Brittney Morris

“Gripping and timely.” —People “The YA debut we’re most excited for this year.” —Entertainment Weekly “A book that knocks you off your feet while dropping the kind of knowledge that’ll keep you down for the count. Prepare to BE slain.” —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out Ready Player One meets The Hate U Give in this dynamite debut novel that follows a fierce teen game developer as she battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther–inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for Black gamers. By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only Black kids at Jefferson Academy. But at home, she joins hundreds of thousands of Black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, not her friends, her family, not even her boyfriend, Malcolm, who believes video games are partially responsible for the “downfall of the Black man.” But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, and SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. Even worse, an anonymous troll infiltrates the game, threatening to sue Kiera for “anti-white discrimination.” Driven to save the only world in which she can be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness. But can she protect her game without losing herself in the process?

SLAY

This is an incredibly powerful story, with so many references to black culture in a ready player one style setting. My favorite parts about this story was the dialogue between characters, particularly between the two main game developers. 

While this wasn’t my favorite book, I do think it was worth a read. This book celebrates black culture and female empowerment and it is so awesome to read about a super smart, badass FMC (yay math 😁) in a book about video games! 

The narrators also did a phenomenal job for anyone who listens! The French POVs were awesome.

Tace

This is an incredibly powerful story, with so many references to black culture in a ready player one style setting. My favorite parts about this story was the dialogue between characters, particularly between the two main game developers. 

While this wasn’t my favorite book, I do think it was worth a read. This book celebrates black culture and female empowerment and it is so awesome to read about a super smart, badass FMC (yay math 😁) in a book about video games! 

The narrators also did a phenomenal job for anyone who listens! The French POVs were awesome.

Gillian Rose

THIS BOOK!

It provided such great insight on racial issues and video game culture. I think this book should be read in high school. It never talked down to you and really opened my eyes to a few things. The characters were all well-rounded and awesome. I want to be Kiera's friend!

I loved this book.

'We are different ages, genders, tribes, tongues, and traditions ... but tonight we all SLAY' Black Panther meets Ready Player One. A fierce teen game developer battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther-inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for black gamers. By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only black kids at Jefferson Academy. By night, she joins hundreds of thousands of black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, not her friends, her family, not even her boyfriend, Malcolm. But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. Driven to save the only world in which she can truly be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity. But can she protect her game without losing herself in the process?

Amanda

Review to come on my tour stop date November 1. Thanks so much to ausyabloggers for allowing me to be apart of the tour and Thanks so much to Hatchette/Date a book for sending me a copy of this book.

Dee B. 

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing its e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Kiera, Steph, and Malcolm are all varying degrees of "black" - there's the 'all-black-everything', 'angry black man' boyfriend, the 'black is magic' sister, and the 'is my black enough' main character. But that isn't what this is about. Slay is a video game made by a black woman, for black people, celebrating blackness all around the world, in whatever way that manifests for the player. But that isn't what this is about either. There's been a murder of a prominent Slay player and the world begins discussing culpability and the repercussions of online gaming. Still, that's not what this is about either. 

This is a story about personal growth and learning to give people the chance to surprise you. It's a story meant to remind you that not everyone fits neatly into the box that you've placed them in, and over time the person you think you may know may have changed (and not always for the better). 

Morris writes us into world where you're reminded every step of the way that it's okay to not be exactly like everyone else, but always remembering that representation matters and that, no matter what, you are important and enough. The world is immersive, the lore is expansive and the characters fully developed. 

This book left me feeling even more proud to be black than before but it also left me hurting for the constant battle black people have to go through to find a welcoming space the world over. This is an excellent escape. I get it, Kiera. I get it.


Full review to come.

Vilde

I really enjoyed the narration of Slay, although it was a bit startling when I realized that there were several narrators. Some added words on the review of the 
  ebook edition
.

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019! “Gripping and timely.” —People “The YA debut we’re most excited for this year.” —Entertainment Weekly “A book that knocks you off your feet while dropping the kind of knowledge that’ll keep you down for the count. Prepare to BE slain.” —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out Ready Player One meets The Hate U Give in this dynamite debut novel that follows a fierce teen game developer as she battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther–inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for Black gamers. By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only Black kids at Jefferson Academy. But at home, she joins hundreds of thousands of Black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, not her friends, her family, not even her boyfriend, Malcolm, who believes video games are partially responsible for the “downfall of the Black man.” But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, and SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. Even worse, an anonymous troll infiltrates the game, threatening to sue Kiera for “anti-white discrimination.” Driven to save the only world in which she can be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness. But can she protect her game without losing herself in the process?

This was just excellent, it certainly slays. It reads to me like a mix of Ready Player One, Eliza and Her Monsters and Moxie.

Flavia Louise

I really enjoyed the game-play part of this book. Although I'm not a gamer myself I was totally in the world. (view spoiler)[I also was genuinely surprised about the reveal of who Dred actually is, although I do have to say that I didn't really like the way that character talked to Kiera even in real life and prior to that.  (hide spoiler)]

Alexa Jade

I 100% just found my favorite read of 2020 (so far at least) and I’m dying!!!! This was SO DAMN GOOD.

priya

“It’s hard to remember to text real-life people back when there’s a world of dueling magical beings in your room.”

“Maybe the bliss of it won’t sink in until I’m up there onstage at my high school graduation in a cap and gown, and the principal is announcing to all those kids and parents that the first Black girl to graduate from Jefferson is going to study among her own people now, because she’s done her time and deserves some reprieve.”

“He wants to interview me about a hairstyle that’s been around since the dawn of time, for an article that’s “new and different.”

“I open Instagram to distract myself, and it takes only thirty seconds for me to wish I hadn’t.”

“I buy the ticket so fast, I’m physically exhausted from the stress of it.”

“Since I’m only seventeen and still a child in their eyes, the American media seems to collectively decide that—although I’m perfectly capable of speaking up for myself—I can’t be self-aware enough yet to speak for my entire race, although in every video they consult Dr. Abbott like they expect him to.”

allie

Caroline Lewicki

I wish that Slay the game existed because this story shows you just how amazing it would be. I really loved the entire concept and plot. I unfortunately saw the twist coming but that didn’t lessen its impact, or the things that result from it. I thought this was a stunning look at what incredible things black girls can do, and what community looks like. My only complaint is with the cover! Keira says so many times that the SLAY logo is an electric green and the cover is shades of pinks and purples. I wish the cover had better reflected the game itself.

Alice

I am very incoherent about my love for this book, so have a rambling review.

SLAYis so underrated, wth. It's well written, has great characters (with character evolution and all) and subplots that make sense. It's not a dumbed-down, sugar-coated YA. And it's not a slow, flat contemporary. It's got character and adventure, and I couldn't put it down.

One of my favourite characteristics is the multiple POVs!! They really gave more dimension to the story. Ngl, I would have liked to see more of those stories (if you've read the book, you'll understand), but it doesn't change the perfection of the format.

I know absolutely nothing about videogames and VR, but I never lost interest in the story. I loved all the fandom-related bits (the cosplaying, the messaging on Discord, the use of secret words). Also, the concept of a whole universe based on Black excellence is beautiful. 

Say whatever you want, the whole ending by itself deserves the five stars.

ashek

Candyce Kirk

Wow! This book was amazing! Need some time to process my thoughts before writing my review. Full review to follow soon!

Jessica Williamson

4.5 Stars

ooooh this was a great read. 

Cover 4; characters 5; plot 4; pace 5; writing 4; enjoyment 4; cry bonus *

Kristina Masone

If you love Ready Player One with a powerful message, you must give this book a try! One of my favourite reads of the summer!

Antonia Sonntag 

Heather Heaton

This one became a really quick fave books for me!!! I bought it shortly after finishing it and still just stare at it on my shelf. I truly adored it!

Katie

I don't think I can begin to explain how good this book is.

It largely follows Kiera, who created the awesome online game SLAY, which celebrates Black culture in all its forms across the globe. She has kept it a secret for three years, but someone is threatening the game and her secret.

This book tackles a lot of complex issues really well, never feeling preachy or boring. It also doesn't tie up everything in a neat bow either, which is so reflective of real life. You don't just have the answers for everything all ready to go. It's not really my place to speak on all the different perspectives on Black culture in this book since I am not Black, but it'll definitely make you think.

I loved how different chapters were interspersed with people all over the world playing SLAY, as well as the relationships between Kiera and her friends and family and how the game affected them, even if they weren't playing. Kiera is a wonderful character to follow, who is smart and brave in the face of a cyber attack that threatens all of her hard work. She doesn't always know if she's doing the right thing, but she always wants to, and I'm glad I got to follow her journey through this book.

laura

I thought this book was very unique and such a important read. I really liked how this book tackled some harder and difcult issues like racism and gaming in society. This book was a harder read but one that I really enjoyed. It was a enjoyable read. I thought the characters were so fun. It was a really important read. I thought the world building because the book was shorter could have been developed a a bit better and I wanted the side characters to have been developed a tad more. I would def read more by this author in the future.

Anna Wilson

Kiera is a badass. Steph, I love and want to be her!

Emily S

Brief synopsis: A Black high school student develops an immersive VR game to celebrate Black excellence in all its forms, but its legitimacy is called into question when a teenager dies of a result of an altercation surrounding the game. 

I really thought this was very well done. I enjoyed the audiobook narration thoroughly (multiple narrators!) and I loved how the author used voices of different players in the game to explore the diversity of Black culture and experience. I learned a lot and also enjoyed the story! I guessed the twist, but actually did not expect the ending! Also, can we talk about how beautiful that cover is? And how it’s set in Bellevue, WA? 🏔 🏙

Lisa W.

** spoiler alert **
           Words can’t hardly describe what I feel for this book. It was exactly what I hoped for but it also gave me soooo much more. Thank you Brittney Morris for this beautiful piece of literature. 

What initially caught my eye was this beautiful cover of a young black queen. What a visual! It reminds me so much of Marsai Martin. This being said the book's demographic states that it a young adult book for kids as young as 12. While I understand, I think this book is inappropriate for people so young. My one critique was that some topics were a little too much for someone so young to understand. As an adult I felt a little awkward reading about Kiera's intimacy with Jamal. However it wasn't anything detailed enough to warrant it new adult. 

Outside of that, this book made me feel at home. It touched on relatable topics that are common for Black Americans and while still causing you to rethink your opinion. I wish the author would have considered book club questions at the end of the book. I typically don't ever read them or discuss them but I found myself asking my friends their opinions on the fiction situations. 

1. I found the relationship between Stephanie and Jamal interesting from chapter 1 or 2. Outside of the fact that Malcom is a misogynist and Stephanie is a feminist they seemed to foster a competition of who was the most woke. I wasn't sure if this would later turn into a misguided attraction but I should have known it wouldn't.

2. I have never really liked using the word Hotep to describe someone but Malcom left me no choice but to reference it to him. I really hated how he manipulated Kiera time and time again about her choices in life. The fact that she was conditioned to build her future around his plan, although she didn't see any joy in it. For her to be as smart as she is, she imagined nothing else for herself. I can't blame her because age and maturity play a large part; she is 17. Another thing that made me so upset was his audacity to contact Harper at 9pm on multiple occasions. 

3. I often found myself asking how some of these people were related. Kiera and Stephanie's parents were so different from them it made me wonder how they became so "woke". I would have liked to see a little bit of their backstory and upbringing prior to them attending Jefferson. It might have helped give context to them. Also the family relation between Harper and Wyatt. The fact that Wyatt has prejudice tendencies whereas Harper didn't resemble the same. 

Some of the most poignant and though provoking ideas that were put forth are listed below. 

1. The reality that white people condone riots and looting in protest for injustice but see no issues while white college students perform the same actions when they have worn a sports game. 
2. Why is person of color acceptable versus colored person. 
3. Does dating outside your race really mean you cannot be "down for the cause". Should other people of color be included in this thought (hispanic/latino; asian; etc.) 
4. Fake News: the idea that mainstream media and news outlets would have you to believe that African countries are still developing or are in poor, genocidal conditions. Causing Black Americans to be appreciative for the slave trade and our current status. Also the ability of the news anchors and writers to steer the narrative and change the minds of the masses. - Dr. Abbott interview. 
5. Black Female guilt: Black women feel responsible and obligated to current the guilt/burden of everyone else (especially that of black men). --> Jamal's death! 
6. Who would we consider a black icon/visionary in today's society? - when she felt less than because she wasn't MLK Jr., Nelson Mandela, or Rosa Parks. 

Subtle hints/ easter eggs

1. Malcom = does it relate to Malcom X? 
2. Dred = Dred Scott case ( this made my blood boil) 
3. Dred's red cape= KKK

Lastly I want to mention the Hex, Defensive and Battle cards. What a mood :) **wobble, weave, auntie's potato salad, McDonald's Money, etc.** Someone needs to create this game.... like now!

Grace Emilia Machon

I was going to give this book 3 stars because it was a 3.5 for me and I generally round down. But then I remembered I'm a 28 year old white British woman and that means this book is not for me. 
This book is meaningful, valuable and special and fills a void that has been gaping for a while.
the bits I didn't like so much where things I simply didn't understand, and that's okay nearly all books are for me, so I'm giving it 4 stars because it deserves them, Morris is clever and witty and this book matters.

SLAY

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