Pet

Pet is a young adult speculative fiction novel set in the city of Lucille, a place where the population is taught that monsters have been eradicated. The story follows Jam, a Black trans girl who discovers a creature named Pet, which emerges from one of her mother's paintings. Pet is tasked with hunting a monster, leading Jam to realize that grim secrets lurk within her friend Redemption's home. As detailed in Teen Vogue, the narrative explores how to save the world from monsters when society refuses to admit they exist.

The novel employs a balance of naturalistic and supernatural elements, utilizing symbolism to address systemic issues. According to Wikipedia, author Ibi Zoboi noted that the work draws upon the African oral tradition to render humanity's harshest truths through sweeping metaphors. Critics have observed that the monsters in the story serve as metaphors for abusers, challenging the notion of a perfect utopia. The book was later followed by a prequel titled Bitter, released in 2022.

Akwaeke Emezi is a Nigerian non-binary transgender fiction writer and visual artist who currently resides in Brooklyn. Their work, including the New York Times bestseller The Death of Vivek Oji and the novel Freshwater, focuses on centering radical possibilities and indigenous Black realities. As noted in their biography, Emezi's philosophy emphasizes that re-indigenization is essential for liberation. Their writing often integrates Igbo metaphysical concepts, such as the ogbanje spirit, to explore identity and resist binary divisions.