YA Sci-Fi that'll have you wanting more.

Pet + Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

Dec 04, 2024

TL;DR: Akwaeke Emezi’s Pet and Bitter are two sides of a powerful narrative about monsters, justice, and the cost of revolution. Pet is a haunting, Afrofuturist tale about Jam, a trans girl uncovering hidden horrors, while Bitter serves as its grittier prequel, following Jam’s mother’s reluctant journey into activism during Lucille’s dark past. Together, these books explore the messy realities of fighting for change, blending supernatural elements with raw emotional depth. Perfect for sci-fi lovers, they’re thought-provoking, beautifully written, and packed with heart.

I tend to find comfort in a few things:

binge (re)watching shows like The Office, Parks and Rec, and Community
playing house music and just letting my body move
rereading books that I can’t stop thinking about

Amazon.com: Pet: 9780593175446: Emezi, Akwaeke: Books

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi is one of the books I can’t stop thinking about and recently read again. Pet feels like the lovechild of a sci-fi fever dream and a morality fable, served with a side of unapologetic Black girl magic. Set in the utopian city of Lucille, it introduces us to Jam, a trans girl with a heart full of bravery and a knack for uncovering hidden truths. In this seemingly perfect world, all the monsters (read: oppressors, abusers, and tyrants) have supposedly been vanquished. Enter Pet, a literal clawed-and-feathered creature summoned from a painting, who tells Jam that a monster still lurks in her best friend Redemption's home.

Emezi masterfully dissects the idea of utopia, questioning what gets hidden in the cracks when everyone is convinced the house is clean. Jam’s communication through sign language is a poignant, affirming detail, showcasing the importance of embracing diverse identities. And the prose? It’s like listening to your favorite auntie tell a bedtime story—mystical, wise, and full of warning.

But let’s be real: Pet isn’t just a book. It’s a mirror, asking us to confront our own complicity in ignoring the signs of “monsters” in real life. The narrative is lean and focused, yet it leaves an aftertaste that lingers, like a bittersweet truth you can’t shake.

Much like needing to watch every season of a show, if a book I return to is part of a series, I need to reread every book.

The perfect companion novel.

Bitter takes us back to Lucille’s roots, when the monsters still roamed freely and a group of young activists fought tooth and nail to bring about the so-called utopia of Jam’s time. Bitter, our titular protagonist, is Jam’s mother—a reclusive artist struggling with her own wounds and the idea of revolution.

This prequel is grittier than its successor, swapping Pet’s dreamy tone for raw anger and palpable despair. Bitter doesn’t want to fight. She wants to paint, to escape into her art. But her creations refuse to stay on the canvas, and soon, her summoned creatures (hello again, supernatural vibes) join the movement against systemic oppression.

Emezi shines here in portraying activism as messy and deeply personal. It’s a lot of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” energy and Bitter’s reluctance feels so achingly real. The narrative doesn’t flinch away from the cost of resistance, both personal and communal, but it also gives space for love, friendship, and hope to grow amidst the chaos.

A Utopian Puzzle

If Pet is the promise of a better future, Bitter is the receipt showing how much it costs. Together, these novels form a yin-yang exploration of justice, trauma, and the roles we play in shaping (or avoiding) change. Pet is the kid asking uncomfortable questions at the family cookout; Bitter is the parent, exhausted but unable to stop hoping for a brighter tomorrow.

Thematically, both books tackle monsters—literal and metaphorical—but their approaches are distinct. Pet whispers, “Can you see the monster hiding in plain sight?” while Bitter shouts, “Do you have the guts to fight the one in front of you?” And yet, both books remind us that no revolution, no matter how complete, can guarantee perfect peace.

From a Black sci-fi lover’s perspective, these books are gems. They blend Afrofuturist vibes with contemporary issues, creating a narrative tapestry that feels both specific to Black identity and universal in its truths. Whether you’re here for the supernatural twists, the layered characters, or the incisive social commentary, Emezi delivers—and then some.

In short, Pet and Bitter are a conversation between generations, and you’ll want to sit in on every word.

I love these books so much, that it continues to take me by surprise when I think about how much I did not enjoy You Made A Fool of Death With Your Beauty, but more on that another day.