taykealook_'s reviews
625 reviews

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Go to review page

dark reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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) 
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

i am going to be sad forever.
Make a Scene by Mimi Grace

Go to review page

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

this book was fine and good.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 the back half of this book really fell for me, which makes me sad. I still liked it! I didn’t love the FMC that much. 

I just don’t love characters who can’t say what they mean out-loud - and I know that is literally how she grows in this book but it’s not my favorite story line. plus I don’t trust blonde men.
Exes and O's by Amy Lea

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Amy Lea is out here batting 1000 in romance books. 
Hot firefighter, forced proximity, soft FMC, and TAYLOR SWIFT REFERENCES?! be so serious. I loved it. 
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love the “sex lessons” trope, it’s one of my favorites, and the default in this trope is for the MMC to teach the FMC, which get’s flipped on it’s axis in this book. It is so well done. These two together are lovable and communicate well, I love Finn and Chandler. 

Rachel Lynn Solomon is an auto-buy for me.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Go to review page

3.5

I genuinely hated it. but it was technically incredibly well written
The Nanny by Lana Ferguson

Go to review page

3.0

yeah, that was fine.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

Go to review page

adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

i will read Alex Stern books for always. thank you leigh bardugo.
Order Of Scorpions by Ivy Asher

Go to review page

adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 the only way Order of Scopions would be more perfect for me would be if there were two. if this book is for you it's really for you - but read the content warnings because if it's not for you it is REALLY not for you.

I if you love Nesta you'll love Austen, yes this does feel like ACOTAR fan fiction but a dark RH. there is a strong plot in this book and well done characrter development. I do wish this book would have just slown down a little, which would have been done easily by splitting this book in two or even three.

it's really a 4.5 but soley due to pacing. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings