Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

28 reviews

pikkumarja's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

What an interesting book! I did not know it is a fantasy book but it all makes sense now. I loved the radicality and the discourse around the expectations and who's job is to change the world. The meaning and importance of the community is so beautifully written and all the young artists and activists are so brave.

The story could have been longer because from time to time it felt a bit rushed. But I love love love Akwaeke Emezi! And even when English is not my first language, this book is definitely a pleasant read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Murder

sundayfever's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.75

When paired with Pet, this is an incredible story for anyone thinking about systemic change and oppression and how to build a better world. Dark but honest. I loved it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Violence, Police brutality, and Abandonment

Moderate: Hate crime, Violence, Medical content, Murder, War, and Classism

Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, and Sexual harassment

chrisb913's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Police brutality

Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, and Murder

Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, and Death of parent

dazzle_spider_reader_1212's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Death, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Drug use, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury

mandi_lea's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

wormiebrains's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring 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

5.0

It is such a deep and meaningful story, I would encourage anyone who wants to diversify their stories to pick up anything by Akwaeke Emezi

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Death, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Classism

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Classism

Minor: Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, and Trafficking

rachellle's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book was amazing! This prequel was absolutely necessary for me because it enhances the world in 'Pet'. Definitely rereading 'Pet' and then rereading this book again. The conflicts that Bitter, her friends, and Assata face were written with so much depth.

From Bitter's indifference towards the protests, to Bitter's guilt about the angels and not supporting her friend's, to the exhaustion the Assata members face. It's really important that the novel highlighted the structure of organizing and the exhaustion that the work leads to. The conflicts between Bitter and her friends was complex and demonstrated how the world affects interpersonal relationships (Eddie ending their friendship).

The only part I wish the novel spent more time explaining was the resolution of the overarching conflict.

Obviously the mega rich guy is killed and the mayor is spared, leading him to abolish the prisons and replace the entire city council. But what conversations led to that? I know not much of a conversation would have went down but I wanna know what was said.

Overall, this book was so good. What really drew me in was the honesty of the relationship dynamics; their interactions are not isolated from the larger world. It was interesting to see how they all did their best to hold each other up and even fail sometimes. And Bitter's character development was layered and amazing to watch unfold. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail

pandact's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

Bitter and pet can be read in either order because even if you forgot all the character names in Pet, you'll be thinking about Bitter for a long time after you finish it! Every book by Akwaeke Emezi is so relevant and interesting, so don't skip this one just because it's a prequel 👩‍🎨

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Police brutality

Moderate: Violence and War

Minor: Ableism and Body horror

cerilouisereads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring tense 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism and Homophobia