Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

35 reviews

midnightcomets's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

 The truth does not change whether it is seen or unseen, it whispered in her mind. A thing which is happening happens whether you look at it or not. And yes, maybe it is easier not to look. Maybe it is easier to say because you do not see it, it is not happening. Maybe you can pull the stone out of the pool and put the moon back together. 

Be Not Afraid.
I loved this with my entire heart. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racism and Transphobia

riverlasol's review against another edition

mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

The shortness of this book made the pacing a little weird in my opinion. The beginning was pretty slow and focused mainly on the main character whilst the second half introduced her best friend and had several beats within fifty pages. I think had this been a little longer some of those beats could’ve been more explored, but that said the story did work with the quick time frame. Despite craving some more depth from the characters, I did enjoy getting to read from Jam’s unique perspective (her selective mutism impacted how the story was told in cool ways) and the worldbuilding was fascinating. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to read a book that will make you think!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence

yedikedi2k03's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Child abuse

georgialaurette's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Really loved this. The trans perspective, the neurodiverse perspective (it was particularly nice to read someone experiencing dissociation). I was captivated from the moment I picked it up and couldn’t put it down.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence

_analisa's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This book is so good! As a YA, I felt it encapsulates its messages in such a clear, understandable way. The metaphors within were amazing. Same with it’s overarching message that even if you can’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not there. I did find there to be a lot of repetition, but for me it didn’t really take way anything or feel misplaced. Overall, it’s just an amazing book! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Domestic abuse, Police brutality, and Racism

mellowreading's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.75

GOD I LOVED THIS. Such a good message, especially for a YA, and so beautifully and uniquely written. Both fable and dystopia, PET encourages readers to be unafraid to face even the most terrible truths, that monsters can take the shape of the best of us, that no change will be made if we are not actively looking for the problems, and that if you see something. Say something. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Torture, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

Minor: Pedophilia and Incest

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I absolutely adored this book. With such beautiful prose and a significant message, Pet should be required reading in schools.
Pet occurs in the eutopic Lucille, where all monsters have been defeated by angels. At least, that’s what everyone believes. So when Jam meets pet, an other-worldly creature here to hunt a monster, the life she has come to know is thrown into disarray.
Emezi raises powerful questions on our society and advocacy, yet also provides the antidote: hope. Hope that above all, we remember and learn.
I am so thankful to have read such a powerful book, and would recommend it 1000 times over, but please check trigger warnings, for there are heavy subject matters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Body horror, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

grrrlbrarian's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, and Vomit

Although it’s heavily implied that

Redemption’s uncle Hibiscus

is a paedophile, it is never explicitly stated, nor described in detail. There is some fairly graphic violence towards the end of the story.

nialiversuch's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Child abuse, Blood, Violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Pedophilia

Moderate: War

Minor: Vomit

hyperpension's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.5

Imaginative but hits terrifyingly close to home. Couldn’t help but think I wish I had this book as a kid. Beautifully written in a heart-wrenching way that makes you fall in love with Jam, Redemption, and Pet. The ways Emezi writes humanity is so lively and you can feel warmth in every page. Recommend to anyone!! Monsters and angels look like all kinds of things.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Body horror

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, War, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Mental illness, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting

Minor: Sexual violence, Transphobia, Ableism, Addiction, and Rape