Spin

Starred review from January 1, 2019

Gr 7 Up-There has never been any love lost between Fatima "Fuse" Fallon and Kya Caine, even though they once shared a best friend, Paris Secord (dj ParSec to her fans). Technology genius Kya was instrumental in helping ParSec develop her sound, and savvy Fuse helped her reach the masses and create her brand. Paris's meteoric rise to fame is cut brutally short, however, when she is murdered before a show. Though Kya and Fuse have both fallen out with Paris, they are pulled back into her orbit when they discover her body. Looking for someone to blame, ParSec's frenzied fans are calling for Kya's and Fuse's blood. In order to clear their names and deliver justice, they have little choice but to work together. While much of this tense thriller focuses on the hunt for a killer, this novel transcends its genre. Alternating first-person chapters reveal the complicated lives of these three brilliant young women and will push readers to contemplate deeper themes, such as media bias, isolation, grief, and conflict resolution. The three narratives successfully create tension and add an intriguing level of dramatic irony, as the girls slowly expose one another's secrets. The three protagonists identify as black, and the supporting characters are a realistic mix of many ethnicities and races. The protagonists are completely different from one another, yet it is in those very differences that most of the tension, as well as the satisfying (and surprising) resolutions lie. VERDICT This highly recommended thriller deserves a spot on every shelf.-Leighanne Law, Scriber Lake High School, WA

Starred review from November 15, 2018
Two African-American teens who dislike each other find themselves working together to solve the murder of a mutual friend.Kya Caine and Fatima "Fuse" Fallon were both in the orbit of Paris Secord, aka DJ ParSec. Kya and Paris were friends from their neighborhood, while Fuse's skill with social media made her the ideal person to promote this music among #ParSecNation fans. On the night Paris is murdered, both girls happen on the scene within minutes of each other; her death is a blow, and their shock and pain run deep. When they are briefly kidnapped by #DarkNation, a group of violent, extreme fans, they put their differences behind them to find the killer. The young women come from different worlds: Kya, the daughter of a hardworking single parent, resents upper-middle-class Fuse. But the drive to find answers before #DarkNation or the killer strike again propels them. They agree on the likely culprit and know their best chance of proving their guilt will occur during the high-energy commingling of everyone touched by the rising star and her music in an upcoming memorial concert. This is genre fiction at its best: a taut mystery with rich characterization and a strong sense of place. Social realities, such as class and family dynamics, add depth. The depiction of the grassroots music scene that feeds hip-hop and keeps it cutting edge is seamlessly woven into the narrative. Not to be missed. (Mystery. 12-18)

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Starred review from May 6, 2019
In this intense thriller, tech-savvy Kya Caine and social media expert Fuse Fallon have little in common save their bitter rivalry and their friendship with Paris Secord, also known as popular teen DJ ParSec. But after ParSec is killed, a group of obsessive fans known as the Dark Nation compel the two to overcome their mutual distrust and solve the mystery behind her death. The dangerous investigation pits them against cops, rival musicians, and shady business managers, among others, and, as they delve deeper into ParSec’s last days, their own safety becomes increasingly imperiled. Told in alternating voices by Kya and Fuse and with flashbacks giving ParSec’s side of the story, this fast-paced tale seizes attention from the first thrown punch to the final curtain call, with the unlikely protagonists forming a strong bond despite their initial friction. Giles (Overturned) never loses sight of his characters’ personal struggles as he ramps up the tension with each new clue or failed lead, and his skillful interweaving of hip-hop culture, social media realities, and urgent social justice issues give this compelling story further immediacy. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Starred review from January 1, 2019
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* During Charleston's 2018 YALLFest author panel, Giles pointed to music fandoms like Beyonc�'s Beyhive as his inspiration for Spin. These create the perfect launchpad for his explosive, gripping novel that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Giles blends a clear love of hip-hop with the juiciness of fandoms and the gripping, heart-stopping thrill of a good murder mystery. ParSec is the stage name of 16-year-old Paris Secord, a talented up-and-coming DJ on the local music scene. When Paris is murdered, her newfound fame is cut short. Paris' best friend Kya and her most adoring fan, Fuse, are shaken to the core by her death. They both suspect the other of murdering Paris, and public accusations between them explode into scandal?until they discover that Paris had a major deal brewing and there may have been a third party who would have wanted her dead. Kya and Fuse are determined to unearth Paris' killer but may lose their lives in the process, because whoever killed DJ ParSec is intent on remaining anonymous. Spin delivers everything you could want in a book: lush, complex characters; a spine-chilling plot; a vividly drawn world; and, best of all, hip-hop. It's a music genre and a lifestyle that doesn't see rep in YA books nearly enough, and Giles delivers it in style.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)