This story, told in alternating viewpoint of Chamika and Devon, is a look at a high power, elite school, and what it will go through to remain that way. The beginning of this book is very reminiscent of other dark academia books like Stags by MA Bennett. Things happen similarly, except there are no guns involved.
Chamika and Devon are the only two Black students at school. Chamika has wealthy immigrant parents, while Devon is from the poor side of town. Chamika has had it relatively easy to the casual observer, but only her and the reader know that she tries so hard to be perfect. She will not let anyone make her feel “less than” because of her skin color, or her “new money”. Devon is the smart gay nerd who barely survived his fist school, only to get a dream scholarship to this new one. But the nice school, doesn’t mean Devon’s life is nice. He still has to help mom pay the bills sometimes, watch out for the bullies, drug dealers, and even friends that will pound him into the ground with the least provocation.
While books like Stags make class or society distinctions that cause the dark episodes, Ace of Spades, all comes down to race. “Social Eugenics”. This is not a topic that I was ever taught about in school, but find that this book opened a window to explore more in-depth and real life cases of this practice. Of people purposely being held up to get shot down. This book gave the readers a lot to think about, both in current and future actions.
One thing the author really did well was set the story. They never come out and say where the school is, the reader just assumes. I assumed it was Chicago as I live in Illinois. However, the author purposely wrote so that anyone can see a place they recognize.
This book was an interesting and entertaining read. It brings forth conversations on actions of people and their consequences, and opens doors to find ways to fight practices like illustrated within the pages of the book.
TW: Racism, Sexism, LGBTQ bashing
Chamika and Devon are the only two Black students at school. Chamika has wealthy immigrant parents, while Devon is from the poor side of town. Chamika has had it relatively easy to the casual observer, but only her and the reader know that she tries so hard to be perfect. She will not let anyone make her feel “less than” because of her skin color, or her “new money”. Devon is the smart gay nerd who barely survived his fist school, only to get a dream scholarship to this new one. But the nice school, doesn’t mean Devon’s life is nice. He still has to help mom pay the bills sometimes, watch out for the bullies, drug dealers, and even friends that will pound him into the ground with the least provocation.
While books like Stags make class or society distinctions that cause the dark episodes, Ace of Spades, all comes down to race. “Social Eugenics”. This is not a topic that I was ever taught about in school, but find that this book opened a window to explore more in-depth and real life cases of this practice. Of people purposely being held up to get shot down. This book gave the readers a lot to think about, both in current and future actions.
One thing the author really did well was set the story. They never come out and say where the school is, the reader just assumes. I assumed it was Chicago as I live in Illinois. However, the author purposely wrote so that anyone can see a place they recognize.
This book was an interesting and entertaining read. It brings forth conversations on actions of people and their consequences, and opens doors to find ways to fight practices like illustrated within the pages of the book.
TW: Racism, Sexism, LGBTQ bashing