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
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Death, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Ableism, Transphobia, Slavery, Cursing, Police brutality, Racism, Classism, and Gun violence
julieyael's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was absolutely not what I was expecting (I bought it as a horrir book. Well, it’s about another, more real, kind of horror)
I enjoyed the way it’s written bringing tension to the story.
I would have liked a deeper character building, but the novel is quite short, so maybe there was not space for it.
I also felt that the particularities of the characters were a bit forced. It’s interesting and nice to find such a diverse set of characters and families, but sometimes it felt a bit artificial.
Maybe if it had been written as an adult novel, not YA, it would have been more to my taste.
Overall, the book finds its purpose and is a good read, and I am sure it will find a good audience and be useful and meaningful to a lot of people.
It just didn’t « click » for me.
I am glad I read it once, but it probably wonnt go on my list of novels that I can read twice (or more).
Also, the subject is pretty heavy and the warnings should be taken seriously.
I enjoyed the way it’s written bringing tension to the story.
I would have liked a deeper character building, but the novel is quite short, so maybe there was not space for it.
I also felt that the particularities of the characters were a bit forced. It’s interesting and nice to find such a diverse set of characters and families, but sometimes it felt a bit artificial.
Maybe if it had been written as an adult novel, not YA, it would have been more to my taste.
Overall, the book finds its purpose and is a good read, and I am sure it will find a good audience and be useful and meaningful to a lot of people.
It just didn’t « click » for me.
I am glad I read it once, but it probably wonnt go on my list of novels that I can read twice (or more).
Also, the subject is pretty heavy and the warnings should be taken seriously.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Child abuse
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mass/school shootings, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Rape, and Violence
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality, Medical content, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, and Incest
Minor: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, War, Mental illness, Sexual content, Abandonment, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Mass/school shootings, Ableism, Confinement, Gore, Suicide, Transphobia, and Vomit
Ableism warning is to err on the side of caution, for disability framed as a punishment near the end.amre23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gore, Body horror, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Incest
Moderate: Body horror, Rape, Ableism, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Deadnaming, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Dysphoria, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, Medical content, Suicide, Police brutality, Cursing, and Sexual violence
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: Police violence mention, death of children mention, school shooting mention, violence, child abuse/implied child sexual abuse
"Monsters don't look like anything, doux-doux. That's the whole point. That's the whole problem."
Pet by Awaeke Emezi is their first YA book. I've been following Emezi on Instagram for awhile, and I admire them so much. They fiercely live their truth despite the trauma they have livid through and continue to experience at the hands of transphobia. I felt like this was a love letter to that pain.
We follow Jam, a selectively mute trans girl who uses sign language. She accidentally brings her mother's painting to life, and is dragged into a hunt for monsters by the being known as Pet. In Lucille where Jam lives, people believe the monsters, people who commit atrocities like police violence and abuse, are all gone and no one has anything to fear. The revolutionaries that made this possible are called "angels." But the presence of Pet means that monsters still exist.
Emezi's writing is so... efficient? They packed a whole nuances story into 200 pages without it feeling rushed or that it was missing anything. Their language choice was superb at conveying everything they wanted to say with only a few lines. It felt heavy, but not dense. It took a little bit to get used to some of the speech patterns, since Emezi is from Nigeria, but once I figured it out, there were no issues.
Emezi reminds us that all monsters are human, and the worst part is that they are usually people we trust. They remind us that the "not in my backyard" mentality continues to allow children to be harmed. Believe children. Believe survivors. Emezi does a great job of addressing child abuse and child sexual abuse without putting the details on the page. They understand that childhood trauma is not entertainment and shouldn't be treated like it is. More authors need to understand this. I don't need to read the details to understand how horrific it is (I'm looking at you Khaled Hosseni 👀).
To learn more about child sexual abuse or to get help for yourself or a loved one, go to RAINN.org
"Monsters don't look like anything, doux-doux. That's the whole point. That's the whole problem."
Pet by Awaeke Emezi is their first YA book. I've been following Emezi on Instagram for awhile, and I admire them so much. They fiercely live their truth despite the trauma they have livid through and continue to experience at the hands of transphobia. I felt like this was a love letter to that pain.
We follow Jam, a selectively mute trans girl who uses sign language. She accidentally brings her mother's painting to life, and is dragged into a hunt for monsters by the being known as Pet. In Lucille where Jam lives, people believe the monsters, people who commit atrocities like police violence and abuse, are all gone and no one has anything to fear. The revolutionaries that made this possible are called "angels." But the presence of Pet means that monsters still exist.
Emezi's writing is so... efficient? They packed a whole nuances story into 200 pages without it feeling rushed or that it was missing anything. Their language choice was superb at conveying everything they wanted to say with only a few lines. It felt heavy, but not dense. It took a little bit to get used to some of the speech patterns, since Emezi is from Nigeria, but once I figured it out, there were no issues.
Emezi reminds us that all monsters are human, and the worst part is that they are usually people we trust. They remind us that the "not in my backyard" mentality continues to allow children to be harmed. Believe children. Believe survivors. Emezi does a great job of addressing child abuse and child sexual abuse without putting the details on the page. They understand that childhood trauma is not entertainment and shouldn't be treated like it is. More authors need to understand this. I don't need to read the details to understand how horrific it is (I'm looking at you Khaled Hosseni 👀).
To learn more about child sexual abuse or to get help for yourself or a loved one, go to RAINN.org
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Child abuse
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Sexual violence, and Police brutality
zombiezami's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest, Cursing, Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Dysphoria and Mass/school shootings
discworldwitch's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is incredibly good and so very important. From the writing, to the characters, to the plot, I can’t recommend it enough.
In the words of the author, Akwaeke Emezi “I want Pet to reach as many readers as non-humanly possible, so it can do the work it’s meant to do in the world.”
In the words of the author, Akwaeke Emezi “I want Pet to reach as many readers as non-humanly possible, so it can do the work it’s meant to do in the world.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Rape, Gore, Vomit, and Police brutality
clea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.5
This novel is incredibly well-written and although quite short, gives a lot to think about. I found the setting (a utopian (?) city named Lucille) very interesting and I'm looking forward to reading the next book which will be a prequel telling the story of the infamous revolution during which all monsters were eradicated. I really want to know more about this world! At first you think it is perfect; tolerance and acceptance shine through everyone and every action, be it ever so small. But then you realize that in a world where people don't believe in monsters anymore, it can be all the easier for those monsters to hide behind a shining facade.
Obviously the themes discussed, are very important. They are explored in a creative and sensitive way which I strongly appreciated. The characters were strikingly well-developed and the dynamics between them were really interesting (and heart-melting). I especially liked Jam and Redemption's relationship; it just seemed so pure and wholesome! It's a welcome change to see a great friendship between a boy and a girl in which romantic feelings play no part.
I can't recommend this book enough!! Also the audio book is really nice to listen to, the narrator is fantastic and really brings the characters to life.
Obviously the themes discussed, are very important. They are explored in a creative and sensitive way which I strongly appreciated. The characters were strikingly well-developed and the dynamics between them were really interesting (and heart-melting). I especially liked Jam and Redemption's relationship; it just seemed so pure and wholesome! It's a welcome change to see a great friendship between a boy and a girl in which romantic feelings play no part.
I can't recommend this book enough!! Also the audio book is really nice to listen to, the narrator is fantastic and really brings the characters to life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Police brutality and Mass/school shootings
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