when i tell you how a sneak peak literally got me praying that it's the pub date already? oh my god? this book's got me down so bad i need it ASAP! i just honestly know that a lot of people needs to know about this book and read it, because i genuinely think it's going to be a fun ride

I'm hooked starting from the first page of this sneak peak. I'm so intrigued, I need MORE!

This book is full of diverse characters and a QUEER thriller dealing with racism? I am ALL HERE for this!

I'm so sad I only got to preview the sneak peak, I thought it was the whole book ahaha!

I'm so SO excited for this book, and this sneak peek made me even more excited. I can't wait to see how everything is going to play out!

yoooo this was so brutally good. it took me a while to read, partly because I was just really busy with uni work but also because it was so insanely good and brutal and just aaah. I couldn't just read this in a few sittings. I really had to think about everything I read. Ace of Spades challenges systematic oppression and white supremacy in a dark academia setting which is extremely unsettling. I was so angry while reading this, it's crazy to think these things actually happen still. Ace of Spades was everything I thought it would be. Read this, please

I only read the first few chapters - but OH. MY. GOD. I'm fully invested in the story and cannot wait to see what comes next! As an #OwnVoices reviewer for the novel - I can say the characters were relatable and sparked an emotional connection with me.

I look forward to reading the rest when it's out.

This one was soo good. Im really excited to read the rest of this. I can't wait until June so I can read the rest of this. This is only the sneak peek, so I don't have a lot to say about this one. The writing is nice, and I like the characters. The sneak peek also ends with a cliffhanger that makes me want to read the rest even more.

The sneak peek left me wanting to read more. The character development was written great in the first 3 chapters. The build of the story left me wanting more.

This is really is a peek--it's 23 whole pages, with three chapters, two for Devon and one for Chiamaka. If you want to see the scenario and see if the writing works for you, go ahead and look at this.
Since there was so little, there's not much to say, but I'll say what I can.
Devon and Chiamaka are the only two Black students at the very rich and very white Niveus high school. Both of them are selected as Prefects, with Chiamaka being the Head Prefect for the third year in a row and Devon being picked as a Head Prefect to his great surprise. After that, Devon finds out a photo of him kissing another guy (he's a closeted gay guy) has been leaked, and that's it for plot.
Devon was the more sympathetic of the two for me, and I'm glad the book opens with his perspective. He likes music and his music teacher, but otherwise wants the school to not notice him so he can work on getting into a good college. He's very aware of the privilege his classmates have. I liked him well enough, but two chapters isn't a lot to get majorly endeared to anyone.
Chiamaka is the hard-working queen of the school. Everyone likes her, but she lacks any real friends, which doesn't seem to be a problem for her. I didn't like her very much, even though I could respect her achievements. I wish her voice was a bit more different from Devon's, too.
The writing style is fine. It's first-person present and doesn't get choppy, although the pop-culture similes did get on my nerves a bit. Again, my biggest complaint is that the two protagonists' voices could've been more different, especially because they're both in first-person.

So, yeah, there's a decent bit to say, but this is a 23 page sampler. There wasn't enough time or set-up for me to get invested in anyone or anything.

I wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about this in the very beginning with Devon’s perspective but soon as I started reading Chiamaka’s I felt locked in. So far from what I know, this is a dark academia/gossip girl crossover that is much more diverse and rich. With the little bit that I read, I found myself on the edge of my seat, wanting to read more. I’m looking forward to this coming out so I can devour the rest of it.

I am most interested in watching the relationship between Ruby and Chiamaka and what happens between.. I am curious about whether there are any secrets between them because there seems to be some obvious tension. Overall, I’m excited to see where this book goes because I feel like it has a lot of potential to one of people’s favorite reads of the year.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this Arc in exchange for a honest review...

This cover is everything! It's beautiful and I like the details of both characters. I love private school tropes, I can never put a book down when it comes to them. I truly enjoyed this sneak peek and I can't until the book is released!

I didn't know much of anything about this book before I launched into it and I am actually quite glad that I did. I didn't have any preconceived notions about the characters or the plot or writing, so I was able to take it in with fresh eyes and an open mind.

Although we only get a first few chapters sample of the book, I could already see this book was going to be quite fast-paced, with an interesting story line and a lot of character development. Just by meeting the main two characters briefly, I was already excited for what I think will be a great deal of learning that is done by two people who judge the other before truly knowing them.

It's safe to say that I definitely want to read the rest of this book...pronto!

Thank you NetGalley for the sneak peak preview of Ace of Spades! I’ve seen this cover a lot but hadn’t really looked too much into the book. However, after reading this 3 chapter preview all I can say is IM HOOKED!! I need to get the rest of the story in my hands bc I have to know what’s going on. I need to know how Devon and Chiamaka’s paths are going to cross, I want to know how Devon got picked as a head prefect, I want to know what makes chi tick and I need to know more about this picture!

This is a nice little sneak peek into the book. It definitely intrigued me and I might consider picking up the full book once it's released. The writing style is easy to follow and enjoyable. The characters seem like they might have an interesting journey ahead of them.

Thank you so much Usborne for sending me the sneak peak of this well anticipated book of 2021!

I already adore Devon, and that cliffhanger whew!! I really like his personality and how he’s coming across, but I wonder who he was kissing. As for Chiamaka, I love the mean girl status but she also has a side that we don’t know to her. And I hope we get to figure it out. I’m not the biggest fan of Ruby, but I know that she’s meant to come off as a bitchy character so that was well portrayed. I can’t wait to get a little more into these characters and figure out exactly what’s going on with the ace! Again thank you so much for sending me this sneak peek! Hopefully I get to read the full story soon.

Interesting premise. I would love to read the full version of this book to know more about the characters and their story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review a sampler of this book.

NOW I WANT THE BOOK IN MY HANDS. This comes out on June 1, 2021, but I swear, it can't come soon enough. There's only 3 chapters, but it's paced out nicely and by the end, you're left wanting more. I definitely am. I'll be sure to read and gasp over this book when it comes out!

I am SO intrigued by this. This preview gives us a good glimpse into the world and the characters and I need more. I can see this being a huge series when it is released.

This sneak peak gives just the right amount of whats to come,the story beats seemed planned well for a mystery story. The writing is good as well for the few pages that are there and makes the reader yearn for more. I would describe this as a trailer for the book which looks promising.
From the get go I already got a feel of the two main characters and the relationship to the people around them.
For those who are not great fans of first person present tense narrative at least it is offset by switching points of view so maybe it won't be grating, but I will save my judgements until I can read the whole book.

Okay i am so very much in love with the cover alone. Not only do i see a black girl but a black boy too! This truly warns my heart. We need more poc representation on book covers and this book does it wonderfully

I am really liking what I have read so far! As a Black student as a PWI, I could relate to Devon and Chiamaka and the experiences and feelings that they describe being there. Just the fact that I could relate so much instantly made me more interested in their story and care so much about them in just a few chapters.

The end of the sneak peek has me SO INTERESTED! I need to know what happens to Devon next, and where the storylines of Chiamaka and Devon will intertwine. I cannot wait for this to be released this June. I am so excited! After 23 pages, I am almost positive that I will love this book.