Another hit from Kelly Andrew!

I love how Kelly writes horror- I’m not a big horror fan, but I like how atmospheric the genre is! Kelly is able to create such tension without me actually being scared or grossed out by gore and still maintaining that horror atmosphere. I also love her character work!

If you haven’t read The Whispering Dark, I highly recommend reading it before I am Made of Death.

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I Am Made of Death was fresh and unexpected! Vivienne and Thomas are unique characters you want to root for and explore with. Their romance is sweet.

The best part of this book is the weird occult happenings. A girl with a monster living inside her. A boy that slips through the sky. A house built on an ancient monster. It all came together in a very interesting way and definitely kept me wanting to know more.

My only small complaint was the way minor characters jumped into the plot suddenly and ended up being critical without much development. But I also get that this is YA and fast-paced, and it did all come together at the end.

I would absolutely recommend this!

Thomas Walsh dropped out of college to support his chronically ill mother, but he desperately needs a consistent, well-paying job. When a wealthy businessman recruits Thomas, the child of a deaf adult, to be an ASL interpreter/wrangler for his daughter Vivienne, who's only a year younger than Thomas, it feels like a perfect opportunity. But Vivienne Farrow doesn't want anything to do with Thomas. She doesn't want him to discover the deadly secret that's kept her from speaking since she was four years old, not when all of her research, scheming, and blackmail are about to pay off. Thomas needs this job enough to stand stalwart at Vivienne’s side as she tries to push him away. But as he begins to understand her and her dark inclinations, he realizes he’s in too deep to walk away, even if he wanted to.

It's been a long time since I read a book that leaned into its horror elements as unrepentantly as I Am Made Of Death, and I loved it! It was a deliciously creepy take on demonic entities that actually had gory real-life consequences for the characters, wrapped in a layer of originality that felt so refreshing.

This made for really excellent pacing, too! There was one sequence in particular that was so good I assumed it was the climax of the book, only to realize I was only about halfway through. So much action had already happened, but thankfully there was also a lot more to come. In a bookish landscape with a lot of unnecessary duologies, it was nice to have one book pack in all the thrills.

Thomas and Vivienne were an intriguing pairing, but I do wish we got a scene or two more that showed their relationship developing. Just a smidgen more. Individually both characters were interesting and multifaceted, but in ways that may not work for everyone. Vivienne, in particular, has some truly morally grey moments that are a bit hard to swallow. However, they had some great moments and their relationship really made everything cohesive.

Kelly Andrew is a deaf author and, in a foreword, writes about how her experiences as a deaf woman shaped (and sometimes misshaped) her own relationships and inspired this story. Keeping that in mind really made Vivienne and Thomas’ relationship and struggles even more potent. Vivienne is a selective mute for reasons that become obvious pretty quickly, but I enjoy seeing how for her, silence and sign language are not a disability, but an actual deterrent against evil.

Unfortunately, I didn't know that this novel is loosely tied to Andrew’s debut, The Whispering Dark. While I don't think you have to read The Whispering Dark to enjoy I Am Made Of Death, the characters from that novel come into play and the writing definitely treats the reader as if you're already supposed to know them, with very little explanation despite the pretty significant role they play.

This is my first read from Kelly Andrew, but I enjoyed it so much that I'll definitely be checking out her previous works!

This was a wonderful dark romance that kept me gripped until the end! Check this out of you love a badass princess FMC! I also particularly loved Andrew's use of sign language and how she portrays it in this book!

4.5🌟

While “Your Blood, My Bones” is still my favorite of her books and Colton Price is still my favorite of her MMCs, I love the way Andrew builds her worlds within our familiar one. And then weaves them together effortlessly. This is technically a standalone, but I suggest starting with The Whispering Dark and moving your way down Andrew’s publications—you won’t regret it.

First, the imagery. It’s just so beautifully done. The world is practically three-dimensional with the amount of sensory details we’re given. And with the dual-POVs, she doubles down with the unique and relatable characterizations.

For Buffy fans, this is quite similar, only focused on demons and the darker horrors of hell mouths. Which, as a Buffy fan who can quote WAY too much from the show, finding Andrew’s work has scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. Who knew demons would do it for me—🙋🏻‍♀️.

This is the first book by Andrew I haven’t given 5 stars, but that’s solely because it’s more insta-love than pining for me—this is a personal preference of course. But that said, Thomas and Vivienne’s story is well paced and wonderfully arced, and I will forever preorder her books and beg rather excessively for arcs until I can no longer do either.

Also. Loved the return of some characters too. Because who doesn’t.

After devouring Kelly Andrew's "My Blood, Your Bones," I couldn't wait to dive into "I Am Made of Death." Let me tell you, this book takes supernatural to a whole new level, and I was here for every spine-tingling moment.

The story revolves around Vivienne, and oh boy, does she go through it. The internal horror she experiences had me on the edge of my seat. Every scene fades to black, leaving you hungry for more, wondering what's really going on with her. And then there's Thomas - talk about a mystery wrapped in an enigma. What makes him so special? I found myself constantly guessing.

One thing that really stood out was Andrew's portrayal of sign language. It's woven into the story so seamlessly, adding depth to the characters and their interactions.

The atmosphere in this book? Absolutely chilling. Picture a mausoleum mansion, old churches, and dark basements. Every page oozes with an ominous feeling that something wicked this way comes.

Now, let's talk about the romance. Vivienne and Thomas start off as enemies, and their tension is palpable. She wants him gone, he's paid to stay - classic recipe for sparks to fly. Watching their relationship evolve organically was a treat.

Andrew's take on the supernatural is something else. The way she describes these otherworldly elements had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. It's visceral, it's visual, and it's downright creepy in the best way possible.

In the end, "I Am Made of Death" was a fantastic read. Vivienne and Thomas stole my heart, and their chemistry combined with the supernatural elements? Perfection! If you're looking for a book that'll keep you up at night - both from fear and from not being able to put it down - this is it.

Thank you, Scholastic and NetGalley, for my free book.

"She'd never been the damsel. She'd always been the monster. And so, she'd behave monstrously." - I mean COME ON, if that quote alone doesn't make you want to read this then I don't know what will.

I'm going to preface this by saying that horror isn't even a genre that I tend to gravitate to. Young Adult is also hit or miss for me at times. But boy did Kelly Andrew say 'hold my ballet slippers' and prove me wrong.

I requested an ARC of Your Blood, My Bones on a whim because I thought the premise sounded intriguing - little did I know I would still be thinking about it over a year later. That was the beginning of my Kelly Andrew obsession. When I saw that I Am Made of Death was coming I knew I was in for it - I don't think I'll ever stop thinking about this book. Kelly is literally incapable of writing a bad book.

The idea of bubblegum horror with a rough princess FMC that somehow manages to be Metamorphosis meets Mean Girls meets Jennifers Body is something that works so wonderfully well is absolutely baffling.

There is some medical horror/gore/body horror but I didn't feel that it was *too* bad even for those who are sensitive to those triggers (as always though, take care of yourself first).

The entire time I was reading this book all I kept thinking is how well it would translate to the screen - it would make a ridiculously good movie. I can just see it being an immediate classic, its the story all girls need right now. It reminded me a lot of how A24 makes their movies - intriguing and thought provoking with just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I do recommend reading her other works as well since you may or may not see some pop ups from there (hehe)

I truly can say that at this point Kelly is an autobuy author for me and I literally cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.

Kelly must be just looking at this book thinking, “IAMOD must be a vampire because I just Buffy the Vampire slayed the hell out of this one”. And you know what, she would be right.

I absolutely ADORED this book! Kelly Andrew knocked it out of the park again with this romantic, thrilling ride of a book. I loved getting answers to the overarching story from books 1 and 2 and of course, I am absolutely feral for Tommy and Vivian. All the stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

"I'm glad you exist."

What can I say? Kelly Andrew never ceases to amaze me. I have been obsessed with what I dub the Kellyverse ever since The Whispering Dark. The cameos were especially rewarding in this book, and I found myself grinning from ear to ear as the familiar melded with the new.

I am convinced Kelly has a secret magical power that enables her to mold the written word to her liking. Every book leaves me breathless and awed. The prose is always the perfect balance of cutthroat and beautiful, the cadence of each sentence flowing like water until you're dragged under and lost for air. It's no surprise I inhaled this book in a single day.

I knew this book would be my favorite of Kelly's so far. I am a SUCKER for a bodyguard x spoiled princess romance trope. Throw in possession and bubblegum horror and it's 5 stars for me. No questions asked.

I LOVED Thomas from the very first line. But Vivi hit a rawness in me that I haven't felt in a long time. I could feel the frustration of not being able to communicate and feeling trapped in every page.

I think now more than ever we need books like Kelly's. Books that teach us perspectives we aren't familiar with. Books that show us what's at stake. Not just for Vivi and Thomas, but in reality as well. Everyone deserves a voice. And everyone deserves to feel love.

Wait, how on earth have I gone this long without reading one of Kate Andrew’s books?! One of the many reasons I’m so glad I received this ARC is because it introduced me to a new favorite author—and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.

As for this story… Whoa. The pace is lightning-fast, keeping you hooked from the first page. The plot is not only unique but also deeply fascinating, drawing you in with every twist and turn. The humor is perfectly timed, the spook-factor is on point, and the writing itself is beautifully done—it’s a real treat to read. I honestly couldn’t put it down, and I’m already craving more. Honestly, I couldn’t have loved Thomas and Vivian any more if I tried. They were perfection!

I cannot recommend this book enough. Get your hands on it the moment you can—it’s a must-read!

This is a novel of the occult - something that becomes far more apparent as the story progresses. In the beginning, it appears to be a fairly benign story about Vivienne, a young adult woman who is a selective mute, and has been for 14 years since a traumatic event in her childhood at the age of 4, and the young man, Thomas, often called Tommy, (also 18) who is hired to be her sign language interpreter. But Vivienne's mutism is less elective than protective, and Tommy is quickly caught up in the events that led to her mutism, and the events that occurred because of it.

This is a dark story, not just for the occult, but for the instances of parental abuse, both physical and psychological, which are inflicted on many of the now young adult characters. This abuse, far more than the descriptions of occult activity, made this novel difficult to read. Don't get me wrong - if you enjoy horror stories, this is a good one, but if parental abuse is a trigger for you, you might prefer to avoid it. Or the added horror may add to the macabre story. This story also contains guns, violence, suicide, murder, and substance abuse - which again, may either disturb you or add to the overall macabre feeling of the story. It was for the inclusion of sign language - of a character with a clear disability - that I picked up this book; it became clear, as the story went on, that I am very much not this novel's target audience.. In addition, the ending is rather abrupt; from the reader's perspective, there is very little falling action - it just ends, with a hint that everything will go well for the surviving characters in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a unique take on a possession story. After reading and devouring all three of Kelly’s standalone books I firmly believe in her abilities as an author who bridges the gap between horror and fantasy, creating a genre all of her own.
Her creative storytelling cannot be denied. There’s no other author who I feel her work can be compared to.

Yet again her characters bring depth and authenticity to each page. The inherent flaws in each of them makes them even more relatable as humans. You may not necessarily like them but you will be drawn in.

Current fans will love this one and for those who are curious about her work - come jump in. Trust me, you are missing out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic APress for my eARC.

4.25⭐️

Kelly Andrew is my YA Horror Queen. This book is weird, twisted, beautiful, and just something that stays with you long after reading. As the story builds, you've got all these questions and pieces of the puzzle building. Once everything starts to click together and take off it's an absolutely wild and twisted ride.

OH MY GOSH THIS WAS SO GOOD. This was the horror romance that I neededdddd. The premise was so interesting, the characters were fascinating, and the writing was lyrical. It was slow at times but slow in a way that made me want to savor it. Just so, so good. (Thanks to Scholastic, Kelly Andrew, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own).

Vivian is a selective mute heiress who doesn’t speak because everyone who hears her voice dies. UM HELLO???? That’s so interesting. And Thomas is a CODA who becomes her interpreter, which is how they fall in loveeee. From missing reflections to nightmares to a nightmare house to occult secret societies, it was so soooo good. Everyone needs to pick this up!!!

Things I loved:
🩰 The juxtaposition of the delicate ballet coupled with all the dark murder
🩸 The horror!!! It was so well done
⚕️The dark academia secret societies
🏠 THE HOUSEEEEEE
🦇 The demons were sooooo well-written. Perfect villains
🖋️ The atmospheric prose

Kelly Andrew has the ability to make horror stories that wrap a glossy, cracking surface over a tense, coiled monster ready to strike when you least expect it. In the case of I Am Made of Death, what we see is a hint of dark academia, along the lines of movies like Cruel Intentions (or any that involve secret societies and rich socialites behaving badly). And when the characters step away from their expected public face, we get to see who they really are when the world is not watching. And what they wish they could be if things had not gone so horribly wrong in the past.

Vivienne is a ballerina with a secret that can kill. Literally. Thomas is looking for a way to keep his family afloat. He answers a posting for an interpreter, and ends up as a de facto driver, intepreter, bodyguard, and punching bag for Vivienne, who has her own plans and does not want Thomas getting in the way of them. But try as she might, Thomas refuses to quit. He digs in further, plucking away at Vivienne's shell and asking questions. He doesn't let her push him away. At the same time, Vivienne is collecting favors, manipulating others to her plans to rid herself of the thing that has taken over her body, consequences be damned.

I loved the atmosphere created, the viscious push and pull between our leads. The entanglements between family and cult and dark power that claims a steep price for being called upon. We know what is happening, but yet we never have all of the pieces at once, to see the final picture until the very end. It is horror wrapped in a pretty pink bow, razor sharp and toxic. But it also gives us moments to see the slivers of humanity that manage to hold on in the cracks, digging in like weeds in an attempt to prevent total destruction for as long as possible. I also love the tenacity we see in both Thomas and Vivienne. They know what they want, and they fight for it at their own peril sometimes.

Kelly Andrew looked at gothic horror, academic rivals, and the concept of death itself and said, let’s make it poetic and devastating.

This book is dark, atmospheric, and absolutely dripping with eerie, bone-deep tension. It follows a protagonist who is literally made of death, navigating a world that fears and desires her in equal measure. The prose is haunting, the romance is slow-burn agony, and the vibes are full-on dark academia meets supernatural gothic.

TL;DR: If you love morally gray heroines, lyrical writing, and books that feel like a fever dream you never want to wake up from, I Am Made of Death is going to consume you.

This one is a tough one for me to review! I liked it, but not as much as Your Blood, My Bones. I'm not a fan of cinnamon roll MMCs, so I think that may be part of the reason I couldn't connect with Thomas or romance as much. I found the pacing a bit slow, too (probably because I wasn't loving the romance or half of the characters!). I was immediately sucked into the plot, but the intrigue didn't last for me. Based on these two criticisms, it feels like a 'me' problem and people who love the author will love this book! The vibes are, as always, on point. Perfect amount of contemporary gothic and paranormal horror-lite. And the sign language and ASL! Loved that.

✨bubblegum ballerina bodyguard romance…
but make it gothic horror✨


If you have read Kelly Andrew’s before, then you already know that she is the queen of lyrical, gothic prose.
Reading her books is a visceral, poetic experience, all “wriggling, grasping horror” and “vivid bursts of awareness ” and “the subdural snap of a bone cleaving in two”.

I Am Made of Death follows a “cute but psycho” ballerina barbie who is equal parts bratty princess and terrifying monster, and a cinnamon roll bodyguard who has the tendency to punch first ask questions later.

The romance is young adult, but the beautiful prose and eerie horror elements keep it from feeling too young.

And then there’s also a creepy demonic presence and two sweet pups and toxic family dynamics and secret societies.

Highly recommend for lovers of horror and ya romance! But definitely read The Whispering Dark first, there is overlap.

Kelly Andrew is the absolute queen of teen gothic paranormal romance. Her plots are so compelling and her characters jump off the page. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!