lynxpardinus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Violence, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Classism, Racism, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Ableism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Abandonment, and Body horror
Minor: Trafficking, Antisemitism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
calamitess's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Xenophobia, Racism, Police brutality, and Hate crime
rorikae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
‘Bitter’ by Akwaeke Emezi is a thought provoking and character driven prequel.
The story follows Jam’s mother Bitter as a young woman starting her art career as a student at Eucalyptus. Lucille is far from the peaceful city that is present in Pet. Instead, it is racked by protests against the police violence and systemic issues that plague the city. Bitter is trying to find her place in the world while exploring her art. She isn’t sure how to relate to her peers who are actively protesting. When Bitter releases a monster from one of her paintings in response to a cruel act of brutality, she will have to decide where she stands in this battle and what she will do next.
'Bitter' is the perfect prequel to Pet. Where Pet sets up a city that has come through hardship and become a more forgiving and open place, 'Bitter' gives us insight into the beginning of what transformed Lucille into that city. In 'Bitter,' Lucille much more clearly represents our current situation so when it is put in contrast to Pet, it becomes clear that Emezi is hinting at one possible way that we can move to a liberated future. Bitter is a great central protagonist, not only because we have already met her in Pet but also because she is caught between her art and comfort and making real change in the world. Her place is a highly relatable one and her considerations ones that many people are going through during this day and time. Paired with Emezi’s evocative writing, fully fleshed out characters, and ability to tell so much story in a short amount of time, 'Bitter' is another triumph of their skill. I hope we will see more in this world because it feels like there are more stories that could be told and a further piece in this city’s story that Emezi could explore. If you haven’t read Emezi’s work before, I think you can read these connected novels in either order. Please read this if you have any interest (and even if you don’t), Emezi is celebrated for a reason and it’s because they are a truly skilled storyteller.
The story follows Jam’s mother Bitter as a young woman starting her art career as a student at Eucalyptus. Lucille is far from the peaceful city that is present in Pet. Instead, it is racked by protests against the police violence and systemic issues that plague the city. Bitter is trying to find her place in the world while exploring her art. She isn’t sure how to relate to her peers who are actively protesting. When Bitter releases a monster from one of her paintings in response to a cruel act of brutality, she will have to decide where she stands in this battle and what she will do next.
'Bitter' is the perfect prequel to Pet. Where Pet sets up a city that has come through hardship and become a more forgiving and open place, 'Bitter' gives us insight into the beginning of what transformed Lucille into that city. In 'Bitter,' Lucille much more clearly represents our current situation so when it is put in contrast to Pet, it becomes clear that Emezi is hinting at one possible way that we can move to a liberated future. Bitter is a great central protagonist, not only because we have already met her in Pet but also because she is caught between her art and comfort and making real change in the world. Her place is a highly relatable one and her considerations ones that many people are going through during this day and time. Paired with Emezi’s evocative writing, fully fleshed out characters, and ability to tell so much story in a short amount of time, 'Bitter' is another triumph of their skill. I hope we will see more in this world because it feels like there are more stories that could be told and a further piece in this city’s story that Emezi could explore. If you haven’t read Emezi’s work before, I think you can read these connected novels in either order. Please read this if you have any interest (and even if you don’t), Emezi is celebrated for a reason and it’s because they are a truly skilled storyteller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Death, Mental illness, Police brutality, Violence, Blood, Grief, Hate crime, and Racism
overbooked207's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
5.0
📖 Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi Book Review 📖
1st book of July 2022 and 15th book of the year:
This was such a powerful, fantastic, and relevant book and prequel to one of my all-time favorites, Pet. You don’t have to read Pet in order to understand this book, but I highly recommend doing so anyway because it's also such an amazing and important book. I loved that we got to go back in time to see the events talked about in Pet in this book and follow Bitter’s story this time, and it felt more mature and heavier than Pet. The writing and world-building are always phenomenal in Akwaeke Emezi’s books, and this time was no different. The themes/topics that the book brings up including revolution, healing, generational trauma, mental health, found family/coming together as a community to help each other, using art as activism, the cycle of violence, and more are all super important to talk about nowadays and always, the making it a book that I think absolutely everybody should pick up. The audiobook was also done beautifully, and it felt more mature and heavier than Pet, which was already dealing with very heavy subject matter. I highly recommend reading this and everything by Akwaeke Emezi, and I am absolutely in love with all of their book covers! TW for blood, death, self-harm/cutting, police brutality, racism, homophobia, war, hate crimes, dissociation, panic attacks, gun violence, gore, fire/fire injury, vomit, ableism, injuries/injury description, abuse, abandonment, mention of the death of a parent, mention of rape, medical content/trauma, eye mutilation, body horror, mental illness, child abuse, and grief📚🎨
1st book of July 2022 and 15th book of the year:
This was such a powerful, fantastic, and relevant book and prequel to one of my all-time favorites, Pet. You don’t have to read Pet in order to understand this book, but I highly recommend doing so anyway because it's also such an amazing and important book. I loved that we got to go back in time to see the events talked about in Pet in this book and follow Bitter’s story this time, and it felt more mature and heavier than Pet. The writing and world-building are always phenomenal in Akwaeke Emezi’s books, and this time was no different. The themes/topics that the book brings up including revolution, healing, generational trauma, mental health, found family/coming together as a community to help each other, using art as activism, the cycle of violence, and more are all super important to talk about nowadays and always, the making it a book that I think absolutely everybody should pick up. The audiobook was also done beautifully, and it felt more mature and heavier than Pet, which was already dealing with very heavy subject matter. I highly recommend reading this and everything by Akwaeke Emezi, and I am absolutely in love with all of their book covers! TW for blood, death, self-harm/cutting, police brutality, racism, homophobia, war, hate crimes, dissociation, panic attacks, gun violence, gore, fire/fire injury, vomit, ableism, injuries/injury description, abuse, abandonment, mention of the death of a parent, mention of rape, medical content/trauma, eye mutilation, body horror, mental illness, child abuse, and grief📚🎨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Mass/school shootings, Police brutality, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Racism, Grief, Gun violence, Self harm, Vomit, War, Child abuse, Death, Ableism, Rape, and Violence
sadiefc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Blood
Moderate: Police brutality, Drug use, Genocide, Homophobia, Racism, Self harm, Abandonment, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, and War
dreareads_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
4.5
<i> Hope is not a waste of time. Hope is a discipline <\i>
I really enjoyed this book. Emezi is the kind of author that is not afraid to be explicit about the central points of their story. The characters (old and new) and beautifully constructed, and the love between them is obvious.
While Pet was a fairly contained story, Bitter is a story about a movement and the role of individuals. It is a story that warns against revenge, but also the ugly side of ‘justice’.
There are many things to love about this book but there were points that were confusing or just didn’t work for me.
1) The Angels: in Pet the Angels are here to hunt monsters, and while they have their own agenda they are not needlessly blood thirsty this to me felt like a departure from what we knew about the Angels from Pet.
2) The delivery of the message: although I appreciate the ideas that Emezi is promoting in the book, sometimes they felt a bit too on the surface. This is more a preference than anything else, and I understand that as a YA story this is aimed at an audience that benefits from clear messaging.
Regardless another masterpiece from a wonderful writer.
I really enjoyed this book. Emezi is the kind of author that is not afraid to be explicit about the central points of their story. The characters (old and new) and beautifully constructed, and the love between them is obvious.
While Pet was a fairly contained story, Bitter is a story about a movement and the role of individuals. It is a story that warns against revenge, but also the ugly side of ‘justice’.
There are many things to love about this book but there were points that were confusing or just didn’t work for me.
1) The Angels: in Pet the Angels are here to hunt monsters, and while they have their own agenda they are not needlessly blood thirsty
Spoiler
in this story, the Angels are bringers of destruction, their purpose isn’t to safe the innocent, but to cleanse the city w/ blood2) The delivery of the message: although I appreciate the ideas that Emezi is promoting in the book, sometimes they felt a bit too on the surface. This is more a preference than anything else, and I understand that as a YA story this is aimed at an audience that benefits from clear messaging.
Regardless another masterpiece from a wonderful writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Bullying, Violence, Racism, Classism, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Hate crime
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.75
Wow, this is my first time reading Emezi's writing and I found it incredible.
The audi is read by one of my favorite narrators, Bahni Turpin🤍🤍🤍
I did not read the synopsis upon starting and was surprised to learn that the Mc's name is bitter😂😭 poor thing....
I enjoyed this unique piece and that Bitter has the magical artistic ability to bring her drawings to life, which is AWESOME!!!
Bitter is a relatable character and genuinely needed to get their frustration out. But there is always a plot twist and sometimes your creation has a mind of its own🔮
The audi is read by one of my favorite narrators, Bahni Turpin🤍🤍🤍
I did not read the synopsis upon starting and was surprised to learn that the Mc's name is bitter😂😭 poor thing....
I enjoyed this unique piece and that Bitter has the magical artistic ability to bring her drawings to life, which is AWESOME!!!
Bitter is a relatable character and genuinely needed to get their frustration out. But there is always a plot twist and sometimes your creation has a mind of its own🔮
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racism, Blood, Vomit, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Police brutality, and Violence
sonaea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of the best descriptions of activism and activists I've yet read. Also, awesome representation, strong women and even a bit critical of the system (a lot, but only a bit is really mentioned).
My only critical points are of the storytelling-kind: Some of the conflicts between the characters that first seem huge are suddenly not important at all anymore. They forgive and forget and while they do talk about it, it's easily solved (especially thinking about). Also, the writing style could have been better, but it was a good read nonetheless.
My only critical points are of the storytelling-kind: Some of the conflicts between the characters that first seem huge are suddenly not important at all anymore. They forgive and forget and while they do talk about it, it's easily solved (especially thinking about
Spoiler
the last conflict between Bitter and Aloe - first they don't seem to even care about the others feelings, being all angry with each other and stuff, not listening to each other, then suddenly they're all reflected and make up again - that's not healthy, and honestly I don't think that's how it works for long irl. Please reflect before you start accusing each other of things
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Gun violence, War, Racism, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Violence, Ableism, and Death of parent
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