Spotted:
Devon and Chiamaka, the only two Black kids at Niveus Private Academy are chosen as the next targets for a sinister game of revealing secrets by Aces. Neither of them know why they were picked: they’ve got nothing in common except an ex and their skin color — Chi is rich and living well whereas Devon is from the hood and struggling to keep his head above water.
Will they figure out who is out to ruin them and why, or will time run out?
XOXO Gossip Girl
———
Okay. This book was so amazing. The way that Aces drops bombs via text message immediately made me think of Serena and Blair dodging GG blasts…the nostalgia! However, friends, what we can’t and shan’t skip over is the (very true, and unfortunately very accurate) depictions of racism. Chiamaka is accused of stealing by a shop owner, who doesn’t even consider that it could be the white guy she’s with. The person Devon always thought he was safe with refers to him as “boy” (which is a whole other conversation about racial slurs). I was so angry for these two literally being picked on for being Black. But this was cathartic. I saw myself in Devon, always having to be strong because he’s expected to be the one to bring the family honor. I saw myself in Chi, straightening my hair and being tough to distance myself from being Black or being seen as soft.
This truly is a powerhouse debut from FÀÍ, and I just know that she’ll do great things in the future.
——
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Publishing for my eARC copy of this book to read and review. Receiving this ARC in no way affects me view or opinion of this book.
Devon and Chiamaka, the only two Black kids at Niveus Private Academy are chosen as the next targets for a sinister game of revealing secrets by Aces. Neither of them know why they were picked: they’ve got nothing in common except an ex and their skin color — Chi is rich and living well whereas Devon is from the hood and struggling to keep his head above water.
Will they figure out who is out to ruin them and why, or will time run out?
XOXO Gossip Girl
———
Okay. This book was so amazing. The way that Aces drops bombs via text message immediately made me think of Serena and Blair dodging GG blasts…the nostalgia! However, friends, what we can’t and shan’t skip over is the (very true, and unfortunately very accurate) depictions of racism. Chiamaka is accused of stealing by a shop owner, who doesn’t even consider that it could be the white guy she’s with. The person Devon always thought he was safe with refers to him as “boy” (which is a whole other conversation about racial slurs). I was so angry for these two literally being picked on for being Black. But this was cathartic. I saw myself in Devon, always having to be strong because he’s expected to be the one to bring the family honor. I saw myself in Chi, straightening my hair and being tough to distance myself from being Black or being seen as soft.
This truly is a powerhouse debut from FÀÍ, and I just know that she’ll do great things in the future.
——
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Publishing for my eARC copy of this book to read and review. Receiving this ARC in no way affects me view or opinion of this book.