For days I struggled to read a book but nothing in my e-library seemed to capture my attention. Every book I schemed through either had a familiar plot or wasn't exciting to read. After trying and failing, I asked a friend to recommend something “different” for me and the book “Aces of Spades” was recommended to me.
This book ticked all my pre-reading boxes: catchy title, appealing cover design and an interesting premise that drew me in. It had a decent number of pages and the online reviews were also very encouraging so I decided to give the book a chance and it was nothing short of titillating.Every sentence on every page of every chapter was meticulously written, bringing a thought-provoking piece to life.
About The Book
The story follows Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, two high achieving students at the prestigious Novels Academy. Soon after they are announced senior prefect, a mysterious entity begins to circulate partially true news and share their deepest and darkest secrets, all in a bid to defame them. Devon and Chiamaka now have to navigate their complicated past and present in order to uncover the truth and at the same time maintain their sanity and protect their respective futures.
Aces of Spades, a young adult thriller novel written by Faridah Àbíké–Íyímídé, explores the themes of racism, classism and the complexities of adolescence. These are all themes that are relatable in one way or another to everyone who has passed through adolescence, making this book a very relevant and insightful read.
My Opinion
I remember thinking that this book brought the word “thought-provoking” to life as the author gave the readers things to think about and meditate on. Not only did this novel dissect important socioeconomic issues, it also threw a decent amount of light on issues that people do not really love to talk about like classism and the constant pressure adolescents face to meet their parents' lofty expectations.
One of the author's greatest strengths was their ability to expertly interlace the book's themes throughout the chapters, resulting in a narrative that was impactful, creating a rich reading experience. The theme of racism was one of my favourites because as usual, the racists in this novel hated the idea of being called what they were and their attempts to wriggle out of the obvious despite overwhelming evidence was, well, comic.
The two main characters were well developed. Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo were both multi-dimensional characters with rich back stories and reasonable motives for their every action. The novel's detailed account of the main characters' actions and experiences made it easy to stay invested in their stories. The supporting characters were also a very interesting set of individuals, each of them with a major role to play, however, they felt one-dimensional, lacking complexity and depth.
The suspense was yet another titillating aspect of this book. The author's expertly written narrative kept me guessing throughout, with shocking plot twists and surprises that upended my expectations. Even when I thought I knew where the story was headed, I was delightfully proven wrong, adding to the excitement and tension. The suspense was top notch, making this novel unputdownable.
The ending of this novel was a true triumph in my opinion, as the author delivered a sense of closure and justice that felt both authentic and satisfying; Just like the sweet finishing touch of icing on a delicious cake.
Recommendation and Rating
Aces of Spades is a perfect read for fans of young adult thrillers or those interested in stories that explore social justice because believe it when I say justice was served.
I would give the book a solid 9.5/10 rating because it was that good.
With its timely and important themes, well developed main characters and suspenseful plot, this book is an absolute must-read.
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