APublishersWeeklyBestBookof2019!“Grippingandtimely.“--People“TheYAdebutwe’remostexcitedforthisyear.“--EntertainmentWeekly“Abookthatknocksyouoffyourfeetwhiledroppingthekindofknowledgethat’llkeepyoudownforthecount.PreparetoBEslain.“--NicStone,NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorofDearMartinandOddOneOutReadyPlayerOnemeetsTheHateUGiveinthisdynamitedebutnovelthatfollowsafierceteengamedeveloperasshebattlesareal-lifetrollintentonruiningtheBlackPanther-inspiredvideogameshecreatedandthesafecommunityitrepresentsforBlackgamers.Byday,seventeen-year-oldKieraJohnsonisanhonorsstudent,amathtutor,andoneoftheonlyBlackkidsatJeffersonAcademy.Butathome,shejoinshundredsofthousandsofBlackgamerswhoduelworldwideasNubianpersonasinthesecretmultiplayeronlinerole-playingcardgame,SLAY.NooneknowsKieraisthegamedeveloper,notherfriends,herfamily,notevenherboyfriend,Malcolm,whobelievesvideogamesarepartiallyresponsibleforthe“downfalloftheBlackman.“ButwhenateeninKansasCityismurderedoveradisputeintheSLAYworld,newsofthegamereachesmainstreammedia,andSLAYislabeledaracist,exclusionist,violenthubforthugsandcriminals.Evenworse,ananonymoustrollinfiltratesthegame,threateningtosueKierafor“anti-whitediscrimination.“Driventosavetheonlyworldinwhichshecanbeherself,KieramustpreservehersecretidentityandharnesswhatitmeanstobeunapologeticallyBlackinaworldintimidatedbyBlackness.Butcansheprotecthergamewithoutlosingherselfintheprocess?
