Scan barcode
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: violence, police violence mention, abuse mention, anxiety, self harm, death
Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi is the prequel to their first YA novel, Pet. This one blew me away just as much as Pet did. Emezi's writing is just so powerful and evocative. Like Pet, it's a short and fast read, but doesn't feel rushed.
We follow Bitter, Jam's mother, when she is a teen going to the art school Eucalyptus during the time of Lucille's peak violence and protests. Bitter is a traumatized and jaded girl who wants nothing to do with the protests that often get people hurt and killed. She is resentful of the Assata, the group of young people fighting in the streets against corporate greed and police brutality. She just wants to stay within the walls of Eucalyptus and focus on her art.
When one of her friends is severely injured by police during a protest, Bitter's rage takes over, and she begins to paint something from that rage and brings it to life. She doesn't realize that she has opened a gate for the violent angels to come through seeking vengeance on Lucille's monsters. Bitter learns that there are other ways to contribute to a movement without being on the front lines. Movements need artists too.
There was so much diversity and representation in this book! Almost every single character is queer. The story is so apt and prescient. Emezi poured all their rage and frustration into this book and still gave it a hopeful outcome. I think Bitter represents so many of us who struggle with the conflict of wanting the suffering to end, but not wanting to inflict violence or be on the front lines themselves. It was validating to read that there are other ways to contribute without being in the streets.
I would recommend this to any young person tired of the constant fight or feeling inadequate about their role in the fight. I recommend this to elders to see the hurt and rage the youth are going through. The main message here is to not lose hope, and that we must move beyond violence.
Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi is the prequel to their first YA novel, Pet. This one blew me away just as much as Pet did. Emezi's writing is just so powerful and evocative. Like Pet, it's a short and fast read, but doesn't feel rushed.
We follow Bitter, Jam's mother, when she is a teen going to the art school Eucalyptus during the time of Lucille's peak violence and protests. Bitter is a traumatized and jaded girl who wants nothing to do with the protests that often get people hurt and killed. She is resentful of the Assata, the group of young people fighting in the streets against corporate greed and police brutality. She just wants to stay within the walls of Eucalyptus and focus on her art.
When one of her friends is severely injured by police during a protest, Bitter's rage takes over, and she begins to paint something from that rage and brings it to life. She doesn't realize that she has opened a gate for the violent angels to come through seeking vengeance on Lucille's monsters. Bitter learns that there are other ways to contribute to a movement without being on the front lines. Movements need artists too.
There was so much diversity and representation in this book! Almost every single character is queer. The story is so apt and prescient. Emezi poured all their rage and frustration into this book and still gave it a hopeful outcome. I think Bitter represents so many of us who struggle with the conflict of wanting the suffering to end, but not wanting to inflict violence or be on the front lines themselves. It was validating to read that there are other ways to contribute without being in the streets.
I would recommend this to any young person tired of the constant fight or feeling inadequate about their role in the fight. I recommend this to elders to see the hurt and rage the youth are going through. The main message here is to not lose hope, and that we must move beyond violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Police brutality and Child abuse
emelynreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.5
I appreciate the exploration of justice and activism more so in Bitter than in Pet. I think I felt disconnected from this prequel because we are pretty immediately dropped into a new story that is too fast paced in the beginning. I also didn't think Bitter and Aloe's romance was necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Self harm
inkylabyrinth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
First book of the Trans Rights Readthon 2024 is complete!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Blood
Moderate: Death
grem_ler's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Self harm and Police brutality
blubonby's review
dark
hopeful
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
4.0
Loved seeing the backstory to what goes on in PET and I really appreciated the more in depth focus on Bitter and Aloe. Really really great duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse and Self harm
thebookworm_queen's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
This is such a smart book I love the layers within the story where there is an underlying message to everything on the surface. I think I could read this again and find something new to appreciate
Filled with so many inspirational and comforting lines; I cried! Almost better than PET the first book that introduced us to Lucille, almost 😉
Filled with so many inspirational and comforting lines; I cried! Almost better than PET the first book that introduced us to Lucille, almost 😉
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia and Self harm
therewillbenewsuns'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
4.5
I loved this even more than PET, which I really did like. It’s tricky reading books that relate to revolutionary practices— are the ideas in the book a reflection of the author or the characters? Or both? Just interesting questions that I ask when reading books of this genre. Although, it’s hard to limit this to one singular genre. Like Pet, I was drawn to the blurring of reality and fantasy. I found that this was better paced and detailed than PET.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Gore, Police brutality, Violence, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Police brutality
frankieclc's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Self harm
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Murder
edenclam's review
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, Self harm, Murder, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Rape
cameronreads's review against another edition
4.5
For some reason I was sceptical that I would like this as much as Pet but I absolutely did; perhaps even more. The discussions in this book were genuinely so necessary and powerful, but also handled with an incredible nuance. There were conversations about responsibility to make change, when you should prioritise yourself, whether eventually peace is worth present violence, etc. I loved Bitter’s character and the friends she made. The representation, as always, was fantastic. This was a great prequel, and I think this duology is a must-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Violence, Blood, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Medical content, and Child abuse