Cyberbullying Mystery at Elite Private School

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lizzyh Avatar

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Whether you feel like the "thriller set at a ruthlessly competitive private school" trope is overplayed in YA or not, you must admit that there is something about the setting that's inherently mysterious. Most teens will not be able to relate to the world of Niveus Academy, an elite school for the Gossip Girl type introduced in the "Ace of Spades," but the setting may help teens suspend their disbelief in the way that's needed for a puzzle caper or murder mystery. (Some readers may actually think that the story is set in a fantasy universe, what with the discussion of prefects and slimy headmasters, so it may be worth it to label it as a contemporary realistic mystery up front.) Alternating chapters introduce two teen protagonists: Devon, an aspiring musician who really hates the school, and Chiamaka, an over-achiever who will do anything to make it to the top. Readers will need to continue to find out how the characters' stories will intersect, but the first few chapters hint at some potential themes: blackmail, cyberbullying, class, race, and more. Could be the start to a suspenseful, important debut, but I'd have to read a bit more to really get into it.