Ace of Spades

By: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Narrated by: Jeanette Illidge, Tapiwa Mugweni

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

This program includes an author's note read by the author.

Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon and Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully.

"All you need to know is...I’m here to divide and conquer. Like all great tyrants do." (Aces)

When two Niveus Private Academy students, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, are selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, it looks like their year is off to an amazing start. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too.

Shortly after the announcement is made, though, someone who goes by Aces begins using anonymous text messages to reveal secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threaten every aspect of their carefully planned futures.

As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly?

With heart-pounding suspense and relevant social commentary comes a high-octane thriller from debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.

A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends

©2021 Faridah Abike-Iyimide (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee, 2022

YALSA William C. Morris - Finalist, 2022

Boston Globe Best Books of the Year, 2021

School Library Best Books of the Year, 2021

Whoa!

This was insane! I was not prepared for the plot twists, the back stabbing, the depths these characters were willing to go to. I give this story and narrators a standing ovation.

I Needed This

When I tell you I could not stop listening! I was first hooked when I discovered that there are two black protagonist, then to find out they are apart of the lgbtq community was a absolute plus. Like I just couldn’t wait for more to unfold. I kinda didn’t like that it took them so long to understand the situation, but I also understand why they were in denial for so long. Overall a great mystery and might buy a hard copy just to read and have in the future.

Read this Book or Listen to this Audiobook

I love this book. Well worth the listen or read. The author has a beautiful way with words and especially so in describing worldly situations in a way to open the reader's eye (if it's not something theyve experienced themselves) and I can see being quite validating for those who have gone through the racsist social stemic system we have in the world today. The narrators were perfect and I loved every minute of this book. The story kept me wanting to finish to learn more and kept the pace consistently interesting! Amazing overall, quite simply: read the book you won't regret it.

These Books Matter!!!!!!!!

The Gossip Girl fan in me loves the main two characters… If I could go back in time and swap out any “classical lit read” from my high school junior year I would. So glad young adults have these books now to help process life. Wouldn’t books like Huck Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird have better conversations if teens also read these books to discuss what being targeted by a system looks like today? Just saying *sips tea*

From 'Gossip Girl's to 'Get Out' real quick

For the past 2 days since I started Part 3, I've been ranting and raving, singing this book's praises to any friend who would lend me an ear.

The author did an excellent job turning what seemed like a relatively innocent gossip girl/pretty little liars style drama into a legitimately suspenseful and horrifying thriller. This story is full of twists and turns leaving you wondering who you can trust. I was on the edge of my seat!

Exceptional Storytelling

This was a great read. Knowing that the writer wrote this at the age of 18 makes the storytelling and story more believable for teen readers.

loved it

captivating story, 10/10 will recommend to friends in the future. Story was woven so well you don't see the next twist until it's too late.... or is it?

Intense and so good!

I literally couldn’t stop listening, I finished the book in less than 3 days. I would listen in the car, doing the dishes, working from my computer and before bed. was tied into the characters and how they discover or unearth the truth about ACES. It is really well written, scary, and heartbreaking but educational & empowering. LOVED IT. A must read.

A bit too much

I really struggled with this book. The racism is very poignant and this is what we need this book. I would love to see more lgbtq black characters. However, there are so many things that I feel are really out there. I honestly can’t imagine a school full of racist teacher and admin. I struggled to get past those items that just seem unbelievable.

Trigger warning

This book is really triggering. I went through part of it feeling helpless due to the trauma happening on the page to the Black characters. I wanted to stop listening but I couldn’t, I had to know what happened. Overall I recommend this book.