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Bitter
Book Review
I loved the evolving relationships between characters and found myself rooting for them to last
One of the first things I liked about this book was the fact that it dropped you straight into the action then gave backstory later in little chunks. However, at times I did find this a little confusing and found the story only picked up the pace and got really interesting about a hundred pages in.
I thought the main character Bitter was relatable and interesting and its one of the first books I’ve read with a written in speech impediment. There was as an incredible amount of diversity and I thought each character had relative amounts of depth to them.
I found myself shocked with some of the plot twists and loved the evolving relationships between characters and found myself rooting for them to last. The whole dystopian setting to the book was really interesting as it played on modern billionaires and world problems.
I’d recommend this book for teenagers looking for a quick read as I really enjoyed it and thought the story was fitting and at times gory!
About the Book
Bitter is a YA novel that explores the theme of the power of youth, protest and art.
Bitter is thrilled to have been chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school where she can focus on her painting surrounded by other creative teens. But outside this haven, the streets are filled with protests against the deep injustices that grip the town of Lucille.
Bitter’s instinct is to stay safe within the walls of Eucalyptus . . . but her friends aren’t willing to settle for a world that the adults say is “just the way things are.” Pulled between old friendships, her creative passion, and a new romance, Bitter isn’t sure where she belongs – in the art studio or in the streets. And if she does find a way to help the revolution while being true to who she is, she must also ask: at what cost?
Author
Akwaeke Emezi
Akwaeke Emezi is a Nigerian-born, non-binary writer and visual artist whose work spans novels, memoir, poetry, and film. Their debut novel Freshwater explores Igbo cosmology and multiplicity of self, while later works like 'Pet' and 'The Death of Vivek Oji' have earned widespread acclaim.
Reviewer Profile
Ruby, 14
- Reviews: 6
- Likes: tennis, musicals and ice-cream
- Dislikes: clowns and maths
- Favourite Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Favourite Song: Softly by Clairo
- Favourite Film: Cinderella - live action version
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