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keelinreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.0
mysti_gayle's review against another edition
4.0
Even in a Utopia, the monsters have an ability to hide in plain sight. This is one of the best YA novels I have read. Set in post-progressive times, a young trans girl must help a mysterious beast that emerged from one of her mother's paintings hunt and destroy the monster that is hiding in their peaceful city. It's a story of love, trust, and courage to fight for what is right.
amandatacklestbr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
emmandm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
linzjayy's review against another edition
3.5
I liked the ideas explored in this, especially towards the end. I liked that the ended it on a hopeful note, besides that though I didn’t find it to be insanely compelling. Still a good read however
physical
physical
bookswithserena's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rubynyu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
2.0
**2.5 Stars**
(The Avatar the Last Airbender Readathon is going on from August 1st-August 14th. I chose this as my Earth tribe pick)
I tried reading Pet like a year ago and I dnf'ed. But, I can't figure out why I did. I think this is a good book. It's not amazing, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and super invested in the story.
There are definitely weaknesses though. The writing style makes it hard to identify with anybody other than Jam. The majority is Jams' introspection with a dash of shallow dialogue from other people and heavy handed dialogue from Jam or Pet.
This coupled with the fact that the story is so streamlined makes the other characters feel unimportant. Like they're props for Jam to learn something. I understand the significance to Jam, but *I* don't care about them as more than that because there's nothing deeper to them.
The diversity was nice to see. Jam is trans male to female. Redemption's parents are 3 people in a polyamorous relationship. I liked how these aspects were so normalized and accepted. While Redemption's parents lacked depth, I felt like their relationship presented as it was - straightforward with no justification or explanation- should be the standard when the story is not about those things.
Back to the story issues, Jam is the vehicle for the message, but I felt like it was actually about *Redemption*. I would have appreciated an alternate perspective on everything to flesh the world out more. And it didn't need to be a switching point of view sort of thing. I just needed more depth to Jam's relationship with him; more memories, more dialogue, more ruminations on Redemption; something to further the foundation of their friendship. This would have added more tension as well for when the betrayal happens.
The worldbuilding was poor. You have this commentary on a society that ignores ills in order to maintain its utopian facade yet there's no exploration of that society. I don't know how this world is structured at all outside of it being 'perfect'. It would have been better to showcase the little cracks all along the way to drive home how these things are there hiding in plain sight. Instead we go to four places (two of which are the homes of the main characters) and only meet one person outside of either Jam or Redemption's families. I understand this is a middle grade book and I do not expect a hard hitting critique of the system, but kids aren't dumb. They don't need it all totally spoon fed. There were ways to use the world itself as a means of demonstrating the books' themes. That also would have the added benefit of pushing kids to think critically like the book encourages.
Adding to that, the book verges on preachy because it doesn't weave the message into the story. Jam and Pet make direct statements to get the point across rather than having the point be communicated through story beats.
It also is way too easy. Jam makes a mistake in the book that truly hurts somebody, and she barely faces any consequences. The reveal of the monster and subsequent fall out is really quick compared to the time spent on getting the pieces together. I also disliked how the rushed ending meant the monsters' victim wasn't given any agency. It glossed over their pain entirely to keep things centered on Jam. It didn't need to be a graphic recount of events, however, a moment for the victim to express themself would have made me feel a lot less like their suffering was being exploited for the benefit of other characters' development.
In hindsight, this book feels like an interesting concept for a short story stretched too thin rather than a fully realized novel.
This probably feels pretty negative, but honestly I did enjoy this book. It was engrossing despite its flaws which is a hard thing to do. And I think the message - that monsters aren't always so easily spotted - is an important one for kids to internalize as early as possible. I just believe that it's unfortunately undermining its own purpose by playing it too straight.
(The Avatar the Last Airbender Readathon is going on from August 1st-August 14th. I chose this as my Earth tribe pick)
I tried reading Pet like a year ago and I dnf'ed. But, I can't figure out why I did. I think this is a good book. It's not amazing, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and super invested in the story.
There are definitely weaknesses though. The writing style makes it hard to identify with anybody other than Jam. The majority is Jams' introspection with a dash of shallow dialogue from other people and heavy handed dialogue from Jam or Pet.
This coupled with the fact that the story is so streamlined makes the other characters feel unimportant. Like they're props for Jam to learn something. I understand the significance to Jam, but *I* don't care about them as more than that because there's nothing deeper to them.
The diversity was nice to see. Jam is trans male to female. Redemption's parents are 3 people in a polyamorous relationship. I liked how these aspects were so normalized and accepted. While Redemption's parents lacked depth, I felt like their relationship presented as it was - straightforward with no justification or explanation- should be the standard when the story is not about those things.
Back to the story issues, Jam is the vehicle for the message, but I felt like it was actually about *Redemption*. I would have appreciated an alternate perspective on everything to flesh the world out more. And it didn't need to be a switching point of view sort of thing. I just needed more depth to Jam's relationship with him; more memories, more dialogue, more ruminations on Redemption; something to further the foundation of their friendship. This would have added more tension as well for when the betrayal happens.
The worldbuilding was poor. You have this commentary on a society that ignores ills in order to maintain its utopian facade yet there's no exploration of that society. I don't know how this world is structured at all outside of it being 'perfect'. It would have been better to showcase the little cracks all along the way to drive home how these things are there hiding in plain sight. Instead we go to four places (two of which are the homes of the main characters) and only meet one person outside of either Jam or Redemption's families. I understand this is a middle grade book and I do not expect a hard hitting critique of the system, but kids aren't dumb. They don't need it all totally spoon fed. There were ways to use the world itself as a means of demonstrating the books' themes. That also would have the added benefit of pushing kids to think critically like the book encourages.
Adding to that, the book verges on preachy because it doesn't weave the message into the story. Jam and Pet make direct statements to get the point across rather than having the point be communicated through story beats.
It also is way too easy. Jam makes a mistake in the book that truly hurts somebody, and she barely faces any consequences. The reveal of the monster and subsequent fall out is really quick compared to the time spent on getting the pieces together. I also disliked how the rushed ending meant the monsters' victim wasn't given any agency. It glossed over their pain entirely to keep things centered on Jam. It didn't need to be a graphic recount of events, however, a moment for the victim to express themself would have made me feel a lot less like their suffering was being exploited for the benefit of other characters' development.
In hindsight, this book feels like an interesting concept for a short story stretched too thin rather than a fully realized novel.
This probably feels pretty negative, but honestly I did enjoy this book. It was engrossing despite its flaws which is a hard thing to do. And I think the message - that monsters aren't always so easily spotted - is an important one for kids to internalize as early as possible. I just believe that it's unfortunately undermining its own purpose by playing it too straight.
danandsaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
bookworm_kenz923's review against another edition
5.0
Such a powerful message in such a short story. This was a heavy story for sure and definitely made me emotional. I didn’t know anything about this book going into it so check your triggers first. This is an incredible piece of writing. I listened on audio and the narrator was incredible.