Scan barcode
james1star's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I was very excited to start this book and it most definitely didn’t disappoint. The story follows a teenage black trans girl called Jam living in the city of Lucille. After a revolution, the angles apparently got rid of all the monsters but when a creature called Pet comes into her life through the strangest of circumstances, she starts to think differently. With the help of her best friend Redemption they set out to hunt a monster.
At first I thought the subtleties around the revolution, ‘monstering’ someone, statues of monsters and references to the mainland and island were possibly alluding to slavery and the civil war. Which they could be and I think with an older mind and some historical context these parallels are apparent. But then the idea of what a ‘monster’ is broadens with there being (at least) one in the current timeframe. That’s because the monsters are lurking in plain sight and because the government and adults are so convince they’ve been eradicated, their monstering is allowed to continue. Tackling it head on, not being afraid to admit your wrong because no matter how much you want something to be true won’t make it true and talking to children about bad things is the real message of the book and overall I think Emezi does a great job of portraying this.
The characters are really great, Jam, Pet and Redemption have a lot to them and so too Jam’s parents Bitter an artist and Aloe a paramedic. I would have maybe preferred more (but this will likely come when I read the prequel) and to get to know Redemption’s family a bit more too, his brother Moss, parents Malachite and Beloved and their non-binary lover Whisper. I enjoyed the outward queerness present which was great to see. Jam is selectively mute but we don’t really get much context on why this is which is a bit of a shame. I’d also say as the book went along I didn’t exactly lose interest but it didn’t go in the direction I had initially thought but was still good. Overall I’d for sure recommend giving this a read no matter what age you are and I’ll definitely be reading more Emezi books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
jays_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia
laurensgaylife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Child abuse
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
meant2breading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? No
5.0
“You knowing, you think it gives you clarity, sight that pierces. It can be a cloud, a thing that obscures.”
A pure message of hope, especially in today’s climate. Beautifully interwoven themes about the power of community, restorative justice, and mechanisms of utopia that I think are important for both youth and for adults to read and reflect on. Pet certainly packs a major punch that will have lasting effects on me. I will recommend this to everyone.
**Please Check CWs.**
**Please Check CWs.**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Blood
mamaofperfectpayton's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.25
I should have read the content warnings before reading this. I had no idea what to expect, but I’m glad I powered through. This was such a sad and difficult story but so well written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Violence, and Child abuse
anaheeta's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Quite a short read, the author managed to use a powerfully imaginative and crafty metaphor to describe a really difficult subject.
“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.”
(There were too many incredible quotes to choose from)
This book really left me heartbroken. It is powerfully written, the story and pacing is gripping and makes you read it in one day, the characters are very diverse, and the setting is in a futuristic utopia of sorts.
“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.”
(There were too many incredible quotes to choose from)
This book really left me heartbroken. It is powerfully written, the story and pacing is gripping and makes you read it in one day, the characters are very diverse, and the setting is in a futuristic utopia of sorts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Violence, Pedophilia, Blood, Child abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Mental illness
ash22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
jenna_justi2004's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Body horror, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Murder, Pregnancy, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Blood, Police brutality, Sexual content, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Grief, War, Pedophilia, and Gore
ebp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Grief, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Rape, and Child abuse
Minor: Physical abuse
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
How can something be absolutely heart-shattering and optimistic at the same time??
Beautiful portrayals of Autistic, Neurodivergent, Disabled, Queer, and Non-binary people. No one being singled out for any of the above, disability being accommodated naturally, and queerness is normalized.
The idea of "monsters" is a great way to convey dangerous traits and is probably an easier way for kids to understand how racism, ablism, pedophilia can curdle and consume when not addressed. I absolutely loved Jam's pushback of eradicating monsters- in an age of purity politics, we absolutely need revision! True justice over prosecution, and the elimination of the prison industrial-complex. Big big topics scaled to be digestible for adults and kids alike. I am just so impressed.
Mentions and allusions to pedophilia and violence against children, but none really depicted or described. Gaslighting referring to adults not believing a monster is again present.
Beautiful portrayals of Autistic, Neurodivergent, Disabled, Queer, and Non-binary people. No one being singled out for any of the above, disability being accommodated naturally, and queerness is normalized.
The idea of "monsters" is a great way to convey dangerous traits and is probably an easier way for kids to understand how racism, ablism, pedophilia can curdle and consume when not addressed. I absolutely loved Jam's pushback of eradicating monsters- in an age of purity politics, we absolutely need revision! True justice over prosecution, and the elimination of the prison industrial-complex. Big big topics scaled to be digestible for adults and kids alike. I am just so impressed.
Mentions and allusions to pedophilia and violence against children, but none really depicted or described. Gaslighting referring to adults not believing a monster is again present.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders