A review by sandy_reads_books
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
I am not crazy interested in dystopians at the moment which made this book less interesting for me unfortunately because I recognize that it is such a good book. I definitely have some stand out points about it though that really pulled me in.
First was that the fact that the main character is trans was not the plot of the book. What is great about it is that he is depicted as having a sickness but that sickness has absolutely nothing to doing with his transness and that was amazing to see.
Second was how glad I was to see a closer up and more complex view of what the LGBTQ community can be like, especially in how discrimination occurs within groups, that from the an outsiders perspective would seem monolithic.
Third was the books relationship with religion. I thought it was really cool how even though the book’s antagonistic group is religious and is evil because of that religion the book does not equate being religious with being evil. That is a complex space that I have thought about some recently and it was really nice to see that reflected in this book.
ALSO I forgot to add this when I initially read this book but I was immediately flushed with joy and excitement when Avi Roque narrates a single chapter near the end of the book. I was absolutely not expecting it but as someone who loves The Owl House and the character of Raine Whispers I was so so happy when I heard their voice and came to the realization of who it was. It did admittedly take me out of the story because the two characters that the actor voices are so different but I honestly did not even care at that point because I was so happy.
First was that the fact that the main character is trans was not the plot of the book. What is great about it is that he is depicted as having a sickness but that sickness has absolutely nothing to doing with his transness and that was amazing to see.
Second was how glad I was to see a closer up and more complex view of what the LGBTQ community can be like, especially in how discrimination occurs within groups, that from the an outsiders perspective would seem monolithic.
Third was the books relationship with religion. I thought it was really cool how even though the book’s antagonistic group is religious and is evil because of that religion the book does not equate being religious with being evil. That is a complex space that I have thought about some recently and it was really nice to see that reflected in this book.
ALSO I forgot to add this when I initially read this book but I was immediately flushed with joy and excitement when Avi Roque narrates a single chapter near the end of the book. I was absolutely not expecting it but as someone who loves The Owl House and the character of Raine Whispers I was so so happy when I heard their voice and came to the realization of who it was. It did admittedly take me out of the story because the two characters that the actor voices are so different but I honestly did not even care at that point because I was so happy.