This is a YA novel of a band of online friends who are all on the Asexual spectrum. When Jack’s mother is arrested, he brings their online friend group together in real life in Las Vegas to execute a heist.

The majority of this book is the interpersonal relationships of the Ace characters, rather than the actual heist. Each character is completely separate in their own Ace identity that there is no confusing them, which is a testament to DeWitt’s ability to write strong, unique characters.

A very enjoyable read overall and some excellent friendship bonds woven within the characters in these pages.

I’m giving this one 4 stars!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Peach Tree Teen and RB Media for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book got off to a slow start. There were also a lot of characters to try to keep track of in the beginning. I would say things picked up once all the Aces Wild group got together in person. I absolutely loved their friendship with one another and the fact that this book gave us 5 asexual characters!

As for the heist itself, I was a bit let down. The fact that it’s right there on the cover gave me the impression that it would be a lot more exciting. But that’s a personal preference.

I know that the digital book was updated to remove an ableist plot point and some ableist language. At the time I listened to the audio, it was not updated. Hopefully that is something that was updated before this released.

The narrator of this one did a fantastic job! I enjoyed the different voices to be able to differentiate each character. I also thought the narrator did a good job portraying Jack’s emotions.

I think that this one will be enjoyed by anyone looking for more asexual representation in fiction because that representation was the best part of this books in my opinion.

Aces Wild by Amanda Dewitt

When Jack Shannon finds out his mom is in prison, he is forced to leave his boarding school to deal with the fallout and his family back in his hometown of Las Vegas. Immediately suspecting that his mom was set up, he calls upon his best friends to come and help. His best friends that he has never met before, they are all a part of an all-asexual online group. But he trusts them more than anyone else and they are just the group to break into a high stakes gambling room to help clear his Mom.

This book was so fun! Like oceans eleven but with teenagers. It has everything! Family drama, adventure, hilarious moments and finding-your-self heart ache. I really loved the characters, especially Jack, and would love to read a sequel!

This is a great YA novel, perfect for 13 and up I think. I can’t wait to hear what my 14 year old thinks of it!

Thank you to @peachtreeteen for my copy! This one is out everywhere tomorrow!

Have you ever been to Las Vegas? I’ve been twice but both times were before I was 21!

#queerbooks #yabooks #aceswild #bookish #asexualcharacters #books #readbooks #readmore #representationinbooks #readya #ya #amandadewitt #bookishteens #gifted #reading #penguinteen #teenbooks

Jack Shannon has been raised among Vegas royalty, his family is one of the prominent casino families. But he's been in boarding school, far away for a while now and only comes back when his mom is arrested. He is persuaded that an old friend of his mom turned enemy and competition is responsible for her arrest and intends to do everything he can to prove it. And that's why he invits his best friends to Vegas, to meet IRL for the first time and help him get his proof.

This was okay. I listened to it and it went by pretty fast but I wasn't all that invested and the story just didn't captivate me. A lot of it was a bit too far-fetched for me I think, it kept me from getting into it properly.
I also had trouble truly feeling for Jack cause he was so self-centered through a lot of the book. And I felt like many of the side characters blended together and didn't have a very layered personality.
Some parts were kinda fun and I really enjoyed the asexual representation but that just wasn't enough.
I'm glad the book was changed so that the main character didn't pretend to be deaf but I still don't get how anyone thought that was a good idea in the first place.
Oh but I loved the narrator, I already knew him from his narration of the Apollo books and he is truly wonderful.
But, also, I wouldn't call this a heist book? There were no actual heist in it, just a couple of stings...
Basically this was kind of entertaining, but disappointing...

Asexual YA Vegas Strip Heist. What more are you really looking for in a book?

Without being a member of the Asexual community, I think this is a very positive and informative representation of Asexuality. It was a cute story about family — biological and found — and finding one’s self.

An absolutely delightful YA heist story featuring a group of online friends who come together in Vegas to help one of them try to save his mom by breaking into a high-stakes gambling club. I loved the found family and the Ocean's eleven style antics. Full of heart and laughs and a great cast of diverse characters. These teens are all on the ace (asexual) spectrum and one is nonbinary. Good on audio too narrated by Robbie Daymond. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Recommended for fans of The inheritance games series.

Such an adorable little read about a group of asexual teens, who met in an online support group for ace people, coming together in Vegas to help one of their own.

I absolutely LOVE the fact we got a novel full of different representations of who ace people can be and the umbrellas and spectrums that exist within it. I've never read a book that shows asexual people in a group before, so I was so appreciative of that.

I found Jack, the MC, to be a fantastic narrative voice. I thought he was fun and interesting. However, I wish we focused a little more on the bonds and characters themselves rather than the heist plot as I thought the characterization of certain members of the group was a little weak at times. I have absolutely no idea who Georgia was as a person and Gabe's personality shifted drastically scene-by-scene. I wish we'd gotten to know them better.

The plot itself was convoluted, but in a fun way! It's what you should expect from a piece of heist media. That's the whole point. Aces Wild was action packed and things were on the move constantly, so it was super easy to read.

I felt like the marketing on Aces Wild was a little strange as it led me to believe there were a few more similarities to Six of Crows other than a heist being a major plot point. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but I think it may have made people's expectations of the book a little different to what the content delivers.

I thought Robbie Daymond' s audiobook narration was impeccable. I really, really enjoyed listening to his interpretation of the characters and hope to listen to more of him.

All in all it was fun, but the opportunity was there for it to be just a little bit more.

Thank you Netgalley and RB Media!

• Asexual Rep
• Illegal Gambling
• Online Friendships

Jack Shannon is a teenager at El Collo Prep with an underground blackjack club. He’s called home because his mom is arrested for organized crime. While his sister thinks it’s time for the family to be honest, Jack just knows that Peter Carlevaro (casino rival) is the culprit. He calls on his friends Lucky, Remy, Georgia, and Gabe, who he met online and never in person. They are all varying degrees of asexual. While trying to save his mom, Jack is also figuring out what it means to be ace and in love.

I loved Jack’s narration of the story, it felt very teenage like and real. What I didn’t expect was this book containing more interpersonal conflict than about the “heist”. The storyline of Jack uncovering Peter’s crimes was very muted, in my opinion. I wasn’t really surprised at the twists and the ending fell a little flat. Robbie Daymond did a great job narrating this book and tried to make intense in the right places.

<i>Thank you to Amanda Dewitt, Robbie Daymond, RB Media, and Recorded Books for the Audio ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.<i>

#AcesWild #AmandaDewitt #RobbieDaymond #RBMedia #RecordedBooks #NetGalley #ARC #AudioARC

I really wanted to like this book and I feel like it was really hyped up, but something just wasn't there for me. I found myself constantly comparing it to the movie "21" and wanting that kind of action and it definitely wasn't there. I think that the fact the characters were all asexual (which FYI, I apparently had no idea when I requested this book) so I think that aspect was pretty cool and different. The audio was just "okay" for me. I can't say Robbie was my favorite narrator but eh.

I think everyone should give this one a shot and see if it's their cup of tea. I think it has potential for the right crowd.

DNF @ 50%

I was really excited to read this when I saw that it featured a group of asexual characters, and the synopsis sounded fun. But I just couldn't get into it... The plot was dragging on and didn't seem to be getting to the point of what was mentioned in the synopsis, which I see is a common complaint in reviews. I ended up dozing off multiple times while trying to read this book, didn't connect with the characters, and ended up quitting halfway. I hope there is a younger audience who will appreciate it more than I did!

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/</p></i>Unfortunately, I never really got into this book. I love the idea of a group of Asexual kids running around and adventuring - it is an under-represented community and there was some great insight on teens in different places in the Ace spectrum. But the plot was laughable, the characters uninteresting, and the whole thing just rather silly (even for a YA book).

Story: Jack lives a life of privilege as the son of a high profile casino owner. That is, until his mother is arrested for tax fraud and his world crumbles down around him. Jack is sure it is the work of a slimy mobster business associate but with assets frozen, he has precious few resources to help prove his mother's innocence. That is, until his online chat group of fell asexual-oriented friends come to the rescue to expose the rat mafia guy!

First and foremost, I never really liked any of the characters. Jack is not very interesting and feels too much like a construct rather than a real person. The same with his friends; they all felt like a made up cast of characters to tell a story rather than an organic rat pack. Jack's family is almost a cliché and do little to add depth to the story.

It's also really hard to like a main character who puts his rather innocent friends in harm's way by having them go up against the mafia. At that point, you know the plot is more Scooby Doo than Ocean's 11. And not even in a fun way. I was admittedly bored through most of the silly book and only enjoyed reading the parts where the characters talked about their experiences being asexual and how it affected their lives.

In all, it isn't a terrible book, just very unbelievable and inane. It is a quick read. Note: I listened to the audiobook version as well as read the print version and can highly recommend the audio version. The narrator does an excellent job and sounds perfect for the role. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Oh my god I loved this book so much! If I’d have had a book like this when I was in high school, there probably wouldn’t have been an identity crisis in my twenties, for sure. Jack was such a fun main character and the twists and turns of the book left me at the edge of my seat. The narrator was so much fun and really added an extra layer to the book. This is one I’ll listen to again and again

3.5
When I read the synopsis of this book I was excited and all in. Then graciously NetGalley allowed me a copy to listen to for a fair review.
I will say that I enjoyed the narrator, I pictured him to be Tom Holland who wanted to gather up his Asexual internet buddies in order to figure out who is Selling his mom out. I also respected the representation of LGBTQ and the pronouns surrounding it.
However, for me, this story fell flat. I didn't think the ending was all that spectacular and I would not call this a full heist book.

This book being called a heist is a bit of a misnomer but it’s still a really fun story involving a nearly completely asexual cast, online friends, and found family, with a side of a love story. Jack Shannon returns home to his family’s Las Vegas casino after his mom is arrested. He knows she was sold out by Peter Carlevaro, co-owner of the casino, and he wants to know why. He gathers his online friends to Las Vegas, meeting in person for the same time. They met in an online forum after connecting over being asexual. Aside from the fact that his mom has been arrested, there’s other family drama in that he and his sisters barely know each other and his dad is a background character in his own life, much less in Jack’s.

I loved the ace rep. There’s so little queer rep in any media, much less ace rep, and to have a whole cast of characters be ace meant a lot. There wasn’t much of a coming out scene, though Jack’s family doesn’t know he’s ace, or why his friends are really in Las Vegas. I appreciated the novel being made about other things, rather than the justification of asexuality. Just as a lot of queer books used to be coming out stories, some of the first stories I read about asexuality were justifiying why the person didn’t feel sexual attraction. There was always the line about being broken or not finding the right person yet, despite some of these characters being teenagers. There was some conversation about a character being too young to know if they were ace, but that was quickly forgiven and forgotten.

The narrator was so on point for Jack! He injected a good amount of emotion and told the story very well. The conversational tone was very well done for the story and really helped me immerse myself while listening. Looking at his resume, I’m not surprised he did such a good job! I’ve heard his voice many times before and am happy to have had this opportunity to listen to him again.

I would have liked more bonding time between our main cast. Much of their bonding happened prior to the story, chatting online. There were a few scenes in which they got used to each other’s in person personalities, but there wasn’t enough hanging around. Though the novel was well paced, a few more bonding scenes would have been great. It would have defined the characters’ personalities better and made them more distinct. Remy had their moment, as did Lucky. But the others felt like something of a blur to me. Remy and Jack were a highlight of the story. Their romance was soft and Jack’s crush came with a lot of fun and awkward moments.

The description of the setting wasn’t great from my point of view, as a person who has never been to Las Vegas and has only seen what we see in movies. It didn’t feel hyped up enough and maybe that was on purpose, given that Jack lived there and had gotten over the sparkle.

Morgan was a plant and poorly characterized. Her appearance and eventual reveal of the deep dark secret in the background of the plot, felt super forced, on top of her personality being so cliche. She was a badly done villain sidekick who didn’t want to do the villain’s bidding. I don’t know if I was supposed to like her or feel bad for her, but I didn’t really feel either.

All in all, I enjoyed this book, particularly this audiobook version from RB Media. I recommend this book perhaps to younger readers, just on the cusp of middle grade, ready to head into young adult. While many of the characters are older, seventeen and eighteen, their struggles with queer identity and family support would vibe with younger readers. Thank you to both RB Media and NetGalley for this gift!

Aces Wild was book that I really wanted to love at the onset of my understanding of the title. The combination of asexual teens who all respect each other and what they bring to the table on top of a heist was what made me poor over this book. Aces Wild did great on character and world building but felt just short of a good heist. But I cannot lie I did enjoy the ride of this book.

---

Some people join chess club, some people play football. Jack Shannon runs a secret blackjack ring in his private school’s basement. What else is the son of a Las Vegas casino mogul supposed to do?

Everything starts falling apart when Jack’s mom is arrested for their family’s ties to organized crime. His sister Beth thinks this is the Shannon family’s chance to finally go straight, but Jack knows that something’s not right. His mom was sold out, and he knows by who. Peter Carlevaro: rival casino owner and jilted lover. Gross.

Jack hatches a plan to find out what Carlevaro’s holding over his mom’s head, but he can’t do it alone. He recruits his closest friends—the asexual support group he met through fandom forums. Now all he has to do is infiltrate a high-stakes gambling club and dodge dark family secrets, while hopelessly navigating what it means to be in love while asexual. Easy, right?

Maybe the future is here, maybe I am just sentimental, but to get to read a book with multiple canon ace characters, to get to read such a book early, is almost too good to believe. And yet here I am to tell you all: better believe it! Amanda DeWitt‘s „Aces Wild“ is exactly the book I would have loved to have as a teen (and am so glad to know that teens now will have it).

The story follows Jack, a high school student from a rich (and distant) family, whose life has just been shaken by the news about his mother‘s arrest. Back at home, the glimmering Las Vegas, things are a lot worse than they seemed to be at first glace, but Jack isn‘t about to sit around and do nothing as his old life crumbles. Maybe there is still something to be done, and with a team of best friends from around the country in one place on the case, the stakes are worth the bet?..

Part heist, part family drama and part a love story (despite what you might be led to believe in the beginning!), „Aces Wild“ accomplished what it set out to do with it‘s engaging plot, lovable characters and friendships that make you wish you could hug your own internet friends (even more than usually). The balance between humorous and serious topics, painful realness and occasional disbelief, was handled really well – it kept me both entertained and let me connect to characters as if they were real people. I really appreciated how openly asexuality was discussed in the story.

Since I listened to the audiobook, I have to say, Robbie Daymond as the narrator did a great job and I‘m not sure what I‘ll be doing on my commutes to work and home now that I‘m done with this book. The way he voiced various not-really-word sounds and accents was amusing and really helped picture the characters in my head.

All in all, I came for representation and stayed for the characters and the story (even though I am not usually into rich people problems, which should say something).

I thought this story was very fun, if a little predictable. The characters are loveable and there were several parts that made me laugh. It was also great to see a whole cast of ace characters. Though the story was fairly predictable (as previously mentioned), I was still compelled to continue reading because of the characters. My main complaint came with the ending (SPOILERS AHEAD).

Though the end of the book shows a conversation with Jack and his mother that largely revolves around the importance of dealing with consequences, the main characters themselves seem to face very little of them. Before the end I was concerned for the characters and what it might mean for their future as friends after they were caught in their lie, but the story wraps with a relatively happy end that doesn't touch much on those consequences at all.
(END OF SPOILERS)

Regardless of that, I still think this is a great story for readers who like found family, LGBTQIA+ representation, fun banter, and adventure.

Boooo that was disappointing. A cast of asexual characters? Awesome! A heist? Awesome! But I wouldn't call this a heist and therein lies the disappointment. SUCH a fun cover and fun beginning but the ending just strayed and didn't give what was promised. Also, the narrator tended to mush words together? Or maybe the author just chose weird names. Elkhollow sounded like El Callo. Carlevaro sounded like Carl Levaro, full name Peter Carl Levaro. Lol what a messy unnecessarily long last name. I was glad to have the e-book as well to double-check names!!

Aces Wild is a fun romp, albeit a pretty ridiculous and unrealistic one. There's not actually much heisting (though there is some action), focusing instead on the relationships between Jack and his family and friends.
The large cast full of asexual characters is a lovely touch for representation. Most of the characters don't get much individual attention, in a way that feels like a missed opportunity to highlight the spectrum of ace experience. Ultimately though the found family of their support group is uplifting and a joy to read.
Narrator Robbie Daymond really brings to life the teenage voice that characterizes the writing. I had to laugh at the conversations between Jack and his friends because of how simultaneously snarky and corny their realistic dialogue is.
There is a lot of Vegas love to go around in this book. Perhaps I enjoyed it more than I would have otherwise just because I have a soft spot for Vegas? but it's a unique and interesting setting for a YA story!

If we all took this kind of people-first approach to morality (and amorality), the world would be a better place.

Jack has it all. He's the heir to a fabulously wealthy casino-hotel dynasty in the legendary Las Vegas strip, he runs an illicit blackjack club at his elite private boarding school, and he's found an online friend group who share and understand his identity: asexuality. When his mother's business rival threatens everything Jack holds dear, he knows there's only one thing for a young criminal in the making like him to do - bring all his ace friends to Las Vegas to pull off an elaborate heist amid the glamor, glitz, and lies of the Las Vegas underworld. Reader take note, this is NOT a love story.

I'll admit, it took me a minute to warm up to Jack. He has copious amounts of rich kid swagger, but the way DeWitt almost immediately deconstructs the character into insecurity and vulnerability won me over pretty fast (aided by great narration delivered with gusto by Robbie Daymond, making the audio version highly recommended). Not only is this an enjoyable romp of a heist novel, it also paints such a vivid and atmospheric sense of place that I don't think it's inaccurate to say Las Vegas is a character of the story.

I will say that there were some minor plot holes that were just present enough to snag my attention, and some of the dynastic hijinks felt a little far-fetched. Add in one character who was so cartoonishly mysterious that it was hard not to be annoyed at Jack for playing along. All in all, some very minor nitpicks in a story that was otherwise a great ride.

Highly recommended for fans of Leverage, buddy comedies, and improbable-but-fun teenage mayhem.