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kelsiepixler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
I read this book to see if it was appropriate for a classroom library only to end up hooked. This is just as much a book for adults as it is for kids. As the book highlights, as adults the idea of “You think you see everything, so you think everything you see is all there is to be seen” becomes ingrained in a way that is extremely easy to not reflect upon. This book very artfully dove into very heavy, intense topics in a way that was reflective and introspective without being heavy-handed or overly traumatic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia
chainingbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Violence
taliaalongi's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
diana_blackmoon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
Another perfection
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child abuse and War
avisreadsandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Violence
blakeandbooks's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
I went into this book a bit blind. I’ve seen friends rave about this book, and enjoyed Emezi’s writing in the past, so I had a pretty good idea that I would enjoy it. I am so glad I finally decided to read it. This book has such an important message. I don’t think I will be able to adequately articulate how impactful this book was.
In the town of Lucille, everything is perfect and monsters are no more… right?
After Bitter’s painting brings to life Pet, a creature who is searching for a monster hidden in plain sight, Jam, black, trans MC, must assist Pet to find who it is, even if it is hard for her to image something bad happening in her best friend Redemption’s home.
In the midst of Jam’s disbelief, Pet speaks to her and says, “The truth does not change whether it is seen or unseen, it whispered in her mind. A thing that 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.” It’s honestly a great and powerful reminder that monsters are always lurking in the light, whether we want to believe it or not, they are there. Having the knowledge and resources to know about abuse (provided to Jam and Redemption by Ube at the library) and with Pet’s help, they were able to find out what was happening and intervene.
I do want to say that this is pretty heavy material. CW include: child abuse, violence, pedophilia, and sexual abuse. Read with care.
I’m looking forward to reading the prequel Bitter, which is centered around Jam’s mom, to learn more about this world and get back into more of Emezi’s works.
In the town of Lucille, everything is perfect and monsters are no more… right?
After Bitter’s painting brings to life Pet, a creature who is searching for a monster hidden in plain sight, Jam, black, trans MC, must assist Pet to find who it is, even if it is hard for her to image something bad happening in her best friend Redemption’s home.
In the midst of Jam’s disbelief, Pet speaks to her and says, “The truth does not change whether it is seen or unseen, it whispered in her mind. A thing that 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.” It’s honestly a great and powerful reminder that monsters are always lurking in the light, whether we want to believe it or not, they are there. Having the knowledge and resources to know about abuse (provided to Jam and Redemption by Ube at the library) and with Pet’s help, they were able to find out what was happening and intervene.
I do want to say that this is pretty heavy material. CW include: child abuse, violence, pedophilia, and sexual abuse. Read with care.
I’m looking forward to reading the prequel Bitter, which is centered around Jam’s mom, to learn more about this world and get back into more of Emezi’s works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
marigoldgem's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Violence, and Blood
summerbummer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
Minor: Body horror
kri13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Keeping in mind this book is YA, it is a creative way to broach really difficult subject matter and some of the nuances of how we deal with abusers in our communities and families. Full of a diverse cast this book speaks of progress as an active process not a destination.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Child abuse and Pedophilia
ayowrrld's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Violence