DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Bitter from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

This is a companion to the National Book Award finalist Pet.

Bitter has been in and out of Foster care all her life. That is until she is chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school where students of all backgrounds get to study their interests. Bitter’s focus is art. The school is a sort of haven. With what is happening outside the walls of Eucalyptus in the town of Lucille, Bitter is more than happy to stay in the safety of the school. Outside in the city of Lucille, protests and injustices pull Bitter in many different directions. Old friends are trying to get her outside and be a part of what is happening around her. A new love interest pulls her away from what she loves. And then there is her creative passion for her art. What will she decide, and what will it cost her?

Bitter is the story of a young person trying to find their place in the world – a world of confusion, injustice, hatred, and loathing. Although this is a dark story, it is very timely. When something happens to one of her friends, Bitter can use her gifts to bring something into this world that helps them, or so she thinks. The problem is that she does not understand it and quickly learns she cannot control it. A lot is happening in this story, from Bitter’s friends being LGBTQIA+ teens of color to Bitter’s complicated past. Bitter’s story is non-stop excitement but leaves you with the question – what would I do?

As with Pet (Akwaeke Emezi’s companion to Bitter), I loved Bitter from the start. Akwaeke Emezi’s prose is something to behold. I also seem to relate to Bitter. Although I used to be an extrovert, since the beginning of Covid, like Bitter, I have found myself hiding out in my house, not wanting to be a part of the world. The problem is that I have no art to fall back on. I do not.

I would highly recommend this excellent book. There is no order that you need to read Pet and Bitter. Just pick them up and enjoy them!

#Bitter #NetGalley