Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

61 reviews

cass_lit's review

3.5

I loved Pet so much that I immediately put Bitter on hold at my library (pro of being late to a book!) and checked my status at least once a week. 

My biggest “complaint” (which is much more about my reading experience than on the book itself!) is that I wish I’d read Bitter before Pet. Even though this was a later-published companion story about Jam’s mother, Bitter, I felt like the plots and commentary in it would have helped me to understand Pet so much better. It was a good story on its own, but because I was constantly rethinking my thoughts on Pet while reading I wasn’t able to get so invested in it that it became a great story. 

Even though I prefer Pet of the two, I still highly recommend Bitter and would definitely read this one first. 

Pet and Bitter are the only Akwaeke Emezi books I’ve read so far but I’m SO excited to read more of their work!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Police brutality

Moderate: Gun violence

readingatthemuseum's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Police brutality, and Abandonment

imrereads's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Police brutality

Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, and Murder

sonaea's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Police brutality, Murder, and War

Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Violence, and Death of parent

dalmavatai's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality

laynemandros's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Self harm, Blood, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

silverraine's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

tinytrashqueen's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Police brutality

Moderate: Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug use, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Abandonment

melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Police brutality and Murder

Minor: Child abuse and Abandonment

tina94's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and War

Moderate: Child abuse