Week 13 Review: Ace of Spades

From Goodreads:

An incendiary and utterly compelling thriller with a shocking twist that delves deep into the heart of institutionalized racism, from an exceptional new YA voice.

Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students' dark secrets to light.

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...

My Review:
This was such a great and infuriating book, because I could see this easily happening in reality, and that's such a horrible thought. I really enjoyed her other book and I was excited to read it. And I had a really great time even though it was hard at points.

Chiamaka and Devon are the only black students at their prestigious school. They're in their final year, they're close to graduating. But things are going wrong, this texter named Aces is airing their secrets for the school to see, which is a pretty terrifying and awful experience. 

I do think that I enjoyed her second book just a little bit more, because the anxiety that this book raised in me, the fear for these characters, who were in a tough situation and I wanted them to get out of it okay, but the odds kept getting worse. It was still a fantastic read, don't get me wrong, but the second was just a little bit easier on my nerves. 

When they figure out what was going on? Yeah, that was extremely shocking, about just how far the rot went, how deep and wide. The extent that these people were going, just to ruin a couple of students lives? Like, that's a horrible thing to do, there's basically anything better to do with your time. One of the lines was about deserving this education, and I was like, all of you, doing this, you're not deserving of it. It was so infuriating, and that ending was pretty darned satisfying, especially that epilogue! 

This was a really fantastic read and I can't wait to read more by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé!

Author: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Read: March 25th, 2024
Source: Library
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a DAC Book and a SAC 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Published: June 1st 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars