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solenekeleroux's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, War, Blood, Self harm, Murder, Violence, Police brutality, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
michaelion's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
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
4.0
I'd like to reiterate what I said in my review of Pet. Which I will not repeat here but it still stands. I liked, nay, LOVED Vengeance. And the worldbuilding in this sequel / prequel is just so rich. Not that they have to, but Emezi could run wild with this world alone and never be broke again. It's so beautiful, it's so refreshing. Pet was so warm and sweet and this was so dark and sultry... Bitter if I may. But both books, despite how different they feel, smell, sound, despite how different the in-universe world is barely a generation later, both taste like eating really good dark chocolate. For me. I say this because I love dark chocolate. And I did eat a few while reading, but because the world already made me think of the flavor! What I mean is the world itself is rich, flavorful, colorful, and even though the books are different they have the same heart.
Emezi has a real talent, a real beauty in absorbing me into these words. There was one page I gasped at least 10 times, just one page! And throughout the whole book I was so giddy. But can you blame me? A straight (presenting(?)) couple so gay they grow to have a trans daughter? I love it here! We have no choice but to stan! If there's a third book I'm sending Emezi my paycheck the day the book is announced.
Emezi has a real talent, a real beauty in absorbing me into these words. There was one page I gasped at least 10 times, just one page! And throughout the whole book I was so giddy. But can you blame me? A straight (presenting(?)) couple so gay they grow to have a trans daughter? I love it here! We have no choice but to stan! If there's a third book I'm sending Emezi my paycheck the day the book is announced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Classism, Death, and Police brutality
Moderate: Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Violence, and War
Minor: Homophobia
emilyreads_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Cursing, Grief, Gun violence, War, Mental illness, Death, Police brutality, Murder, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
anonymous_k's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
Additional Trigger Warnings: Foster Home Trauma
Good book! I go back and forth on whether I like Bitter more than Pet, but both were good and important reads! All educators need to read these books (Pet and Bitter), and I would argue that any teens who are able to read such traumatic topics should read them too. I gave it a 4.5 because reading such heavy and traumatic topics is hard for me. I am very happy to have learned more, but it took me a long time to read this book because of the severity of the trauma talked about in this book. Overall, I loved this book as it did a great job illustrating the trauma people of color (specifically black youth) face in America and it prepares me to create a safe haven and provide support in my future classroom for these traumatized students.
Good book! I go back and forth on whether I like Bitter more than Pet, but both were good and important reads! All educators need to read these books (Pet and Bitter), and I would argue that any teens who are able to read such traumatic topics should read them too. I gave it a 4.5 because reading such heavy and traumatic topics is hard for me. I am very happy to have learned more, but it took me a long time to read this book because of the severity of the trauma talked about in this book. Overall, I loved this book as it did a great job illustrating the trauma people of color (specifically black youth) face in America and it prepares me to create a safe haven and provide support in my future classroom for these traumatized students.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Police brutality
Minor: Child abuse
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
Wow, this is my first time reading Emezi's writing and I found it incredible.
The audi is read by one of my favorite narrators, Bahni Turpinš¤š¤š¤
I did not read the synopsis upon starting and was surprised to learn that the Mc's name is bitteršš poor thing....
I enjoyed this unique piece and that Bitter has the magical artistic ability to bring her drawings to life, which is AWESOME!!!
Bitter is a relatable character and genuinely needed to get their frustration out. But there is always a plot twist and sometimes your creation has a mind of its ownš®
The audi is read by one of my favorite narrators, Bahni Turpinš¤š¤š¤
I did not read the synopsis upon starting and was surprised to learn that the Mc's name is bitteršš poor thing....
I enjoyed this unique piece and that Bitter has the magical artistic ability to bring her drawings to life, which is AWESOME!!!
Bitter is a relatable character and genuinely needed to get their frustration out. But there is always a plot twist and sometimes your creation has a mind of its ownš®
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racism, Blood, Vomit, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Police brutality, and Violence
lolajh's review against another edition
dark
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
5.0
Forever obsessed with Akwaekeās books and the way they portray racism and police brutality and queerness and love. Reading the prequel to Pet and seeing Jamās mother Bitterās teenage experience got me to understand her character and motives in Pet once understanding what she went through as a kid and not wanting that for her daughter. Seeing Bitterās summoned monsterās horrific character that differed so much to Pet, who acted as more of a parental figure who protected Jam was crazy, and explained why Bitter wanted to get rid of Pet in the sequel. This book was full of the loveable characters featured in Pet, but with their stories properly illustrated and creating a heavily thawed out and well constructed piece of writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
bluehairedlibrarian's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
In a world not unlike our own, political corruption and police brutality have the citizens protesting in the streets in an attempt to make a different world. Within this chaos is Eucalyptus, a school where creative teenagers are brought by a mysterious benefactor to study their craft and create their art in a safe space. Bitter finally has found a home there, and fears the protests happening outside the school's gate. One night when her friend gets injured in a protest, she puts all her rage and sadness and fear into a painting that she brings to life. This painting calls itself Vengeance and says it's an angel here to rid the world of monsters.
What starts at a dangerously realistic portrayal of the current social situation, with a little hint of magical realism, twists into a fantasy with large beings threatening to cleanse the world by burning it down. Bitter's conflicting feelings about this thing she's created is fascinating to see, and the way she fights to protect everyone despite the violence that has been perpetuated is a level of hope and morality that I really appreciate seeing in a teen book like this. I found the language gorgeous and captivating, and I had a very difficult time putting this book down. The end is abnormally hopeful, so I'm interested in reading the prior book that occurs after this one.
What starts at a dangerously realistic portrayal of the current social situation, with a little hint of magical realism, twists into a fantasy with large beings threatening to cleanse the world by burning it down. Bitter's conflicting feelings about this thing she's created is fascinating to see, and the way she fights to protect everyone despite the violence that has been perpetuated is a level of hope and morality that I really appreciate seeing in a teen book like this. I found the language gorgeous and captivating, and I had a very difficult time putting this book down. The end is abnormally hopeful, so I'm interested in reading the prior book that occurs after this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Police brutality
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Self harm, Child abuse, Death, Violence, Police brutality, Blood, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, Murder, and Drug use
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Bullying
wren_rainbow's review against another edition
4.5
Everyone doesnāt have to be on the front line, there are others roles you can take on during a revolution or a cause that are just as important. This is one of my take always from Bitterās story. Thereās so much I love and appreciate from this book as I did with Pet. But first, the nod to Assata Shakur and the Black Panthers, then the pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement. When coming across Assata I said to myself āWait, hold up!ā And seeing the connections of Assataās goals, programs, assistance in their community strongly confirmed my thoughts.
Spoilers moving forward:
Also, seeing a child abuser as a child themselves definitely ties further into the lesson from Pet, angels can be monsters and sometimes angels have to be monsters. But it was actually the first part for this particular character. I wanted to side with Hibiscusā character but then remembered what theyāve done and I canāt unsee it.
Spoilers moving forward:
Also, seeing a child abuser as a child themselves definitely ties further into the lesson from Pet, angels can be monsters and sometimes angels have to be monsters. But it was actually the first part for this particular character. I wanted to side with Hibiscusā character but then remembered what theyāve done and I canāt unsee it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Police brutality
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Child abuse
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, and Murder