4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.

This book is equal parts a love letter and a desperate plea to the South. The author does an incredible job of depicting the love and community that can thrive in the South while also expressing the desperate need for the South to also accept and fight for those who don't have power. The perspective and nuance of this book is incredibly unique and the author does a great job of explaining why a simplistic political view of rural and conservative areas only hurts those who are marginalized in those areas and want better.

The characters in this book are absolutely incredible; every character feels like a real person with complex emotions. This book showcases a lot of people who aren't perfect, but are trying their best to come to terms with and deal with situations they never anticipated being in. The characters also all care so deeply for each other. The formation of the communities in this book was very bittersweet, as it was really beautiful to see so many people come together to fight for the same goal, but it was also heartbreaking that they had been pushed down for so long and needed to come together out of such rage.

This book doesn't shy away from exposing brutal truths and the themes are loud and in your face so you can't mistake them. This book doesn't have the same fantastical elements as AJW's other books, but that doesn't make the story or world any less vivid.

The one thing I had minor issues with in this book was the paranormal elements. I think that the amount of explanation versus impact on the plot that the paranormal elements wasn't balanced correctly. Either the level of explanation/world-building needed to be increased to match the level of impact it had on the plot, or the impact on the plot needed to be lessened so it didn't feel like any explanation or world-building was necessary.

This story is full of rage and anger and love; this book showcases point blank what the brutality of oppression and what fighting against that oppression may require.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Holy shit, this book was insane. It was messed up and scary, but in such a different way than "Hell followed with us" and "The spirit bares its teeth". It wasn't accompanied by angels, or spirits (well, except for one), or other otherworldly creatures. Instead it slapped you in the face with very real and realistic issues that the southern states of America might genuinely be facing. It was terrifying, and I loved it.

A.J White truly knows how to mess with the reader's emotions, because mine sure were all over the place. My blood boiled over Davis and Noah's actions and my heart broke for Miles, Saint, Dallas, Cooper and everyone effected by the Davis family's utter bullshit because it isn't fair. I was also scared for Miles and his family. Scared of what might happen to them or sweet Lady. There weren't a single moment reading this book were I wasn't at least a little bit stressed out, but at the same time I couldn't put it down. Seeing how fucked up the justice system was frustrating and so on point with today's society, so getting to see the socialist and anarchist youth and grown-ups sticking it to the man was very satisfying.

The representation were on point, as always. Seeing Miles struggling with accepting not only his autism, but also his aro-spec identity was very relatable, and made me feel seen, as I've struggled with the same. Though, ADHD and not autism. The historical elements were really interesting to learn about, and I loved that we got them through Miles and hyperfixations. It made it all the more enjoyable. The general queerness was represented beautifully, and the QPR rep made me very emotional.

Oh and dear Saint, I loved his character as well. There's just something so comforting about knowing Trans people has always existed, even 100's of years ago. His story was so sad, and it was really nice seeing Miles seeking justice for him, and looking up to him. So thank you, Andrew Joseph White, for writing this very important book, for bringing the Abernathy family even a little bit of justice with a rather symbolic, even slightly hopeful ending, and for keeping Lady safe.

I need to start this review by sobbing violently into my kindle. I am so incredibly grateful to have received an ARC of Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White, my favorite author. Thank you.


“Does that make it easier to swallow?”
I like to say I am AJW’s biggest fan. I have read all of his published books and seek out special editions etc. I love and relate to the characters and truly feel what they feel. However, I have not read a book thus far in my life that shook me quite like Compound Fracture. Growing up as a queer fat kid in poor America is a uniquely terrible experience and this book captures the wrestling feelings in a way that I have never seen before. I laughed, cried, I gasped so loud I woke my wife up out of bed. Do yourself a favor and read this book, and check your trigger warnings!

Andrew Joseph White is not interested in your comfort, as a reader. Let’s get that out of the way right now. His novels, this one included, go right for the jugular. They draw you in and implicate you and liberate you and force you to look at your mind, habits, motivations, and behaviors. I love them for that.

I have so many thoughts, I don’t know how to condense and formulate them for a review. Let’s try, together. It is important to know that this novel skews far more thriller than horror, especially in comparison to his previous two novels. There is a supernatural element, but it is not at the heart of this story, nor my favorite part. If you go in expecting some of the apocalyptic body horror of HFWU or the Victorian, gothic horror of TSBIT then you will be disappointed. If, instead, you are looking for an emotional thriller that is about inherited trauma and violence, class solidarity, and what it means to define and defend your self, home, and family, then you will be ensnared from the first page. This story is graphic and gut-wrenching, but with moments of incredible joy and solidarity, filled with perseverance and hope against all odds.

This is White’s least metaphorical book. There are explorations of socialist ideology/class solidarity, neurodivergence, and queer & trans identity and experience that are very straightforward, and almost didactic at times. White doesn’t give us any fantastical elements to hide behind; there is an immediacy, a refusal to let you look away. Sometimes this felt a little more preachy and a little less interesting than the way similar things were explored in his other novels. I always appreciate the ways genre can let you hyperbolize something to make a salient point more resonant and immediate in our real lives, but while the emotional journey and violence here can be overwhelming at times, there is no hyperbole. So that wasn’t my favorite. But the more I thought about it, after finishing the story, the more I came to appreciate it. Because I am reading this novel as an adult who has already studied a lot of these things. I already am invested in anti-capitalism and class solidarity, I already know a lot about queer experience and visibility and identity, and I have done work studying neurodivergence and disability politics. This is technically a YA novel, and the narrator is a teenager that is overwhelmed with these ideas, they are the super-focused center of his life. It makes sense for there to be an almost didactic feel to the way he explains some of these things. And there is a huge audience who won’t come in with my experiences, and to have a character be so bluntly explaining how even victimizers are victims caught in a web of capitalism and severe wealth inequality can actually be quite powerful. As I read the book I wanted more metaphor and less preaching, but as I contemplate the book I realize there was a huge benefit to the tone, approach, and structure. It was made jagged and sharp on purpose, and I have come to appreciate it.

The character work is, as usual, incredible. I feel invested in not just the protagonist but the whole bevy of ancillary characters, too. I see myself and people I know in them, they feel genuine and personal and complicated. And, importantly, there is growth and change and journey. There were a few small character moments, specifically related to family (and found-family) dynamics that made me literally tear up in public as I was reading this, because they are sometimes overwhelming in their simplicity, in how easy they should and can be but are far too often not. I also thought the plotting and timing was, for the most part, good. The story kept me invested and wanting to keep going the whole time—I devoured this novel in less than two days. Occasionally the plotting was a little stunted feeling, but it was always done for the sake of developing character moments, and so I never felt pulled away or distracted.

There are some things that I didn’t love, which I suppose worth noting. The supernatural element to this story felt like an afterthought. I liked the way it resolved, and the inherent ambiguity even in the resolution (I have already read other reviews that interpreted it differently than me), but it felt like it existed in this weird peripheral place that was frustrating. If the supernatural element had been either more prominent (without changing the resolution) or not there at all, that would have been better. I appreciate the narrative journey it facilitated for our protagonist, so I am glad it was there, I just wish it were more there. Secondly, this story is set in a very specific time and place. I understand why, given there is a family history and legacy that plays a big role in the story. It just felt like locking it to a specific presidency and time period penned it in a little. There is an explicit recognition that the violence experienced exists through bloodlines, spanning hundreds of years, and it isn’t new or unique to a Trump presidency, but still it felt more isolated, and less explosive, then maybe it could have been.

This story is confrontational, and makes no attempt to hide its bloody knuckles or battle scars. While there were some elements that I didn’t love, the intense passion, and compassion, at the center of this story kept me engaged. It was heavy-handed at times, but was doing so in such a way as to always offer an invitation to the reader, wanting you to be a comrade, to work for justice for all oppressed, marginalized, and victimized people. The story was visceral, intimate, and showed a different set of strengths to White’s writing. Even after having been given an eARC to read I have already pre-ordered a physical copy, because I want to make sure there is a copy easily available for my siblings and niblings and friends and even myself to return to, White has given us an immersive experience and I definitely recommend it.

(Rounded up from 4.5 stars).

I want to thank the author, the publisher Peachtree, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I usually stay aware from violent, emotionally difficult books but Andrew Joseph White's books have found a way into my heart.

Miles Abernathy is a sixteen-year-old trans and autistic kid living in West Virginia. He gets caught up in the generational violence inflicted on poor, rural families like his own by the sheriff and his cronies.

This book is very political, with Miles describing himself as a socialist. It is overtly anti-law enforcement for obvious reasons. It is also pro-union and and at times very anti-patriotic. Where I sit on the west coast of Canada, these ideas are not unusual. But where Miles is rural Appalachia is an entirely different story, as the violence he and his friends and family face shows.

This is the second Andrew Joseph White book I've read with trans masculine autistic main characters. I am not autistic, but I do find it fascinating to learn how the author portrays his autistic characters. It's nothing like Sheldon Cooper stereotypes we often see.

Despite the gruesome political violence, I love how quickly Miles' family comes around to him being trans. This is an oasis of love in an otherwise brutal story. The author hints in the acknowledgement that Miles' family was based on his own. I also appreciate that Miles does not need to medically transition before people take his identity seriously. There is a T4T relationship in this book, which I also appreciate the representation of.

This is a young adult book I suppose because the main character is a teenager, not for the easy breezy subject matter. This book is certainly not for all young adults, and probably not for all adults either!

Compound Fracture was on my must-read queer fiction list for 2024 and it did not disappoint. I feel incredibly lucky I got a copy so far in advance of publication.

I am writing this review more than a week after finishing the ARC. I needed time to gather my thoughts. Not because it was bad, on the contrary. It was too damn good! I have no idea how I can put into words how incredible this book is and what it already means to me. I hope my review can do it justice.

One thing that’s always spot on for me in Andrew’s writing is the representation. I am trans and autistic and nowhere else I feel so seen as in Andrew’s books. Compound Fracture is no different, if not better. I was so happy to read about stimming, hyperfixations and even the difficulties of getting a (late) diagnosis.

Compound Fracture follows trans autistic teen Miles Abernathy, who gets stuck in a violent feud that’s been going on for generations. Miles and his family live in Twist Creek; a rural Appalachian town with a gruesome mine worker’s history. A century ago, Miles’ great grandfather, one of the mine workers, was brutally murdered. This was the starting point of the ongoing feud between the exploited working class and a dangerous rich family that’s been abusing their power. And just like a century ago, this family doesn’t shy away from violence, or even murder. Now Miles has become their next victim.

Compound Fracture is a story full of rage, angst and frustration. It’s about fighting for justice. They try to silence everyone who stands up. But Miles keeps fighting. For his town, his family, his ancestors, his identity and himself.

It’s a brutal story. Miles has to endure so much and I was so scared for him. While I didn’t want to stop reading, I had to put away the book sometimes to catch my breath. But despite all the violence, the book was very human. The characters and the world felt real and complex. Andrew J White has a way of writing that made me feel like I was there with Miles. The pacing was perfect and everything flowed so well. There were one-page chapters and blacked out pages. It just fits.
I loved how the book combined the past with the present. The historical elements were very interesting, and it showed the hyperfixation and special interests of Miles as well. And I can’t not mention Miles dog Lady, what a wonderful doggo and thank you Miles and Andrew for keeping her safe. 💚

I want to thank Netgalley, Peachtree Teen for giving me the possibility to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. And Andrew J White, thank you so much for writing this book.

I have read two other of Andrew Joseph White's books, so I was excited to receive a copy of this ARC. As with all of his books, this one comes with words of warning. There are is violence throughout, but White handles it masterfully. Compound Fracture follows Miles Abernathy, a trans teenager growing up in West Virginia in the modern day. His family has faced and been a part of generational violence dating back a hundred years to the coal miners strikes. The relatives of those who committed the violence are still alive and perpetuating it toward Miles and his family and friends. Miles becomes the victim of violence at the hands of some of these same people, and what follows is a story of what justice means to Miles and those around him and how he wants to interact with the world. Meanwhile Miles is also dealing with being a teenager and growing into his feelings about being trans and autistic. There are students for whom this would be a much needed book; however, as noted, it comes with much caution. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC copy.
Having read AJW’s previous works I was excited to read and review this book. Unfortunately, I came away disappointed. The book is by no means bad. The character voice is strong and White has a talent for flowing prose and dynamic descriptions. And yet this novel seemingly failed to hit the mark on the things I have come to expect for him as an author.
To begin, the novels strays from the supernatural elements found in HFWU and TSBIT, yet is unable to divorce itself entirely from the subject. This result in Saint Abernathy’s ghost sometimes being real and other times not. The final reveal where he becomes ‘real’ by speaking made me audibly sigh. The book would be better off without this moment. Let Saint be ambiguous - figure or fiction who knows? If the character, hypothetically, was taken back to the drawing board I would have had him be an active character in the murders. I wanted Miles to speak with and learn from Saint, not have him hover in the background on occasion.
On that note, very early on Miles makes a comment in the hospital regarding the attack that made my stomach twist. It was a very real reality when he realizes he doesn’t know the full extent of what the boys may have done to him (while I am avoiding the name of this topic AJW has mentioned that his fourth novel will include this as a pertinent part of the plot), and then it is never touched on again. I thought that might become a focal point when he hunts his attackers down yet Miles never once mentions it. Let Miles be angry. Let him interrogate Paul or Noah about what happened to him. Instead, he is White’s weakest protagonist. Miles comes across as wishy-washy and incredibly performative. There was a balance that needed to be struck between politics and family that simply did not hit. It felt like White danced around the topic and that Miles focuses heavily on the physical harm that occurred to his face and not the deeper bodily trauma he may or may not have experienced because we as readers will never know. Which in contrast I did like the sections on Dallas. It was nice to see a disabled character intersecting with a queer identity. I would have liked White to have included at least one more conversation on this topic. Perhaps, seeing as Miles’ dad requires a cane and refused to use it, Dallas could have used a cane as well to serve as a generational contrast. This could have played into a discussion on toxic masculinity.
The novel noticeably sags in the middle. The characters do a lot of talking and not a lot of showing. Sheriff Davies and Noah are laughable as a villain in that they are to the point of moustache twirling caricatures. Eddie is ham-fistedly and repeatedly described as ugly to really hammer home how disgusting he is. The novel needs to make these characters despicable so that killing them is justifiable to the plot. Meanwhile Paul gets a slight redemption. In fact, the scene where Miles confronts him is one of the better scenes in terms of ambience. Here you see White’s knack for unsettling environments and tension on dazzling display.
And then it falls apart. Characters are inherently flat or rushed. The ending with Miles and Dallas confused me. It came so suddenly that I felt instead of giving their relationship a label the novel should have left them off as friends with the potential for a relationship in the future. Cooper was alright. I, again, would have rather replaced him with Saint. Cooper becomes nearly an antagonist of his own with his treatment of Miles and it was disappointing to see his character spiral.
Therapy is barely touched on, as the therapy group is only a stepping stone to get Miles to reconnect with Dallas and to find the Red Holler. I would have wanted at least one more scene in the restaurant to flesh it out more. The novel tries to hit you with several shocking twists in quick succession and this only diminishes what could have been an emotional moment when Davies and Noah show up. This scene is again one of those laughably evil moments. In contrast, when Noah gives his speech at the Fourth of July festival this felt like a good villain moment. It felt more real. As terrible as his actions were, they fit within the narrative. There is a very brief comment from Miles’ family that Noah outed him in order to get Miles’ family to turn on him but this is barely explored. As I mentioned earlier, I would have also liked the novel to at least touch on the toxic masculinity present instead of briefly brushing past it. With Miles’ dad struggling to be the provider of his family due to his injuries this would have been fascinating to see the father-son duo discuss.
With all that said, what did the novel do well? Because despite my complaints I did still enjoy it overall.
White as always has a knack for quickly ratcheting up the tension near the end. The environment was well described and I liked the way Miles’ dialect was naturally included into his dialogue and internal monologue. I enjoyed the representation of a queer teen in a poor rural community, and Miles’ personal discovery that he has autism. The parallel between Miles and his father regarding opioid dependency and the touching scenes of his family supporting him give the novel a strong heartfelt tone at its center. Had the novel leaned away from Cooper and more towards Miles’ family dynamics I believe it would have rated higher for me. The pro-strike and communist rhetoric were good albeit preaching at times, still these are important topics to bring to the YA genre. And, of course, the cover design is once again fantastic as always.
For a gore-filled action novel about community and activism, Compound Fracture felt oddly shy of itself. I do feel a bit sad giving this book a rating below four stars. It feels like it was almost there, but needed a bit more reworking. White has consistently good premises. It is the execution of said ideas that needs work. Compound Fracture was for me, simply put, the weakest link in a trio of overall excellent novels. With the said, I am looking forward to his fourth novel and any future work he produces.

This is the third book that I've read by Andrew Joseph White and it was incredible. I've rated each of his books five stars and this is no exception. This leans more towards thriller than horror, and as someone who likes horror more than thrillers, I wasn't sure if I'd like it. I'm glad that I was proven incorrect though since this book worked really well as a thriller. It was suspenseful while still having some horrifying, and slightly paranormal, elements. I ended up accidentally reading this in one sitting because I couldn't put this book down. I felt like I was sitting on the edge of my seat, especially throughout the last 100 pages.

If anyone was hesitant to pick up White's other novels due to the horror aspects, I highly suggest reading this one. It's truly phenomenal and I enjoyed my reading experience.

Big thank you to Peachtree Teen and Netgalley for this ARC!

I rated it 4/5 on StoryGraph. This was hard to rate. There were lots of great stuff, but also some 'points' and plots that missed.

First off, the good stuff. The story took turns that I did not expect, but it was still somewhat realistic. The story was good and solid, and had me intrigued and hooked pretty early on. I was not sure where the story was headed, but I was not disappointed with the result! The queer representation and disability representation are a big plus, and was handled really well. I'm bisexual myself, and could definitely relate to many of the queer struggles that were mentioned in Compound Fracture.

On to the 'bad' stuff. I feel like many parts of the book were dragged out, to the point that I forgot where I was in the story. The inner monologue was important, but at some points it went on for pages when it shouldn't have. I also think the relationship between the characters had much more potential that wasn't used. The only relationship I found 'deeper' was Miles' relationship with his parents and Connor. There was so much more to explore with Dallas and the other characters, and this was honestly a missed opportunity. The sub-plot with Dallas had so much potential, but fell flat, in my opinion.

Overall, I enjoyed Compound Fracture and would definitely recommend it. I haven't read anything by Andrew Joseph White (yet, I haven't finished The Spirit Bares Its Teeth), so I can't compare it to earlier books. I might also be harsher than most, as none of the reviews by others mention what I considered 'bad'😅

yet another certified banger from AJW. this book had me STRESSING every page. thank you sir, your work is amazing

5/5 stars

Let me start off by saying please read the trigger warnings before reading this book, it does get pretty intense and graphic. That being said, I honestly loved reading this story. The characters are raw and vulnerable and relatable and the way it explains their individual flavors of neorodivergency is impeccable. I was so invested in the story that I quite literally could not put it down. It is very refreshing to see a depiction of parents who are trying and not getting everything right at first, but honestly loving their kids for who they are. The weaving together of family and suspense and politics was really amazing, this book was obviously a passion piece for the author and it shows. I loved it.

This is the second book I've read by Andrew Joseph White and I really have to place his debut higher on my tbr because he never disappoints.

"Compound Fracture" takes place in a small town where Miles Abernathy's family has a long blood-stained feud with the sheriff's family, one that he's trying to end - by finally having the upper hand. However, what he thinks will seal the case in his favor only makes it worse and lands him in the hospital, unveiling a series of events involving riots, gunshots, punches and murder, all the while unearthing some truths about the past.

First, I'd like to highlight the Miles' autism and how it was shown in a complete different light than in "The Spirit Bares its Teeth", which I don't think is easy to do. In queer terms, Miles' coming-out story brings me to tears and anger because of a certain scene that, while realistic, still pisses me off every time. On this matter, I must highlight two things: first, Dallas. I love me a non-binary iconic character that is so understanding and loveable you just want to hug them; second, (and I knew this AS SOON AS Miles mentioned romantic interest), ARO REPRESENTATION. I will read anything A-related. I will support all of the agenders, all of the aros, all of the aces. I am here for it. Being aroace myself, I will follow any representation I can get my hands on and it matters every single time. And the fact that the author didn't link aro and ace, but separated them? This means the world to me.

In short, as for the characters, I really liked Miles and I adored Dallas, I wish they had a little more appearances but I am content with what I was given. I adored Lady, I'm her number one fan. And to that one character I do not want to mention (also because spoilers), I knew you sucked from the start, I never trusted you and you got what you deserved.

Secondly, this book is more political oriented than the author's other books, which is, in my opinion, fantastic. I know it's explicitly said that Miles is a socialist (good for you hon) and knowing this, I knew it would be fair to assume that it would also be a commentary on the system that we currently live in and on capitalism in general. And I was right. I could write a full essay about this, solely based on this book, but I will sumarise: what the author could do, he did wonderfully, the commentary is just enough, without it ever feeling as if there are loose strings. The final pages really dig it in.

Lastly, I was on the edge of my seat to find out more not just about the blood feud and its roots but about Saint Abernarthy and the exact terms of what happened in the mines. Andrew Joseph White delievered and I gasped and told all my friends about it.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and I will be buying it and rereading it in the near future. I recommend it to everyone who wants a somewhat fast-paced story about the power of the working force and the people, mixed with a sense of justice (possibly results in murder and several injuries) and adorable platonic relationships.

Thank you so much to Peachtree Teen, Netgalley, and Andrew Joeseph White for this amazing opportunity to read his (the author’s) very first YA Story. With that, all I have to say about this is: Wow. What a powerful, compelling story about fighting against the system, healing generational trauma, highlighting trans people back in the 1900s (which is never really spoken about), and beating classism.

In this state of horrible politics, the rich getting richer, and police brutality this was a book that needed to be made. Especially with the upcoming election and the shadiness of both parties. As a nonbinary person living in a mostly red area where I am told that I’m ‘mentally ill’ or ‘I’m confused’, it's something that makes me keep going in the world.

I couldn’t put this book down, it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Learning about how Miles grew into the person he was, seeing the sacrifices and inner monologue of how he was suffering from a family that held too much power in the small town he lived in. I also love how it showed how he took his power back after being humiliated and ridiculed by the sheriff’s son and friends.

But what stood out to me the most, was the characters. It felt like they were living, breathing, people that were making their voices heard by someone else. The story was a little slow in some spaces (the healing from the opioids and the courting between Connor and Miles) and there was a typo on page 217 (which, I love so much. Knowing that not everyone is perfect).

But once again, AJW had spun another hit for the girls, gays, theys, and everyone else in between.

andrew joseph white is a genius.

i love how this covers all different parts of the queer community. the family being supportive but also having to get to that point and struggling at first is so real.

his writing style is so addicting. the politics and suspense is incredible.

i had to stop reading multiple times because i got so stressed out. I LOVE ALL OF HIS BOOKS SO MUCH

COMPOUND FRACTURE by ANDREW JOSEPH WHITE - ARC REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I could back away and leave and it’d be okay. But I don’t. Because my great-great-grandfather tortured strikebreakers, and my great-grandmother burned her sheriff alive, and Papaw shot a man right on his front porch, and I’m pissed.”

TW: Graphic violence, transphobia, opioid dependency, DV, animal harm

💚 This upcoming September 2024 YA horror release is AJW’s love letter to #WestVirginia from a queer, trans, neurodivergent perspective. It’s also a socialist manifesto. You don’t get one without the other, & #CompoundFracture lays out how political revolution becomes power for marginalized communities.

⛏️ Miles Abernathy is 16, trans, and a proud socialist. Miles’s family, the Abernathys, are descended from union miners. They are embroiled in a 100-year old blood feud with the Davieses, the family of the local sheriff. When Miles finds evidence that Davies was responsible for a car accident that killed people who were trying to unseat him, he becomes the feud’s latest victim as Davies’s son and his friends beat him nearly to death.

⛰️ Miles is threatened into silence, but embarks on a journey to free his town and family from the cycle of cruelty. Can he do it by any means necessary?

At first glance, this book is a revenge tale, but I was impressed by the more nuanced position Miles takes toward his peers as the novel progresses. There are no black-and-white answers to systematic oppression, and this book offers different solutions for different villains. Some, while evil, are victims of circumstance. Some, there’s no fixing, and deserve their karmic dog bite to the throat. (iykyk)

AJW has found the perfect home in the #horror genre. This book is genuinely disturbing, as it should be, but offers pockets of hope that queer kids in WV and beyond will recognize in their own communities. This book and its siblings are a reminder that fiction is a packaging of lessons to ourselves and the next generation.

AJW’s contributions to the YA market (trans, autistic main characters; searing political discourse) are invaluable.

Many thanks to @peachtreeteen and @netgalley for the ARC.

Nothing is more frustrating than one of your most anticipated reads ending in just being okay.

Hell Followed With Us was a powerhouse of a book, and I loved The Spirit Bares Its Teeth even though the gore made me nauseous, so I had to get off the operating table at times. And then came Compound Fracture, a thriller instead of horror, a genre that fits me much better. Until it didn’t …

Don’t get me wrong, I liked Compound Fracture; I just didn’t love it. The writing is still awesome, I wanted to pat Lady so many times, and I really enjoyed the autism and aro rep. And I loved Amber. But I didn’t connect to Miles as much as I wanted to and felt the plot was a bit … too much? It felt too black and white to me, or overdone, or too f*cked up, or … I actually haven’t got a clue because usually I like f*cked up stories. What I know is that I started to shift in my seat in discomfort and couldn’t shake off my disbelief about everything that happened.

I’ve seen raving reviews and am pretty sure many people will love this story, but sadly, I just found it okay.

I feel like I can put my trust in Andrew Joseph White to always deliver on a promise of a great book. I was especially excited for this book because I knew it was a personal story for the author and having read it I can wholeheartedly say that all eight years of caring this story in his heart is clearly felt by the reader. This story became especially personal to me because of the political situation in my country. Reading it corelated with me trying to find my course of fight in the political environment of my country, So the strong theme of self discovery and desire to be brave and fight for the right and fruitful cause that's prevalent in this book really helped and inspired me . Also, as someone who has ADHD and is still trying to understand if I have autism, Miles, his family, Amber and Dallas were extremely relatable and I'm forever grateful to the author for the care he puts in his characters. The conversation and the relationship between Amber and Miles brought me to tears(not for the first or the last time during the reading process) I've made a home out of this characters and the book and I will be missing them forever (or till the book comes out and I embark on one of my many re-reads of it).

andrew joseph white did it again……
this is pretty fast paced and gripping! I barely put it down. Definitely the primal scream of rage the author described it as. Pretty brutal in places. I enjoyed it a lot. it’s definitely less sff than his other books - the ghostly element is almost subtle - but that worked for me.

I was especially excited for this one because I heard the MC is aromantic and I’m so happy about it I think that was done well, certainly with more nuance and depth than I’ve come to expect from a lot of books that are super vague or mention it once - though it's still not a major focus.

It’s tackling some very large complex things politically and is very unsubtle and somewhat neat about it, - and I think some aspects could have used more nuance/elaboration? but also maybe that’s just not possible to fit in one little book. Still, lots of good stuff in here regardless.

every andrew joseph white book i have read has left me wanting more. this is no different. incredibly brutal tale. not much to say just that it was pure perfection.