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melplays9000's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book really flew by for me. I wasn’t checking the page number every couple pages like I normally am and I wasn’t even aware of the time while I was reading. I loved the whole concept of this book which drew me in right from the start. A black author writing about the black experience usually intimidates my pathetic white arse (I’m working on it) but this book was so much easier to read than I expected. I loved the conversations this book had and I feel I learned so much from reading it. My favorite part was the characters, they were all so complex and really felt like real people which definitely helped drive the story.
I don’t know exactly what I didn’t like about this book, but I know I can’t give it 5 stars because it just didn’t have the feel of a new favorite. It was quite short and I never truly got invested before it was over.
I’m so glad I read this book. I need to make more of an effort to pick up books with characters and experiences unlike my own; this book was definitely an excellent start to that. Great book, would recommend. 4 stars.
I don’t know exactly what I didn’t like about this book, but I know I can’t give it 5 stars because it just didn’t have the feel of a new favorite. It was quite short and I never truly got invested before it was over.
I’m so glad I read this book. I need to make more of an effort to pick up books with characters and experiences unlike my own; this book was definitely an excellent start to that. Great book, would recommend. 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
bookowllover's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Cancer
Minor: Gun violence and Violence
_thelitlibrarian's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.50 stars
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TW; Racism, Racial Slurs, Toxic Relationship, Death, Cancer, Child Death, Violence, Gun Violence
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Going into Slay I wasn't really sure what to expect, I had been putting this one off for so long. Kiera is your average seventeen-year-old but by night, she turns into a game developer and SLAY player Emerald. I really enjoyed the endless representation, pop-culture references, and some of the message behind this book. I didn't really enjoy how unrealistic the book felt at times especially the whole creation of the game itself.
When a young boy winds up dead due to a dispute in-game, Kiera's world comes crashing down - everyone wants her to be held responsible for a game that seems to be targeted towards black gamers. When it seems as a player infiltrates the game and threatens to sue Kiera, she must spring into action to save everything she's ever worked on.
One of the things I liked most about this book was the dialogue and the interaction between characters, although, I must say I really disliked Malcolm and found his views to be a little out there. I would highly suggest this book as it does hit on very difficult topics and subject matter that should be acknowledged.
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TW; Racism, Racial Slurs, Toxic Relationship, Death, Cancer, Child Death, Violence, Gun Violence
-
Going into Slay I wasn't really sure what to expect, I had been putting this one off for so long. Kiera is your average seventeen-year-old but by night, she turns into a game developer and SLAY player Emerald. I really enjoyed the endless representation, pop-culture references, and some of the message behind this book. I didn't really enjoy how unrealistic the book felt at times especially the whole creation of the game itself.
When a young boy winds up dead due to a dispute in-game, Kiera's world comes crashing down - everyone wants her to be held responsible for a game that seems to be targeted towards black gamers. When it seems as a player infiltrates the game and threatens to sue Kiera, she must spring into action to save everything she's ever worked on.
One of the things I liked most about this book was the dialogue and the interaction between characters, although, I must say I really disliked Malcolm and found his views to be a little out there. I would highly suggest this book as it does hit on very difficult topics and subject matter that should be acknowledged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Death, Cancer, Child death, Violence, and Gun violence
alisazhup's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING! This book deserves SO MUCH HYPE! There was a nuanced discussion of safe spaces, a cute sister/family relationship, an epic video game world, an exploration of what "Black excellence" really means, themes of internalized racism, girls in STEM, Black culture, friendship with people from different races, different regions/countries etc. etc. etc. As a white person this book gave me a lot of perspective. I only wish it was longer! I think a sequel could work with this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Racial slurs, Terminal illness, and Cancer
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, and Police brutality
faydrielreads's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Slay by Brittney Morris is incredibly engaging and fun read centering around Black Girl Magic & Black Excellence. Kiera is a studious, quiet 17 year old girl by day, and Emerald the queen and developer of the exclusive game Slay that centers and celebrates Black culture across the globe.
Ya'll, this book is just 👌🏽. I could feel the love for Black culture radiating from this book which I loved. This book is not only imaginative but also tackles Kiera's struggles such as the difficulties of being Black in a predominantly white school, discovering oneself, searching for acceptance to be fully authentic and misogyny.
The author knocked it out of the park, when the book shifted into Slay, it felt just as engrossing as a VR video game feels in real life. It was vibrant, detailed and drew you in. I love video games, have ever since I was a child and I love the representation of girls loving, playing and creating videogames.
4.5 ⭐ amazing book just wish it had more scenes in Slay. Maybe I'm a little greedy but I just loved it so much I wanted more.
Ya'll, this book is just 👌🏽. I could feel the love for Black culture radiating from this book which I loved. This book is not only imaginative but also tackles Kiera's struggles such as the difficulties of being Black in a predominantly white school, discovering oneself, searching for acceptance to be fully authentic and misogyny.
The author knocked it out of the park, when the book shifted into Slay, it felt just as engrossing as a VR video game feels in real life. It was vibrant, detailed and drew you in. I love video games, have ever since I was a child and I love the representation of girls loving, playing and creating videogames.
4.5 ⭐ amazing book just wish it had more scenes in Slay. Maybe I'm a little greedy but I just loved it so much I wanted more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Racism
anacereading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Racism, Misogyny, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Gun violence, and Police brutality
butyougotmysoul's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was really well written, engaging, and exciting. There were several parts that I felt were a bit extraneous and didn't add too much to the story, but it was negligible when compared with the overall book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, Child death, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, and Police brutality
thebooksanctum's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Incredible, just incredible. I read it in a day, learnt so much, and nearly cried multiple times!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Hate crime
Minor: Police brutality
jamiereadsthings's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I am a queen, and this is my game."
The main character, Kiera, an intelligent, brave, badass high school student creates a video game, based on Black culture and is for Black people only, that skyrockets in popularity. It is a place for Black kids to escape from the world - no racial slurs, no iniquity, just Black joy. While none of her family or friends know she is the developer, she struggles to maintain composure after a player is murdered after an in-game dispute. The story is impactful, heavy, and emotional as Kiera tries to navigate this tragedy while balancing her relationships, her schoolwork, and keeping the game from turning into chaos.
_____
As a white woman reading this novel, I was reminded that there's always room to grow for equality and inclusiveness. Brittney Morris depicted systematic racism, white privilege, and social injustice flawlessly throughout the novel, and as I read on, I am constantly learning and educating myself on anti-racist actions.
"So then Holly asked me if I was advocating for the destruction of infrastructure - you know, like when Black people loot stores after an unarmed Black person is killed and their killer is acquitted, and do you know what I asked her?"
"I asked her if she thinks it's worse than when white people lot stores after their team loses a big game."
________
Brittney Morris's debut novel was one of my favorites I read in 2020, and I'm looking forward to her next novel called The Cost of Knowing on March 16th, 2021.
You'll love this book if you love:
Video Games
Young Adult Novels with Messages
Strong Female Protagonists + Feminism
Own Voices Novels
The main character, Kiera, an intelligent, brave, badass high school student creates a video game, based on Black culture and is for Black people only, that skyrockets in popularity. It is a place for Black kids to escape from the world - no racial slurs, no iniquity, just Black joy. While none of her family or friends know she is the developer, she struggles to maintain composure after a player is murdered after an in-game dispute. The story is impactful, heavy, and emotional as Kiera tries to navigate this tragedy while balancing her relationships, her schoolwork, and keeping the game from turning into chaos.
_____
As a white woman reading this novel, I was reminded that there's always room to grow for equality and inclusiveness. Brittney Morris depicted systematic racism, white privilege, and social injustice flawlessly throughout the novel, and as I read on, I am constantly learning and educating myself on anti-racist actions.
"So then Holly asked me if I was advocating for the destruction of infrastructure - you know, like when Black people loot stores after an unarmed Black person is killed and their killer is acquitted, and do you know what I asked her?"
"I asked her if she thinks it's worse than when white people lot stores after their team loses a big game."
________
Brittney Morris's debut novel was one of my favorites I read in 2020, and I'm looking forward to her next novel called The Cost of Knowing on March 16th, 2021.
You'll love this book if you love:
Video Games
Young Adult Novels with Messages
Strong Female Protagonists + Feminism
Own Voices Novels
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Racism and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death
archosaur's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death, Transphobia, Violence, Suicide, Racial slurs, and Bullying