Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

267 reviews

challenging dark reflective sad 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark 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: No

This is in some ways quite different from White’s other books and in other ways very similar. It has the same queer rage and the same righteous anger at injustice. But its fantasy element is much more subdued. For some reason, this book was harder to read than the others, and I think it might have to do with the more realistic bent. It felt too close to home. 
White zeroes in on a really important talking point—people from rural places like West Virginia deserve attention and care just like those from big cities. The people from those places who are queer or disabled or anything other than white deserve to be able to live where they came from without having to be chased out of town by bigots. And in this case murdered/terrorized by bigots. It’s a powerful message that needs to be said. 
My main issue with this book is the pacing, honestly. I felt like there were one too many slow moments, but also that Miles’ recovery time felt unrealistic. Maybe I’m wrong, but it just felt like it went by so fast in the beginning. And the end happened so quickly too. 

A quote:
“There's a whole spectrum of reactions to coming out. Getting kicked out is one extreme–being accepted wholeheartedly is the other. But in the middle, there's this. The awkwardness, the refusals to acknowledge, the uncomfortable weirdness of turning away.”

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark hopeful tense medium-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

AJ white is such an incredible author
and his characters are so well
thought out and executed. i absolutely loved this.
and i am SO happy that lady doesn’t die!!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I received an ARC of this book from the ALA Conference. All thoughts are my own.
This was my first book by the author and definitely will not be my last. This book talked about much needed problems in today's society, including transphobia, homophobia, classism, police brutality, etc. These are real every day problems that the author handles very well in this book and I think he does justice. Overall this book is a must read of the year in my opinion. Though I will say as a trans person, this book can be triggering (and can be triggering in other ways as well) so please read the content warnings carefully.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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: Complicated

Andrew Joseph White has knocked it out of the park again with a story of the true horror of living in a town that wants you dead before they even know you’re different. Miles is a mix of things that could for sure have a small Southern town up in arms, but his last name is what puts the biggest target on his back. Once more, AJW shows talent for world and character building, weaving an intense tale of inter-generational trauma, small-town rage, and supernatural vengeance. If you’re any flavor of queer, particularly trans, you’ve got to read this book—honestly, everyone should read this book. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective 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

This was such a thought provoking social commentary on so so many different topics. trans rights, nerodiverse rights, police brutality, class structures, how the coal industry collapse cause the appalachias to become poverty ridden, poverty itself, and so much more man. i still can’t fully wrap my head around all this book encompasses. its use of appalachian dialect just made it seem so much more real and immersive because that is what i am around 24/7. This book feels like the gossip i’m hearing from the town over. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional hopeful sad 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

I have no words. Omg so good! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings