This book was outstanding! I love that it was so well written and handled the topics of race so well! I found this to be one that I wanted to pick up again right after I finished.

I will not be giving feedback on this book as I couldn’t really get into it but I think others may enjoy it.

I don't think I can begin to explain how good this book is.

It largely follows Kiera, who created the awesome online game SLAY, which celebrates Black culture in all its forms across the globe. She has kept it a secret for three years, but someone is threatening the game and her secret.

This book tackles a lot of complex issues really well, never feeling preachy or boring. It also doesn't tie up everything in a neat bow either, which is so reflective of real life. You don't just have the answers for everything all ready to go. It's not really my place to speak on all the different perspectives on Black culture in this book since I am not Black, but it'll definitely make you think.

I loved how different chapters were interspersed with people all over the world playing SLAY, as well as the relationships between Kiera and her friends and family and how the game affected them, even if they weren't playing. Kiera is a wonderful character to follow, who is smart and brave in the face of a cyber attack that threatens all of her hard work. She doesn't always know if she's doing the right thing, but she always wants to, and I'm glad I got to follow her journey through this book.

I love that this is an absolute celebration of Black culture and diversity, and has the main character as a young Black, female, coder. That's awesome.

The plot falls a little short--I think it either should have been MORE concentrated on the game, or more concentrated on the external pressure. Because splitting the attention between the two resulted felt like the big reveal was anti-climatic.

When a player is murdered as a result of a virtual reality game Kiera created, she begins to question the best thing in her life - SLAY. Kiera is a proud African American woman who loves video games but is tired of the harassment directed at her race when she plays (I had no idea this was a thing - disgusting) so she decides to create Slay, a video game that “celebrate(s) black culture in all its forms.” Although you have to be black to play, Kiera never considered that the game could be considered racist. But after the player’s murder, the TV pundits are all about the game developer revealing himself to respond to the charges. See, other than one of the game’s mods, NO ONE knows that Kiera is the mastermind behind Slay. She’s been living a double life for years and it’s been wearing her down. This scandal is the last straw. She is tired of hiding from her parents, her sister, her best friend, and her longtime boyfriend. Malcolm is tall, dark, and handsome. Extremely well read. Very proud to be black and very vocal about being anti-white and the progression of black achievements. He is strongly against anything that could cause the black man to lose focus, like video games. If Malcolm finds out she created Slay, what would he think? As if things couldn't get any worse, a troll who skins himself as a white supremecist, infiltrates the game and threatens Emerald (Kiera’s in-game name) with litigation. Kiera must protect her players from harassment as well as her own future. Sacrificing the game might be the only way to do that.

Slay will attract all kinds of readers. It’s got plenty of video game action, it’s a bit of a thriller, it’s got romance, and family drama But my favorite content in Slay is the race stuff. I’ve read plenty of YA that tackles race relations but there are situations in Slay that feel fresh. Author Brittney Morris does a great job of showing what it feels like when an African American is asked to speak for his entire race. Kiera, her sister, and Malcolm are the only three African American students in their school, so this happens frequently. Even her best friend also puts her on the spot. I’ve often read about the code switching African American teens feel obligated to do. The example that sticks with me the most is Starr in THUG. She must act one way at her mostly-white private school and another way when she is at home in her neighborhood. In Slay, we see Kiera code switch between her real life and virtual life. It struck me that with the popularity of MPRPG, many teens must feel like they have to code switch. In this respect, white teens and teens of color will be able to relate to Kiera. An important lesson I learned while reading this book (don’t get me wrong, this is not an “issues” or “lesson learning” book, none of this is forced down readers’ throats) is that being black is COMPLICATED. In addition to worrying about prejudices outside their community, they have issues inside their own community, as well. Morris certainly packs a lot of heavy in a book about a VR game.

I did not finish this book. Although I might not have found the style of interest, I did purchase it for my library and my teens seem to be enjoying it.

The book was a slow start and many of the characters were one dimensional, but the author tried to delve into a difficult topic in an entertaining way. I was left with lots of wondering and questions about some. Deep issues of race. Worthwhile for the discussion.

Black girls in gaming... something that I didn't know I needed until I had it. And it was such an engaging book, too. I couldn't help but relate to Keira, not only as a black girl but as a gamer as well. How strong she was while also having a playful side, a caring side, a loving side being showcased. The pacing did wane a bit here and there, but I'd definitely recommend this book to any black teens, whether they're gamer or not.

This was one of my favorite books that I read last year! I have requested that our teen literature librarian purchase it for our library's collection. Highly recommended!

This book helped me gain perspective on an issue I will never be able to experience or understand firsthand. This book looks at what it means to be black: all of the pride, prejudices, fears and expectations that go along with blackness (from within the black community and without). I’ve read other books that explored this topic, but somehow this book feels more accessible than some others, even though it’s almost more in-your-face and unapologetic about the issues. I loved that Kiera, the main character, often felt torn between wanting to fit in with white friends, fulfilling her mother’s expectations of how she should behave, and fulfilling her boyfriend’s expectations of what a black girl should be. The constant push and pull of all these different expectations (which often yank her in clearly opposite directions) kept me completely invested in Kiera. I’m not much of a gamer, but this didn’t feel like a story about gaming—it’s much more focused on relationships and society’s views on race. I was eager to find out how everything would end up with the game, but that was because I was engaged with Kiera (and her friendship with Cicada, her co-moderator). Basically, this is one of those books that made me think—a whole lot—and that, in my opinion, is the best kind of reading!

***Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

SLAY follows a seventeen-year-old girl Kiera who is smart, clever and is one of the only Black kids at her school. I fund that part of the different than other stories that are similar to it. It was a powerful part that showed that one person can not talk for or represent a whole race or group of people. But when at home she enters into the hit game world that she has developed. I love game developer and game-themed books. I don't know much about video games, but I love the community part of this story. So, when a kid is shot over the game it tosses the game into the main light and the question of race and who should be held responsible comes up. Even though that is the main plot of this book, my favorite part is how these characters have each other back, the sister relationship and her relationship with her friend who helps her run the game are my two favorite parts of this book. With that said, there is a mystery underlined in the plot that I did see coming and I understand the need for is but I also saw that twist coming; however, it didn't take anything away from the book.
This is not just a video game themed book, it's a powerful book about race that will open your eyes and break your heart.

Review is also in Double the Books Magazine - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wLIXN09Hh9qWLQ86ZHBOl7Uz2OBdd7RJ

SLAY is the most impactful book I've read all year.
Through the lens of Kiera, a Black teen video game developer, the author explores racial identity and the importance of black-only spaces. She weaves in a beautiful presentation of the diversity in the African Diaspora with critical commentary about what it means to be Black and how the experience of being black varies from person to person. She also deftly portrays the vivid reality of online friendships and the strong bonds that can hold these communities together. Morris shines a literary light on spaces so often left in shadow. SLAY is sure to be a centerpiece of conversation in classrooms across the country. And with its scrumptious bits of Black culture woven into the immersive, and frankly masterful, worldbuilding, I see this being a cherished classic until the end of time.

SLAY is a must-have for video game fans, lovers of Black History, and anyone who believes being black does NOT mean being one specific thing.

6 STARS if I could. <3

This book was FANTASTIC. I can’t imagine how inspiring this book will be for black girls in STEM and black gamers. We need more books like this one!!! Also I can’t believe this is a debut novel. It’s so good.

In this fantastic debut, Brittney Morris certainly does "SLAY".

Kiera Johnson is many things. Honor's student. Loving older sister. One of the few Black students at her private school. A best friend. A math tutor... And the creator of SLAY, an MMORPG that celebrates Black culture and heritage, no matter where people are in the world. No one knows this fact: not her parents, not her sister, not her white best friend, and most definitely not her boyfriend, Malcolm, who says that gaming was designed to further hold back Black men from being great. SLAY is Kiera's safe haven, her world to create and control, and it is that for thousands of other users. But all of that is shattered the day that she learns that one of the players was killed over in-game currency, and suddenly SLAY is all everyone talks about--for the wrong reasons. Now with a mysterious user threatening everything Kiera has built, and she risks everything to protect her beloved world. But what happens when these threats get too close to home?

Let me preface: I am white. Very, very white. But I loved reading this book and its celebration of Blackness in all forms. Mixed race, queer, rich, poor, young, old, light skinned, dark skinned, those who live in countries as the result of diaspora, and those who live in the countries of Africa. The message of this book is that there is no one way to be Black, but also that there are still many challenges and micro-aggressions (and macro-aggressions) that Black people all around the world encounter. Especially in gaming and other online platforms, the reason for Kiera to create her own game.

I am also most definitely not a gamer, but my Latino brother is and he's had many a discussion with me and my parents about racial slurs being thrown out while playing games, and how it frustrates and upsets him. It's a very real issue that does have negative effects, especially on the very young. Kiera discusses this a lot, and being the unwilling recipient of these slurs while gaming is one of her motivating factors for creating SLAY. Kids--and adults--all just want to play and have fun, to relax and disconnect from reality for a little while. So, applause to this smart fictional girl who created a safe space for just that, and may this spark some smart real girl (or boy) into creating their own game as their safe space.

I'm looking forward to see what else Mrs. Morris will write in the future.

In real life, Kiera attends Jefferson Academy, where she's one of a handful of Black students. But online, she's the developer and creator of SLAY, a MMORPG that's exclusively for other Black players. It's a place where she can be herself and where she and her fellow players can enjoy a safe space. Until one of the players is murdered, and Kiera's character is blamed for it.

Holy shit this was excellent in so many different ways.

It shows the power of bringing people together through video games, and the insidious ways systematic racism has infiltrated every level of society. But overall it's a celebration of Black culture, the Black diaspora and Black excellence, in all of its many, many forms.

Read it read it read it read it read it!

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

SLAY is an amazing combination of entertainment and heartfelt moments. I love seeing black girls in STEM celebrated. A MUST read!

The very first thing that drew me to Slay by Brittney Morris was the absolutely stunning book cover. (It’s no secret at all that I am easily distracted by gorgeous book covers!) Then I read the synopsis for the book, which was described as Ready Player One meets The Hate U Give, and knew I would have to check it out. I am so glad I did!

I very much enjoyed the storyline for this book. I love that Kiera is a gamer and has created this amazing online multiplayer world. The descriptions for the game very well described, and Slay sounded like a fun game to play. I am not much of a gamer now, but I was a long time ago, and while I never really got into the multiplayer online games, my husband does play them, so I was pretty familiar with a lot of the gaming terminology in the book. (No worries if you’re not familiar with it, the author did a really great job of explaining things.) The real world parts of the storyline were interesting as well, and I liked that it included a lot of things that people who read the book will find relatable in some way or another, especially teens.

There are so many characters in this book that you will love. We do get a few alternate viewpoints throughout the story, but the main part of the story is told from Kiera’s point of view. Kiera was such an interesting character, and I loved her brilliantness and creativity. She also has a really great family as well, and while her and her sister, Steph, totally act like sisters, you can tell that they love each other, and have each other’s backs, which is a nice change from a lot of the sisterly relationships that I’ve read about lately. I am so glad that Kiera had Steph to help her throughout the book.

I also want to add that I opted to listen to the audiobook for Slay, and I am SO glad that I did! There are a few different narrators in the book, but I loved the narrator for Kiera’s voice the most. I’m not 100% sure which narrator did her voice, but she did a great job, and I would definitely love to listen to her narrate more books in the future.

Overall; Slay was a really interesting read full of real life issues as well as a fantastic fantasy world, and I’m so glad that I read the book! If you like a good contemporary, or a book that has gaming in it, then do add Slay to your reading list! I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Brittney Morris in the future.

Happy Reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc of this book I received in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really struggled to get into Slay. It was to the point where I was about to put it down. I really liked Kiera and the other characters in her world, but I was starting to think Slay was the kind of novel where if you weren’t into the thing they were into (gaming) the book wouldn’t really be for you.

I am so glad I stuck with it.
Slay was so authentic. Kiera, a game developer for a large MMPORG, is suddenly struck with all these huge issues after the death of one of her players, and she struggles with it like any kid. She’s faced with issues like not knowing who her real friends are, growing space between her and her boyfriend, and legal ramification. The book also helped me see how constantly present being black is—that sounds dumb, but what I mean is, as a white person, I’m not constantly thinking about my race. It’s not something that I’m being asked to discuss by others or something that is treated as foreign. It’s something I know gives me privilege, but not something that shapes who I am. So while of course I knew about racism, I didn’t really get how constantly present race was for black people. Definitely helped me see through a new perspective, which is what I’m always hoping for when I read.

That was better than I thought it would be in the beginning, with some wonderfully heartwarming scenes by the ending that had me feeling things. However, I'm still hung up on how the novel doesn't really go into Keira's creation of SLAY. There's no denying that she has computer programming talent, but it makes it seem like the process to create a VR video game is simple, when in fact, it's definitely not. I wish I had gotten to see her process of creating it or at least read something about a young female of color coding an entire video game because it's rare that we see women, let alone women of color, do STEM. That could have been a wonderful facet to the novel, but it wasn't even touched upon.

As well, I was confused between Malcolm and Keira's perspectives on issues about race; it seemed that sometimes their opinions were conflicting even within themselves, like the author forgot who believed in what at points.

My favorite part was definitely anything with Cicada (she sounds amazing and I want to be her best friend) or the dueling. A game like this sounds like so much fun to play and I love how rooted in her culture it was.

-Book Hugger

Loved this title... It managed to address important topics in a unique way, and felt like a mixture of modern realism with the world-building of a fantasy novel. Will definitely be recommending to students.