I really enjoyed Pet when it came out in 2019, so naturally I was very excited to find out that Akwaeke Emezi was working on a prequel. Bitter is the story of the generation before Pet, the generation of “angels” that eradicated the “monsters” that terrorized the city of Lucille. But as the novel illustrates, the terms “angel” and “monster” are subjective, and when tension erupts into tragedy, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between right and wrong. Bitter hits on a lot of heavy themes: inequality, mental health, social justice, good vs. evil, and folds them into a narrative that is part fable, part romance and part fantasy-horror.
As intense as the book gets, I’m impressed by Emezi’s ability to craft a story that feels accessible for a teen/young adult audience. The cast of characters, which includes the titular character, Bitter (Jam’s mother from Pet), and Bitter’s classmates and friends, are all well developed and instantly relatable: they text, they date, and they use their art and passions to help them make sense of the world they live in. Bitter is a great addition to the growing list of YA novels that refuse to shy away from the real issues that young adults face, and that create safe spaces for readers to build empathy and process tough questions.

A companion and prequel to the groundbreaking Pet, Bitter follows the revolution that changed the city of Lucille into the monster-less haven of Pet. For now, though, Lucille is violently unequal, filled with people who have nothing and those who would force them to have even less. After spending most of her life in foster care so traumatic that she refuses to think about it, Bitter now lives at the art school known as Eucalyptus, rarely straying out into the protest-filled city. Though her friends are working for change, Bitter feels too unstable to get involved, choosing to make art and hope for better times ahead. As the violence begins to engulf Lucille, Bitter discovers a hidden power that could tip the scales. Well written and engaging, and like Pet straddling the line between story for children and adults, Bitter is about the costs of complacency and the costs of change. There are no easy answers here, no pat moral, just the knowledge that everyone is capable of different things and that art is essential to revolution.

As A pre-quel to one of my favorite books “Pet” I had very high expectations for this book, and not unsurprising they were met and then even more that I could have asked for! A book about self-care, art as activism and non-violent protest in the face of a world that is unfair and not allowing others to have a voice. While it was a companion to “Pet” it was not necessary to read it to understand “Bitter” and the writing style is very different than “Pet”. As always the author pushes what a young adult novel is with an innate understanding that kids always know and process more than adults know and because of their youth their hearts and minds are often more open.

Bitter is a dark and timely story about teens of color fighting against oppression and systematic racism in a city on the brink of revolution. Bitter, the main character, has a deeply traumatic childhood and relies on the safety provided at Eucalyptus, a boarding school for artists. There Bitter has a chance to grow her skills and be a part of a loving, queer, and diverse community. But as the fight for equality and justice in Lucille brings harm to Bitter's friends, she finds that she can't keep herself separate from the struggle, and she fights back the only way she knows how -- through art. Bitter's art summons a power she doesn't understand and can't control, a being that promises to bring change through violence and vengeance.

There's so much about Bitter that I love. 1) Bitter herself. She's got a past full of pain and she feels guilty for not being on the front lines of protests. She's got love for her found family and she's willing to listen and learn. She's passionate and empathetic. 2) All of Bitter's friends are queer teens of color. Supporting characters present an intersectionality of identities, i.e. religious beliefs, physical disabilities. 3) The message that all gifts and occupations have value. Bitter learns that movements aren't all about the people protesting -- there are also people who support the movement, whether that's medical, emotional, artistic, or providing food and a place to rest. There's a lot going on in this story but it all ties together and culminates in a moment of great societal change, ending with the message that there's still so much work to be done. Throughout the story, the teens and their leaders recite the closing lines of Gwendolyn Brooks' poem, "Paul Robeson," which calls for community unity, accountability, and support. It's a powerful message and a hopeful one, and one that is at the heart of Bitter.

I loved 'Pet' and it is so great to get the back story of Lucille and the angels in this prequel. Bitter is an orphan and art student, battling powerful forces of injustice and terror in her community. She channels her hopes and anger into her art, with surprising repercussions. Ultimately a story about friendship and an exploration of power, with a strong racial justice storyline. The pace and flow of this book feel different than 'Pet' but the resonant voice is the same -- I always highlight so many lines of Emezi's work.

A young artist with a traumatic past tries to find her way to safety and love in the midst of an unjust and violent world. When someone she cares for is brutally attacked, her rage takes the shape of an avenging angel and everyone has to figure out where they stand and how to move forward. As a fan of Pet, I enjoyed this prequel about Jam’s mother, Bitter, and the history they thought they could keep hidden from future generations. This is a lyrical and optimistic novel about the power of collective action and societal transformation.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the advance Kindle copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this prequel to Pet. In this, the city of Lucille is embroiled in protests and controversy. Bitter is thrilled to find refuge at Eucalyptus, a special school for queer teens. When her special art talent takes to the streets (literally), she is pulled between so many groups and problems. This one has a lot more language and mature content than Pet, and because of that I recommend it for grades 9+.

Now I want to read Pet again. I would say the reading order is Pet, Bitter, Pet again immediately afterward, but you absolutely can read this before Pet.

There's a fable/fairy tale feeling to this book, despite it also feeling very real and present day. The names, the fantasy elements, the school for artistic orphans...all in this city of haves and have-nots which is destroying itself with corporate greed as protestors rise up against their mistreatment. The spare but evocative writing adds to both these feelings quite well. Love to see young adults acting like young adults too. Just an excellent book all around.

Akwaeke Emezi never disappoints. Bitter was a harrowing look at what revolution is through the eyes of those that choose to fight on the front lines and those that watch the destruction on the front lines. In this novel, you are forced to truly contemplate where the answer to revolution and freedom lies. Do we eliminate the source of wrongdoing? Is that even possible? What are the ramifications of such an action? Is the cost of revolution worth the reward?

I love how Emezi uses character names as symbolism throughout the novel and the added touch of the fantastical to exaggerate the inner conflict that happens when one is hurting at the hands of another. This novel was fantastic. I truly enjoyed it and believe it is accessible to high school students as well as a captivating read for adults.

This book is high up on my favorites list already! I loved Pet and was excited to look back at her mother's journey in Bitter. The story was engaging and kept me hooked, wanting to see how it would play out. It felt so relevant for the world we are living in today, and Emezi asks difficult questions both of their characters and their readers.

Bitter – the first of three upcoming 2022 books from Akwaeke Emezi – is right around the corner. In it, Emezi brings readers back to the city of Lucille, first introduced in Bitter’s companion novel, Pet. However, this Lucille is quite more incendiary. This prequel/companion follows its title character, Bitter. After growing up in foster care, Bitter is chosen to attend a special school called Eucalyptus. It’s a safe harbor where she can focus on her art. But Eucalyptus rests in the center of chaotic streets, where citizens protest the injustices gripping Lucille. Bitter wants nothing more than to remain inside Eucalyptus. Her friends, though, want to fight for a better world. Soon, Bitter finds herself wondering what her place is in the revolution.

Emezi introduces much to discover with this book. They waste no time establishing major facets of the story, particularly Eucalyptus. I was intrigued about the school’s existence, as virtually everything about it is unknown. No one knows who built it or who funds it. Miss Virtue, the woman who runs the school, provides her own air of alluring mystery. Regardless, Eucalyptus provides a haven for kids who need it the most. Miss Virtue ensures her students are protected and cared for. Despite the heaviness of Lucille, readers feel, on some level, the welcoming nature of Eucalyptus. Emezi utilizes the friends who populate Bitter’s life to solidify that feeling. (Aloe is a personal favorite.)

Bitter is a wonderful character, and Emezi and readers never lost sight of her. First, Bitter’s art illustrates her reluctance – and her power. I loved being able to gain more background about her gift. While Emezi doesn’t focus too heavily on the early years of Bitter’s childhood, they still provide a succinct picture of Bitter’s early art. Readers gain more understanding about how Bitter’s art affects her. It’s a sanctuary when she needs an escape. It also causes isolation, and Bitter’s subsequent moments of loneliness seep through. It’s art that allows all her rage, sadness, and frustrations to literally come to life – for better or for worse.

There’s much to admire about Bitter, but I was especially struck by her attitude towards everything happening in Lucille. Throughout much of the book, she holds a “well, what’s the point” view, weighed down by the heaviness of Lucille’s troubles. She harbors anger about her generation and the youth in general being the ones who primarily fight back. While it’s apparent Bitter cares about ending injustices, she highlights the fear, anxiety, and guilt that comes with not being out on the streets. Emezi further emphasizes this through the contrasting Assata group. Unlike Bitter, they seem to firmly know their roles. Many of the members push against the nature of Eucalyptus. In doing so, though, Bitter soon learns she’s capable of finding her own way to fight. She can utilize her strengths with her art; it becomes a pivotal (and something akin to divine) driving force.

The fight for justice is never an easy one. We see that in real life. Emezi reminds readers of that. But one of the most striking reminders is the way Emezi explores how justice is won. Assata reflects how many fight back now. They’re fierce and formidable but aim to help rather than intentionally hurt. But near the latter half of the books, readers meet a manifestation of Bitter’s desire to see the fighting in Lucille end. A manifestation that forces examination of its own ethics and morality. It begs the question of how far one is willing to go to see justice served, and whether the means justify the end. Will it be by Virtue or by Vengeance?

Akwaeke Emezi holds a genuine gift for sharing stories that are wholly unique but also familiar. Bitter is no exception. Emezi tells a story that doesn’t shy away in its relevance or the pain behind it. They create a piece of art that is unsettling in the deepest of ways. In that way it’s similar to Pet. But this time, that feeling of danger explodes off the page. Just as Emezi emphasizes the power of art in the book, their words also come with immense potency behind them. It’s potent in its urgency, in its message, and in the way Emezi guides readers through a book that at times feels hopeless as much as it feels hopeful. Bitter is a consuming and timely reminder that perhaps the fighting isn’t all in vain. Lucille’s revolution may be a familiar one, but Bitter is a revolution in and of itself.

Are you looking for a book that has a strong female protagonist centered in strength, activism, with a whole lot of magic? Then this book is for you. I felt like this book was everything I always wanted when I was young!

This book is a companion novel to pet, although I don’t believe you need to read Pet before reading this book. I have not read Pet and it didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

I really enjoyed this story although there were things that I felt could have been executed better.

What I enjoyed:
- The magic! I loved how the author added in magic to really highlight some real world problems. I felt like it was the perfect balance and executed well
- I felt like I could have been a part of the friend group. I felt like I was one of the.
- The romance storyline was so cute
- Representation of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as BIPOC individuals

My critique:
- at times the story felt a little more middle grade than young adult to me. This is not counting against my review as I am not the target audience for this book.
- I felt like parts of the story were a bit underdeveloped. I would have like to know more about Bitter’s life prior to attending the school. This may have been discussed in the first book.

Overall this was a fun read that I enjoyed! It was pretty fast past and an easy read. I’m starting to love everything written by this author! I can’t wait to read more.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review

I get the feeling that I'm going to love everything I read by this author. This is my third book by them and I am blown away by the raw emotion evoked by these pages. This is the prequel to Pet, which I have not read, but I'm glad I'm starting with the prequel and after reading this, I can't wait to read Pet. Bitter is an incredible protagonist and you get to hear the voice of someone living with the aftereffects of trauma, trying to keep herself safe in her cocoon, processing her feelings through her art. But this island is in the middle of a storm, a revolution, the city of Lucille, where those on the margins are rising up against the giants, the wealthy white folks who are making their money off the backs of the marginalized and poor, treating them as disposable. Akwaeke is an incredible writer whose voice rings out with authority. We should listen.

I am so fortunate I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Bitter, an art student, stays away from her town's "revolution." Her anger fuels a demon to arise from her painting, leading to violence an death. This is a prequel to "Pet," and I found it difficult to understand.

Emezi delivers a prequel that is just as powerful and even more timely than Pet. The characters are complex and real. The story is a reality, a gift, and a parable for our times. The fantastical elements add to its power.

- BITTER is the prequel to Emezi's YA novel PET, and follows Jam's mother Bitter in the pre-revolution days.
- Given that Bitter is older than Jam was in PET, this novel has a slightly more adult feel - PET felt like a middle grade fairytale, while BITTER is more like a parable from a parallel timeline. It also expanded the world and its fantastical elements a bit, which was great.
- These books would be great gifts for kids interested in activism, particularly around social equity. Emezi has built the world of Lucille to shear down the world's problems to just resource distribution and policing, making these a good place to start. They even name drop some prominent activists from our world (Brooks, Kaba, etc.) to give readers a trail to follow.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this to review. This was so good. While not a long novel, it has a lot packed in to its pages. I loved Emezi's "Pet" and this was just as beautifully written if not better. If you have teens who struggled with the storyline in "Pet' reading "Bitter" first may help. I think this book will have more appeal to older teens than "Pet" as well. And now I need to go re-read it!

Bitter is the companion novel to Pet (which does not have to be read prior to reading this book). If you have read Pet you will recognize Bitter as Jam's mother, but here we meet her as a young woman with a dark past that she works hard to forget. She has found safety at an inclusive arts school, Eucalyptus but outside of the school the city of Lucille in a war zone. Brave activists fight against the monsters of their world, but Bitter just wants to create art and live safely. A wish that she feels guilty about having when so many of her friends are out fighting.

I enjoyed Bitter just as much as Pet, maybe even a little more, because I loved seeing the history of Lucile and its monsters. Emezi did a great job exploring the world of protest and the power of art. The cast of characters is diverse and accepting. Characterization is extremely strong and well done in this book. One of my favorite aspects is Emezi's exploration of found communities and safety. This will be one I highly reccommend.

Wow, yes. This book was so good. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for the ARC.

As someone who hasn’t read Pet yet, I was nervous I’d be missing information that I needed, but that definitely wasn’t the case. This story follows our MC, Bitter, as she struggles to contain her major secret.

I absolutely loved how this would be able to reach a middle reader/YA audience because the themes and conflicts are heavy, but accessible and beautifully written. I couldn’t believe how dark and graphic parts of the book were, however, it felt honest and authentic. It didn’t feel over the top or like a scare tactic. I appreciated how well Emezi balanced the fine line.

The characters were amazing. They were bold and dramatic and perfect for the story. I believed everything they went through and could always see their expressions and hear their voices. I loved seeing their different arcs taking place throughout the story as they learned different lessons at different times.

The world building was incredible too. You had to have a very clear vision of when you stepped out of the walls of Eucalyptus into Lucille and Emezi delivered on that. Bitter created such a divide between them and, given the state of America the last few years, you could see it through her eyes. I also loved imagining the angels. Her descriptions were so vivid and captivating.

The names of everything was the only thing that tripped me up from time to time because I associate most with what they mean/what they are. So I found myself stumbling for a moment sometimes. Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with a great message and storyline. Highly recommend.

5⭐️

Akwaeke Emezi can do no wrong in my eyes. Bitter was an incredible companion novel to Pet - where we got to learn so much about Lucille and Jam’s mom, Bitter. Bitter takes place years before Pet, in a time where monsters still roamed Lucille and a revolution was occurring. I think a lot of people will find this story very relatable. The setting is in a world similar to our own, where the rich have all the power, poverty and inequality are destroying the lives of many, and protests are taking place in the streets.

Pet has a really strong engaging plot, and I think Bitters was a *little less so. I was never bored for one moment, but the focus was more on the world building and characters (which I thought worked really well)!

THERE’S A ROMANCE!!! I loved Bitter and Aloe so much, and following their relationship made me blush so many times :) As a YA book, I thought their romance worked so well. They both made mistakes (as teens do), and I thought their interactions were so honest and realistic and truly lovely.

The side characters!!!! So so fun. I wish I had a friend group as mature, fun, and supportive as Bitters friends when I was a teen.

It’s easy to forget this is YA . Emezi does such a good job of writing in a way that is approachable for young readers, but also impactful for adults too. The themes and messages are pretty on-the-nose which makes sense with it being YA, but Emezi doesn’t hold back in writing whole characters that are so easy to love, no matter your age.

LOVED the message about how you don’t have to be on the front lines of any movement to be revolutionary or make a difference. I think it’s a great reminder that we all have different strengths that should be honored, and not every person can be the one on the streets. People who can make sandwiches, organize meetings, and even show up as a friend are so valuable.

“He had no idea, she thought, truly no idea how much of someone’s world he could shift just by being himself.”

I could read books set in this universe forever. Give us a Miss Virtue Book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.