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A review by staysunny
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I had so much fun reading this book and ultimately that is what I ask for from YA books. This passed with flying colors. It's dark, gritty, fast-paced, has vengeance and tons of queer rage, and does not hold back. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy (shout out to the cover illustrator Evangeline Gallagher for an absolutely stunning cover that fits so well with the story).
Hell Followed with Us starts fast and gets you right into the action. We are ultimately following 16 year-old Benji's story, with the support from a few chapters sprinkled in from other characters' points of view. This story takes place in the US after a post-apocalyptic level event. Benji is on the run and is found by a group of queer teens who are holding out against the fundamentalist religious cult that has pretty much taken over (with this group, there are some allusions to community organizing that really warmed my heart).
I loved how immersive this book was—there are epigraphs at the start of each chapter that both support that chapter thematically, but also act as a world building tool. I feel like you really learn a lot about the "past" from them. There are also sections of prose that feel lyrical in the way that bible verses are (there are also bible verses sprinkled throughout the book). At first, I just enjoyed this for the rhythm and cadence of it, but then I realized how brilliant it is in terms of world building. After learning more about the characters and their world, it would make less sense if Benji *didn’t* talk or think using this cadence and wording some of the time.
I saw that the author posted on twitter describing the book as a "gory, disgusting mess of a book about trans monsters, fundamentalist extremism, and hyperviolent queer rage." I found this description to be very fitting in the best way.
This is not for the faint of heart, and I highly recommend reading the more thorough list of content warnings on the author's website. I would recommend this for mid to upper YA readers and older.
I had so much fun reading this book and ultimately that is what I ask for from YA books. This passed with flying colors. It's dark, gritty, fast-paced, has vengeance and tons of queer rage, and does not hold back. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy (shout out to the cover illustrator Evangeline Gallagher for an absolutely stunning cover that fits so well with the story).
Hell Followed with Us starts fast and gets you right into the action. We are ultimately following 16 year-old Benji's story, with the support from a few chapters sprinkled in from other characters' points of view. This story takes place in the US after a post-apocalyptic level event. Benji is on the run and is found by a group of queer teens who are holding out against the fundamentalist religious cult that has pretty much taken over (with this group, there are some allusions to community organizing that really warmed my heart).
I loved how immersive this book was—there are epigraphs at the start of each chapter that both support that chapter thematically, but also act as a world building tool. I feel like you really learn a lot about the "past" from them. There are also sections of prose that feel lyrical in the way that bible verses are (there are also bible verses sprinkled throughout the book). At first, I just enjoyed this for the rhythm and cadence of it, but then I realized how brilliant it is in terms of world building. After learning more about the characters and their world, it would make less sense if Benji *didn’t* talk or think using this cadence and wording some of the time.
I saw that the author posted on twitter describing the book as a "gory, disgusting mess of a book about trans monsters, fundamentalist extremism, and hyperviolent queer rage." I found this description to be very fitting in the best way.
This is not for the faint of heart, and I highly recommend reading the more thorough list of content warnings on the author's website. I would recommend this for mid to upper YA readers and older.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Body horror and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt