Reviews

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

trueripple's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

solly's review against another edition

4.0

Okay this got me in the feels again in the last quarter so it's a 4 stars, I thought it might only be a 3

I took a surprisingly long time to read such a short book. I guess the first third was incredibly interesting, well-written, new and drew me in. But then I felt like the story slowed down a lot in the middle, before picking up again and hitting me in the feels in the last quarter.

I honestly think most of my issues are not about the book. I'm not the target audience, I'm too old (sobs). I think this is an amazing book for younger readers, and that it has an incredibly important message and story to tell. The fact that it has an all-black cast and a trans main character with selective mutism? Amazing. Like, what a damn book. Should be on a lot of middle & high school shelves, and I certainly hope it gets translated to French at some point. I think I might just give my copy to my LGBTQ+ centre anyway.

I'll say that it does deal with really heavy topics (child abuse, quite heavily implied child rape), but I think it handles it so well.

It doesn't matter I was bored at times, I still think this is a very important book, maybe for a younger audience than me, but like. It's YA. I'm 20, I'm technically not YA audience anymore (sobs sobs).

kdomps's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.5

selinaleona_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

thekipling's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

brittanymeeks's review against another edition

challenging 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? It's complicated

5.0

emmadstanden's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

readingwithkelsey's review against another edition

5.0

Honestly, I don't think I can give this anything but a perfect rating. I see the faults. I understand that the writing style in this book was more direct and simplistic than I usually enjoy but I just don't care. It exceeded my expectations and made me very keen to read more from Emezi now that I know I adore their stories. It was a very difficult read that handles a very difficult subject, but if you can handle it, I would highly recommend this read it was beautiful!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse

zoewright's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

courtneykeekee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual violence