SLAY

By: Brittney Morris, Michael Boatman, Alexandra Grey, Dominic Hoffman, Sisi Aisha Johnson

Narrated by: Kiersey Clemons

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019!
“Gripping and timely.” —People
“The YA debut we’re most excited for this year.” —Entertainment Weekly
“A book that knocks you off your feet while dropping the kind of knowledge that’ll keep you down for the count. Prepare to BE slain.” —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out

Ready Player One meets The Hate U Give in this dynamite debut novel that follows a fierce teen game developer as she battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther–inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for Black gamers.

By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only Black kids at Jefferson Academy. But at home, she joins hundreds of thousands of Black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, not her friends, her family, not even her boyfriend, Malcolm, who believes video games are partially responsible for the “downfall of the Black man.”

But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, and SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. Even worse, an anonymous troll infiltrates the game, threatening to sue Kiera for “anti-white discrimination.”

Driven to save the only world in which she can be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness. But can she protect her game without losing herself in the process?

Critic reviews

"Narrator Kiersey Clemons portrays high school honor student Kiera, who is the secret developer of SLAY, a popular online role-playing game aimed at celebrating black culture. When a gamer is killed in the real world due to an in-game conflict, SLAY is slammed by the media as racist. Clemons's portrayal of Kiera is youthful and emotional as she struggles with her real-world relationships, and gains ferocity as Kiera stands up for her creation and protects the community she's carved out for black gamers. A few chapters explore the perspectives of other characters, and several narrators are brought in to fully embody the diversity of the gamers who find so much meaning in a world that is unapologetically black."

Great concept, great story

Loved the concept of the game SLAY. I wish it was real. Definitely a YA read but a good one! There's a few pieces of character's stories that I had questions about in the end but overall I'm glad I listened to it.

Wonderful Book

I was not sure what to think of the book when I first started listening. The narrator was amazing, so I kept listening and I am glad I did. I loved the twist and the ending. I think it is a very empowering and thought provoking story.

Amazing book

This was so freaking good. Had me in my feelings and everything and is definitely something that people of all ages could listen too!!

Engaging story full of twists and turns

I loved listening to this book. It really made me think deeply about our existence and experiences on this planet especially when it comes to our skin color.

Vr world come to life & took this girl for a ride!

This was a different kind of read for me. I enjoyed it and totally recommend for a high school young lady. Well done!

Slay Queen, Slay!

This book is an example of supporting and strengthening our young black future creators. We need to uplift them and support their thinking because as you will learn from this book, they are our future.

Can't wait for more by Brittney Morris!

LOVED this story! Morris's book is a rally to embrace the difference/diversity found within the Black community.

A Must Read!

As a high school English teacher, and semi-secret gamer, I appreciated how this book presented Black gamers. I know what it feels like to be called the n-word simply for gaming while Black, and the protagonist, Kiera, did what so many of us wish we could to remedy that issue: create a space where we can go to simply exist and nerd out! This book was part coming of age, part thriller, and part who-done-it and I was here for all of it. I literally couldn’t put it down once I started it. And the twist! My goodness.

Hands down one of my top two favorite books of 2023.

Loved

Loved the narrators. They brought so much life and enjoyment to the entire book. Will enjoy it over and over.

Gotta Read This!

Awesome story! The reader/listener gets a better understanding of what it’s like being Black in today’s world! The readers totally added to the story! I’ve listened twice and read the book once! It’s our July book club book and I can’t wait to talk about it!!