Pet

In a world where monsters are believed to be extinct, a girl named Jam discovers that denial can hide darker truths in Pet.

In Pet, Akwaeke Emezi introduces readers to a future where society has convinced itself that monsters no longer exist. In the city of Lucille, children grow up with the reassuring notion that evil has been eradicated. Jam, a young girl with a supportive family and a close friendship with Redemption, has always accepted this narrative. However, everything changes when she encounters a creature named Pet, who emerges from one of her mother's paintings. Pet is not just a whimsical figure; it is a being with a mission—to hunt a monster that lurks in the shadows of Jam's life.

As Jam grapples with the existence of Pet and the reality of monsters, she is thrust into a conflict that challenges her understanding of truth and denial. The creature’s arrival forces her to confront uncomfortable truths about her best friend, Redemption, and the darker aspects of their seemingly perfect world. Jam's journey becomes one of bravery and discovery as she seeks to protect her friend while unraveling the mystery of the monster that threatens them both.

Pet is a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of childhood, the nature of evil, and the often-uncomfortable truths that adults may choose to overlook. Emezi's debut novel is not only a fantasy adventure but also a poignant commentary on societal denial and the importance of acknowledging the monsters that exist, even when they are hidden in plain sight.