I usually don't put too much stock into a publisher's description of a book, but in this case it is spot on. This YA thriller really does feel like a combination of Gossip Girl and Get Out which totally made for a fascinating read.
Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo are students at Niveus Private Academy. They have been selected as senior class prefects and are in the running for valedictorian. Someone going by the name Aces starts sending anonymous text messages revealing secrets about Devon and Chiamaka. With their futures in jeopardy, the two students vow to take Aces down. On the surface the text messages might seem like a silly prank but deep down the truth is horrifying.
The mystery of Aces and why the two Black students were being targeted easily held my interest. Devon was a character I felt invested in from the start as he's kinda in that underdog type role and you feel protective over him. Chiamaka on the other hand reads like a caricature at first but eventually the author finds a good groove with her and I began to understand and appreciate the character more. At some point I ended up switching gears and became more interested in her scenes rather than the ones only involving Devon.
The big reveal for the mystery is something that I have been contemplating since I read this book a few weeks ago and I just have mixed feelings. I'm trying not to venture into spoiler territory but the direction the story takes is a lot but at the same time it is not enough. I would have loved it if the big reveal took place earlier on so the rest of the novel could have explored the author's ideas more in depth.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates diverse and thought-provoking reads.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo are students at Niveus Private Academy. They have been selected as senior class prefects and are in the running for valedictorian. Someone going by the name Aces starts sending anonymous text messages revealing secrets about Devon and Chiamaka. With their futures in jeopardy, the two students vow to take Aces down. On the surface the text messages might seem like a silly prank but deep down the truth is horrifying.
The mystery of Aces and why the two Black students were being targeted easily held my interest. Devon was a character I felt invested in from the start as he's kinda in that underdog type role and you feel protective over him. Chiamaka on the other hand reads like a caricature at first but eventually the author finds a good groove with her and I began to understand and appreciate the character more. At some point I ended up switching gears and became more interested in her scenes rather than the ones only involving Devon.
The big reveal for the mystery is something that I have been contemplating since I read this book a few weeks ago and I just have mixed feelings. I'm trying not to venture into spoiler territory but the direction the story takes is a lot but at the same time it is not enough. I would have loved it if the big reveal took place earlier on so the rest of the novel could have explored the author's ideas more in depth.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates diverse and thought-provoking reads.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.