Scrappymags 3-word review: Strange, masterful storytelling. 5/5 stars!
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com
Genre: YA, Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Shortest summary ever: Jam, a trans teen, accidentally brings to life a painting and a creature emerges named simply “Pet.” Apparently Pet hunts monsters, but monsters in the town of Lucille are supposed to be eradicated. SUPPOSED to be…
What’s good under the hood: I’ve never read a book like this. I’ve been out of the YA game for a while so it was a refreshing jaunt back into the genre. I thought one of the best parts was that Jam was trans but that wasn’t a focus at all – it just was what it was, and THAT was refreshing. In the beginning I was a tad bored, a bit confused, and then everything came together and I could’t put the book down. It had a mythical, almost ancient oral tradition quality to it. Certainly one of a kind.
What’s bad or made me mad: It had some slow moments in the beginning but hang in there…
Recommend to: I’d label this 15+. Some of my 9th graders wouldn’t be at this level of interest. Some would.
Not recommended to: I think if you aren’t into tale-types of fiction or strange. Basically avoid if you are looking for a light read.
Thanks to Random House Children’s and NetGalley and and the author for an advanced copy (and a memorable story) in exchange for this honest review.
