I would like to thank S&S/Saga Press and Andrew Joseph White for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
1 Star
DNF 22%

I have come to learn that this type of horror is not for me.
It's good, well written at the very least.
I just have too much empathy? intrusive thoughts? to really be able to handle something like this and it not really affect my whole day. Just a little too gross of a place for me to want to spend my escapism y'know?

I found myself not excited to pick this back up again, and I really berated myself a lot over this but I think this might just have to be a learning lesson.

Gruesome, relentless, and laced with pain and violence - but never empty or gratuitous.. This book digs deep into the rawest parts of existence: what it means to live as a trans person in a hostile world, to hand over your bodily autonomy to a cult, to stay in the orbit of someone who keeps hurting you. It's not trauma for shock value - it's truth, cracked open and laid bare. Through the eyes of a non-verbal autistic character trying to claw their way through a merciless, collapsing world, we’re shown not just survival, but the cost of it. This is more than a story - it’s a live wire, a primal scream, and a call to action. Political, personal, unforgettable. It left a mark, and I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon.

This was a fairly buckwild and I'm not entirely sure what I read, but it's obviously important and well-written and extremely timely and I don't know that I'll ever want to read it again.

The book is brutal and utterly visceral, both in the body horror of the swarm (parasitic alien worms, essentially) and Crane's pregnancy, and the way all the characters interact with those two facts. I found the conclusion satisfying but god, this story pulled no punches in getting there. The character work is fantastic and truly adds to the horror, as you really feel for Crane and what he's going through.

Compelling and just A Lot, really. Please check the content warnings.

Thank you to the publisher, S&S/Saga Press, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

I’ll say first, I don’t think I was the intended audience for this book. This isn’t my normal genre and if I’d dug a little deeper into how gory and explicit this was, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. I am, however, a sucker for West Virginia based fiction and now here I am.

What I liked: the portrayal of trans characters, the overall discussion about abortion, stagger’s character (i think?), and some of the portrayal of severe mental illness.

What I didn’t like: I actually didn’t understand the world. I couldn’t tell what the world structure was, an alien invasion that’s just hiding and people don’t seem that worried about it? Maybe I’m overlooking something here but I kept being kind of thrown off by whatever universe this is happening in.

I also didn’t like this portrayal of an autistic person. I haven’t done the research about autism to say much more than this isn’t a very helpful portrayal for society. Beyond that, maybe I just didn’t get it. I’m not sure, but it certainly felt ugly to me.

I think the fiction reader in me just wanted to have more explanation of the world this book is in, but at the same time I could see it just being a metaphor for what happened with Covid. I expected the world to stop but instead everyone weirdly and problematically adapted and life went on, just worse. In that way I did like this part of the plot.

The end just left me wondering why? There seemingly was no specific reason the hive made Crane go through with the pregnancy. Why did they need that specific baby?

Overall this book made me sad. I can confidently say: I don’t know who this book is for. If you are interested in something thrilling, thought provoking, or just some kind of social commentary, I’d recommend looking elsewhere if you have any semblance of a weak stomach. It’s definitely very f-ed up and there were scenes I had to skip entirely, but I did read it in one day, so there’s that I guess.

Wow. Thank you Saga for the arc in exchange for my honest views.

This book scared me. With the topics it touches on, as someone who has a lot of trauma around similar topics, I was nervous. I’m glad I didn’t give up because incredible. Horror and sci-fi come together here and once again AJW is a true genius. Scary, but a genius.

This book is horrifying, disgusting and at times made me feel nauseous. It was awesome. Usually horror novels don’t tend to get to me, but this one totally did. Maybe it’s just that I tend to get freaked out about pregnancy anyway or maybe it’s the fact that this book is a terrifying combination of gore, psychological and body horror designed to make you squirm. I loved it. That being said, the general queasiness
did not start until probably halfway through. The beginning was slow paced and for me dragged; it honestly almost lost me during a couple of the more graphic scenes. I’m very glad that I stuck it out; the ending was jaw dropping.

It is a book that is deeply personal and deeply relevant. It looks at self harm and growing up queer and mental health. It may be set in the future, but the discussion of trans and reproductive rights mirrors our present world. I really appreciated addressing mental health issues as an actual disease rather than solely caused by trauma (the only other media I can think of that acknowledges this is the movie Frank). I also found myself relating more to Crane than I had initially expected based on the premise (truthfully, not that shocking in hindsight since I am constantly thinking of bodily autonomy). I’m not sure I can, in my right mind, casually recommend this book—the trigger warnings are in place for a reason— but I need so desperately for someone to read it so we can talk. It was dark, it was jarring and it was killer. Thank you to Netgalley, Saga Press and the author for this ARC.

Andrew Joseph White’s You Weren’t Meant to Be Human is an unflinching and gut-wrenching horror novel that blends sci-fi terror with real-world trauma in a way that’s both harrowing and powerful. Centered on Crane, a young trans man trapped within a parasitic alien collective known as the Hive, this story explores themes of bodily autonomy, identity, and psychological torment with raw intensity. While the Hive and its grotesque creatures bring visceral horror, the true devastation lies in Crane’s internal battles such as his dysphoria, isolation, and desperation for control in a world that continuously denies him agency. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of forced pregnancy, trauma, and societal expectations, drawing unsettling parallels to today’s conversations around reproductive rights. The cast is complex and deeply damaged, and even as the world spirals into nightmarish chaos, White keeps the emotional core rooted in resilience and survival. Unsettling, timely, and deeply affecting, this is a story that burrows under your skin in the best and most painful ways. Trigger warnings are essential before diving into this one.

You Weren’t Meant To
Be Human
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review
Premise:
Trans man is forced to carry a baby for nine months and give birth to it for his cult.
Imagine if Lana del Rey wanted to recreate
all of the horrific breaking dawn part 2 pregnant scenes
in to a music video but with the rosemarys baby story line.
Allegory: people that can get pregnant should have the choice to want their baby or abort it.
The government has a malicious cult like need to control people’s bodies.
People are always willing to sacrifice people that can get pregnant for whatever higher purpose or belief system they believe in.

I can also see how the messaging is that it’s so weird to force people to carry a baby they don’t want because of your cult. While no one cares about the mental or physical health and safety of the person forced to carry the baby.

I love Andrew Joseph White but this isn’t my fave.
Ending was anticlimactic.
Ending felt like it had a deeper meaning but by the end of the book I was so fed up I kinda didn’t care to figure it out.


Theory of the vice president having brain eating amoeba is crazy

This is a true horror.

Holy shit.

Thank you Netgalley and Saga Press for the ARC.

This is all I can muster up at the moment.

Just wow. Holy shit.

you weren't meant to be human seems like it will follow a traditional story structure with sections in this novel following the trimester system of pregnancy. however, if you know what joseph white is like as a writer, you should know that it's probably a red herring. despite reading the content warnings i was not prepared for the ending at all, but i found all the discussions of what it means to be pregnant as a trans man mixed with what it means to be happy as someone living in the appalachia (the talk about where crane our protagonist would be if not there especially) especially thought provoking. can't wait for everyone else to read so we can discuss in person!

Wow, just wow. This might be the most messed up book I've read since 'Dead Inside'. It will absolutely turn your stomach, I couldn't put it down.

The entire book is an ode to what it is like to be an outsider in your own skin. To never be comfortable, and be so at odds with yourself that pain is the only thing that is comfortable to you.

10/10, no notes.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
4.5⭐️

Visceral, disturbing, and completely unforgettable—You Weren’t Meant to Be Human is horror at its most daring.

AJW’s adult debut is not for the faint of heart. This grotesque, emotionally charged novel follows Crane, a mute, autistic, trans man forced into a horrifying scenario: pregnancy at the hands of a sentient alien hive that claims to love him. What unfolds is a psychologically harrowing, deeply metaphorical exploration of bodily autonomy, trauma, identity, and alien love twisted into obsession.

The prose cuts deep, delivering a story that evokes disgust, dread, and unexpected tenderness. It’s deliberately uncomfortable—written to provoke, to unsettle, and to linger. Readers should be aware of heavy, graphic content (all thoroughly explored), and should approach with care.

A must-read for fans of adult horror who want to be challenged, disturbed, and emotionally wrecked. You Weren’t Meant to Be Human is not for everyone—but for those who can stomach it, it’s nothing short of brilliant.

This is a review that I definitely felt I needed to sit on a bit prior to giving. Allowing myself to take some time to process and really think through a lot of White’s choices for this novel has really helped me form a more cohesive outlook. This is definitely a novel that will keep you thinking long after you read it! Here are my thoughts:
1) One of my favorite things about White’s writing are his main characters. They are harrowing, and readers get so much understanding from internal monologues and the inner working of the narrator’s mind. Crane is no exception to this. Crane is haunted and dark, and yet I couldn’t help feel drawn to him. The way he moves through his world and processes his thoughts kept me ingrained in the novel. There were multiple moments where Crane made me feel all the emotions: optimism, joy, anger, confusion, etc. I think White does a fantastic job at writing narrators that feel like real people-flaws and all.
2) There were a few plot points I felt were a bit unneeded/underdeveloped. I definitely thought based on marketing that the hive was going to play a much more central role in the novel. While the bugs certainly drive some of the plot points- we don’t get a lot of information about their background, or what their overall motive is. (I will say, I don’t think Crane really knows either!) I felt like this could have just as easily been a human group with little difference, aside from the hive giving me the creepy crawly feelings. I also think that the mentions of bestiality were not necessarily needed. Readers get a strong understanding of Crane’s trauma and his internal thoughts through the rest of the book. Crane’s friends and especially his parents also feel a bit rushed at times, and not as flushed out as they could.

All in all, this is a killer debut into the adult world! White never fails to write gruesome, gory works. I really appreciate how despite the gore, I am challenged to think about why he included it, and how it adds to the overall theming of his book. I definitely did not take him at him as seriously as I should have on some of those trigger warnings, and he definitely proved me wrong- so kudos are due there. I appreciate White for always pushing my boundaries as a reader, and making me a more intentional reader. I am especially thankful for Saga Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for early access to this title. This book dove into the horrors of growing up as a trans and autistic person with self destructive tendencies. And then suddenly you’re pregnant and your biggest fear is coming true.
This book was insanely dark and powerful. I will be thinking about these characters for a while.

Andrew Joseph White's You Weren't Meant to Be Human isn't just a book you read. It's a horror that burrows deep under your skin, festering in the dark corners of Appalachia. White’s adult debut is an intense, uncompromising dive into identity, survival, and transformation amidst an alien invasion, all explored through the unflinching lens of the rural queer and trans experience.

White doesn't pull any punches. He excavates the raw truth of marginalized lives, especially through Crane, our trans autistic protagonist. Crane's journey, navigating an unwanted pregnancy while seeking affection in the most brutal ways, is a profoundly unsettling yet poignant allegory of body horror. It's dirty work, reading this, but White makes you want to keep digging.

Crane’s world itself feels utterly claustrophobic, like being trapped in the earth itself. And that genius twist, positioning the cult as an actual alien infestation, gives a slimy, creepy face to societal expectations and difference. It elevates the entire narrative, making something potentially overdone feel utterly fresh.

Look, horror isn't usually my first choice, especially when it gets this disturbingly graphic. The world's got enough real-life horrors. But Crane, despite his specific neuroses and choices, becomes this anti-hero you oddly root for. White gets so far into his head, you're tangled in the inner drama, pulled along by the sheer grit of his struggle.

This book isn't for the faint of heart. Seriously, read those trigger warnings and take them seriously. But for those ready to delve into a story that's as unyielding as it is insightful, You Weren't Meant to Be Human offers a truly singular experience. It'll leave you craving sunshine and open skies, but the truths it unearths will stay with you.

Absolutely devastating in the most brilliant way. The writing is stunning—lush, poetic, and deeply unsettling. The body horror here is next level—grotesque, relentless, and weirdly beautiful. The Hive and its followers are disturbing enough, but it’s the emotional horror that really wrecked me.

Crane’s story gutted me. The last 10% had me full-on spiraling—I was U P S E T. It’s personal, it’s bloody, it’s horrifying, and it says so much about identity, survival, and the cost of “salvation.” I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time. A.J.W. is absolutely an author I’ll keep following.

This is legit my new favorite book but it's also extremely horrific, disturbing, and gross so???? be warned but also join me??

You Weren't Meant to Be Human is a masterpiece of queer horror and I mean that with 100% of my heart. It is the perfect way to explore horrific yet human topics such as forced pregnancy, self harm, suicide ideation, toxic relationships, and combining them with a cult that is lead by a mass of flies and worms. There is very little joy in this book, but for some reason it just really struck home with me.

I could literally write essays on how much I adore this book but I will just say - AJW is an incredible author and the way he writes the trans autistic experience feels so revealing and raw. I love love love it. 6 out of 5 stars. I am disgusted, I cried, I questioned my life choices, and I cheered. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC!! <3 <3 <3

5.0 stars

I’ve always love White’s books for being so horrific you can’t look away, but taking away the restraints of YA has turned it up to a thousand. This entire book, despite being about alien worms, hits so close to home and it’s not hard to tell why. Watching Crane suffer through a pregnancy that is not only unwanted, but is one of his greatest fears, was gut-wrenching. Add onto that the fact that the only source of comfort for him during this time was a man who’s own body was being hijacked by space-worm-fly-insect-creatures and the pain doubles.

Hard to read in the best way, this horror novel does not shy away from the grotesque or uncomfortable. But it also doesn’t start very far from reality. Yes, there’s aliens, but most of the books horror can be found in our own world right now, and that’s always been what horror does best. What a phenomenal fucking novel.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the advanced access to this novel! Be ready for Sept. 9th to get your hands on a copy!

This was an extremely brutal read - as it SHOULD be. Dealing with bodily autonomy, autistic nihilism, domestic abuse, the grim state of the world - it is bleak and dark. And yet! And yet, there is survival and there is community and there is love here, still. It is still dark and perhaps the most visceral book I've read in a long time, but it felt right.

I was full-body cringing and flailing by the end because of how gruesome it becomes - PLEASE heed the trigger warnings. But if you can stomach it, this is a primal scream from existing in the world that you don't belong in and that will take it all from you if you let it. But you don't have to let it.

If you enjoyed Andrew Joseph White's YA titles, you'll want to pick this one up as well and if the world feels a bit like a festering hive taking away your autonomy you should also consider picking this up.

dark. disturbing & visceral but so so so good! with the state of the world right now, especially with politics, this definitely hits harder. I couldn't even imagine going through what crane went through being a trans man & being forced to carry to full term. I could really feel how hopeless he felt throughout the whole book. my heart really broke for him, by the end I was holding back tears. he deserved soooo much better & I was ready to jump into the pages & beat Levi's ass!

the writing was incredible, the body horror is gross, the hive & its minions are disturbed. the last 10% had me messed up, I was U P S E T! I can't wait to read more from AJW.