Bitter

(4,5) This was nearly perfect, I just wasn't completely satisfied with the politics of the conflict/resolution.

Having not yet read Pet, I didn't have any preconcieved notions about the characters or writing style going into Bitter, so it was a completely fresh reading experience for me. I can see why readers love Emezi as a writer - their world building is fantastic, and so much was unexpected. I found the relationships between characters to be so truthful - the friendships, the jealousies, the teen angst - all rang true. This novel tackles activism, feelings of insecurity and imposter syndrome, mental health and ptsd, and the desire to find a place in the world where one belongs, and I felt each were handled with compassion and honestly. Very entertaining and well worth the read - I'm excited to read more work by the author. 

I love this book as much as I love Pet. A corrupt mayor and a city council in the pockets of a billionaire put profit above the citizen's needs. There is an active resistance movement. And so much things happens to try to stop it all. This series is so bold and brave. Saying more truth than most adult books out there. 

Not an emotionally easy read, (I had to pick it up and put it down several times) but so worth it. Emezi is so talented at using beautiful language and imagery to describe the darkest parts of self and society. Highly recommend.

A bit obvious and one note but so well written and unique. I loved the characters, especially Bitter and Eddie. And the plot and world were so inventive.

Bitter was another one of my most anticipated releases this year and it's everything I was hoping for. I think it's a must read for anyone in any activist space too since it talks about the burdens carried and debate around what is the “right” approach to activism and change. I want to reread Pet now since I know more about the angels and monsters.

I liked this a lot, but it suffered a bit from inevitably being compared to Pet, which I loved. The writing style in Bitter is a little more grounded, a kind of standard YA writing where the lessons in the text are stated outright. Because this is set in pre (and during) revolution Lucille there are more real-world parallels. Some of these worked for me and some didn't. I liked the characters and the basic outline of the story but things got a bit muddled toward the end for me. 

I loved Pet but I think I loved this even more! Everything about it is so well done: the nuance with which Emezi talks about protest and freedom, their refusal to give easy answers to real world problems, and the warning of uses of power. It's just so good.

Also? Going to go ahead and say one of the best openings to a teen book ever. So freaking good!

WOW this was FANTASTIC. LOVED the added context for Pet but also loved this as its own thing, one that feels like it could take place, like, tomorrow compared to the more utopian* world of Pet.

*I know