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4.51 AVERAGE
4.51 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Damn. This is the type of book that makes me baffled at the categorization of books. This "YA" book was so much harder to read and more harrowing than the vast majority of "adult" books I've read. It was hard to put down, but every page just made you more and more worried as to what was coming next. Just an absolutely incredible novel. As someone who has been screwed over by society and the medical system due to gender, mental illness, and neurodiversity, it's hard to fathom just how much worse it could have been if I had been born in a different era. The world can be horrifying and barbaric.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical trauma, Abortion
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Injury/Injury detail
Where do I begin? I finished this book and immediately ordered Andrew's other book from my library. After page 128, I devoured the book in one sitting.
As someone who is not neurodivergent or trans the way Andrew writes Silas's internal struggles and inner monologues was truly eye opening. He does a perfect job of describing what it feels like to be born into the wrong body. The societal and personal struggles are not only historically relevant, but I'm sure easy to relate to even now. As a YA book, I know that young people (and even old ones, like me... 34) will see themselves in these characters and find comfort whether they struggle with wanting to feel "normal" as a neurodiverse person or even someone with depression/anxiety. Despite all of the internal struggle that Silas goes through, he never wavers for more than a few moments about his true identity and his strength shines through this book from beginning to end. I loved the side characters of Daphne, Mary, and Isabella and felt sorrowful for many others. I love a book that can connect you to its characters in such a way that you don't want it to end. This book has everything- gothic vibes, romance, self-discovery, found family, suspense, historical basis, and beautiful representation. Many TWs but being YA I personally did not feel like anything was so horrible that I needed to put the book down. If you are VERY sensitive to sexual assault in books, probably don't read this, if you can handle some, you'll be okay.
I feel like there is so much more I want to write but right now all I can say is that this book is AMAZING and it will live rent free in my brain forever. <3
As someone who is not neurodivergent or trans the way Andrew writes Silas's internal struggles and inner monologues was truly eye opening. He does a perfect job of describing what it feels like to be born into the wrong body. The societal and personal struggles are not only historically relevant, but I'm sure easy to relate to even now. As a YA book, I know that young people (and even old ones, like me... 34) will see themselves in these characters and find comfort whether they struggle with wanting to feel "normal" as a neurodiverse person or even someone with depression/anxiety. Despite all of the internal struggle that Silas goes through, he never wavers for more than a few moments about his true identity and his strength shines through this book from beginning to end. I loved the side characters of Daphne, Mary, and Isabella and felt sorrowful for many others. I love a book that can connect you to its characters in such a way that you don't want it to end. This book has everything- gothic vibes, romance, self-discovery, found family, suspense, historical basis, and beautiful representation. Many TWs but being YA I personally did not feel like anything was so horrible that I needed to put the book down. If you are VERY sensitive to sexual assault in books, probably don't read this, if you can handle some, you'll be okay.
I feel like there is so much more I want to write but right now all I can say is that this book is AMAZING and it will live rent free in my brain forever. <3
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a haunting, deeply intelligent and moving addition to the greater ya archive of fiction. andrew joseph white is not only crafting novels that are creative and spotlight underrepresented individuals, but the spirit bares its teeth is also incredibly insightful and empathy-provoking. lots of research has gone into this about very horrific and unsettling aspects of Victorian history, and i love that the characters perform acts that aren’t usually rewarded by narratives.
I wish the lore was a bit more fleshed out - was getting a bit confused about how the speakers controlled society, and why they wanted to control spiritwork besides general control. I could infer how the empire was involved with this, but would’ve loved to see this world building. without it, the premise seemed like a premise to just explore Victorian medical malpractice against minorities, in which it didn’t need to be a fantasy setting then. felt the ending wrapped up a bit too nicely as well.
also pet peeve but if your book is set in the UK, idc if it’s an American publisher, your character should be speaking and thinking with British English spelling. why was silas thinking about the girls’ “favorite color” when he’s lived in London his whole life
I wish the lore was a bit more fleshed out - was getting a bit confused about how the speakers controlled society, and why they wanted to control spiritwork besides general control. I could infer how the empire was involved with this, but would’ve loved to see this world building. without it, the premise seemed like a premise to just explore Victorian medical malpractice against minorities, in which it didn’t need to be a fantasy setting then. felt the ending wrapped up a bit too nicely as well.
also pet peeve but if your book is set in the UK, idc if it’s an American publisher, your character should be speaking and thinking with British English spelling. why was silas thinking about the girls’ “favorite color” when he’s lived in London his whole life
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Dysphoria
This book is good start to finish. White excels in making a cast of characters that you care about. Through the hurt and the comfort. I've felt as I've begun to read more, I've gotten more in touch with my empathy, and this book tested that. I was disturbed and touched, excited and shocked.
Every moment was either unpredictable in a good way or predictable in a good way.
What I noticed as well, after reading Hell Followed With Us, the bonus chapter, and the acknowledgments, is that White gives a voice to his characters. I don't imagine characters voices, but the way their minds are captured on a page is so well spun. Easily one of my favorite authors, and I'll have to pick up Compound Facture once it's released in paper back.
Every moment was either unpredictable in a good way or predictable in a good way.
What I noticed as well, after reading Hell Followed With Us, the bonus chapter, and the acknowledgments, is that White gives a voice to his characters. I don't imagine characters voices, but the way their minds are captured on a page is so well spun. Easily one of my favorite authors, and I'll have to pick up Compound Facture once it's released in paper back.