Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

51 reviews

imrereads's review against another edition

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dark 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

5.0

This is such a worthy prequel to Pet. I'll admit to being slightly hesitant (as well as very excited) to more from the universe, having loved the first book as much as I did, but this exceeded all of my expectations. I loved it from first to last word.

It's such an important book. One thing I really loved was the focus it put on all the different roles needed to bring about change. Protesting on the front line is one way, but it's not the only way. The thoughtful and impactful way anxiety and panic was used in the story just blew me away. There are so many scenes I want to bring forth, but I don't want to give any spoilers. I just want to strongly recommend that you read this book. I think reading them in order of publication is the way to go, so Pet followed by Bitter, but I'm sure following the timeline of the story by reading Bitter first is interesting as well. 
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musingsonliving's review against another edition

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dark hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 The words, unique, ground-breaking and inspiring do not even begin to cover how utterly amazing these books are! I am completely in awe of the world Akwaeke Emezi has created. 

While BITTER is a prequel to Akwaeke Emezi’s PET they can be read in any order, with BITTER being the darker and more mature novel (check CW’s). 

Bitter is a young queer Black girl attending Eucalyptus, a school that provides a safe place for the talented and ostracised youth. Meanwhile outside Eucalyptus’s walls the streets of Lucille are regularly filled with protesters asking for change and social justice. When Bitter’s art is brought to life she is forced to decide where she stands and if she can step away from her safe haven. 

The layers and depth of this book is unreal! I loved that Black queerness is an integral part if it, yet how it is also beautiful and accurate in it's portrayal of society and the prejudice and injustice that exist within it. With the message that fighting oppression must be something everyone does in whatever way they can. 
There are many aspects of BITTER that will standout to different people in different ways, for me it was how realistic and heart-breaking it was to read someone battling anxiety, agoraphobia and disassociation. 

"Aloe knew the truth about how Bitter did want a better world, but also about how hope had been beaten out of her, how it was safer to curl up in the pessimistic dark because then none of the horrific things would hurt as much because you’d made part of yourself dead to them, dead to anything else.”

I can’t read this quote without becoming emotional. The writing is phenomenal and there are so many nuances in how each character has been developed, some who will be recognisable from PET and are fascinating to read about in their younger selves. As well as how much more of Lucille is included, we learn how the society we previously read about was created and the monsters and angels that shaped it. 

I would definitely read more from this world but would be more than happy to reread BITTER for it's realistic themes, vibrant friendships, found family and romance alone.


IG: @musingsonliving
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megplant's review against another edition

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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

4.0

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sonaea's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

One of the best descriptions of activism and activists I've yet read. Also, awesome representation, strong women and even a bit critical of the system (a lot, but only a bit is really mentioned).
My only critical points are of the storytelling-kind: Some of the conflicts between the characters that first seem huge are suddenly not important at all anymore. They forgive and forget and while they do talk about it, it's easily solved (especially thinking about
the last conflict between Bitter and Aloe - first they don't seem to even care about the others feelings, being all angry with each other and stuff, not listening to each other, then suddenly they're all reflected and make up again - that's not healthy, and honestly I don't think that's how it works for long irl. Please reflect before you start accusing each other of things
). Also, the writing style could have been better, but it was a good read nonetheless.
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puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition

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dark hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

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nayreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring 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

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ysra's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful tense medium-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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tinytrashqueen's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.5

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melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark 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

5.0

After reading Pet (and loving, of course), I was so excited to find out Emezi wrote a prequel with Pet's mom, Bitter.

I loved this book so so much. It is a short and quick read, but it is so good and delves deeply into so many important issues. This tells the story of the Revolution that happened pre-Pet and how the monsters got there. I love seeing Bitter as a young person and all the learning and growing she goes through. This gets dark, but it is definitely worth it!
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tina94's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

4.5

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