Hell Followed with Us
K**D
ouch, my religious trauma
WHEW what a book!!! Hell Followed With Us is a triumph, and I absolutely loved it.We watch as Benji, our trans masc main character, escapes a Doomsday cult committed to seeing the end of days through any means necessary. He's been fighting his entire life, though, so it's no surprise the fight is what pushes him forward.He finds a home with ALC, a rag-tag group of queer kids who found themselves together when the world ended, and he sees himself in Nick, the autistic boy leading their battle party. He wrestles God, he wrestles the Flood, the sickness that rots away at him from the inside out, and he wrestles himself. What hope is there for absolution amongst the carnage?I'm not kidding when I say this book is everything to me. I highlighted massive swaths of text, whole chapters even, captured by how relatable Benji is to my own history of fundamental religion being at odds with my queerness. Benji's victories became my own, his failures that much more painful.White's prose is relentless, interwoven with twisted scripture and teachings, filled to the brim with references and callbacks. Everything within the story is connected, joined together at odd angles and dripping with sick. It's disgusting, it's visceral, it's stunning. A perfect match to those same things within Benji.I'm never going to stop thinking about this book, and none of you can stop me
M**S
I love this book
I am a trans man and a massive horror fan. I loved this book so much. Beware of body horror, but the story is amazing. I loved the viewpoint of someone defecting from the church but also the feelings of losing yourself to something you have lived for your entire life. Very good trans perspective. My transition goals are Very Large Monster so I love the description of the beasts and the ending. Read it completely in one day.
E**
Leaves you feeling like you lost something
This isn’t a lighthearted book. It makes you feel hopeless and helpless. As someone with religious trauma this was a very validating book to read; the characters all feel real and the world feels desolate like a true apocalypse. In the end the heroes win but was it worth the cost?Brutal but stunning read
S**Y
It's my favorite book
I just finished it and before I even finished I just HAD to buy the other book written by the author. It is absolutely amazing. Don't get me wrong, it is in no way made for the faint of heart, but none the less it's perfect. It feels so validating, and makes me feel so in touch with my identity as a trans guy. It's beautiful and in no way gentle. It is wonderful and gut wrenching.
W**R
The Painful Birth of a Necessary Monster
This book affected me viscerally. I think the way the author uses violence and gore to express the absolute horror of growing up in the wrong body and being forced into a shape that you don't understand and don't identify with is masterful. This book reminds us that change is rarely pretty and clean and neat, but it is always necessary if we want to grow.
N**L
Fun Until The Middle
Think The Last of Us but a religious organization caused the infection in order to take over the world. They have dope zombie like creatures and other creatures as well that are cool. The main character has been infected with a disease that will turn him in to the legendary Steph. He will be used to take over the world through the mission the religious organization.Benji, the main character, doesn’t vibe with this so he escapes and finds a new home.This book was a 5/5 butt….My problem with this book happened around chapter 20 when he started making stupid choices that unalived a bunch of people. The ending was rushed and you get no over all closure for the world tbh.
M**A
An exceptionally cathartic read
I remember seeing a video of this book on TikTok, and purchased it as soon as I was able. Life of course got in the way, and I only recently was able to read the whole book. Reading it while stuck in a very religious (and hypocritical) house felt like I was doing something secret and subversive, especially since the people who owned the house would for sure be part of the people who helped bring about Armageddon in this book.As an elder trans masc, seeing the wide array of characters in the story who weren't just token versions, but full fleshed beings with their own needs, wants, and identities, made the book hard to put down. I felt seen, I felt like I could connect to the characters in ways I couldn't in other books. I wanted to cry out in anger, shout with joy, and cheer on the protagonists because they were so human to me.There were times it was difficult to read due to religious trauma, so I would give that warning to anyone wanting to read this novel. Andrew Joseph White makes it a point to provide a warning at the beginning of the novel, which was greatly appreciated and helped me prepare for some of the more traumatic points in the story. Please don't skip over Andrew's message at the beginning of the novel if you decide to read it!The Graces were horrifying in their description (and how they come to be) but also reminded me a lot of the blasphemies from FFXIV Shadowbringers, and helped me visualize them in ways that made me feel for them and what they have gone through. The Angels drew out anger due to how easily I could see people like them in my every day life, knowing that the real life people would do what the Angels did if given the chance.With everything happening in the news regarding queer folk, this book manages to provide an escape while still keeping us grounded in the reality of what is happening around us, showing us why we need to keep fighting.
W**M
Cover is nice
I haven't read it yet but the book seems very nice quality, thick pages and a sturdy cover with metallic on some of it.
N**A
Importante
Maravilloso
A**Y
This book is going to stay with me forever!
Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White is a YA Queer Horror story, that punched me in the gut right from the get go and didn't let up, even at the end.Ok well admit, Horror is not usually my thing, and I did struggle with some of the graphic descriptions (me and blood are not friends). But I still found myself enthralled with this story.In a post apocalyptic world, trans teen Benji is on the run from the deveatating fanatical cult that not only raised him but turned him into a monster. While he's on the run he meets Nick and the other queer teens taking shelter in the local LGBTQ+ Centre where he's taken in, and for the first time in his life finds love, family and acceptance. But when secrets out and time is running short, Benji has some terrible choices to make.As a mother, this book broke something in me. All I wanted to do was wrap Benji and Nick all the kids from the ALC in a hug and keep them safe. As a queer and agnostic person, I raged right alongside these kids while they fought against the end of the world. This book brought out so many feelings for me. I think it is going to stay with me for a long, long time.
R**N
Lindo, maravilhoso, perfeito e impecável.
O livro me fisgou desde o início e o body horror dele é impecável.Perfeito pra quem está cansado de livros LGBT tristes/de romance.
**R
Fresh voices and daring narratives.
In a literary landscape hungry for fresh voices and daring narratives, Andrew Joseph White emerges as a luminary with their debut novel, "Hell Followed With Us." White weaves a gripping tale of survival, self-discovery, and the unbreakable spirit of a group of marginalized teens facing a post-apocalyptic world. With its remarkable depth and unapologetic exploration of identity, this book stands as a testament to the power of storytelling.The story revolves around Benji, a sixteen-year-old trans boy, who finds himself relentlessly pursued by the cult that raised him. This fundamentalist sect, responsible for unleashing Armageddon and ravaging humanity, adds a chilling backdrop to the narrative. Benji's struggle to find refuge from both the cult and the lethal bioweapon they infected him with forms the heart of the story, enthralling readers from the first page.White masterfully crafts an engaging plot, replete with pulse-pounding encounters, relentless action, and heart-stopping suspense. The pacing is immaculate, propelling the story forward while deftly balancing quieter moments of introspection. The narrative unfolds with such skill that readers will find themselves fully immersed in the dystopian world, experiencing every triumph and tragedy alongside the characters.However, it is the characters themselves who truly steal the show. Benji is a protagonist of tremendous depth and resilience, grappling not only with the physical dangers around him but also with his own inner turmoil. White's portrayal of Benji's trans identity is heartfelt and authentic, treating it with the sensitivity and respect it deserves. As Benji forms unexpected connections with the diverse group of teens from the Acheson LGBTQ+ Center, readers witness a profound exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the acceptance that can blossom in the most dire circumstances.One standout character is Nick, the enigmatic leader of the ALC, whose allure lies in his remarkable blend of vulnerability and strength. Nick's autism is skillfully depicted, adding another layer of representation that promotes inclusivity and understanding. His unwavering determination and sharpshooting skills make him an unforgettable force within the story."Hell Followed With Us" also deftly addresses larger themes, such as embracing one's true self and harnessing one's power to combat oppression. Through the lens of Benji's transformation into a monster, White delivers a poignant message about embracing one's unique qualities, even those society might deem monstrous. The novel's exploration of queer identity and the resilience of marginalized communities resonates powerfully, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and fighting for one's right to exist.White's prose is a revelation, effortlessly balancing lyrical beauty with a razor-sharp edge. Their words possess a magnetic quality, drawing readers deeper into the story and allowing them to experience the emotions of the characters with vivid intensity. The descriptions are vivid, painting a haunting and immersive portrait of a world ravaged by disaster.In "Hell Followed With Us," Andrew Joseph White establishes themselves as a formidable new voice in speculative fiction. With this remarkable debut, they have crafted a captivating narrative that combines heart-pounding action with thought-provoking themes, all while championing diverse representation. This is a book that demands to be read, cherished, and celebrated for its audacity, resilience, and unyielding spirit. Andrew Joseph White has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, and readers will eagerly await their future works.
C**N
Buena lectura
El libro es bueno. Llego con unas hojas dobladas por mala edición.
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