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anakuroma 's review for:
Hell Followed with Us
by Andrew Joseph White
*Thank you to NetGallery and Peachtree Teen for the eARC of this book*
TW: Trasphobia, deadnaming, misgendering, violence and gore, body horror and blood, vomiting (graphic), religion and religious trauma, cults, brainwashing, physical and emotional abuse, suicide attempt and self harm
Please note: This review comes from a white, trans, non-binary, queer autistic person who was raised in an evangelical religion (since left) and suffers from religious trauma.
Ok, first THE COVER, the COVER baby. This is one of the most beautiful book covers I've seen in my lifetime and I need this framed -in my home- and tattooed on my face. Evangeline Gallagher has created a masterpiece that truely captures this book in every way. The mood, the religious style that captures the pure rebellion that Benji personifies. It's so good.
Reading the summery hooked me from the start. Trans rage? Yus. Religious rebellion? BIG yes. Autistic rep that's not only done well, but is the gay love interest? ALL MY WANT. But this summery promised a lot. Would it deliver on my very raised hopes?
Reader, it did (and I would marry if I could).
Andrew Joseph White did everything right by this book, and everything promised was given. It was raw, complicated, gory, traumatic, healing, affirming, queer, hostile, open, yet firm on its feet. This world is a wild dystopia, and yet felt so completely like an accurate biography from these strange 2020's. The characters were well done, well developed, and full of flaws, but also hopes, dreams and staunch morals and goals. They were real people. People I've known, people I've been or strive to be. Benji is me leaving the religion I was raised in, Nick is the me now, knowing who I am, but still learning to accomodate my autistic needs and reactions, and also trying to do whats right but flailing wildly while doing so.
I could honestly write a whole novel on how good this book is... but better for you to read the book yourself. It is worth it. Its existence is a beautiful love letter to all us queer, trans, traumatised and healing folks, and a bloody hellfire to those who seek to bring us down.
TW: Trasphobia, deadnaming, misgendering, violence and gore, body horror and blood, vomiting (graphic), religion and religious trauma, cults, brainwashing, physical and emotional abuse, suicide attempt and self harm
Please note: This review comes from a white, trans, non-binary, queer autistic person who was raised in an evangelical religion (since left) and suffers from religious trauma.
Ok, first THE COVER, the COVER baby. This is one of the most beautiful book covers I've seen in my lifetime and I need this framed -in my home- and tattooed on my face. Evangeline Gallagher has created a masterpiece that truely captures this book in every way. The mood, the religious style that captures the pure rebellion that Benji personifies. It's so good.
Reading the summery hooked me from the start. Trans rage? Yus. Religious rebellion? BIG yes. Autistic rep that's not only done well, but is the gay love interest? ALL MY WANT. But this summery promised a lot. Would it deliver on my very raised hopes?
Reader, it did (and I would marry if I could).
Andrew Joseph White did everything right by this book, and everything promised was given. It was raw, complicated, gory, traumatic, healing, affirming, queer, hostile, open, yet firm on its feet. This world is a wild dystopia, and yet felt so completely like an accurate biography from these strange 2020's. The characters were well done, well developed, and full of flaws, but also hopes, dreams and staunch morals and goals. They were real people. People I've known, people I've been or strive to be. Benji is me leaving the religion I was raised in, Nick is the me now, knowing who I am, but still learning to accomodate my autistic needs and reactions, and also trying to do whats right but flailing wildly while doing so.
I could honestly write a whole novel on how good this book is... but better for you to read the book yourself. It is worth it. Its existence is a beautiful love letter to all us queer, trans, traumatised and healing folks, and a bloody hellfire to those who seek to bring us down.