A review by spcandybars
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging emotional reflective fast-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

4.25

“All knowledge is good knowledge”, Pet said. 

I don’t know if that’s true, Jam thought back. It doesn’t feel true right now. 

“Truth doesn’t care if it feels true or not. It is true nonetheless.”

Allow me to sing some praises. This book is such a strong introduction to the concept of facing your society’s demons and I think tweens and new parents specifically will find some heavily needed take-aways. 

Pet highlights the destructive power of silence and illustrates that peace is not simple - utopia is a flawed illusion and it is vital to speak when there’s something to say. 

Pet follows a young trans-girl named Jam in a world and society where monsters do not exist. In this case, “monsters” are implied to be all those who use their power or strength to harm others. This means there are no abusers, no predators, no rapists, and no police - not because there are no criminals or laws to enforce but because police officers are monsters themselves. 
When Jam releases a demonic looking enforcer from a painting who insists on remaining in her realm because there is a monster he can sense nearby. Through her journey with this justice sniffing apparition, Pet, Jam realizes that life isn’t as simple as she’s been led to believe. 

Unveiling the monster and the nature of them and their abuse is a truly heartbreaking moment but allows all people to see that monsters will always be real - better to acknowledge them, handle them than allow them to move through life hidden but without repercussions because it’s easier to deny their existence. 

I just wish we could have seen some more exposition of what disciplinary measures are taken for crimes that don’t involve monsters and what their justice system looks like without police. There’s no explanation as to whether enforcers similar to pet are in charge of all types of crime or if there’s any type of enforcing party that is structured differently from the way the police system was to eliminate the power imbalance inherent to the position. 


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