This was just an excerpt, but it does a good enough job at setting the tone, introducing an element of mystery (what's the deal with the new headmaster, who distributed private photos of Devon), and establishing the two POV characters, Devon and Chiamaka, that it's made me look forward even more than I already was to reading this!

This book is going to be one of my favorites of 2021. I can feel it. So far, I love the characters, the setting, and the writing style. As a high schooler myself, I feel the pressure of needing to do my best everyday. I feel the fear of not being good enough or not having done enough with my life. I wish I had closer friends of my own at my school (most of my friends don't go to my high school), so I can't wait to see Chiamaka and Devon interact together.

I really liked this book and I think it's very interesting the characters were so original and the attention grabbed my attention from the start

This is a promising start and I'm interested in getting to know more about this world. It has all the fun of a high school drama

Okay, this was definitely super intriguing. I'm only giving it three stars because I feel like it was too short to really judge well, but it was long enough for me to get a sense of the characters and I definitely enjoyed this sneak peek. Chiamaka sounds like she's going to be so much fun to love to hate and Devon...well, Devon I'm still learning about. There's more to him than meets the eye and I need to know what happens!

I feel as though it's unfair to judge a book based off of the first three chapters, however, I did enjoy this! It was mysterious and witty, which is the best combination. I cannot wait for Ace Of Spades to come out!

I've only read the first three chapters of this book, but already I feel like I'm going to love it.

So often, high school based stories follow exactly the same formula and you can just tell from the first chapter or two who fits which high school stereotype and where the story is going to go. What I've read of Ace of Spades so far hasn't made me feel that way, and I'm hopeful that the rest of the story will continue to live up to the high bar that has been set. And as someone who used to hang around the music practice rooms as much as possible at high school, I couldn't help but warm to Devon. I sure hope things work out for him after that cliffhanger, although I don't necessarily expect that they will.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Feiwel and Friends for the advance sneak peek at the first few chapters of Ace of Spades in exchange for an honest review.

Each chapter of Ace of Spades is one of the two main characters' perspectives: Chiamaka and Devon. We first meet Devon when he is seated at the school assembly welcoming students back from summer break, introducing them to the new headmaster, and naming the four students who will serve as prefects for their senior year at Niveus Academy.

While I only read approximately two and a half chapters, I was immediately drawn in by the strong (and contrasting) character voices of both Devon and Chiamaka. The sneak peek left me (and Devon) with the revelation that someone had sent private pictures of Devon to the other students.

I need to know what happens, and I can't wait for Ace of Spades release in June. I've rated five stars for now, because it has me hooked. I plan on purchasing it and finding out how things turn out for Devon and Chiamaka!

Note: I will be sharing this partial review on my Instagram and GoodReads accounts in mid-May, and plan on fleshing it out with a full review upon finishing Ace of Spades in June.

I really enjoyed this sneak peek of Ace of Spades! It introduces the reader to Devon and Chiamaka, two students at Niveus Private Academy. This sneak peek did a great job of setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing thriller. It seems like it will be fast-paced and hard to put down. Especially after that last chapter, I will definitely be picking up this book when it is available! Ace of Spades releases June 1, 2021. Thank you to Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Feiwel & Friends, and Netgalley for a free sneak peek in exchange for honest feedback.

I wish this was the entire book! Faridah has created a MASTERPIECE! I'm so excited for this book. The characters. Plot. Stakes. All of it... so well done. I'm even more excited for this book to come out!!!!!!

Despite the iffy formatting, I sped through this sneak peek. Upon finishing the first 3 chapters, I'm already majorly intrigued by the two main characters, and I'm interested to get to know them more deeply throughout the book. I can also tell that there are going to be several morally grey characters in this book and I am living for it. The Gossip Girl vibes described in the synopsis definitely come through, and the elite school aesthetic is so strong I felt like I had been transported there myself. This seems like it's going to be a fun and fast-paced look into the dark side of high school, and I'm now even more excited to read the rest of the book!

The formatting on this was not great. Words ran together and it was very difficult to read. That said, this seems like a typical fun, high drama, elitist school story and I’m here for it! I can’t wait to read the rest of the book and see what happens.

I am intrigued by this sneak peek! I will definitely be looking forward to reading this book later this year!

Typically I’m not into school settings in books but this grabbed my attention from the get go. The little hints of something coming? The big UH OH moment at the end of chapter 3? Fantastic. Really interested in seeing where this goes and learning more about these two interesting characters.

The first chapter was very interesting! I love a good school setting and I can't wait to read the finished book.

So good and I am so excited to read the full book! I will be putting this on my Tbr and buying it once it’s released. Love the vibe of the book and the writing style!

Based on the sample read of this book, it's something that I would continue reading and most likely recommend to students or add to my classroom library. As with most literature these days, it hits two hot topics; LGBT and race. In the first three chapters, I had yet to really see much with race, but right off the bat we know that one of the narrators is gay as he speaks of a guy that he seems to have a crush on and being jealous of him and his prom date the previous spring. I also like how right off the bat, drama is thrown into the mix, making me want to read further. I had yet to get to the character of 'Ace,' but my understanding is that he is very much like the Gossip Girl of this story. I certainly want to see what drama he/she unfolds throughout the rest of the story when it becomes avaialble.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the Publisher's for giving me a sneak peak into this amazing book!

The perfect paths of Niveus Private Academy has a scandal on its hands when an anonymous texter known as Aces brings to light two students' dark secrets. Devon finds comfort in music but when his private photos are leaked, he can no longer hide from the spotlight. Head girl Chiamaka is willing to do anything it takes to reach the top, but soon people will see the price she has paid for her power. Someone is out to get them, someone who knows it all and isn't about to put their cards down.

The first few chapters I got to read are gripping, setting the stage for what I anticipate to be an utterly nail bitting thriller. The chapters shift in perspectives between Devon and Chiamaka, providing us with a glimpse into their personalities and relationships with fellow students. The setting of Niveus gives the reader a feeling of an elite boarding school where secrets are hidden behind bank notes, branded clothes and expensive cars. There is a clear indication of themes regarding racism, sexuality and classism being explored in this book. I look forward to picking up this YA thriller which releases June 10th, 2021.

Black main characters and dark queer academia? Say less, this first chapter had me sold and I love the new cover art. Will be preordering this and putting it at the top of my tbr once it comes out.

I received a sample of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! What a great start to this book. I love that while we’ve only just been introduced to these characters we already have a good feel for who they are, but also get the idea that there is more to them than what meets the eye.

Devon is very likable and a character you already feel for and want to root for. Chiamaka is a bit harder to like right off the bat, but she is also incredibly intriguing and a character I want to know more about. The few side characters we have been introduced to are also characters that feel like they will add an interesting dynamic and add to the story.

This is a book I would want to finish and keep reading, especially after where the book left off. Can’t wait to read more!