Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

25 reviews

re_oanslay's review

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Body horror, and Panic attacks/disorders

matheo96gro's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Police brutality, Racism, and Death

Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Rape

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

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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. 

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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

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Violence, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, and War

Moderate: Child abuse, Classism, Racism, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Ableism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Abandonment, and Body horror

Minor: Trafficking, Antisemitism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts

eni_iilorak's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Gun violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Cursing

Moderate: Drug use, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Homophobia, and Biphobia

cadence99's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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

I loved Pet, and Bitter certainly didn’t disappoint either. it’s truly such a fulfilling experience to fall into their writing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Child abuse, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Police brutality

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Ableism

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

I've only read two books by Akwake Emezi (but I think this author could be a favourite), being their middlegrade novella, Pet, & their adult literary romance, You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty (two incredibly different titles, target audiences, etc).

Bitter brings us back to Pet's world of monster filled Lucille... but is it the monsters you're expecting, or a much more sinister kind? The type with a friendly face, & unexpected urges? This story throws us into Bitter's life. Sick & tired of seeing protests & bodies bruised & battered outside the safety of her school, she throws herself into her art... slowly finding hope again, & her own role to play in the fight against the monsters of Lucille.

I really enjoyed this. I love seeing more of this world, & how it affects a different set of characters. 

Bitter comes across very standoffish but I enjoyed seeing that hard exterior slowly chip away.

I felt so comforted by Miss Bilphena's care of checking everyone had substantial food I'm their stomachs & the simple question of "you eat meat" made me kind of emotional. I think it was that kindness to care for everyone's dietary needs were cared for, regardless of the chaos happening out in Lucille.

It was great to see more of these hunters & more back story to the magic of the blood/paint. That's something I was really curious about whilst reading Pet & Bitter has answered so many questions. 

I loved the message that everyone has a role to play in revolution and you don't have to be in the front line to be doing worth while work. It doesn't make you weak or a coward, everyone has their place and is valued in their effort of changing the world for the better.

This was a powerful & impactful novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Abandonment, War, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Toxic friendship, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Grief, Torture, Police brutality, Mental illness, Gun violence, Genocide, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders

anniereads221's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Murder, War, Death, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief

lindseyhall44's review

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

4.0

I picked up Bitter because it’s predecessor Pet, was one of my favorite books of the year. While nothing can compare to the genius that was Pet, Bitter was still an amazing read!
Bitter follows its titular character as she navigates themes of art, social justice, and activism . Set against the backdrop of youth protest, Bitter decide must if leaving the safety of her boarding school, Eucalyptus, is the best way for her to create the change she desires.
The characters were definitely the strongest point of the novel, as Akwaeke did an amazing job creating flawed and complex narratives. Bitter’s character development was a master class itself, but the side characters also added an important outlook into the practice of youth activism, and the many different routes there are!
That being said, I do wish we had gotten a more developed look into Aloe and Bitter’s relationship, but that is just a personal preference, because I love them  together!
Overall, I would 100% recommend reading Bitter, but maybe pick up Pet first:)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Self harm