4.5 stars! This was absurd and hilarious and hit every single part of my funny bone in the right ways. The half star off is because there were times where it felt like it veered a little too far into trying to make a Big Point about online/internet culture and the tonal shift was off. 

I can't say that this will strike everyone the same way it did for me. Everything happening was exactly the sort of thing I enjoy in absurdist humor so I really had a good time. 

The audiobook was SO much fun. It had a full cast that I think truly made this land for me. 

2.5? Maybe? I have no idea how I feel about this, but I can't say that I liked it very much. 

It was weird and intriguing and interesting, and I was totally into trying to figure out where it was going...then everything was revealed and, uh. Sure. That was a thing. 

The audiobook is a great listen.

If you need content warnings, then please read:

Child sexual abuse. Everything is off page.

Wow, this was a journey. For some reason, I always thought this was just another quirky YA dystopia, but it's actually so much more. It's a look at how even when we think the world is safe, monsters still exist - but what do they look like? And how do you find them? 

Using a speculative framework to discuss something very real and traumatizing is not ground breaking in itself, but Akwaeke Emezi comes at it from a very interesting and engaging angle. Pet is awe inspiring and terrifying, and though it looks like a typical monster, its hunting a real Monster - a person that is hurting another. The thematic imagery here is obvious, but it works. Part of that is because, I think, the writing is aimed at young readers; the themes and emotions and writing presented feel like they're for an older middle grade to younger teen audience. I would 100% recommend this to young teen readers who are interested in thematically more adult reads, but nothing <i>too</i> heavy.

The audiobook was incredible. Christopher Meyers really breathed life into the characters, <i>especially</i> Pet. There's enough emotion and variation in each character to give them all life of their own and make it an interesting and engaging listen.

Overall, such a great book. I think it reads a little younger than most people think, especially with the YA tag on Goodreads, but once you adjust your expectations it's all good.