Where to Start Reading Akwaeke Emezi
Akwaeke Emezi is a remarkably versatile writer whose catalog spans young adult speculative fiction, heavy contemporary drama, romance, poetry, and memoirs. Because their books vary widely in tone, style, and target audience, the best starting point depends entirely on what genres you usually enjoy. However, for most readers, there are two ideal entry points into Emezi's literary world.
If you prefer speculative fiction, start with Pet. This young adult novel introduces readers to a beautifully constructed, supposedly utopian world where "monsters" no longer exist, only for a teenager named Jam to discover that a monster is indeed lurking in her town. It is accessible, deeply moving, and acts as a perfect introduction to Emezi's unique blend of magical realism and social commentary.
If you prefer literary adult fiction, start with Emezi's debut novel, Freshwater. It is a haunting, semi-autobiographical story centered on Ada, a young Nigerian woman who struggles with the chaotic forces of the ogbanje (spirit intruders in Igbo ontology) living inside her. Be warned that Freshwater is a dense, intense, and non-linear read that deals with heavy themes, but it represents the heart of Emezi's style.
The Lucille Series: Pet and Bitter
Emezi's only interconnected series (often referred to by fans as the Lucille series or the Pet books) consists of two young adult novels. While they can each be read as standalones, they are best read together. The two books are:
- Pet (Published: 2019)
- Bitter (Published: 2022)
The Reading Order Debate: Publication vs. Chronological
Because Bitter is a prequel to Pet, readers often debate which one to read first. Here is how the two approaches compare:
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)
1. Pet (2019)
2. Bitter (2022)
Reading in publication order is highly recommended by fans. Pet introduces the city of Lucille as a peaceful utopia where the revolution has already succeeded and the "monsters" have been banished. Uncovering the mystery of Lucille alongside the protagonist, Jam, is a core part of the book's magic. When you subsequently read Bitter, you get to witness the chaotic, art-fueled revolution that established that utopia in the first place, focusing on Jam's mother, Bitter. Seeing the backstory after knowing what Lucille becomes makes the prequel much more impactful.
Option 2: Chronological Order
1. Bitter (2022)
2. Pet (2019)
If you read chronologically, you start with the revolution in Bitter and follow it up with the peace (and hidden dangers) of Pet. While this gives you a linear historical timeline of Lucille, it strips away some of the mystery of Pet, as you will already know exactly what the previous generation had to fight to build.
Standalone Novels
If you want to read Emezi's standalone adult fiction, these books can be read in any order. However, reading them in publication order shows the incredible evolution of their style across different genres:
- Freshwater (2018): Emezi’s debut novel. It blends Igbo spiritual mythology with a narrative about mental health, trauma, and identity.
- The Death of Vivek Oji (2020): A tender, tragic, and mystery-structured novel set in Nigeria. It follows the life and death of a young, non-conforming person named Vivek, exploring how their family and friends piece together who Vivek truly was.
- You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty (2022): Emezi's first foray into contemporary romance. It follows Feyi Adekola, a young artist struggling with grief five years after the accident that killed her husband, as she enters a messy, passionate new love affair.
- Little Rot (2024): A dark, fast-paced thriller set in the underbelly of Lagos, Nigeria. It starts with the breakdown of a relationship and quickly spirals into a tense web of blackmail, crime, and survival. Note that some early announcements projected a 2025 release, but the book was officially published in June 2024.
Memoirs and Poetry
To fully appreciate Emezi's novels, reading their non-fiction and poetry offers invaluable context into their creative mind and personal experiences as a non-binary, trans, and ogbanje person.
- Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir (2021): An epistolary memoir written as letters to friends, lovers, and fellow writers. It explores Emezi's relationships, their path to becoming a published author, and their experience navigating the physical world as a spirit.
- Content Warning: Everything (2022): Emezi's debut poetry collection. These poems explore themes of home, abuse, survival, spirit, and love, written with the same raw, visceral energy that defines their prose.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Akwaeke Emezi's library, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
Trigger Warnings: Many of Emezi's works—particularly Freshwater, The Death of Vivek Oji, Bitter, and Little Rot—deal with heavy themes, including self-harm, sexual assault, grief, gender dysphoria, violence, and suicide. Readers sensitive to these topics should research content warnings before opening these books.
Igbo Spirituality: Emezi relies heavily on Igbo culture and cosmology, particularly the concept of the ogbanje. Rather than treating these elements as metaphors, Emezi writes them as literal reality. Accepting this worldview is key to understanding the narrative logic of books like Freshwater and Dear Senthuran.
Genre Fluidity: Emezi refuses to be boxed into one style. Do not expect the cozy, high-passion romance of You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty to match the dark, gritty realism of Little Rot or the mythological complexity of Freshwater. Each book is its own unique landscape.