Dark Academia? I THINK NOT!! Right off the bat I want to let you know that Ace of Spades is a Horror book, at least for anyone Black. Ace of Spades is a horror in the same way Get Out is a horror. IN THE EXACT SAME WAY. 

I am shaking as I write this review and I think I am going to feel “not okay” about this book for a WHILE, which is fine, this is exactly how I am supposed to feel. 

This book is technically excellent, and in a way I am glad I read it. The writing style is phenomial and if Àbíké Íyímídê writes another book I will read it - for the same reason I keep going to see Jordan Peele’s movies. It is important, nay necessary to see Black people win against the system of racism, since it is not something we get to see regularly and through our own voices. 

All that to say, I AM A LIL CHICKEN SHIT AND HATE BEING SCARED. So when this author’s sophomore novel comes out I will read it in the middle of the day, with a weighted blanked, my favorite stuffed animal, and maybe some gummy candy to calm my nerves. 

The character development in this book was flawless. Chiamaka’s relationship with her blackness and the mask she wears at school to thrive in a PWI is crafted incredibly well. Devon’s separate approach, of fading in the background as a scholarship kid is equally well done. Devon and Chiamaka’s relationship develops over the course of this story is a masterclass and the TENSION through the novel was done so well I am still not fully convinced I am going to be able to sleep at night. 

I felt like the climax was a bit rushed which left the ending a tad unsatisfying for me, but that may have just been the cortisol rushing through my veins. 

If you like thriller, horror, Black noir, then I think you should pick up this book immediately. I for one feel like I should get a gold star for not pissing myself but I  digress 4.5/5 stars (BECAUSE I HATE HORROR)