I can’t believe Ace of Spades is a debut novel – it is such a compelling, intelligent and meaningful read that tackles race, class and privilege. This becomes another thing that is used against them, and it is terrifying and heartbreaking. Chiamaka starts the book off heavily crushing on her male best friend, but soon discovers that she may be harbouring feelings for another girl. Both characters are also queerīoth Chiamaka and Devon are at different stages of their queer identity – Devon isn’t completely out yet, but he has known he is gay from middle school, and has dated a few different partners. This is something that Ace of Spades portrays expertly, and it definitely gives you some food for thought. Both students have had to navigate challenges based on their identity, just to be considered on the same level playing field as their classmates, so that they can get into the preferred colleges and pursue the future that they have been fighting for. This book explores privilege at it’s purest – whether it’s the colour of your skin or the family and social structures you are born into. Without saying too much, it turns out that things aren’t as simple as they seem on the surface – and the progressive reveal through shocking twists and turns was definitely an eye-opening ride.Įxploring privilege in a private school settingĪce of Spades masterfully navigates themes of bullying, racism, classism and colourism in an American private school setting. The depths that this bully will go in ruining their lives is completely shocking, and seeing them ostracized by their classmates and friends was also devastating. What do these two seemingly normal high school students have to hide? It turns out there’s a lot more than meets the eye, and someone is determined to ruin their lives. ![]() They’re targeted by an anonymous bully at school, who progressively reveals their secrets via text message to the student body of the Academy. ![]() The only thing that they have in common, other than being students at Niveus Private Academy, is that they’re both Black American teens (with Chiamaka being Nigerian-Italian). So what made Ace of Spades so compelling?Īce of Spades follows two private high school students who couldn’t be more different – Chiamaka, the rich, popular girl at the top of the social hierarchy, and Devon, a musician and scholarship student who has been fairly under the radar at his school. This is one of those books that I couldn’t put down, wanting to know what the solution to the mystery was, and when all the answers were shown, I was just left there in shock and awe. What a brilliant and compelling book! Ace of Spades certainly delivers on the Get Out and Gossip Girl comparisons, while delivering shocking twists at the end. With heart-pounding suspense and relevant social commentary comes a high-octane thriller from debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly? Shortly after the announcement is made, though, someone who goes by Aces begins using anonymous text messages to reveal secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threaten every aspect of their carefully planned futures.Īs 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. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too. When two Niveus Private Academy students, 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. Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully. ![]() Genres: Contemporary, Diversity, Own Voices, Suspense, Thriller, Young Adultīook Depository | Angus & Robertson | Booktopia Published by Feiwel & Friends on 1 June 2021
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |