mondaysshelf's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
nshalla's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rebelsandrobots's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Don’t you hate it when you accidentally summon an Eldritch Abomination version of Maximillien Robespierre
Okay, but seriously, this is the diverse, anti-capitalist, solarpunk found family story of my dreams. It's simultaneously a scream of rage and a song of hope. And it's so, so, so emotionally moving. I felt everything, all the love, fear, pain, sadness, anger, and joy. I got a little teary-eyed reading many scenes.
At its heart, this is book is about love conquering all, but it's also more than that. It's about art, resistance, friendship, hope, loss, and what it means to be human. It's about finding your place in a crazy world. It asks important questions: what must we sacrifice to make the world a better place? Will good always triumph over evil? Is it possible to fight monsters without becoming one?
I absolutely love the friendship in this book. The unconditional love that the friends have, the way they would walk through fire for each other. I love the message that you don't need to always be fighting on the front lines to do good, and the message that no matter how bad things seem, there is always hope. And I loved the gorgeous, vivid writing.
The worldbuilding was admittedly a bit vague (it's hard to tell if this is supposed to be a future Earth or a fantasy world), but it seems like that was intentional.
Okay, but seriously, this is the diverse, anti-capitalist, solarpunk found family story of my dreams. It's simultaneously a scream of rage and a song of hope. And it's so, so, so emotionally moving. I felt everything, all the love, fear, pain, sadness, anger, and joy. I got a little teary-eyed reading many scenes.
At its heart, this is book is about love conquering all, but it's also more than that. It's about art, resistance, friendship, hope, loss, and what it means to be human. It's about finding your place in a crazy world. It asks important questions: what must we sacrifice to make the world a better place? Will good always triumph over evil? Is it possible to fight monsters without becoming one?
I absolutely love the friendship in this book. The unconditional love that the friends have, the way they would walk through fire for each other. I love the message that you don't need to always be fighting on the front lines to do good, and the message that no matter how bad things seem, there is always hope. And I loved the gorgeous, vivid writing.
The worldbuilding was admittedly a bit vague (it's hard to tell if this is supposed to be a future Earth or a fantasy world), but it seems like that was intentional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Self harm
Minor: Child abuse, Ableism, Homophobia, Mass/school shootings, Abandonment, Drug use, and Alcohol
flowahh_'s review against another edition
medium-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
3.75
leeena's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
1librarianspath's review against another edition
3.5
Although I was excited to read about Bitter’s young-adulthood, and her experience of creating the ‘angels’, it had a very different tone to PET. I expected Bitter to be more certain of herself, though her anxiety actually made me like her more. I also appreciated the various ways that the characters took part in protesting. Eucalyptus sounded like a wonderful haven, and one I wish we truly had for those that need it. The diversity of characters (race, gender, sexual orientation, lived experiences etc) is another part of Emezi’s writing that I enjoy, and it was even more apparent in this prequel.
fosssamantha's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.5
torilarett's review against another edition
4.0
This is a brilliant prequel to Pet. It world builds beautifully while giving us a poignant story. I definitely think this book is for an older audience than Pet.
lauren_g_'s review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
hannahshreck's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0