I picked this book up because it offered a new perspective on “(dark) academia", a genre I generally don’t gravitate towards, since most of the books classified as such primarily portray teenagers that are rich, white and straight— none of which I could relate to. Seeing that Ace of Spades instead centers two black, queer teenagers while tackling institutionalised racism with the backdrop of a Gossip Girl-esque thriller made me insanely excited to read this excerpt— and it did not disappoint!

I enjoyed Devon’s character a lot and found myself relating to his quiet nature immediately; from Chiamaka’s chapter, I perceived her as a typical “queen be": popular, rich and cutthroat— willing to do whatever it takes to reach her goals, so I’m really intrigued to see how Àbíké-Íyímídé offers more depth and further exploration of her character as the novel progresses.


Overall, I’m excited to pick this book up and find out more about both characters’ backgrounds, and see how the mystery unravels.

Wowowowo! I can't wait to read this full book because this excerpt was the ✨BOMB✨
- Probably the best excerpt I've ever read...


When I say I am excited, do not take that statement as an exaggeration because it's not. I literally ordered my copy and followed the author on Social Media AND I have my eye out for more books!

Plot
I get Gossip girl vibes from this (which is also contributes to why I'm excited) BUT it's more diverse and hopefully fun!
This story follows Chiamaka and Devon who are complete opposites (from what we know so far). The only thing they have in common is that they both go to Niveon which is a prestigious high school with high standards. Devon feels like an outsider while Chiamaka couldn't feel more comfortable with her newly elected as Senior Head Perfect. Both of them have dark secrets that they don't want anyone to know. But when an anonymous persona shares their secret to the world and the entire school, they must get together to find out who and why this person is out to get them.


If I don't get my hand on this book I will sjjsjbdejnssihsbalahxgsbszkskskaakakak!!!!!


-A special thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an arc excerpt!

Beautiful art cover , the alternates are just as gorgeous BTW. Would have loved to had the complete books to review but now the book is out. It reminds me of One of Us is Lying. I’m not a huge high school mystery reader but the premise and the theme of institutionalized racism isn’t a common theme/element in most non POC high school stories, just the mystery. Overall I would recommend this book.

Quite an intriguing teaser, I couldn't stop turning the pages once I started reading. It's got the mystery, lies, drama and characters you can relate to...well, it gave me some "gossip girl xoxo" vibes as well.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

When I heard that this book was "Get me out" meets "Gossip Girls" all I could think about was sign me the f up! But, oh lord, I did not expect all of THAT. I couldn't put the book down and devoured the story, page after page, line after line, and character after character with an insatiable hunger. The lies, the sex, and the drama were what I went into the book for, but I came out of it with a twisted, beautiful, and important tale about being black and queer in a white supremacist elitist society. A splendid debut, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé easily entered into my "I will give you all my money, just keep writing!!" category of authors.

Very intriguing sneak peek.. just got the full book in the mail, and am excited to start! Thank you netgalley!

“Even though I know I shouldn’t care, it annoys me that when girls know what they want and how they’re going to get it, they’re seen as cocky. But guys who know what they want? They’re confident or strong.”

We open with Chiamaka at the height of her high school career—and what a career it has been with her having being been prefect 3 years in a row—when she’s finally ‘crowned’ as Head Prefect. She has poise, finesse, she’s cunning, calculating and driven. An apex predator with her kingdom in check.

On the flip side, there’s Devon who’s somewhat happily staying off anyone’s radar, a scholarship kid who’s simply pouring his heart into his music. He’s hoping to keep his head down for his senior year and just make it into a prestigious college. But then he’s suddenly thrown into the spotlight when his private photos go public.

I received a little glimpse into this book and it already delivered major Gossip Girl energy. There’s a food chain, wealth and privilege, and a certain malice that tends to accompany these kinds of private schools—and Niveus is no exception.

My preview ended on a cliffhanger and I’m thirsting to see how Chi’s power plays pan out, how Devon handles the fallout of his exposure, and who Aces is. I’m also hoping to see any themes about castes/classism, racism to see how it ties in with Get Out.

Àbíké-Íyímídé’s writing is fluid and easy to read. This early on in the book, the characters seem a bit one-dimensional and stereotypical: the cliquey, dismissive mean girl and the overlooked consumed artist. I’m hoping that with the rest of the book, they flesh out a bit more, show some versatility and depth.

Pick it up if you like:
🏫 POC Protagonists
🏫 Queer Rep
🏫 Elite private school drama (featuring anonymous texters that spill tea)
🏫 Unlikely alliance
🏫 Dual POV

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this sneak peak.

Thank you NetGalley for the excerpt! From what I’ve read so far, this book is a great dark academia book with a diverse set of characters and tackles racism. I love this writing and can’t wait to read the rest of the book!

I'm actually quite excited about this one. However, I can't give a full review for a book except.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC.

I was able to read a sneak peak of this book. What I read so far was really interesting. I liked that it’s centered around high school and doing whatever it takes to be the best. I will definitely read this book when it is available.

These are a few teaser chapters and it delivered exactly what the book's description has promised! I cant wait to get my hands on the book!

The first three chapters offered through NetGalley's sneak peak of ACE OF SPACES by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé were more than enough to hook me. Billed as "Gossip Girl" meets "Get Out," ACE OF SPACES is sure to be a page-turning #OwnVoices debut. I can't wait to get my hands on the full copy!

Loved the preview! Brilliant concept and can't wait to see how it pans out.
Super excited for it and looking forward to more of Faridah's books!

This seems like it’s going to be an interesting—if not juicy--read. I can tell, even though I only received access to a preview, and not the full novel.

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s writing is taut and engaging. Two of the main characters serve as narrators, and have strong, believable voices. My version of the book ends all too soon with a cliffhanger. It feels as though things were just heating up. Overall, well done!

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2021, I’m incredibly excited to gave gotten a glimpse at the first few chapters. The opening is tense, ominous, and captures exactly the right amount of GOSSIP GIRL-esque prep school vibes, while also setting up to tackle more serious social issues. I’m also just really loving the sharp but subtle mystery running through this. So, I’ve been shouting about this book, I am going to continue shouting about it, and I really can’t wait to see this one take off!

It’s difficult to judge a book based on a few chapters, but Ace of Spades is off to a good start. Plus, the sample ends with Aces already starting their mischief, so I’m intrigued to see what shenanigans are in store.

There’s an element of exaggeration to the stereotypes in this book. The popular girl is cutthroat and smart. The shy scholarship student only feels comfortable during music class. The new headmaster is sinister. It feels like the characters in Ace of Spades are caricatures of the people we expect to see at a private school. If there’s some satirical purpose for why the characters are so exaggerated, then I think it’ll work really well with a mystery/thriller novel. However, if there’s no depth to these characters other than these stereotypes, I’ll be a bit disappointed because there’s so much room for moral greyness in Ace of Spades.

So this was a sneak peek that I read and here are the reasons why you need to read this book:

🌻Set in a competitive private school
🌻The perfect dark-academia setting
🌻POC rep
🌻The consumed artist trope

That is to say, I loved the short bit I could read. Now I am only hoping that I get accepted for the full NetGalley ebook though!! Do check it out!

Ughh I was so mad this was just a sneak peek and not the full book
I almost forgot about it and when I went to the next chapter it SUDDENLY ENDED AND NOW I'M TOO BROKE TO ACTUALLY BUY IT? I guess I'll wait then
Anyway, I really liked the book's sneak peek! I'm not into mysteries/thrillers that much but this one caught my attention and rightfully so even if it was just 25 pages I can tell that the story will keep me up at night to finish it
The 4 stars because I haven't read the entire thing yet ✨✨

I'm so beyond excited for this book to come out. I need more!
I'm loving both perspectives so far and there's already been plenty of mystery and reveals.
The writing style has been incredible and super easy to read (plus hella engaging).

Overall, I need to know more!! Already obsessed.

“I excel at being unknown…”

This is one of my most anticipated books of 2021! I mean hello?? Black, queer, mystery/thriller? I just feel like this book was written for me.

I’ve only read the sneak peak, but I can already tell that I will love it. I can already relate to Devon in a few ways. I can’t wait to learn more about these characters and see how the story unfolds.