Scan barcode
helloiloveyellow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
Minor: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail
bryelle's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
I really liked this book. So deep and amazing to have young people understand such deep concepts. I really loved the poly and trans representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Vomit
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: War
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
A quirky fable about a near utopian society and how monsters and angels can come in any form. Short and sweet with interesting world building. The themes were a bit too blunt, especially with how simple they are. Overall this also felt more middle grade than YA.
TWs: off page child abuse, some creepy imagery
TWs: off page child abuse, some creepy imagery
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Blood, and Vomit
readingqueerly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Finished this just as my train arrived.
This was pretty amazing. It really portrays so many important messages and heavy topics get it is written for such a young audience.
First of all, we love casual queer representation and we love that that wasn't at all what this was about. Trans rep, polyam rep, non-binary rep, black rep, disability rep,
Secondly, this books did such a good job at showing how it's always up to younger generations to take matters into their own hands and protect their own. Adults would rather turn a blind eye than admit they might be wrong or people they know aren't as good they would want them to be. But it's up to all of us to keep an eye out for each other and take care of each other.
A short but powerful read. I can't wait to read the other book in the series.
This was pretty amazing. It really portrays so many important messages and heavy topics get it is written for such a young audience.
First of all, we love casual queer representation and we love that that wasn't at all what this was about. Trans rep, polyam rep, non-binary rep, black rep, disability rep,
Secondly, this books did such a good job at showing how it's always up to younger generations to take matters into their own hands and protect their own. Adults would rather turn a blind eye than admit they might be wrong or people they know aren't as good they would want them to be. But it's up to all of us to keep an eye out for each other and take care of each other.
A short but powerful read. I can't wait to read the other book in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Violence, and Vomit
notapenguin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit
wytherwytch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Minor: Blood, Vomit, and War
abbyluvsfrogs444's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I am in complete awe. What a brilliant novel. I will be thinking about this book until the end of time. Perfect. Just perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body horror, Physical abuse, and Blood
Minor: Cursing and Vomit
victor_constantine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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 Pedophilia
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit
dustghosts's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
This is the first book by Akwaeke Emezi I’ve read/listened to (though I also have Freshwater on the docket when my attention span is ready for it) and what. A. Treat! Listen, the Tiktok girlies (gender neutral) aren’t always on the ball— in fact they frequently are not— but this book? Rules.
So far this year, I’ve been reading a lot of shorter books. One thing I find with works this brief, and with this much plot, is that it can be hard for authors to balance building an emotional connection and moving quickly enough that everything happens as it needs to. Emezi masterfully balances these things: we’re gently thrust into Jam’s world, an adverb and verb that don’t usually go together, and we’re kept there with heart and action both.
There’s a lot of respect for the reader inherent in this book— Emezi trusts the audience to make inferences and draw lines, both in the context of the book and as far as wider themes go. We’re allowed to be partners in the worldbuilding. It’s ambitious, this horror-fantasy-utopia-YA romp, and it pays off wonderfully. What could feel heavy-handed instead is weightless, and Emezi’s lyrical turns of phrase feel like dessert for the well-woven plot and complicated sort of allegories at the core of the book. Going back to respect: I really love a YA book that treats its intended audience like the emotionally-intelligent, sharp-witted, curious readers they can be, and this one does exactly that.
Not a lot of flaws to list here— I wish that we saw, maybe, a teeny bit more depth to Jam’s character, a fuller view of her life on the day-to-day in Lucille. But that’s about it. Pet is bite-sized and keeps the scope (in time, cast, and conflict) pretty limited as a result, but you get a sense of scale of the wider world that feels satisfying and appetite-whetting all at once. I’ll be excited to read more, in this universe and the next that Emezi has to offer.
So far this year, I’ve been reading a lot of shorter books. One thing I find with works this brief, and with this much plot, is that it can be hard for authors to balance building an emotional connection and moving quickly enough that everything happens as it needs to. Emezi masterfully balances these things: we’re gently thrust into Jam’s world, an adverb and verb that don’t usually go together, and we’re kept there with heart and action both.
There’s a lot of respect for the reader inherent in this book— Emezi trusts the audience to make inferences and draw lines, both in the context of the book and as far as wider themes go. We’re allowed to be partners in the worldbuilding. It’s ambitious, this horror-fantasy-utopia-YA romp, and it pays off wonderfully. What could feel heavy-handed instead is weightless, and Emezi’s lyrical turns of phrase feel like dessert for the well-woven plot and complicated sort of allegories at the core of the book. Going back to respect: I really love a YA book that treats its intended audience like the emotionally-intelligent, sharp-witted, curious readers they can be, and this one does exactly that.
Not a lot of flaws to list here— I wish that we saw, maybe, a teeny bit more depth to Jam’s character, a fuller view of her life on the day-to-day in Lucille. But that’s about it. Pet is bite-sized and keeps the scope (in time, cast, and conflict) pretty limited as a result, but you get a sense of scale of the wider world that feels satisfying and appetite-whetting all at once. I’ll be excited to read more, in this universe and the next that Emezi has to offer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence and Vomit
vaguely_pink's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.75
Pet uses allegory very impactfully to discuss topics of abolition, abuse, and accountability, however it’s hurt a bit by the straightforward narrative and often feels overly didactic. However, the Black, queer, trans, disabled, and autistic representation is *awesome* and the prose is gorgeous. I’m looking forward to reading the prequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, and Gore
Minor: Ableism, Pedophilia, Vomit, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and War