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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Hell Followed With Us isn’t just another YA horror, it’s the kind of book that digs its claws into you and refuses to let go. And this is what I love about ajw's books. From the very first chapter of this book you are thrown into a world that’s falling apart, and somehow manages to balance the chaos of cult fanaticism, a crumbling society, and a trans boy trying to survive. The horror is bloody, grotesque, and so visceral that I found myself wincing while also thinking, wow, this is genius. But what makes it stand out is that the body horror isn’t just there to gross you out, it feels real in a way that makes you squirm.
What really got me was how much emotion there is beneath all the gore and decay. This isn’t just a monster story, it’s a story about living through trauma, about trying to find love and acceptance in the ruins of everything familiar. The religious aspects hit especially hard, it’s intense, messy, and honestly a little triggering at time. Benji’s journey is heartbreaking, but also strangely hopeful, and I caught myself rooting for him like he was someone I actually knew.
The pacing is fast, the atmosphere is oppressive in the best way.
I think what I loved most is that every part of this book was equally important, from the main plotline to the small interactions between Benji and the other characters in the book.
This book is angry, is queer, but also full of hope.
I really like how the romance subplots never overtake the books, they are more of break between the horror that happens between the pages, and I might be biased because I'm a huge fan of ajw, but I truly recommend this book to anyone that has a minute to spare for a queer horror story.
What really got me was how much emotion there is beneath all the gore and decay. This isn’t just a monster story, it’s a story about living through trauma, about trying to find love and acceptance in the ruins of everything familiar. The religious aspects hit especially hard, it’s intense, messy, and honestly a little triggering at time. Benji’s journey is heartbreaking, but also strangely hopeful, and I caught myself rooting for him like he was someone I actually knew.
The pacing is fast, the atmosphere is oppressive in the best way.
I think what I loved most is that every part of this book was equally important, from the main plotline to the small interactions between Benji and the other characters in the book.
This book is angry, is queer, but also full of hope.
I really like how the romance subplots never overtake the books, they are more of break between the horror that happens between the pages, and I might be biased because I'm a huge fan of ajw, but I truly recommend this book to anyone that has a minute to spare for a queer horror story.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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:
Yes
This book is basically a check list of everything neurodivergent and not-normative, nothing more.
Don't waste your time with this. The gore and body horror doesn't make it up for a book that lacks of a good protagonist that has absolutely no personality and not rediming qualities, Benji is just transgender nothing else, not a trace of something close to having a personality. And the other characters are as plain and boring as you could imagine.
At the end of the book, in the acknowledgments section, the first thing you can read is "It was written by a bitter, terrified boy barely out of his teens" and that should be a warning at the beginning of the book so you know what you're getting into, which is a book written by a teenage boy lol.
Two stars just because I enjoyed the body horror and gore, and the book cover is pretty cool, the only good qualities that this book has.
Don't waste your time with this. The gore and body horror doesn't make it up for a book that lacks of a good protagonist that has absolutely no personality and not rediming qualities, Benji is just transgender nothing else, not a trace of something close to having a personality. And the other characters are as plain and boring as you could imagine.
At the end of the book, in the acknowledgments section, the first thing you can read is "It was written by a bitter, terrified boy barely out of his teens" and that should be a warning at the beginning of the book so you know what you're getting into, which is a book written by a teenage boy lol.
Two stars just because I enjoyed the body horror and gore, and the book cover is pretty cool, the only good qualities that this book has.
great story with amazing character depth. the whole world was so intriguing and vivid. a challenging read but a necessary one. i read it during a vacation on the beach haha
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
holy shoot. i have many, and at the same time, no words for this book. it was messy, heart-wrenching, and what i didn’t expect. this was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint! while i write this review im actually trying to hold back tears (of happiness!) from the ending. the MANY twists and the way this book was written made it easy to follow and an all around enjoyable and interesting read. i highly recommended this book to those looking for a messy read filled with twists, found family, and a mind blowing plot!
a re-read. just as good the second time. Let Boys Be Beasts. if they want to be
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No