and be not be considered as other. She gave major Blair Waldorf vibes in the beginning chapters. I loved that through her character we’re shown how Black people have to bury their real selves and conform to white societal standards; from changing their hairstyle to policing of Black bodies. The story also explores Chi’s sexuality, how she only had boyfriends to maintain a status and later come to an understanding of the kind of relationship she wants.

Devon with passion for music, saw the world for it was and deals with all its unfairness, racism and classism if it means he could support his family. His character explores what it means to be Black and gay for him, being a scholarship student.

They are both complex and flawed characters with clear motives. Seeing their friendship evolve, based off a need to survive and finding comfort in being Black, is a smooth transition. They didn’t get along at first but you see how they gradually start looking out for each other because they’re the only ones who can do so. I really enjoyed reading from both their perspectives, giving the story a smooth narrative.

The story is well paced. As the Aces start playing out their vile cards, xoxo gossip girl style, it becomes engrossing and addictive, the exact feeling as watching a mystery show and wanting to know what worse happens next. It’s genius, how all the clues and text messages are dropped and continue to mess up things for our protagonists. It made me anxious because I soon realised nobody could be trusted.

What’s more genius is how Faridah incorporated social commentary along with the thrill. The book grapples with a whole lot of horrifying but relevant facts. Academia is majorly white washed and classist, in desperate need of diversification and Faridah does exactly that. She challenges the prejudice the characters, or even people in the real world, face due to racism, classism, elitism and homophobia.

It unapologetically explores the terrible nature of white supremacy, institutionalized racism and educational gatekeeping that takes a toll on the lives of Black people. We’re shown the various micro and macro aggressions faced by them simply for having a darker skin colour. The injustice Devon and Chi face from people they considered friends and family is rattling to read about not just because its fiction but because it a harsh reality.

I applaud that the book included using social media as a tool for activism and raising awareness or educating the masses. The queer romantic subplots and their emotional impacts were the happy moments in the book.

My only tiny complaint is that the climax felt too easy. With a great build-up I expected a strong way of outing the antagonists but it was wrapped up quickly. I wouldn’t want it go a different way but I would’ve liked if it was prolonged a bit. But! The epilogue is brilliant!! The perfect, twisted ending a book like Ace of Spades could’ve got.

Thrilling and provoking, Ace of Spades is a debut sure to take over the hearts of readers. If you’re looking for a mystery/thriller book with a dark academia setting and exploration of relevant themes in the most realistic way, I cannot recommend this enough to you!

This was my first Dark Academia book and HOLY MOLY SMOKES!!

I can’t even begin to articulate exactly what EXACTLY happened in this brilliant dark academia book!

Chiamaka is a planner - she is; on the top of the school and she is finally on the verge of getting her best friend to understand that they are meant to be together. Devon, on the other hand, comes from the wrong part of the town, is a talented musician and while he is out in the school, he is not out to his own mother.

Both Chiamaka and Devon have one thing in common - they are both the only black students in the Niveus Private Academy, an all white privileged private school.

It’s their senior year - Chi’s need to shine, to be the best while Devon just wants to put his head down, get into Julliard and make the sacrifices his mother makes, all worth it.

Everything is going relatively smoothly until an anonymous person slowly starts unravelling each secret that Chi and Devon have to the entire school; one by one.


I would tell you more, but trust me, you have got to go in blind - the anxiety, the nail biting tension that starts off from the first page and doesn’t let you go, not for a second while you are reading it.

The Dark Academia is a recently popularised genre - and it’s certainly a new one for me - however this debut, the way it handles the topics of social eugenics and institutionalised white supremacy had me in awe. It questions everything from privilege to racism to ingrained white supremacy in established institutions through the eyes of not just marginalised community of Color but also from the Queer lens!

If you are a fan of this genre, then you should know Ace of Spades is a *MUST* read book. And if you are a newbie like yours truly; pick this one up, I would bet half my library that you wouldn’t be disappointed!

rating: 4.5★

if you've already read this book and/or don't mind !spoilers!, i would like to implore you to check out kimberly's review as an ownvoices reader who related quite a bit to what the characters in this book go through.

ace of spades is a dark, twisty and gripping ya novel that addresses timely themes and issues along an unputdownable thrilling mystery that leaves you appalled, sad and, quite honestly, horrified.

whew. much to unpack.

first of all, i went into this book only knowing it includes qpoc in dark academia. and oh how it's so, so much more. the themes and social commentary that are tackled in this story are so heavy and timely as it sadly still exists in today's society, although the way the author does it is incredibly and seamlessly woven in a ya mystery novel.

right off the bat, the language, style and aura of this book all are very accessible—suitable for every step as young adult. i even felt it to read like a high school chick flick in the first chunk of this book, which strangely grew on me the more i read as i figured out it was intentional for the voice of the story to be presented that way.

having that somewhat light highschool atmosphere was only momentary though, as layers of adversity started piling up one after the other of what these 2 black characters face, whatever they do. the book grapples so much more than what it appears to, exploring being both queer and black, and the sinister, destructive nature of white supremacy and institutionalized racism interlaced with educational gatekeeping, socioeconomic status, elitism and classism in academia, etc etc.

i thought it so important to have that contrast of the two different financial sides; rich (chiamaka) and poor (devon) black people are still black and still have to face the same prejudice. no matter how much generational or old power and money have to do with it, there's no exceptions to white supremacy. it showed how brutal it can really be even as high school students or kids in a playground, the only thing they could trust in a drenched-in-whiteness environment is their family and their own marginalized community.

i’m awestruck at how the author managed to incorporate so many layers and complexities to her social commentary and to "say it how it is." the main plot is heavily built on the theme of racism, but sub-plots and tangents also showcased how it manifests itself in many ways; we see these characters go through micro and macro aggressions on almost every page from the way they're treated at their school from their own "friends" to the way a cop interrogates them when he stops their car on the road or when the media is silent when they ask for help. society will condemn and guilt them no matter what in every narrative.

the racial injustice—to put it lightly—that chiamaka and devon had to face every single day of their lives with every white person they thought of as a friend or a lover, it was all very horrifying to read about—knowing that this is not a piece of wild fiction, it is nothing but a resemblance of the truth and a slice of what black people have to go through in their daily lives.

on top of all of that, our 2 black heroes were incredible. i loved reading them from a pov where they didn't hinder and persevere, they picked each other up despite not coming from the same social background but found solace and comfort being from the same marginalized group. especially chiamaka who i admired a lot, that through everything she had to navigate, she still always had a sliver of hope and faith to pull through. she believed in herself, in her heritage, in fighting for her future and her friends and her family. and devon who had the kindest, warmest heart; i loved how it was included that social media can be used for activism and raising awareness, next to how traditional media often fails to be as transparent.

the ending lowkey made me cry happy and sad tears.

throughout all of this, the storyline managed to bring some funny, relatable moments to make up by light-hearted scenes. the mystery and thriller aspect of this novel was exciting and gripping; my heart was racing, i gasped and had my jaw dropped several times throughout reading... but i don't believe that's where the shine of the story really lies. the themes it tackled definitely take the cake and i do believe that everyone must read this book.

trigger warning: death, car accident (hit and run), racism, homophobia, mention of n word, fetishization, physical violence, drugs/drug trade, alcohol consumption, stalking, white supremacy — may add more.

— digital arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely incredible. It was so eye opening and memorable. The writing and story telling is so engaging, and that in combination with the fast-moving, shocking plot made me unable to put it down. I loved the queer representation in this book, and I also loved how the mystery wasn’t the whole plot, but rather the focus was on prominent issues in society that still occur today. An amazing debut novel, I will definitely be picking up her next book!

I made a playlist of the songs I listened to whilst reading this book, you can find it here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3CUD5q2cjktf8R0Z2Zk7Ho?si=kPcg395ZSpO20HQ2mW9VFA

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Usborne for an ARC of this book.

Ace of spades follows the only two black students, Chiamaka and Devon, at Niveus Private Academy. They are in their final year and looking forward to their future prospects. Unfortunates Aces, an anonymous person at school, has different ideas and starts spreading secrets and lies about the two students.

This book was both thrilling to read and very difficult to read. This book looks at institutional racism and boy do you want the main characters to get one over on the culprit of their torment. It is hard to go into too much detail without spoilers.

I enjoyed the dual perspective of this and how different the two characters were. I also liked that they had made decisions in the past that they were not proud of but that didn't stop them trying to get what they wanted from life.

In this teen thriller inspired by the Gossip Girls series, Chiamaka and Devon are the only Black students at a posh private school; the narrative is told in alternating chapters from their points of view. They hardly know each other and certainly aren’t friends – Chiamaka is beautiful and popular with a ‘whatever it takes’ mentality, and Devon is a quiet gay musical student who takes care of his mother as best he can. But then text messages from ‘Aces’ begin with gossip about secret details from Chiamaka’s and Devon’s lives. Who is sending these messages, and what is their agenda?

While I enjoyed the book, and loved the empathetic portrayal of LGBTQ characters, I thought it became bogged down in a systemic conspiracy theory type of narrative meaning that it lacked the nuance that makes a plot more interesting. I would have also liked to understand more about Chiamaka and Devon’s lives and backgrounds – there were a number of loose ends and missing pieces of background information that would have helped me to ‘live with’ the characters. Other characters felt parachuted in and their stories left unresolved, though this may be because a sequel is planned. Possibly one barrier for me is that I have never seen Gossip Girls so I didn’t have that hook into the narrative. I do think the book will be very popular among the teen readers I work with.

Abike-Iyimide is clearly a passionate, talented young writer. This is her debut novel, and she will be one to watch in the future.

Ace of Spades was incredibly thought provoking, galling and at times hard to read. I say this, not due to the writing or anything negative regarding the book, it was hard to read what was being done to these characters and the malice with which the perpetrators of such hazing and pain were able to express.

Faridah's ability to ally two very different characters together was incredible to read. It was great to watch their paths move into one another's and how they interacted together. I am a sucker for character development and this book had beautifully crafted journeys for both Devon and Chiamaka.

This book holds a powerful message and clever sociological insight. This whole story was gripping, thrilling and gives more than just a solution to a mystery. It delves right into heart of humans, being queer, Black and how disturbing and destructive the callous, disfigured minds of white supremacy can be.

Marketed as Get out meets Gossip Girl, this books holds so much more than you could expect.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read this story before release.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is an intense YA thriller set in Niveus Private Academy, a school for the elite where two students are being publicly harassed and humiliated by a series of texts revealing their most intimate secrets, signed only as Aces. Chiamaka is Head Girl , a model student, Harvard bound but willing to do anything to get what , or who , she wants. Devon is a talented musician from the wrong side of the tracks who is hoping to earn a scholarship to Julliard but sometimes feels out of place among the wealth and privilege at Niveus, and is still struggling to accept his sexuality . The only thing the two have in common is that they are Black, in fact the only Black students at the school, but surely this can't be the only reason that Aces is targeting them? As they work together to try to discover the truth behind Aces' secret identity , they uncover a conspiracy so shocking that it could change the course of their lives.
This is a dramatic YA book that is not afraid to shine a spotlight on some difficult topics, as well as obvious racism the author looks at things like privilege, barriers to education, inequalities in the criminal justice system, sexuality and queer identity, and incorporates them seamlessly into the story. The story itself is clever and complex and will definitely keep the reader guessing as the mystery unfolds. The characters are well drawn and interesting, though I found Chiamaka less sympathetic than Devon, I appreciated that she was not afraid to go after what she wanted. I loved the dramatic conclusion and the element of hope that the author gives us at the end of the book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the Publisher, all opinions are my own.

Devon is a scholarship student at Niveus High, an exclusive private school, that has given him the opportunity to escape his poor neighbourhood to dream of Julliard and a bright future as a musician. But when he is targeted by an anonymous texter calling themself ‘Aces’, his bright future is jeopardised.

Wealthy Chiamaka has been working her way up through the social ranks of Niveus to achieve her goal of acceptance into an Ivy League college to become a doctor, but when she is also targeted by Aces, everything she has built begins to crumble.

And it can hardly be a coincidence that Aces has focused on the only two black students at Niveus.

This book is pitched as 'Gossip Girl' meets 'Get Out', and it definitely lives up to the claim. I did wonder why a British author would write a book set in an American high school, but it does work—it gives the book that stylised teen-drama gloss, that contrasts so shockingly with the horror concealed beneath the surface.

‘Ace of Spades’ is a pacey, gripping thriller set in dark academia, with a powerful message about institutionalised racism, homophobia and bullying. Highly recommended.

I thought this was some form of fantasy, it is not- its a YA thriller- thats on me for not reading the blurb!
I felt that the plot was a little reminiscent of others- Karen M McManus and Chelsea Palmer particularly.
I liked the characters, they were interesting and I liked the layers to them all. The atmosphere was decent, fairly exciting throughout.
The writing was good, although I found the plot a little lacking. There were twists that I didn't see coming, but I felt it went on a bit long.
I enjoyed the book overall, I read it in a day and found a lot of interesting points in there.

This is an amazingly powerful disturbing story, especially strong when you read that it was born out of this young debut author’s own experience of racism. Personally I found a few points struck me as being a little stereotypical, this may be because it is the author’s first book, but despite this I think it’s an important, discussion provoking story.

'We stare at each other. I have to stop myself from apologising - because what would I even be sorry for? Existing too loud?'

Reading Ace of Spades was an uncomfortable experience for me; I tore through the book in a matter of hours, unable to put it down, but it left me feeling raw and uneasy and exposed. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is a force to be reckoned with.

It feels ridiculously dramatic to call this story relatable considering that I've never come close to living through the hellscape that is Niveus Private Academy - and hopefully never will - but here's the thing: it is. Living as a black person in a predominantly white community feels like spending your life wasting away under a stage light. No matter how thrilling it may be, how accepted you may feel, you are always performing and pandering. Waiting for the moment that something goes wrong and the audience turns against you. Ace of Spades captures this feeling and magnifies it; even in its subtler moments, it manages to speak to the heart-wrenching lack of agency that is what it feels to live under the gaze of white supremacy.

Whilst reading Ace of Spades, I often found myself thinking about what it meant that I was reading a <I>queer</I> black story. Besides the obvious fact that our stories are awfully underrepresented, there's this feeling of claustrophobia and isolation that I think can only truly be understood when you feel like you're being shut out from all corners of your life. There are white queer characters who are allowed to go on shining on their pedestals.

Devon and Chiamaka are complicated characters with complicated journeys, and their friendship develops so naturally that you almost forget that it's happening. It is a relationship based off of a need for survival and authenticity, and it provides an almost bleak glimpse into reality. For most of the second half of the novel my heart was nestled tightly in my throat; it grew closer and closer to jumping out each time either of our protagonists talked to anyone other than each other. 'It's just a book', but this fear is real, and it felt awful to be so aware of it.

Ace of Spades is a book about many things; love, hatred, sex and survival. It's a book about racism and white supremacy. It's a book about who we are and who we could be if the lenses that constrict us were turned off for the day. It's a book about how, for now, those lenses are firmly switched on and holding so many of us captive.

An absolutely jaw-dropping and riveting novel that perfectly tackles all the ugliness of systematic racism, Ace of Spades is a terrifying and addictive story about two talented Black kids trying to survive in a world that is hell-bent on bringing them down.

The premise of this book had given me goosebumps, especially because in a world where we still keep Black people in human zoos, it's not very far fetched to think there are actually institutions that let in talented Black students just to bully them, dehumanize them and break them down when they are most vulnerable.

But really, what I loved about the plot in this book, that although it is quite clear that our main characters are being targeted for their skin color, the author still manages to shock you with twists and turns. The mystery and the suspense are what really keep you turning the pages. The story was fast-paced, action-packed and reminded me of a horror movie gone wrong, and I did not want to miss a single minute of it.

And of course, the main characters of the book steal the spotlight. I loved Devon and Chiamaka were total polar opposites, because they helped the readers see two very different experiences of minorities in a very relatable way. Chiamaka's biracial identity and her privileged background never really protect her from the ingrained racism her peers hold towards her, and Devon's struggles to bring his family out of poverty brings up some very important questions about how systematic racism has contributed to income inequality among minorities, as well as the problems of classism and elitism.

The best part though? The author tackles all of these issues deeply yet in a very subtle way. She interweaves these important themes cleverly into the plot, and so the novel stays true to its mystery-suspense genre while exploring these difficult topics.

Without a doubt, this book is going to be one of the best books of 2021. But even more importantly, Ace of Spades is one of the most important books for teenagers, especially Black teenagers, and I believe that this is a story that will help many, many kids in the years to come.

I have faced difficulties in trying to read this book, as the file is not working for me. I'm so sorry about this! I'm super curious about the book, though, and will certainly give it a read when I'm able to get my hands on it. Best of luck with it!

I admit, I went into reading "Ace of Spades" with really high expectations. I've heard so many great things from early reviewers and the hype around this book totally got to me. My expectations were mostly met, too.

"Ace of Spades" is a contemporary ya thriller that doesn't necessarily bring anything new to the table when it comes to its thriller elements. It's an exciting mystery and a true pageturner, but what makes this book something special for me is basically a mix of two things: the characters and the depth of the themes Àbíké-Íyímídé unfolds her story around. Devon and Chiamaka are amazingly written complex characters that made me fall in love with them early on. As the only black students at Niveus Academy, an institution I basically wanted to see burn on page 1 too, they struggle with institutionalized racism and prejudices on a daily basis. I'm a pasty white woman so I could never presume to fully understand the impact these experiences have on bipoc. But it made me angry, it made my heart ache painfully, it made me want to fight. Àbíké-Íyímídé portrays the struggles these two characters face in a relatable, brutally honest way. She doesn't mince words and opens up the entire complexity of structural racism, including the more subtle ways it seeps into our society. She also includes the subject of educational gatekeeping which I haven't seen addressed in such a focused way in ya fiction so far. And there's the fact that this novel is very, very queer too, portraying the difficulties Devon faces because he's not only black, but also gay and comes from a community that considers these two mutually exclusive. When it comes to tackling important subjects of race, racism and lgbt+, this book truly shines.

I do think it lacks a little when it comes to the story itself. The mystery of who is in on the abuse Chiamaka and Devon face loses its excitement after the first big reveal because once Devon gets certain information, it becomes kind of obvious. The ending felt rushed too - I was so angry, I was so pumped for people getting what they're due, I wanted to see it all burn down. Then the ending happened and it was kind of... over really quickly. I was satisfied with the conclusion but also felt like there was more potential if only it had a little more time to unfold itself. A certain group was completely underutilised in the end.

Still, this is an important read and really did remind me of "Get Out" in the best of ways. While the thriller elements themselves didn't blow me away, the nuances and complexities of everything surrounding them and enabling the villains (and yes, they are terrifying villains that are sadly entirely realistic) make this book shine.
A Must Read debut this year.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé gets an enormous 5 stars from me, I would give it 10 stars if I could. This book is in a league of its own.

This book is pitched as Gossip Girl meets Get Out and honestly, I can attest to that. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé was truly an amazingly gripping read from start to finish. Within the confines of 480 pages Àbíké-Íyímídé tackles major issues in society such as racism, economic status and sexuality, bringing attention to these matters while also delivering a fantastic YA thriller debut.

The writing in this book? Top notch, the moment my eyes grazed the page I was pretty much hooked. The story? It had me immersed and eager to know more by the end of the first chapter. The twists and turns in this book are insane and I am still shocked and awed writing this review now. It is so hard to believe that this book is a debut because it is so seamlessly written with characters that feel incredibly real and a plot line that draws the readers attention to the institutionalised racism that the two main characters experience and reflects directly real life society. It also deals with accepting your sexuality and finding a sense of power in being who you are, flaws and all. Everything is done with the sinister Aces lurking in the background, someone who is determined to make Chiamaka and Devon’s lives hell by revealing their deepest secrets. I would highly recommend everyone pick up this book, there is so much to be learned through reading Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s story and as far as thrillers go it’s one of the best I’ve read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Usborne Publishing for giving me an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

This story is nerve-wracking. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé truly knows how to put together a mystery, building up the tension to a point where it was terrifying.

However, it wasn’t just a mystery story following a Gossip Girl-esque mysterious identity harrasing people with their rumours, even though it captured that perfectly. It had so many layers, layers I probably would recommend a reread to get in their entirety. I don’t know what I can talk about without spoiling but it is clear that the sabotage comes from roots horribly engrained in society. It started way before Aces sent their first message.

This is dark academia. The discussion of what these institutions are built upon. Their secrets. Their promises. Their lies.

That’s why it’s such a poignant story that once it picks up, it will have you glued until the last word. Nevertheless, it also succeeded in other aspects. For example, having greatly well-rounde main characters. Chiamaka and Devon don’t really get along at first, even when they’re working together, but you can see how they start to grow into respecting and looking out for one another as time goes on, despite being so different. Besides, even parts at the beginning, where for example Chiamaka was in full Blair Waldorf mode, all dialogue felt organic in the way that “Ah, yes, this is a private rich kids school they are all weird and calculating like that, I hope the best for this main character”.

I apologize for tiptoeing around some aspects because I really don’t want to spoil anything, but as a reader I could tell how each and every single factor that came into play was put in place for depth. Amazing in a breathtaking way.

Chiamaka has one aim, to be at the top. She has succeeded in becoming head girl at Niveus Private Academy, doing whatever it took to get there.
Devon, a younger student at Niveus, is just happy to be able to work on his music but coming from the "wrong side" of town, he too has things he'd rather keep secret.
On the face of it, Chiamaka and Devon have nothing in common - except that they are the only coloured students in an otherwise white school. When an anonymous texter starts revealing secrets about both students, their lives start to unravel.

Abike-Iyimide successfully creates increasing tension as the anonymous texter reveals more and more damming secrets. Chiamaka and Devon are forced to work together to find a way out but they are clearly very different people which makes for a fraught relationship with each of them feeling very isolated. It also becomes very claustrophobic as every avenue seems to lead further towards inevitable victory by the texter.

This book was quite a painful read at times with the swirl of emotions and frustrations experienced by these two characters so I can't say I enjoyed it, but it is an eye opener to the experiences of being a minority in a hostile environment and worth reading for this aspect alone. I'm sure that older teens will enjoy the mystery angle of the plot, especially as it revolves around social media, so much a part of their lives.

Gossip Girl meets Get Out.

Two students at a school for the wealthy, privileged, and entitled are singled out for attention by a mysterious figure calling themselves Aces. The beautiful, popular, "Mean Girl" and Queen of the school Chiamaka, and the isolated scholarship student Devon seem to have nothing in common except the colour of their skins. Surely that can't be the reason why their lives are being torn apart, and their secrets unveiled, could it?
For those who like their high school cliques and conspiracy theories on the woke side

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an eARC of Ace of Spades.

I really enjoyed this book! Get Out was an amazing film by Jordan Peele and Gossip Girl was a great TV series so bringing these two together into a private academy setting was a fantastic concept.

I loved Devon and Chiamaka. Well I loved Devon from the start and grew to love Chiamaka because in the beginning she was not my kind of girl. But that is just another thing I really liked about the book, the character development of the main characters was really well done. I felt the side characters did well to help along the Devon and Chiamaka’s journey and who doesn’t love an epilogue to a thrilling story?

I wish there was some closure to some of the characters that were prominent in the story (namely Dre and Belle) as I wanted to know whether there was some resolution reached between them and the main characters. I do feel marketing it as a Get Out x Gossip Girl story does give a lot of the story away to someone who picks up the book but I do think it was well executed regardless of that.

A well done story that was filled with a diverse cast of characters!

***Please check for trigger warnings***