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some_random_person_hi's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Acephobia/Arophobia, Blood, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Torture, Child abuse, and Gore
dustghosts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
So far this year, I’ve been reading a lot of shorter books. One thing I find with works this brief, and with this much plot, is that it can be hard for authors to balance building an emotional connection and moving quickly enough that everything happens as it needs to. Emezi masterfully balances these things: we’re gently thrust into Jam’s world, an adverb and verb that don’t usually go together, and we’re kept there with heart and action both.
There’s a lot of respect for the reader inherent in this book— Emezi trusts the audience to make inferences and draw lines, both in the context of the book and as far as wider themes go. We’re allowed to be partners in the worldbuilding. It’s ambitious, this horror-fantasy-utopia-YA romp, and it pays off wonderfully. What could feel heavy-handed instead is weightless, and Emezi’s lyrical turns of phrase feel like dessert for the well-woven plot and complicated sort of allegories at the core of the book. Going back to respect: I really love a YA book that treats its intended audience like the emotionally-intelligent, sharp-witted, curious readers they can be, and this one does exactly that.
Not a lot of flaws to list here— I wish that we saw, maybe, a teeny bit more depth to Jam’s character, a fuller view of her life on the day-to-day in Lucille. But that’s about it. Pet is bite-sized and keeps the scope (in time, cast, and conflict) pretty limited as a result, but you get a sense of scale of the wider world that feels satisfying and appetite-whetting all at once. I’ll be excited to read more, in this universe and the next that Emezi has to offer.
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit and Violence
inkylabyrinth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Gaslighting and Child abuse
amre23's review against another edition
- 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
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
lorarose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting
maximauve's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
sarahreads2222's review
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, and Gaslighting
paperquilt's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
mellowreading's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Torture, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Pedophilia and Incest
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- 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
Pet occurs in the eutopic Lucille, where all monsters have been defeated by angels. At least, that’s what everyone believes. So when Jam meets pet, an other-worldly creature here to hunt a monster, the life she has come to know is thrown into disarray.
Emezi raises powerful questions on our society and advocacy, yet also provides the antidote: hope. Hope that above all, we remember and learn.
I am so thankful to have read such a powerful book, and would recommend it 1000 times over, but please check trigger warnings, for there are heavy subject matters.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Body horror, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse