Reviews with content warning for Gore - Pet

Reviews tagging 'Gore'

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

61 reviews

morebedsidebooks's review against another edition

tense

5.0

“Monster’s don’t look like anything, doux-doux. That’s the whole point. That’s the whole problem.”

In Pet by Akwaeke Emezi after a revolution that changed so many of the terrible things to come before, Lucille is a peaceful utopian-like place. But in its success is still shadow. The same blind spots, the same even stronger disbelief. Not here. Monsters are not here, those bad things are long past, they do not happen here. But like a fairy tale or the innermost of nightmares out of a painting comes the powerful creature Pet, a hunter. Is Pet a monster or an avenging angel? What is justice? Seventeen-year-old Jam, her friend Redemption, their families, and the whole community will be challenged with questions and the remedies thought of long resolved.

One of the most fascinating yet only touched upon aspects of this novel is the radically changed society, greatly improving the lives of the people. It’s certainly better for a selectively mute trans girl like Jam. Yet among the many shifts one was especially thought provoking. History is full of conflicts around religion. Yet, the loss of religion through conflicts or prohibitions is usually a bad sign. So, this was an early red flag that something is very wrong in the book’s world. Further in the real world it doesn’t work. People just go underground. It made me more certain about what other hidden things were going on in Lucielle, not just the monster Pet came to hunt. Also, there are differences between religion and faith or belief. Even a reader can see how concepts persist like the subject of angels, human or otherwise, in the book. Most of the issues around religion boil down as Redemption puts it to a battle for control. Power, over property, people, bodies, thoughts, religious bigotry or hate and intolerance masquerading under the guise of religious conviction.

It’s interesting as well how much Lucille puts on librarians to assist since material on monsters, angels, holy texts etc. is in the library where one must go with such questions, not other sources. School education around some topics is minimal at best. Most adults are hesitant or uncooperative when asked. Indeed, sometimes a library is the only source available. It too makes one think about how in reality institutions like libraries, schools and their workers are under attack. Then Pet also has become a banned book. The failure of this lack of representation and education is also another part of the problem in Lucille. This is a story when being able to recognize the signs of an abuser, the abuse, and the victim comes late. Or is just ignored. Until made to. And how it affects many.

Emezi manages to write heavy topics with subtly and sensitivity. This YA novel is well deserving of every accolade. Pet is a book that only speaks more to very real problems that must be faced.

Content Warnings

choicepotatoes_yetagain's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

5.0 - would read again
---
just as powerful the second time around

Content Warnings

softgalaxy's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-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? No

4.0

This was a very short read, which is my biggest criticism. But overall, a solid read.

It’s a very haunting story to read when you live in a world that has the very popular phrase “fake news”. This book was much larger than itself. Literally, like Pet. As you read, you feel the real world loom over you.

I really liked the lack of emphasis on Jam’s trans identity. Sometimes in books, there has to be a whole chapter dedicated to a character and their struggles being trans. Jam was just transgender and that was that. Trans people just exist.

Spoiler

Pet was a bizarre ‘monster’ - you sadly don’t get to understand where Pet comes from - like why did it come out of a painting? Obviously there’s a lot of symbolism to unpack, but you really could be here all day.

The reason this review is not a full 5 stars is because of the ending - it seemed to backtrack on everything the book was saying.

Spoiler

Making an evil character have a physical flaw is a harmful ableist trope.

Content Warnings

glitterdeww's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious sad 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? No

5.0

At four pages into this book, I set it down and immediately made a list of other Akwaeke Emezi novels to grab as soon as I see them.

Four pages.

This writing is gorgeous. Not flowery nor verbose... It's beautiful like a blade is beautiful. There's a strength and sharpness to this story. Pet is concise, emotional, challenging, cutting... And very lovely. It felt just like a struggle tinged with hope. And considering that difficulty, I'm actually glad it was as short as it was.

Content Warnings