Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, which was richly narrated by Christopher Myers. 

Pet has been on my reading wishlist for ages!! I am so happy to have finally read this young adult novel as it is spectacularly well written!! Pet is also a work of speculative fiction and deals with lgtbtqia+ elements.

One of the many reasons, I finally decided to read Pet by Akwaeke Emezi is that it is Banned Books Week. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi has been banned/challenged "in some Texas locations and pulled from some libraries due to its LGBTQ+ themes, particularly its transgender girl protagonist, Jam."

I don't know about you, but banned/challenged books usually make the BEST reads, in my opinion, and Pet does not disappoint!

I loved the writing, characters, and storyline for Pet. Pet is set in a utopian city called, Lucille. In the city of Lucille, crime has 'supposedly' been obliterated by angels. However, crime hasn't been obliterated as a most evil scenario has gone unchecked for a long time that an intervention occurs. 

I think the following sentence from the publisher's summary sums it the best. "What really makes a monster, and how do you save the world from something if no one will admit it exists?"

Pet is an engaging read that captivates your attention from start to finish. I don't want to spoil any more of the plot at this point. So... just go read Pet already!!

As a side note, I often feel like both the young adult and children's genres are kind of undervalued at times. As an adult, I find reading novels like Pet to be excellent in containing thoughtful, teachable messages that are very relevant despite the darker topics sometimes discussed in these types of books. Despite the fact that Pet may be a young adult novel, it's still a good read for adults too.

Pet marks my third read for the month of September.

Below is the publisher's summary for Pet by Akwaeke Emezi from Chirp's website:

National Book Award Finalist

Stonewall Book Award Winner

“[A] beautiful, genre-expanding debut…Pet is a nesting doll of creative possibilities.” (The New York Times)

The award-winning, genre-defying novel by the New York Times best-selling author of The Death of Vivek Oji that explores themes of identity and justice and asks: How do you share the truth when the world around you is in denial?

Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look?

There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with the lesson that the city is safe for everyone. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature who some might call monstrous but, in reality, is anything but, she must reconsider what she’s been told. Pet has emerged from one of her mother’s paintings to hunt a true monster - and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption’s house. No one has encountered monsters in years, though, and Jam’s quest to protect her best friend and uncover the truth is met with doubt and disbelief.

This award-winning novel from a rising-star author asks: What really makes a monster, and how do you save the world from something if no one will admit it exists?

I am giving Pet by Akwaeke Emezi a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!