Review: The Disenchanted Pet
This story isn't your normal alien novel, nor is it your standard dystopian tale. Instead, it's a mix, showing us a world where aliens arrived, but instead of taking over and killing everyone, they came with a mission to "save" the Earth. In this world, the Prodigies live with and are cared for by the ShaZha - jellyfish-like aliens with the power to praise and punish - as long as they obey the rules.
But humans who cannot see or hear the ShaZha are not as lucky.
I enjoyed this story, watching Zarah evolve from a naive and cherished Prodigy - a Pet - to someone who has had her eyes opened to the wider world around her. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that I liked the depth of the characters in the second half of the book more than the shallower characters in the first half. The groups you're introduced to feel real to their environment and upbringing, and while the action is more quiet that some readers may be used to, it just seems right.
As for Zarah herself, I may not agree with every decision she made in the book, but I can understand why she made them.
My only complaint about this book is that I wish it had been longer... perhaps someday the author can revisit this world to show us what happens next.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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