This is for the first couple of chapters. The sneak peek left me curious to know more, so it was successful in its goal. Chi and Devon seem like they will be good foils for each other, although I'm worried they fall into the cliche territory. However, I assume they'll flesh out over the course of the novel, so I'll reserve judgement. The novel starts off like a typical YA thriller. The rich, popular girl and the poor boy who have nothing in common except they're both Black at an elite school. As a Black person, I'm excited to see diverse rep in YA thrillers, but as someone who reads a lot of YA thrillers, I hope this bring its own unique spin in terms of the plot, and the industry didn't just use "race" as a gimmick. The writing style is easy and breezy. I went through the pages quickly.

Major Issue: Why isn't this set in England? It's *very* clear the author does not have an intimate understanding of or experience of American high school life, which makes sense as I believe she is English. As a US person familiar with private schools in the US, Niveus comes across so inauthentic it almost derailed my enjoyment of the story. Also, the characters don't seem American at all. From the terminology they use, to the way they think or behave, there are specific cultural nuances to any country that are loss on someone not raised in that country. It's not like readers don't enjoy books set in England, so why choose the US for a setting? I get they want to do the Gossip Girl comp, but it would've been fine with the prep school angle for a non-US environment. I really hope there might be time to change this, and I have no idea why the author thought it a good idea to set this in the US anyway.

This sneak peek makes me so excited to get my hands on the full book! If it continues the way the sneak peek went, I’d anticipate a 4 star book

This is just the sneak peak and I’m so intrigued by it. Definitely will be reading the full book once it comes out in June.

I received a sneek peek through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/4 stars.

There were only three chapters available, and they set the scene well. I found the characters to be a little more juvenile than I had expected. For the most part their personalities seemed to be very immature in different respects. It starts off well though and could develop into the gritty, exposing thriller that I want it to be, so I will still be picking this up when it's released.

I've only read the sneak peek but I'm hooked. I can't wait to read the full thing. I grew up reading gossip girl and loved it. This was a much more diverse and sophisticated version that enthralled me.

From what I've read I think this is gonna be such an interesting read. It starts off really well and you immediately get a feel of the writing style, which I really enjoyed. It's written very easily and I could see everything happening immediately. The author found the perfect balance between a lighter and more mysterious vibe.

The preview wasn't long enough to really see where the story would go, but I guess I will have to wait for that. And of course I'm also always glad to see representation in YA thrillers. Plus, it seems to deal with a lot of other important topics for teenagers, too!

I don't know, I just got such good, mysterious vibes from it and I truly think this has a lot of potential!

This sneak peak teaser is truest a TEASER! I got all swept away by the story and then the book ends 😩😩😩 I can’t wait for this to be published in its entirety!

The sneak peek sounds promising and so intriguing!
I like the atmosphere already and the fact that we got two narratives is really something I enjoy.
Can't wait to read this one!!!

The beginning was a bit slow and it felt a little too long before getting into hinting at what the actual plot of the book is. That being said, right where the sneek peek cuts off is where I got intrigue, which was the point I guess lol. I will definitely be reading this book when it comes out. I will reserve further thoughts on it until then.

Definitely an intriguing start! Characters Devon and Chiamaka are clearly very different, and it'll be interesting to see their secrets exposed!

With only a couple of chapters in this sneak peek, it's hard to say a lot about the story so far but I already have so many questions! I am drawn into both Devon and Chimaka as characters, the writing style is pacy and enticing and I can't wait to read more based off these first couple of chapters. Althought not too far into the plot yet, there are already hints and questions arising and I really want to read more.

It was only a sneak peak but I was interested! The story is engaging and can't wait for the book to come out.

I am so excited for this dark academia YA release and really enjoyed this sneak peek! Told in two perspectives from different ends of the social spectrum, it looks like not only will the book have poverty representation but will also explore the minds of the popular.

"Sometimes, being around all of that makes me feel like my insides are collapsing, cracking and breaking. I know no good comes from comparing what i have to what they have, but seeing all that money and privilege, and having none, hurts. I try to convince myself that being a scholarship kid doesn't matter."

From what I read, it's fast-paced with a conversational narrative voice. I like the mystery of how Devon was chosen as a prefect and if there really is something weird going on that no one else notices. Looking forward to reading the full book when it releases!

Sneak peek provided by netgalley for an honest review

From the sneak peek of Ace of Spades, I am already intrigued. This is a book about Devon, a fairly unknown student who was made senior prefect, and Chiamaka, the popular head girl) two students who have become victims of an anonymous texter and has exposed their dark secrets.

I am really excited to be able to read this book later on and highly anticipate that this will be one of my favourite reads of the year. I would recommend this to fans of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars or anyone interested in thrillers and upperclass high school drama and anonymous exposers.

this sneak peek has me so excited to read the whole book. I can't wait to meet Chiamaka and Devon and read their story!

This sneak peek was intriguing but I'm not sure if its supposed to read as a bunch of run-on sentences. Chi is a character I would love to get to know more of. What makes her tick and why is she such an ugh! Devon has a hard life it seems and secrets to boot. I would definitely read the rest of this story. It seems like it has the drama I crave

I love how the small portion of this book that I've read is told from an own voices point of view. It is hard to find something that feels and reads so authentically and as a person of color myself, it is so refreshing and beautiful to read. I cannot wait to read the rest of this novel once it's published and I am honored to have been able to start it this early. The writing style is addicting and this author has a way of story telling that we need more of in modern publishing. Personally, I believe people of color have some of the best stories to tell and Faridah Abike-Iyimide proves my stance.

Smart, fresh, and mysterious. This book seems like a fast-paced mystery novel that delves deep into institutional racism and the challenges black kids have to face. This sneak peek was amazing! Looking forward to reading more of it.

I got the sample for this and... maybe my taste in YA has changed or maybe this just isn't for me because I found myself bored with the story. It felt too "watching 25 yo people play 16yo kids". Yes, the world building sounds interesting but to a point. Again maybe this it just isn't the book for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This review is only for the sneak peek of Ace of Spades, but the few chapters I read are so promising and well written. It hooked me immediately! Complex characters, race and power struggles in a rich private school, and some exposed secrets make for an intriguing plot. I will definitely be reading the whole story when it comes out!