sarahemily0425 's review for:

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

3.75

dark slow-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

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Would you still love me if I was a six winged biblically accurate angel created from lab testing of a mutant apocalyptic virus?

As it turns out, yes. That’s a much easier pill to swallow for an evil, genocidal cult than someone being a nonbeliever or being trans.

This book is a lot! As a queer, exmormon horror lover I thought I was prepared and the perfect audience but it’s pretty violent and graphic. 

Some heavy handed metaphors and representation/inclusivity, but that’s a pretty forgivable sin. I prefer more casual inclusivity but sometimes the overt representation is needed in genres like horror and fantasy. 

There’s something in it for everyone: queer found family, religious trauma, zombies, neopronouns, and apocalyptic imagery. And enough trigger warnings to make anyone question my tastes! 

Fellas, is it transphobic to purposefully misgender your trans crush because he’s about to become a literal angelic monster that’s prophesied to end all nonbelievers? Yes, it is

Sorry this review is long as FUCK, this is just a unique book that I’m not sure how I feel about but it was also a compelling read. Read if you have a strong stomach! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic