Reviews

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

cuartolimon's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

kdahlo's review against another edition

4.0

I read a large chunk of this before I realized it was a prequel to Pet. I enjoyed it and continue to be a big Emezi fan. Quick, good YA read

ethanzo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious 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

Perhaps minor spoilers. Bitter is such a hauntingly beautiful, soft yet harsh story with so much heart and tragedy and healing. I think it's a wonder when a prequel can make you want to go back and recontextualize the original story. I feel like I've seen the world of Lucille differently, and I want to experience it again for the first time with new eyes. Extraordinarily, I think an argument for reading orders for both books can be made. On one hand, reading the prequel gives you more information about the world and how it works and the magic of that world, but on the other, reading Pet first gives a sense of childlike whimsy that I feel you may have less of if you decided to read Bitter first. This book, in particular, redefined so much of what I thought I knew about Pet. Beyond all of this, the story of Bitter is very heartfelt and moving, and its messages of unity, strength, revolution, and morality are so inspiring and thought-provoking. There is no black and white in war. Evil can and will exist, but individuals need not fight against it with evil themselves, and I think this book showcases that justice is subjective and soldiering equality, acceptance, freedom, and community does not have to be fought for with blood. I think that this book is especially poignant with what is going on in the world, and it really puts into perspective how each individual can make change, regardless of whether or not they're on the frontlines. This was an amazing read.

cc24680's review against another edition

challenging 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? It's complicated

5.0

martinj's review against another edition

dark

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

guessgreenleaf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality and Violence

Moderate: War

Minor: Alcohol and Homophobia

summerb's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.25

js_reading_journal's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

5.0

daydreamingreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

melodys_library's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of the best prequel books I’ve ever read. I may have liked this even more than PET. Although it is technically YA fiction, I would recommend this to adults. It explores serious topics like racism, protest, corruption and police brutality, in a way for youths to easily digest. It gives positive messages about nonviolent resistance and activism through art. Also, Bitter and Aloe are my favorite contemporary couple right now.