Synopsis

An incendiary and utterly compelling thriller with a shocking twist that delves deep into the heart of institutionalized racism, from an exceptional new YA voice. Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can’t escape the spotlight when his private photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they’re planning much more than a high-school game…

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Review

I was not expecting the twists that this book provides the reader and it kept me glued to the pages wanting to know who was involved, why, and how would it all turn out.

Devon and Chiamaka are the only two black students at this private academy and they have both been chosen as prefects their senior year. What they don’t expect is for their world to start falling apart without any clue as to who or by whom. The answer will surprise you.

This YA novel includes many topics including racism, LGBTQ, death, drugs, sexuality, and so much more. But all of these topics wind together to create an amazing tale that will appeal to many different readers. The chapters alternate between Devon and Chiamaka’s point of view and it provides the reader with different views of the same situation. We also see how these two characters handle the situation at hand and if their upbringing plays a part in their decisions. Chiamaka is from a family of wealth while Devon is at the academy on a scholarship, this means they handle situations quite differently but it plays to their advantage in the end.

The tension builds as the story progresses, but the real excitement is in the last 10% as everything comes to a head. There are so many things that are unbelievable, but believable at the same time. I think my jaw might have dropped a few times in disbelief. But sadly, I’m sure much of this can still be found across the world and that saddens me in how we have progressed over time in our thoughts and actions of other people no matter their background.

This thriller will definitely keep you on your toes. The epilogue is wonderful and the last line of the book?  Oh my! Things do come full circle.

We give this book 5 paws up.

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