Elle's Reviews > Ace of Spades

Now a Goodreads Choice finalist in Young Adult Fiction!

I just love YA thrillers. Can’t get enough of them! Ace of Spades was no exception. Although it started out similarly to a lot of other books in the genre, by the halfway point it diverged into a completely unique and sinisterly clever story all its own.

Chiamaka Adebayo is Niveus Private Academy’s reigning ‘It Girl’, so it comes as no surprise when she’s named Head Prefect for the fourth year in a row. What does come as a surprise is that Devon Richards, a music student who keeps largely to himself, is awarded one of the Senior Prefect slots alongside her. Despite being on scholarship, Devon has a lot going for him as a student, and as Chiamaka dreams of Yale, he has his sights set on Juliard. Their new student leadership positions only strengthen their chances of success, and it seems like the world is at their fingertips.

But because this is a thriller, it obviously does not all go according to plan. Immediately after receiving their titles, an anonymous source that goes by ‘Aces’ starts spreading rumors and gossip about the pair. Some of it is more harmful than others, but it appears Aces is doing their best to ruin the bright futures that were all but guaranteed to them. It also doesn’t escape notice that the only two students being targeted, Devon and Chiamaka, are the only two Black kids in their school.

I’ve seen this kind of a set-up before, where an anonymous cyber bully gleefully reveals characters’ deepest and darkest secrets to a captive student body, usually via text message. The first half largely sticks to this formula, and I found myself a little underwhelmed initially if I am being honest. But the second half really takes off running, and I could not turn the page fast enough. If you’re worried about this being the same sort of book you’ve read a dozen times, there’s no need. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé revives a familiar plot line with new twists and perspectives that kept me guessing until the very end.

I’d say the greatest strength of Ace of Spades was how I never felt like I had a solid footing when it came to the characters apart from Chiamaka and Devon. You never know who you can really trust, and I think Àbíké-Íyímídé does an excellent job and exposing the more diabolical aspects of a dark academia setting. Are your friends your friends and your enemies your enemies? Take no chances; trust nobody.

I did think the ending was a little rushed, especially compared to how detailed the 150 pages or so were. I think we needed a little more development as far as the big finale was concerned too. I did like the epilogue, but I still had a lot more questions than we were given answers to. Though, I’d still recommend this wickedly fun thriller to anyone in the market for something fast-paced and entertaining that also contains smart social commentary.


*Thanks BookishFirst and Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan) for my finished copy!

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