Reviews with content warning for Blood - Bitter

Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

84 reviews

pitschi's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

robinks's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

leafilys's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

ialoneblue's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

gdulecki's review against another edition

Go to review page

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!!!!!

Content Warnings

caelinsullivan's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional 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

Content Warnings

angievansprang's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

ameliesbookshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.5

Content Warnings

pikkumarja's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional inspiring mysterious fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

What an interesting book! I did not know it is a fantasy book but it all makes sense now. I loved the radicality and the discourse around the expectations and who's job is to change the world. The meaning and importance of the community is so beautifully written and all the young artists and activists are so brave.

The story could have been longer because from time to time it felt a bit rushed. But I love love love Akwaeke Emezi! And even when English is not my first language, this book is definitely a pleasant read.

Content Warnings

kschuster's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense 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

Content Warnings

More...