A review by kaynova
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
FIrst off, please read the trigger warnings for this book; do not neglect them, trying to go into this with eyes closed and guided by pure faith. That will not work here.
After reading (or in my case hearing it because this was an audiobook version) the trigger warnings, I was physically and emotionally prepared for this book and wow, what a book it is!
I battled between 3.5 stars to 4 stars because though I deeply enjoyed this book and the concepts and themes that the Andrew is exploring is so riveting, I wanted the book to be an adult fiction. That conflicted with the author's intention of making this young adult because they wished they had these books when they were young, which I definitely agree but as someone in their 20's, I also need this book because healing from religion trauma while being queer is still a journey and the gore here would've been even better if it was targeted for adults.
Other than that, you are connected with Benji and how he navigates these hard relationships well grieving someone's death while converting to something that he never wanted in the beginning. Andrew does a great job of reminding the readers that Benji is a child and he shouldn't have the world on his shoulders but he do, so now he has to figure it out and he learns that community is the answer to getting through these very difficult, goring and terrifying times. I loved every bit of Benji's blooming relationship with Nick and how it wasn't really the main focus, but it weaved so beautifully with the tragedy of this world. I just want them to be okay (this book has a hopeful ending, so keep that in mind) and in delulu land, I think they are doing quite fine and learning to live with their new selves (will not spoil what that means).
I think this book is so much better consumed by audio (but I will give this book a re-read through physical copy) because the voice actors made it come alive, probably better than what my voice in my head would've conjured up. But to each its own, but please take your time and read this book, especially if you're a teenager. You may find yourself resonating with someone here.
After reading (or in my case hearing it because this was an audiobook version) the trigger warnings, I was physically and emotionally prepared for this book and wow, what a book it is!
I battled between 3.5 stars to 4 stars because though I deeply enjoyed this book and the concepts and themes that the Andrew is exploring is so riveting, I wanted the book to be an adult fiction. That conflicted with the author's intention of making this young adult because they wished they had these books when they were young, which I definitely agree but as someone in their 20's, I also need this book because healing from religion trauma while being queer is still a journey and the gore here would've been even better if it was targeted for adults.
Other than that, you are connected with Benji and how he navigates these hard relationships well grieving someone's death while converting to something that he never wanted in the beginning. Andrew does a great job of reminding the readers that Benji is a child and he shouldn't have the world on his shoulders but he do, so now he has to figure it out and he learns that community is the answer to getting through these very difficult, goring and terrifying times. I loved every bit of Benji's blooming relationship with Nick and how it wasn't really the main focus, but it weaved so beautifully with the tragedy of this world. I just want them to be okay (this book has a hopeful ending, so keep that in mind) and in delulu land, I think they are doing quite fine and learning to live with their new selves (will not spoil what that means).
I think this book is so much better consumed by audio (but I will give this book a re-read through physical copy) because the voice actors made it come alive, probably better than what my voice in my head would've conjured up. But to each its own, but please take your time and read this book, especially if you're a teenager. You may find yourself resonating with someone here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Transphobia, Gore, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse