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A review by ihateprozac
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
5.0
I went in expecting a paranormal akin to [b:This Savage Song|40642172|This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1)|Victoria Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529942103l/40642172._SY75_.jpg|42855493] or [b:A Monster Calls|25480342|A Monster Calls|Patrick Ness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430763000l/25480342._SY75_.jpg|13492114], but this ended up being far more metaphorical and complex. The way in which this uses monsters and angels to discuss racism, abuse, and family violence in a YA format is honestly breathtaking.
While I can’t speak some of the rep personally, I loved how the author normalised queerness and rainbow families, that Jam’s trans identity and selective mutism were instantly accepted, and that none of this was centred on coming out. It felt like a warm hug or a ray of light in what otherwise is a pretty dark story.
5 stars. I can tell this will be one I revisit time and time again. Everybody needs to read it and I’m desperate to read more from Akwaeke Emezi.
TW: child abuse
While I can’t speak some of the rep personally, I loved how the author normalised queerness and rainbow families, that Jam’s trans identity and selective mutism were instantly accepted, and that none of this was centred on coming out. It felt like a warm hug or a ray of light in what otherwise is a pretty dark story.
5 stars. I can tell this will be one I revisit time and time again. Everybody needs to read it and I’m desperate to read more from Akwaeke Emezi.
TW: child abuse