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A review by blakeandbooks
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
I went into this book a bit blind. I’ve seen friends rave about this book, and enjoyed Emezi’s writing in the past, so I had a pretty good idea that I would enjoy it. I am so glad I finally decided to read it. This book has such an important message. I don’t think I will be able to adequately articulate how impactful this book was.
In the town of Lucille, everything is perfect and monsters are no more… right?
After Bitter’s painting brings to life Pet, a creature who is searching for a monster hidden in plain sight, Jam, black, trans MC, must assist Pet to find who it is, even if it is hard for her to image something bad happening in her best friend Redemption’s home.
In the midst of Jam’s disbelief, Pet speaks to her and says, “The truth does not change whether it is seen or unseen, it whispered in her mind. A thing that is happening happens whether you look at it or not. And yes, maybe it is easier not to look. Maybe it is easier to say because you do not see it, it is not happening. Maybe you can pull the stone out of the pool and put the moon back together.” It’s honestly a great and powerful reminder that monsters are always lurking in the light, whether we want to believe it or not, they are there. Having the knowledge and resources to know about abuse (provided to Jam and Redemption by Ube at the library) and with Pet’s help, they were able to find out what was happening and intervene.
I do want to say that this is pretty heavy material. CW include: child abuse, violence, pedophilia, and sexual abuse. Read with care.
I’m looking forward to reading the prequel Bitter, which is centered around Jam’s mom, to learn more about this world and get back into more of Emezi’s works.
In the town of Lucille, everything is perfect and monsters are no more… right?
After Bitter’s painting brings to life Pet, a creature who is searching for a monster hidden in plain sight, Jam, black, trans MC, must assist Pet to find who it is, even if it is hard for her to image something bad happening in her best friend Redemption’s home.
In the midst of Jam’s disbelief, Pet speaks to her and says, “The truth does not change whether it is seen or unseen, it whispered in her mind. A thing that is happening happens whether you look at it or not. And yes, maybe it is easier not to look. Maybe it is easier to say because you do not see it, it is not happening. Maybe you can pull the stone out of the pool and put the moon back together.” It’s honestly a great and powerful reminder that monsters are always lurking in the light, whether we want to believe it or not, they are there. Having the knowledge and resources to know about abuse (provided to Jam and Redemption by Ube at the library) and with Pet’s help, they were able to find out what was happening and intervene.
I do want to say that this is pretty heavy material. CW include: child abuse, violence, pedophilia, and sexual abuse. Read with care.
I’m looking forward to reading the prequel Bitter, which is centered around Jam’s mom, to learn more about this world and get back into more of Emezi’s works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Pedophilia