In the very beginning of this book, I really enjoyed the poetic prose and the mysterious, slightly creepy vibe, and I was intrigued. But it quickly devolved into mostly random flashbacks and all the main characters arguing with each other and being super rude and whiny all the time. The narrator, who frequently loved to interrupt the flow of the story with their random, not very appreciated by me asides, stated that they weren't supposed to be likable characters—but I think there's a way to write "unlikable" characters so that the story is still enjoyable to read, and this wasn't it. There were some interesting twists at the end, but since I didn't care about the characters I wasn't very invested and I just found aspects of the story itself turned me off. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I love H.E. edgmon books and they are always a delight to read. There is plenty of magic and mystery to keep you invested and you are compelled to love the characters. I also love the concept of animal characteristics and magic in the universe. The 5 MCs were fun to get to know as well. This was another great book by Edgmon and I’m looking forward to more!

The purpose of The Caravan is to seek out non humans, until it’s not. One morning on campsite all members have vanished, except for a few. Our multiple points of view Bird, Hugo, Felix, Eamon, and Calliope. And this many point of views seem to work, since some are sibling, they all have similar backgrounds and all feel interconnected.

As my 3rd book by this author, you can really see they stick to what they know, their characters are distinct and developed much like their other stories. Also, a feeling of being overly familiar when thinking of characters in their other novels. It was enjoyable getting to know each characters back story, from their hardships and trauma they endured but mostly for the creativity of it.

With all the flashbacks and point of views, it can be hard to follow. Between the frequent flashbacks and repetitive arguing between characters, the plot never really progressed. And as slow as the story moved, the progress would feel non existent, like for most of the book, was there really a plot at all? I think moving more medium-fast would have benefitted the story. The journey is goes deeply into the imagery making it a unique journey. The ending was impactful and surprising.

But overall a mostly unexplained book- like a first book in a series feeling.

I wanted to like this, but it was very strange. I’m still not entirely sure what happened during the story. There was a lot of build up to the main point, and it ended up being toward the end of the book which didn’t leave enough time for everything to feel resolved for me. It did give me some feeling of Twilight in that supernatural beings are living among humans, but that some can’t. I don’t know. I just didn’t get into it.

H.E. Edgmon's books always leave me with a sense of "What the eff did I just read?" — but in the BEST possible way. A modern, queer cross between M. Night Shyamalan and Stephen King, H.E. Edgmon never fails to deliver a dark, twisted story which leaves readers mildly uncomfortable and yet comforted all at the same time.

The queer representation is always on-point, and it's one of my favorite things about H.E. Edgmon books. You know you're getting an own-voices story which deftly explores themes of found-family, trauma, and the impact of finding your own identity.. while also crafting a mind-bending story.

I absolutely LOVED the fourth-wall-breaking moments, especially since they were just peppered into the narrative at random periods. The flashbacks of life before the Caravan, mixed with the trauma-inducing memories of the past.. and I definitely did not see the ending coming!

“This is a book about haunted houses, except the houses are bodies and the hauntings are the lies children tell and are told. This is a book about how dangerous it can be to dream when you grow up sleeping with something under your bed. This is not a book about an exorcism, because these houses cannot be saved by anything short of burning to the ground.”

I simply don’t know if I will ever get over this book. I’d need to read it at least 3 more times to fully understand everything that was happening due to such unreliable narrators and fourth wall breaking. I will be thinking about this book for so long to come just because of the raw and toxic emotions of every character, some due to nature and some due to nurture.

You simply will hate and love and not understand a single character in this book and that’s my favorite part.

3.5 - I loved the eerie ambiance and the mystery. It focused a lot more on the characters’ backstories than I expected, which made the story arc feel a little staccato at times.

Thanks to Wednesday Books for providing an arc through NetGalley for me to review!

★ ★ ★ ½ – A beautifully strange, emotionally raw 3.5 stars

H.E. Edgmon’s We Can Never Leave is a gorgeously queer, emotionally charged YA fantasy that leans heavily on mood, character, and metaphor over plot. The story follows five teens left behind by the mystical Caravan—a nomadic refuge for the not-quite-human—as they grapple with abandonment, mutual distrust, and deep trauma. With shifting POVs, unreliable narration, and non-linear timelines, it’s a layered, often disorienting read. Each character is vividly strange and heartbreakingly real, though the story’s momentum often stalls under the weight of its introspection. Content warnings are extensive (domestic violence, child abuse, murder, suicidal ideation, and more), and the atmosphere leans dark and unsettling.

While the lack of plot and logistical oddities stretched my suspension of disbelief, the emotional core—and the rich, messy queer representation—kept me invested. The prose is lyrical, the characters fascinating (even when unlikeable), and the final pages left a lingering ache. If you're drawn to character-driven chaos, fragmented storytelling, and stories where magic reflects inner wounds, this is worth the journey. Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My mind is still reeling from this book. On one hand I'm not sure what I even read because at times it seemed too intellectual for me. However, I found I was overthinking it and when I just let myself get to know the characters, it became a clearer (although convoluted) picture of the action.

This story tackles so many issues in such a thought-provoking way. The queer self discovery through line for some of the characters was beautifully written without being super obvious. The symbolism of the cult behavior of the adults mimics religious fanaticism and the trauma it causes. And finally, this book tackles mental health in a raw and emotionally abrasive way that is both enlightening and frightening.

The characters are what make this story unforgettable. Although the group is riddled with unreliable narrators and every single character is the absolute worst, they are intriguing and psychologically fascinating. I'm honestly still trying to wrap my head around the ending, but I'm looking forward to mulling it all over while I continue to think about this book for a long time.

The only thing I had trouble with was the time jumping and multiple POVs but it got easier if I read it in longer periods of time. I did have to go back and reread the last few pages of from the last sitting to get myself back into the story.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy*

H.E. Edgmon is one of my favourite authors, and We Can Never Leave is a fantastic YA fantasy that feels more like a surrealism story. Either way, it was enjoyable. Definitely not my favourite H.E. Edgmon (in fact it’s my lowest rated read) but 4 stars to me means I enjoyed it, with some things I didn’t like.

I found that the characters were great, and they were well developed. The banter between them was fun, but sometimes it could be unnecessarily cruel.

Overall, I enjoyed this even if I didn’t have a clue what was going on for a while. You just have to trust the reading journey!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
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This is a different vibe for Edgmon! The story is told from five POVs and dual timelineswhich, combined with short chapters, creates a disorganized feel mirroring the fragile and deteriorating mental health of the MCs. Hallmarks of Edgmon’s writing can be found in the traumatized teens’ survival narratives undercut with fleeting moments of humor for levity.

The <spoiler>cannibalistic, vaguely-pagan monster cult as an allegory for conservative religious upbringing</spoiler> is a bit loosely associated, but effectively reproduces the traumatizing elements. The brothers’ story specifically broke my heart: Siblings protecting each other with their lives, the best that they can and in the only way they know how—because no one understands parents’ emotional abuse like a sibling that experienced it alongside you. Edgmon captures the complicated duality of trauma bonded siblings: codependent and immovable loyalty, coupled with hatred because they remind you of the very trauma you’re trying to outrun. These characters are complex and selfish, and the relationships are messy and occasionally cruel. It’s a horror story without a HEA.

Well, that was not what I was expecting. Let me start by saying, I often struggle with multiple POVs. I find that it can really make it harder for more to get into the story, and I find that it can often makes it harder to follow who is who. And unfortunately, this book has way too many POVs for me. And it kind of because a deal breaker for me. Plus, Felix’s point of view was weird for me, as it was basically breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the reader.

Overall, it just ended up not being for me. I think it was an interesting concept, but the different POVs, plus the jump in time with the Before, and present just made it hard for me to really feel hooked. I do think that it will find its readers, but I guess it jus wasn’t me.

Personally, while it is advertised as a fantasy, I think We Can Never Leave leans far more into surrealism than it does any other genre. And while surrealism isn’t my favourite, this one did blow me out of the water in terms of the quality of the symbolism and the pure imagination involved in constructing its narrative. Working through themes of parental trauma, enmeshment, queer identity, conscience, and autonomy; We Can Never Leave brings all of these ideas to the forefront of its plot, but in a way that does not hand hold the reader and lead them into any obvious premeditated conclusions.
My favourite aspect of this book is how unlikable the characters are—something that is intentional, as the novel actually calls it out. The cold start sort of forces you into the lives of these monstrous/magical teens, none of whom seem to like each other, but all of which are stuck together. You are not asked to empathize with them, but you are made to learn about them on both an individual level, and as a group. The cold start and unlikeable characters act as both a hook and a means of engagement, drawing the reader further and further into the mystery until all the pieces come together. However, even near the very end I was still surprised by the conclusion.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It was shocking, elaborate, weird, and at times incredibly gross, but it was never stagnant. I think this is one of those books that will mean more to me the longer I ruminate on it, and as such I wholly recommend it.

I was very interested reading the premise of this book, and I really wanted to love it. While the writing is atmospheric and the characters are well-written, I just couldn't get into the story or become invested in the characters. There is a lot going on, a lot of unanswered questions, and a lot of mystery to uncover- I think it was just too much for me. I can definitely see how this would be a hit though for a younger than me audience.

This was a hard one to rate because it leans heavy on the unreliable narrators which is a trope I don't enjoy much. Also this is super light on plot. It's purely character driven and we spend time in all of their heads. The caravan criss crosses the country made up of those not-quite-human enough to remain among humans. Their bohemian lifestyle includes a lot of dancing around the fire and stuff I won't be spoiling in the review but that takes me to the copious content warnings: domestic violence, child abuse, murder, violence, suicidal ideation, mentions of cannibalism.

We have several young people Bird, the golden child of the group, non-binary, human enough to live for a while in the human world and the novel opens with them returning to the group. They aren't exactly welcomed back by the group, especially Hugo, the young man with buck antlers and can spit fire. They were formerly a couple but now his love (a very offputting possessive sort of love) has flipped to rage. Felix, his younger brother (even more deer like) is the dreamer of the group. His powers seem to be blind optimism that becomes reality. Cal, the wolf fanged girl with the deadly venom is no more welcoming to Bird and finally there is Eamon, the mystery boy with the red eyes, new to the caravan and no one trusts him and his total amnesia.

Quickly the story kicks off with the adults of the caravan disappearing as if they never existed. Out of desperation the young teens all take off to Haven in Portland so they could meet up with others of their kind and that is the main plot. And honestly this is half forgotten for the entire book. As I said it is light on plot and there isn't much of an emotional response to their parents just disappearing (potentially dying). And oddly enough I could accept guys with horns and enbies who glow much easier than I could a bunch of older teens driving an RV cross country with enough money to gas up, pay park fees and eat when they can't earn money (how silly was that hang up)

Each character has trauma, like a lot of it. Each chapter is one of the above characters' pov and to make things harder to follow is it flip flops to the past and then back to the present and that's how we get to know them all. To make things a wee bit less enjoyable for me is Felix's point of view which is the only one not first person. No it's all fourth wall breaking narrator stuff (not felix) to tell us about how they're all liars, that it won't have a happy ending etc.

So based on plot I would have rated it lower but the characters are fascinating (even if you dislike them because trust me I did not like Hugo). The ending is what I expected but found intriguing none the less and the final paragraphs were open ended and with the promise of something could be revisited.

So if you don't like fourth wall breaking (I do if it's Deadpool, otherwise not so much), multiple povs and shifting timelines you'll want to give this one a pass. It's also quite dark (well it's horror) I found it well worth the read. Also it does have queer rep (not exactly happy rep but it's there and at the forefront)

I love H. E. Edgmon's writing style and I think a lot their writing is beautiful and painful. This book was no exception; I thought the characters were well done and the angst leapt off the page. The reason this wasn't a 5-star read for me is because I thought there could have been more exposition. By the conclusion of the book, we never really understand the caravan's purpose or why they seem so sinister. There are a lot of implications, but not concrete answers. This wouldn't bother me if there was another book, but it seems like this is a stand-alone novel.

We Can Never Leave is really a story about religious trauma. Bird, one of the books main characters, leaves the caravan for 3 years to be human. But after she fails and returns "home" the caravan suddenly disappears during a New Moon ritual. Bird, and four other teens are the only ones left. From here, there is a lot of unpacking of preconceived notions and some sinister undertones that something isn't right. One of the main fights Bird has with other characters is why she left. There's a lot of discussion about how the Caravan seems to keep people ignorant and isn't it mysterious that they just seem to find magical people?

I liked the character dynamics and the end of this book almost made me cry. Felix, one of the left behind teens, reminds me so much of the child who just wants to fix everything. His story arc, along with his brother Hugh, is truly difficult to read, but in a good way. The brothers suffer some pretty significant psychological abuse, the kind that fuels rage and ends lives. Their story felt so real, just two kids trapped in a commune with no outlet to leave.

There was so much about this story that I liked, but it was a little too jumbled and I wanted more background plot. If you like semi-horror YA novels, you'd probably enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press - Wednesday books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I honestly went into We Can Never Leave completely blind, and while I overall enjoyed it, it just missed the mark for me.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 10, 2025
H.E Edgmon’s newest YA, contemporary fantasy novel, “We Can Never Leave” is evocative, heartbreaking and page-turning.
The Caravan is a collection of misfits- individuals that the human world has rejected, due to their eccentric appearances or mystical powers. With very little memories of what happened to them and how they got there, the Caravan is a found family for those who are seeking a safe place to land. One day, five teenagers from the Caravan wake up and discover that everyone else is gone. Completed abandoned, with nothing but their strong dislike for each other, the five teenagers decide to set out in search of the only home they’ve ever known only to discover that home is not necessary a place, but the people you surround yourself with.
“We Can Never Leave” has a very cool magical component, with half-animal, half-human creatures and teenagers with the ability to set fires and turn into shadows all described with powerful and poetic language. “Leave” is atmospheric and character driven, with all of the protagonists narrating their own stories, both before they were abandoned and afterward.
All of the main characters are edgy and awkward, set apart from their peers due to their uniquely strange appearance or abilities but, due to being sensitive, moody teenagers, they don’t necessarily get along with each other, either. I loved the complicated and angsty relationships that the main characters had, and I enjoyed experiencing their extreme ups and downs, only made more intense by their ability to, literally, cause chaos and destruction.
I was intrigued by the Caravan and how they “collected” their members and, although Edgmon did provide some background, I wanted more, more, more. I hope that Edgmon brings these characters to life again in a prequel, or perhaps takes each character and creates an individual story for each of them, delving more in-depth into their upbringings before and after the Caravan came around. For me, this was the most interesting part and there was not enough detail to satisfy my unending curiousity.
Edgmon makes a connection with readers through their honest and authentic portrayal of the main characters. As the plot unfolds, it is obvious that something mysterious hides just below the surface, but the final, jaw-dropping twist doesn’t come into play until the final pages and it packs a heck of a punch.
“Leave” is the only novel I’ve read by Edgmon, but he has definitely left an impression. I really hope to see more not only from Edgmon, but from this world of Caravan misfits.

The themes and plot of this were exactly what I expected, and exactly what I wanted from this book. I was interested in the characters, and thought they were each unique and well developed.
However, I found the writing and the timeline very confusing. There are a lot of flashbacks, and a lot of POV characters. After about five chapters it started to get hard to keep track of what was happening and with what characters. A lot of the writing was very descriptive, bordering on flowery in places, and that made it even more difficult to figure out what was happening. I have enjoyed books that I found very confusing in the past, and there were definitely parts I enjoyed of this book, but it was too difficult to understand.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to receive this book in an advanced reader copy! Thank you to netgalley for proving me to read this book!

I absolutely devoured the story! It was so good and so captivating! I was on the edge of my seat!