Reviews tagging 'Death'

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

116 reviews

pitschi's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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robinks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This hit soooo close to home. While there were definitely some scenes that I wish could’ve been drawn out a bit longer, I loved getting a glimpse into Bitter’s youth. I read Pet so long ago, and I feel like I’d have a better appreciation of the characters’ journeys if I had read it more recently.
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leafilys's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful tense 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? Yes

4.5

I liked this book. It began as magical realism, which I loved, before turning pretty sharply into more of a modern fantasy.
Vengeance and the angels
are incredible metaphors that I’m sure will only become deeper or more interesting upon re-reads, but I wish they had been integrated a little more smoothly into the grounded world of Lucille.

Bitter is an amazingly well rounded and relatable character and her development was so engaging to read about. Her relationships with her friends, boyfriend, and mentors are so wholesome but still realistic. Each side character has a distinct personality and voice, none of them are shallow or simply used as plot devices. 

Reading about Assata was both a beautiful lesson in hope and community, and a brutal examination of the violence that protestors face. I like that this book is somewhat empathetic towards those that turn to violence because of the violence inflicted on them, but still drives home the message that love for your comrades will always be more important than hatred for your enemies.
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ialoneblue's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

A really well done prequel and a great reflection of the time it was written/came out and even currently. I loved how relationships and community is portrayed; great look at healthy and supportive friendships. Great representation as well. I like that it highlighted aspects of resistance not only in the form protests; in this case, art. It doesn't shy away from brutal realities, trauma and morality. 

The wrap up was a little too neat but it was great to see the origins of the "angels" and the revolution that changed it all. 
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gdulecki's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This prequel was so beautiful and special!!! I read pet earlier this year, really enjoyed it, and loved this look back into what came before. I love your mind Akwaeke Emezi!!!!! 
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dominosmum444's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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angievansprang's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
  • 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

Emezi never misses. This book was so fantastic. It is a prequel to their highly successful novella “Pet” which I also read and loved. I think I’m inadvertently comparing Bitter to Pet in this rating and I just happened to like Pet more, but both are truly incredible. I have never read such imaginative world-building that is so real life-adjacent but a reimagined utopian version of life as we know it. If you need hope about the state of the work at the moment, pick this one up.
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obsessedteach's review against another edition

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adventurous dark inspiring mysterious 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

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draven_deathcrush's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-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

I love this book and Pet so fucking much. I love this book more tbh, but it's mostly because I just love Bitter and I love her relationship with Aloe. These books will forever be in my heart.
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sundayfever's review against another edition

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dark hopeful reflective 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

4.75

When paired with Pet, this is an incredible story for anyone thinking about systemic change and oppression and how to build a better world. Dark but honest. I loved it. 
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