Wow, wow, wow and again, wow. What a story this was. A literally punch to the gut would've hurt less. It was haunting. White's writing was so evocative, the feelings and emotions bled through the pages. Absolutely devastating. In a good way.

Absolutely brutal. This book is dark, haunting and delivers on giving you an absolute gut punch. I went in expecting a gritty horror novel and it was that and more.

On the surface, it’s a horror novel about a young trans man Crane, who is a part of a small family of outcasts that do the bidding of the “Hive”. The hive is the collective term for this alien(?) organism(s) that many broken and misfit people have vowed to serve under the guise of having a better life.

While, yes, the hive itself is horrifying (hello parasitic alien entities), the true horror is Crane’s self loathing and the lengths he is willing to go to once he becomes pregnant to escape the horrors of having no control over his body.

It’s dark and haunting, as Crane navigates mental illness, being trans, crazy relationships, being pregnant against his will, oh and those pesky alien hive creatures.

I very much like the character development throughout the story, and not just of our boy, Crane. The characters are all damaged in some way, and you really are rooting for many of them (except Levi, he deserves all the hate).

Absolutely check trigger warnings before reading this book. It’s traumatic, gory and the themes unsettling. This book definitely gets under your skin (much like the worms) and shows you sometimes the monsters inside us are the scariest of all.

This was such a well written story. Really sucked me in front the first chapter and had me devouring every page. AJW has the talent to write such complex characters and stories. This book is so deep and emotional in many ways that I won’t say. This book is disturbing and upsetting but the way it is done and it moves the story can’t be matched. AJW does it again (while I now need a sappy lighthearted read to recover)

Anytime I start a novel by Andrew Joseph White, I just dive in and wait for my life to changed-- and his debut adult novel was no different. Visceral, powerful, and beautiful.

I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review. Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for this opportunity!

You Weren't Meant to be Human follows Crane, a transman who is part of something of a hive mind of worms, something that found him in one of his lowest points in life, promising him better things. He finds out he's gotten pregnant by his "boyfriend," Levi, and wants to get rid of it immediately. But the hive has a different idea, and forces Crane to carry the child to term. Filled with Crane's rapidly declining mentality, the strangeness of the Hive and its followers, and the horror of being a man and pregnant, You Weren't Meant to be Human is a book that is going to stay with me for a long, long time.

This is the first book I've felt well and truly grossed-out while reading some of it. The worms themselves were fine until, you know, they weren't. As I was reading, I found myself attached to Stagger, and really ended up loving his character, and the support he provided Crane.

Crane's story hit scary close to home in a few places and reading this novel was really eye-opening for me, even if it completely shocked me to my core every other page. No one has the exact same experience of being trans, but this book included parts of it that aren't talked about, aren't discussed because they sound scary or weird. But the way this book didn't exactly normalize some of these topics, just brought them to light, was beautifully done.

This is the kind of book that a lot of people won't understand, but for those of us who do: thank you to AJW. Thank you for writing about the hard things, the parts of being trans that people refuse to discuss. And the parts of being human that are so feared by the very people who feel them.

I think this book is amazingly gruesome and horrifying in every way I wanted it to be. But I can not finish it due to recently dealing with my own pregnancy issues. It is no fault of the book, and I hadn’t expected my own issues to exist. I will not be able to finish the book but still wanted to submit a review.

From what I have read it is stellar. It speaks volumes and makes me uncomfortable and unsettled in the exact way it should. I wish I had the power to finish it right now.

*SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW*

My review for this book can be summed up in two points:

1) I read this whole book in one night because Andrew Joseph White's writing is addictive
2) This book is super fucked up. Like Alien meets Medea in a post Roe v. Wade world levels of fucked up. It's fantastic.

This book was just so viscerally uncomfortable that I felt trapped like a deer in the headlights and couldn't force myself to put it down... and it was absolutely beautiful. As a young person who is dealing with the aftereffects of Roe v. Wade, I've often had nightmares about this scenario myself: it's terrifying to think of how many people believe that my body does not truly belong to me. Crane experienced that dehumanization firsthand. Weird alien creatures were involved, but they only enabled the vileness of the human characters. I kept wondering if, somehow, he'd get away before it was too late. The book kept descending into chaos. I also think Andrew Joseph White has a particular way of describing transness that resonates viscerally with me - there were moments where I saw myself in Sophie, and by the time I put the book down, the only thing that I could think about was the line: "What she wanted was to set herself on fire." I've been wrestling with the idea of my own gender identity for some time, and when I finished this book, I lay there in the dark, and knew that it had induced another existential crisis. Again, in the best way possible. I've read all of Andrew Joseph White's other books and loved them lots (he's probably my favorite writer this decade, and I hope that someday I'll be able to write as well as him), but for me, this one was out of this world. I think I desperately needed to read this book at this time, and in this place.

4.5 / 5
Expected publication date: September 9, 2025

Extremely dark and visceral queer horror, with a lot to say.
This adult debut from Andrew Joseph White was a winner, in every way.
The horrors hit so close to the heart, especially within today's political climate. Stomach churning. Heart breaking. Extremely smart.

Allow this one to worm its way up to the top of your TBR.

(Warning: To anyone with sensitivities to pregnancy horrors, I'd highly recommend going into this one with triggers in mind.)

A very dark read that hooked me and wouldn't let go. It definitely scratches the unsettling horror itch and does not shy away from graphic descriptions of abuse and violence, which might be too much for some. But the extremes are tempered by the author's obvious love and deep care for the main character as he struggles through the absolute worst-case scenario. The result is an engaging story of human resilience that will leave the reader considering if there's such a thing as too far when the stakes are one's own survival.

I had to let my thoughts on this book marinate for a bit because... WOAH. I've read other AJW books but this was one extra gruesome due to the subject matter, but it honestly could not be more timely and appropriate given the current events. I so related to Crane in that his body was no longer his and his choice was taken away in the most violating way. I had to put this book down often due to how heavy the content was, but towards the end I kept going due to how the story ramped up. AJW has a unique way to write stories that are both gruesome and heartwarming, and the small moments between Crane and Jess were absolutely that. 1 million stars!

You Weren’t Meant to Be Human is such a strange book, revolting and almost uncomfortable to read at times. And yet I couldn’t put it down, for the raw and emotional way in which it masterfully explores the experience of a deeply unwanted pregnagncy through Crane’s story, an autistic trans man who comes to understand that not even the safe haven he thought he had finally found would allow him to keep his hard-gained body autonomy… which is the truly scary part in a horrow story filled with a carnivore hive of flies and worms.

I finished the book, set my kindle down and walked away from it for a few minutes so it could sit and think about what it had done. I came back to it about 5 mins later re-read the last few pages… and my kindle DID NOT learn its lesson! I am
Just sitting here with all of these feelings and questions. I seriously either need this to be a series or at the very least can I get a epilogue?

Andrew Joseph White can write YA and we all knew this. But what I didn’t expect was him to completely nail his first attempt at an Adult book. It is obvious to me that this book was definitely written after Roe V. Wade was overturned. And while I would have never thought of pregnancy as a choice weapon, it sure enough is.

This one is going to sit with me, for a VERY long time.

This book was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I mean, between the absolute amazing representation of Trans Rights and also commentary on how this country treats people with uteruses, chefs kiss. Like, I genuinely FELT the main character’s struggle and I wanted nothing more than to see him burning shit down to the ground 🔥

Like, this book somehow tied together horror elements that I love (I like violence, sue me!) but also spoke so boldly about how hard it is to Transition, even when in a space that is supposed to be safe. And maybe it’s because I’m a child-free, BY CHOICE, Women, I ADORE the way the main character expressed how he absolutely DIDN’T want this life.

This book is political in the best way, holding just enough lore and violence to be entertaining too. I honestly think this is one of the best thriller/horror books I’ve read in a long time. I read it in LITERALLY 8 hours 😅

I sit here, freshly from tears at the shockingly hopeful finale of You Weren't Meant to Be Human. Andrew Joseph White writes with a visceral familiarity, a pure lack of shame that isn't afraid to go into the dirty, deep recesses of the mind and of society. Yet at the same time, in this unbearable situation that is a searing critique of our current administration's need to control the bodies of the most vulnerable populaces of America, White also weaves a tale of resilience through the apocalypse, of chosen family, of breaking free from those who think they can control you. I myself am a trans and autistic adult and found identification in Crane as a character, rooting for him every step of the way, even in his most controversial decisions. This is by far my favorite book I have read this year and I am so, so mad that I have to wait three more months to talk about it.

My feelings on this book are going to be hard to articulate. It is amazing and horrible. I'm so glad that it exists but also hate that it needs to exist.

This book is written so well and the characters have so much depth to them. I unfortunately can't recommend this to many friends though because it destroyed me. The story is a visceral struggle that I could relate to as a trans man who carried children (mine were by choice, though, and I had to work to get pregnant). I understand all the actions of the main character in a way that turns my stomach to think about. This is a book that will live on in my brain.

I will be recommending this to those that I think can handle or really need a wake up call through a true window into the depths of the pain that the stripping of access to certain medicines and medical procedures has caused.

Thank you so much to Saga Press for the advance copy of this!

This book comes out on Sept 9th.

WOW WOW WOW WOW! I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this before. And it really made me question my reading taste. Because I absolutely loved the book. I have never read a book by Andrew Joseph White before but I always wanted to because his book covers are GORGEOUS. I was drawn to this one by the title. I thought it was the most perfect title for a book. I would highly recommend reading trigger warnings prior to reading especially if you are sensitive to graphic themes.

I described this book to a few people as I was reading it and they just gave me a look like "when does this come out?!" or "No thank you." I have been on a quest to find a horror book that made me feel things. Often times I am left not grossed out or underwhelm by the "scariness" of it but with this I WAS SO GROSSED OUT THAT I HAD TO KEEP READING. I was fortunate enough that one of my book friends also was reading it and I could scream about the different things happening to her via DMs.

"Last year, if Levi had offered to disfigure him, it would have been the kindest thing ever done for him. It would have been a declaration of love. Nobody had ever loved him so much they would do something terrible on his behalf."

Crane. Oh baby boy Crane. I won't describe too much about what I'm about to talk about as I think as a reader you need to read it first hand but there was a part of the book where Crane talked about how much they hated the way that they look and the extreme measures they wanted to put themselves through to change that image. My gosh my heart broke and just made me so sad that that was how much he truly didn't like himself. White's choice of making Crane not only autistic but mute worked so well for the storyline. We are very much in Crane's head the whole time and the things that go through his brain was just so fascinating. And all I kept thinking was "are there people who think like this?" The answer is likely yes which makes it sad. Crane has such a low self esteem and truly finds acceptance and some version of acceptance in the worst ways.

The relationships in this book are so interesting! My two favorite side characters were Tammy and Stagger. Tammy was the mom of the group and was so nurturing to them. She truly was just trying to survive and keep everything as sane as possible. Stagger was this friendly giant whose only job was to guard Crane to make sure they do not harm themselves. He seemed to be on Crane's side with things and it felt like he wanted to have some sort of relationship with Crane.OH I also did love Crane's high school friends Aspen and Birdie. There was a moment where I was about to throw my kindle that involved them but luckily no kindles were harmed while reading.

Fuck Levi. That is all.

I left out a lot of details of what happens within this book in my review on purpose because I truly feel like you need to go in blind for the shock value. I finished this book a few days ago and I wanted it to settle before I had written my review and it truly has stayed with me. My only small (okay maybe big) qualm with the book is that I wish we got an epilogue. I have questions and perhaps the author wants to leave it up to our interpretation but COME ON.

Andrew Joseph White you made me a fan and I will be reading your next adult book (and of course go back to read the YA books). Once again please make sure to check the author's content warnings as there are many MANY graphic scenes. Also if you do not like worms, that may be your first sign to bow out.

This was gross and vile, I loved it.

Gender and body dysphoria, worms, cult-ish, gore everything you love in a AJW ya book but RAMPED TF UP.

I fear it’s my new personality now.

Holy fucking shit. Those are almost the only words I have to convey my thoughts on this book. But I could also go with: jesus fucking h. christ what the fuck was all that. But it's also my understanding that those words are not a proper review, so let me guide my feelings into a more coherent sentences. This was very adult. I know I should have expected that, but holy moly this was leagues more disgusting than Hell Followed With Us ever was (and mind you, I love that book). There is one thing I knew for sure though, when I went into it: this would be five stars.
Crane was grossly unique and numb to everything, which made for some utterly horrifying scenes that juxtaposed Crane's calm. Weirdly enough, I found myself relating to him big-time. I'm autistic myself, and the depictions of emotion, self harm, and struggles with overstimulation and basic hygiene felt authentic to the autistic experience. I'm glad autistic authors are beginning to shy away from depicting only the mildly annoying or "good" parts of the disability that dominate the books about or that cover autism (many which were written by neurotypicals). On top of that, I had struggled for years with coming out as trans to my family and friends, and witnessing Crane go through all that was heartbreaking. This story is one that explores the horrors of being disabled, trans, and pregnant in post-Roe America above all else.
The story/plot itself was really good as well, I loved the descriptions of the hive and the small bits of information we got into it's workings. I quite enjoyed how the hives were never really explained, which I feel might be an unpopular opinion. We knew how they worked, but never where they came from or why they were there. I found that the vagueness just furthered the horror of their existence. Everything about this book is a solid 10/10. Writing? 10/10. Story? Horror? Characters? 10/1o (except for Levi, I wanted to bash that man's head in every second he was on page).
A couple more words before I be quiet, because I can't talk forever about this book: Stagger was perfect. He was a glorious being who deserved all the light in the world. He was legit my favorite character and I loved him wholly. The way he treated Crane (like he was a human who deserved love and comfort) made me near-cry a few times. Also, what the hell, I was not expecting Crane to chomp on the baby like that. My mouth literally dropped open when I read that scene. I know, looking back, it was foreshadowed beforehand but I thought... I don't even know what I thought would happen to it, but it wasn't that.
Final final words now: this was perfect, I will continue to read everything AJW publishes, and the horrors of this novel will definitely follow me to sleep for the next few nights. All right, enough yapping (please go read this book).

“You Weren’t Meant to be Human” gives total, “Would you still love me if I were a worm?” vibes. But the worm is part of a Hive and the Hive is in control and the control is of your body and your rights.

WARNINGS: Self-harm, body horror, aggressive s*x, forced pregnancy / carry-to-term. I am a very squeamish person but handled the body horror and self-mutilation just fine. However, I don’t want to downplay this as I know it can be very triggering for others in ways it’s not triggering for me. If you are NOT looking for a book with strong political undertones of bodily autonomy and trans rights, keep walking. This book was not meant for you.

Thank you to SagaPress and NetGalley for gifting me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Alien worms have landed in America, forming Hives of loyal followers – Crane, a mute autistic trans man, among them. Once a self-mutilating girl that hated herself, Crane now stands ready to do anything for his Hive – including kill or be killed. But their latest demand may be the one that finally breaks him. How far will Crane go to ensure he doesn’t need to carry this baby to term?

I could not put this book down! I was horrified and riled up and totally mesmerized by this story. It was a very heavy read, but raised some great questions of what it means to be human – is “human” having control over others? Is it bodily autonomy and equal rights? Or is it simply wearing a meat-suit and existing? Crane’s relationships and the way he interacted with other Hive members, friends, and family was so authentic to me. The way he responded to the Hive’s demand was first devastating and then disgustingly inspirational. This was the first story I read with a mute main character, which actually did so much for the plot and political commentary. I almost forgot Crane was mute because he was still communicating so clearly if you were paying attention.

I would 10 out of 10 read more from this author! I can’t wait to go back through his past works and am 100% looking forward to his next book. Look for my musical pairing for this book that will be revealed on my Instagram (@Bookmarks_and_Backbeats) by mid-August, 2025.

This book is so horrifying, but so fast-paced. I particularly loved the parasite/pregnancy parallels. I really felt as though I was in his shoes, even though I am neither a trans man nor autistic. However, the visceral and raw writing style utilized all of the reader's senses to draw you in.