A review by bluehairedlibrarian
Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

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. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings