Ace of Spades

Starred review from April 12, 2021
An anonymous texter known as Aces reveals secrets about an elite private school’s only two Black students in this bracing debut that hauntingly explores systemic oppression in predominantly white institutions. On the first day of senior year, Devon Richards, an unpopular scholarship student from “the side of town... where people can’t afford food or health care,” is stunned to suddenly be named a Niveus Academy Senior Prefect. Less surprising is the Head Prefect selection: popular, wealthy queen bee Chiamaka Adebayo. Chi works hard to stay at the top of the high school social hierarchy, but when another girl thwarts Chi’s plan to establish the perfect high school power couple with best friend Jamie, it becomes the talk of the school. Musician Devon’s aim to perfect his Juilliard audition piece is disrupted, meanwhile, when a picture of him kissing another male student begins to circulate, outing both without warning. Àbíké-Íyímídé excels in portraying the conflict of characters who exist in two worlds, one of white privilege and one in which Black-ness is not a disadvantage but a point of pride. The story feels slightly overlong, but Devon and Chiamaka are dynamic and multifaceted, deeply human in the face of Aces’ treatment. Ages 14–up. Agent: Molly Ker Hawn, the Bent Agency, on behalf of Zoë Plant, the Bent Agency.

May 1, 2021
Grades 9-12 When the newest prefects are announced at Niveus Private Academy, certain choices just make sense--like the promotion of popular and perfect Chiamaka Adebayo to head prefect--but when Devon is announced as prefect, a role he neither expected nor feels deserving of, he suspects something is afoot. The narrative escalates as Devon and Chiamaka begin receiving suspicious texts from someone known as Aces, who threatens to expose their secrets to the public, endangering their chances of becoming valedictorian--and their lives. Told in alternating chapters that capture each character's unique voice and personality, �b�k�-�y�m�d�'s adeptly crafted debut brings to life an unforgettable thriller that fuses intricate world building with compelling character development. The unexpected allyship between Devon and Chiamaka shines as the two attempt to survive Aces together, with what originally seemed like a cruel prank becoming more and more sinister. This fast-paced novel takes place over the course of a week, but the repercussions of Aces' handiwork will affect Devon and Chiamaka for years to come.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from July 1, 2021

Gr 9 Up-Chiamaka Adebayo and Devon Richards are selected Senior Prefects during their final year at the elite Niveus Academy. Chiamaka is ambitious, unapologetic, and social climbing. She sets her sights on the Snowflake Ball, a Yale acceptance letter, and legacy rich boy Jamie Fitzjohn. Devon is low-key, inhibited, and reserved. He does not want to make waves with his music, Juilliard aspirations, and homosexuality. Chiamaka and Devon are surprisingly linked when a shady figure known as Aces exposes their secrets and lies to Niveus and Devon's impoverished neighborhood through harassing texts. They slowly discover their friends, classmates, and faculty as fairweather and realize they are not only targeted because of the secrets and lies: Their status as the only Black students poses a threat to a secret white supremacist network at Niveus. Chiamaka and Devon must work together to ensure they make history as the first Black graduates or die trying at the hands of Aces, who will do anything and everything to prevent their upward mobility. Readers will love this thriller-mystery reminiscent of Gossip Girl and Get Out. The plot keeps readers guessing. Themes of systemic racism, structural white supremacy, microaggressions, class distinctions, and LGBTQIA+ identities will also resonate with readers. VERDICT A revelatory, buzzworthy debut.-Donald Peebles, Brooklyn P.L.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.