This one was just as satisfying as I expected it to be! It was the perfect blend of horror and YA chemistry, romantic tension, and teen angst. I guess the phrase going around to describe it is "bubblegum horror", and I think it's an accurate description. It was a gripping read, and gave me a little Chasing Liberty vibes as well.

I'm giving it 4.5 stars because toward the end it felt like it dragged on a tiny bit, and got slightly muddled. But, these two aspects seemed to be the only things I did not love, though. I adored Vivienne and her anger and spirit. Thomas stole my heart. The story was compelling and unique, and had sprinkles of humor. And, that author's note was everything!

Speaking of the author's note, and her reason for writing Vivienne, I can't say I understand her struggles in being deaf and dealing with language issues, I do know that I've always felt isolated and lonely and different due to fighting my body on a daily basis because of my type 1 Diabetes. So, Vivienne was really relatable as a teenage girl trying to navigate her feelings while warring with herself, both mentally, physically, and "spiritually". She was the strong main character a lot of teen girls, and my inner teen girl, need.

eerie creepy, just what you would expect from Kelly Andrews. Part paranormal, part realistic fiction with a dash of romance. There were a couple of unanswered questions towards the end, however, this is one that will keep readers reading late into the night.

LOVED this addition to Kelly’s New England Gothic collection. She’s got such a good grasp on this form, and her handling of trauma, disability, and class divides in the US are second to none. Looking forward to hearing her talk later this year!

This gripping thriller balances breakneck pacing with richly drawn characters and unforgettable twists. Every chapter pulls you deeper into a web of tension and surprise. It's an exhilarating, expertly crafted story that’s impossible to put down.

I LOVE a story of feminine rage. Andrew made Vivi such a vivid and angry character, and I loved seeing her anger and fury take front stage. The romance between her and Thomas was absolutely adorable and I love how he supported her. The aesthetic of pink bubblegum horror is definitely a new favorite niche aesthetic for me.

A gripping, atmospheric blend of horror and romance that really pulls you in. The premise is standout: an heiress with a deadly, supernatural affliction hires a young interpreter, leading to a terrifying and tender connection.

The tension is perfectly built, with eerie, body-horror moments balanced by really sweet, emotional beats between the two leads. Their bond feels genuine, and the characters are layered and compelling. Yes, some threads feel like setup for future stories, but the mystery, romance, and lush writing make it worth it.

If you love dark YA, slow-burn romance, and creepy supernatural vibes, this one's a winner.

Demons, death, murder, and occult A read that takes you through a girls possessed horror. An incident as a child has plagued her life - to speak causes pain and death to others. Her stepfather uses and controls her. Her mother’s greed allows it. Great read!.

Kelly is a insta buy author so when I was approved I devoured this so fast. Edgy FMC. body horror. Yearning. And found family? Say less.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this electrifying dark romance novel! Thank you so, so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title!

Blurb:
Following the death of his father, Thomas Walsh had to grow up quickly, taking on odd-jobs to keep food on the table and help pay his gravely ill mother's medical bills. When he's offered a highly paid position as an interpreter for an heiress who exclusively signs, Thomas -- the hearing child of a Deaf adult -- jumps at the opportunity.

But the job is not without its challenges. Thomas is expected to accompany Vivienne wherever she goes, but from the start, she seems determined to shake him. To make matters worse, her parents keep her on an extremely short leash. She is not to go anywhere without express permission. She is not to deviate from her routine.

She is, most importantly, not to be out after dark.

A selective-mute, Vivienne Farrow hasn't said a word in years -- not since going missing in Red Rock Canyon when she was four years old. No one knows quite what happened to her out in the dark. They only know that the sound of her voice is now as deadly as a poison. Anyone who hears her speak suffers a horrible death.

Ever since that fatal family vacation, Vivienne has been desperately searching for a way to regain control of both her voice and her body. Because the face staring out of the mirror isn't hers. It's something with teeth.

Thankfully, Vivienne has a plan. She's finally found someone who claims to be able to perform a surgical exorcism. She just needs to find a way to get rid of Thomas first. But Thomas can't afford to walk away, nor is he willing to abandon the mysterious girl he's quickly falling for, no matter what dark powers threaten to swallow them both whole.

I’m really conflicted on this one. For the most I was really enjoying the writing and the plot. It was towards the end where I felt so confused on what was happening. I’m still not sure what happened in this book 😅

Wonderful book with lush prose. I loved the dynamics between the characters. I always enjoy the way Kelly Andrew writes.

Kelly Andrew does it again! I have a soft spot for the way that Andrew weaves romance and horror together, and this book was no different. There were some absolutely grotesque scenes (maybe it's just me because I'm a little bit squeamish), and the romance between Vivienne and Thomas - while it didn't do it for me the way that some of her other romances have for me - had some shining moments. As always, Andrew's flowery and descriptive writing style really draws the reader in (at least it drew me in), and I think it really added to the gothic nature of this particular story. There was a little bit of mystery, a little bit of drama, a little bit of angst (okay, maybe a lot of angst on behalf of Vivenne), and a dash of horror. Overall, a well-balanced story that I had a hard time putting down once I started reading. Definitely not my last Kelly Andrew novel.

I had seen several book folks whose opinion respect rave about “I Am Made of Death.” The premise itself is intriguing. However, the buildup into Thomas and Vivienne’s relationship is too “instalove” and never seems to earn that level of devotion — especially at that speed. Because of that, I struggled to connect with either character or become invested in their relationship.

Overall, it is fine, but it would have been better with more time devoted to developing our main characters and their connections.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Scholastic for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

2.75 stars. I struggled to finish this book, and while I might not be its target audience, I also think it fell short of expectations.
Thomas Walsh, weighed down by responsibilities after his father's death, takes a job as an interpreter for Vivienne Farrow, a selective-mute heiress with a voice that can kill. Once lost in Red Rock Canyon as a child, Vivienne's strict parents now control every aspect of her life, but she's haunted by a sinister presence that isn't her own. As she searches for a way to exorcise the dark entity possessing her, Thomas finds himself drawn into her mysterious world, despite the growing danger.
The first half of the book was engaging and had me invested in finding out what would happen next. But as the story progressed, it started to feel messy and disjointed, with events that lacked proper explanation or connection. This book is supposedly a standalone, yet it ties into another work by the author, leaving the reader to navigate characters and terms without sufficient background. For example, what exactly is the House of Hades, and why does the monster behave the way it does? Many things are hinted at but never fully explained.
The romance between Thomas and Vivienne fell flat for me. There was no real buildup or reasoning behind Thomas's feelings for Vivienne; their connection felt like insta-love without any substance.
In the end, this book just wasn't for me, unfortunately.


Than you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for this e-archive in exchange for an honest review

Ebook/ Story Overall: 3/5
Narration: 3.5/5

I got through this book and did enjoy the narration to a degree, but I think it might have been a little too young adult for my liking. And obviously, I know it's a YA book, but plenty of adult readers still enjoy YA stories—this one just felt a little too kiddish at times for me. If I were in middle school or just entering high school, I think it would’ve felt a lot more entertaining.

What really took away from the story for me was the heavy use of insta-love. It made the characters’ connection feel sudden and shallow rather than earned. Finding out after the fact that this book is connected to other stories—even though it's marketed as a standalone—also would’ve been helpful to know upfront. At first, I couldn’t figure out what felt off about the book, but as I read and looked back, it was the disconnect between the characters. There’s some buildup, but it still feels like you haven’t spent enough time with them to justify caring deeply.

On a surface level, Thomas is a broke young man trying to support his family while struggling to figure out what his future holds after his father’s death. Vivienne on the other hand is a mysterious, mute teen seeking control over her life. One in which she has no autonomy, both internally or externally. Her parents are always watching her every move, just as the creature within her is, with secrets of their own. As readers we know this about them fairly early on, yet it feels like nothing really new is introduced beyond that. Their deep care for each other feels strange because the story doesn’t build enough foundation for it.

That being said, I still think the book is interesting, especially in its inclusivity. Having Vivienne be a mute character and Thomas be the child of a deaf parent is refreshing and adds a lot of grounding to their bond. Thomas understands Vivienne in a way others don't, which helps her feel seen. Especially since Vivienne’s fear is that her voice—the literal and metaphorical one—is not her own. It’s an intriguing idea, and I don’t dislike the characters at all; I just wish we got more depth and growth from them throughout the book, not just at the end.

The pacing also felt uneven. It was as if the author was an attempting to have a gradual increase in tension. But the book starts as a slow burn, continues in a slow pace, and then suddenly kicks into high gear toward the end. I could definitely see a middle school girl reading this and kicking her feet over Thomas, though. The story has the right elements for younger readers who want romance, adventure, and a touch of gothic fantasy, even if it didn’t fully hit the mark for me.

Thanks to Scholastic Press and that NetGalley for this read.

Let's talk about how I did not know I Am Made of Death contained horror elements. Yes. The title should have told my brain something. I. Am. Not. A. Fan. Of. Horror. So why the heck was I so glued to this book????

On Kelly Andrew's social media, she calls I Am Made of Death a “bubblegum horror”. Meaning it has sticky-sweet vibes without the darker tones. There's not necessarily blood and gore, but there is death, real-looking ghost apparitions, and mirror reflections that aren’t exactly accurate.

Told from multiple points of view, I Am Made of Death is the story of eighteen-year-old Vivienne Farrow and her unlikely hero, eighteen-year-old Thomas Walsh. At the age of four, Vivienne was on a trip with her family when she got lost and ended up missing for three days. No one knows what happened to her, just that she now doesn’t speak. While Vivienne can hear people just fine, she prefers to use sign language to respond when spoken to, as her voice leads to excruciating pain and death. Her stepfather, Philip, has very strict rules for Vivienne. She is to be accompanied at all times when she leaves the house, she isn’t to be out after dark, and not doing what he tells her to do isn’t an option.

Philip hires Thomas to be Vivienne’s summer interpreter and his pseudo-spy. Not that Thomas plans on spying for Philip. After a rocky start, Vivienne and Thomas become reluctant friends, while their attraction grows. Thomas doesn’t trust some of Vivienne’s friends. At the same time, he starts to notice strange things about Vivienne and the Farrow household.

Things come to a head when Thomas connects with his past after he is attacked, and Vivienne is kidnapped. He learns Vivienne is planning on undergoing a never-before-done surgical exorcism to finally rid herself of the demon who’s been a part of her since that faithful family trip all those years ago. However, there are those who do not want Vivienne to succeed and have other deadly plans for her.

I LOVED everything about I Am Made of Death. Vivienne is, in my opinion, a morally gray character. She typically only associates with people she can bend to her will. Those in her orbit are either people she's paying or people she's blackmailing to get what she wants. Unfortunately, she's this way because of her parents. Thomas is straight-laced and always tries to do what's right. Well, now he does. He isn't afraid to go toe to toe with someone and get his hands dirty. He says what he means, and he means what he says. I loved them both. The plot was phenomenal. There were a lot of moving pieces, but they all came together to make an amazing story. There were several twists and turns that were a little shocking and left me wondering how I missed some details, because I definitely missed details.

Kelly’s three books, The Whispering Dark, Your Blood, My Bones, and I Am Made of Death, are all interconnected but standalone reads. This is good because if you have read The Whispering Dark, you will see some familiar faces. And if you haven’t, you’re going to want to go and read the book. I definitely do.

~ Favorite Quote ~

“I’ll always come for you.”

**Received a copy of the book from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Personally purchased the hardcover edition of the book.**

Kelly Andrew has done it again. I don’t think I’ll ever not like a book written by Andrew. I Am Made of Death was perfect. There was not one thing that I didn’t enjoy. The plot was well executed, the characters well developed and the romance… wow.

I became a fanof Kelly’s after reading Your Blood, My Bones. This book has just locked in my love for her stories. I loved the characters (and the characters who make an appearance from her other books!) and how they were both strong independently, but they were also strong together and watching that play out had me full of feelings and emotions. I loved the medical gore aspect, without it being over the top nasty, it had just the right amount to be a horror. I loved how the lore of the demon connected all of her books. She is a mastermind and I will immediately be reading any book she puts out in the future.

Kelly Andrews is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me! I absolutely loved every part of I Am Made of Death. The characters were fleshed out and well rounded, each with their own hang ups and scars, the plot and pacing were both really well done and I hung on to every single word! I'm normally not a fan of relationships that move quickly but with the two MCs, it felt natural and well thought out! Overall, I really loved this one and the author's note at the end hit me right in the gut. I'd give I Am Made of Death 6 stars if I could!

This book delivered such a great balance of intrigue, intensity, and wistfulness in a delightfully-pretty package. I have never really delved into the realm of 'Bubblegum Horror,' and this was such a neat and unique entry point for me. It has the fear-factor of a psychological thriller, yet it delivers a softness and sweetness in the romance that offsets it very well.

Thank you to Scholastic and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!