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50 pages 1 hour read

Slay

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Brittney Morris

Slay

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

323

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Seattle, Washington • 2010s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

930L

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Super Short Summary

Slay by Brittney Morris follows Kiera Johnson, a 17-year-old honors student, who secretly develops a virtual reality game called SLAY for Black players. When a dispute in the game leads to a player's murder and widespread criticism, Kiera must defend her creation and navigate accusations of exclusivity and racism, while maintaining her relationships and identity. Topics in this book include racism and homicide.

Suspenseful

Emotional

Inspirational

Challenging

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.4

16,567 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Slay by Brittney Morris garners praise for its timely exploration of racial identity and the creation of a safe virtual space for Black gamers. Critics commend its strong, relatable protagonist and the thought-provoking narrative. Some readers find the plot predictable and secondary characters underdeveloped. Overall, it's heralded as an impactful YA novel.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Slay?

Readers who enjoy Slay by Brittney Morris are likely fans of young adult fiction that tackles complex social issues through the lens of gaming culture. They appreciate narratives like Ready Player One that blend virtual reality with real-world themes and The Hate U Give for its exploration of Black identity and activism.

4.4

16,567 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Kiera Johnson

A 17-year-old high school senior who secretly creates a virtual-reality game that offers an online sanctuary for Black players. She navigates balancing different aspects of her identity while maintaining SLAY's inclusive community.

Kiera's younger sister, known for her outspoken nature and loyalty, who supports Kiera by keeping her secret and defending her against external challenges. She plays a critical role in assisting her sister throughout the story.

Kiera's game moderator and online friend, based in Paris, who works alongside Kiera to maintain and develop SLAY. Claire provides crucial support and companionship for Kiera in both personal and game development endeavors.

Kiera's boyfriend, whose initially affectionate demeanor masks more rigid and controlling ideologies. His character unfolds significant challenges and tensions in Kiera's life.

Kiera's affluent and well-meaning in-person best friend, who sometimes struggles with understanding issues related to race. She represents themes of privilege and the personal growth required to overcome it.

Harper's younger brother who exhibits entitled and immature behavior, often misunderstanding issues around race. His presence in the story adds to the nuance around privilege and the development of discriminatory views.

Book Details
Pages

323

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Seattle, Washington • 2010s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

930L

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