Member Reviews

I started reading this book three times and couldn't get past page 60. I needed to get past that page to be able to immerse myself in the monstrous universe of this book. But it was worth trying again and persevering in reading this story. It is incredible, difficult and extremely striking. Although the universe is completely different from the current one, it is possible to draw many parallels with the North American reality, between the things that happen to the current LGBTQIA+ community and with the North American religious reality. A country that is supposedly supposed to be secular but where everything is governed by religion, but only the RIGHT religion. This story is extremely striking, Benjamin is an incredible character despite his fears, his difficulties and the transformations he goes through, he manages to live as himself and take charge of his own existence. Even with all the factors trying to oppress him and pull him down. He is a wonderful character. The idea of the Angels, the Graces and the Seraphim in the story form a sinister and very tense scenario, I can't think of a single thing that was bad about this book. It's painful but it's amazing. The author deserves all possible congratulations.

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This was seriously unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It’s YA, and definitely reads like it at times, but this had a lot pretty intense body horror and some really messed up imagery. A new favorite of the year for sure!!

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A haunting tale ever relevant to the changing political landscape we find ourselves in. The writing in engaging and each character vivid

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I forgot to leave a review for this when I first read it. That said, I did not like this book. I was raised religious, but not Christian, and the way the book discussed religion made me very uncomfortable. I loved the representation but I thought the writing was weak. At times the horror veered into adult horror in my opinion.

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Thank you to Peachtree Teen for the e-ARC of Hell Followed With Us!

DNF @ 40%.

I am so sad that I didn’t love this one. I love love love the Queerness of it & the concept is phenomenal, but I was so bored reading this and struggled to even care what was happening/about the characters.

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I devoured this book. Quite literally couldn't stop reading it. A trans boy living in a dystopian society terrorize by an evangelical eco-fascist cult called The Angels is being turned into an instrument of destruction-- but when he runs away he realizes he gets to choose whose destruction be becomes. There are some haunting parallels to Christian Nationalism and our own current issues, but with full-on dystopian and body horror twists that fit all too horrifyingly into the story and themes. I feel like I could gush about Hell Followed With Us for ages.

A perfect example of why this book and its writing will stick with me: Andrew Joseph White carefully chooses not to disclose Benji's deadname for the first two-thirds of the book. When we finally learn it in the final act, the horror of hearing a name that feels so wrong strikes the reader almost as much as it does Benji. My God, that's good writing.

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I loved this book. Idk why it took me so long to read it it. But it was so good! I need the physical copy. It literally had me in from sentence one.

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This was one of the most incredible books that I've read but couldn't finish. The body horror is a LOT... but it's happening as a metaphor, against a backdrop both brutal and believable.

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Beautiful, dark, and creepy. I love a story with a found family storyline.

This book had me hooked and I read through it in a night, not able to put it down. The setting, the characters, and all the horrors were described so perfectly. This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time.

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Far too young adult for me and was overall not impressed with the story. the hype surrounding the book maybe dampened my enjoyment which is a shame, but although it wasn’t for me, i think it’s definitely a good introduction to young adult horror — especially for queer & neurodivergent folk.

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Loved the representation in this book. It's a horror and I was certainly horrified at multiple points. I enjoyed the concept and the anger. For me it lacked slightly on the character development front. I felt like I was still missing a lot of information about the world, even at the end.

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Here is a book review of "Hell Followed with Us" by Andrew Joseph White, based on the information I found:

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Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White is a visceral and unapologetic exploration of faith, queer rage, and the struggle for survival in a world ravaged by fundamentalist hatred. The story follows Benji, a 16-year-old transgender boy who escapes the cult that raised him - the same cult that unleashed a deadly plague upon the world, seeking to bring about Armageddon (The Story Sanctuary, Hell Followed With Us Wiki).

Benji's journey is a powerful allegory for the trauma of religious indoctrination and the struggle for self-acceptance in the face of hatred. The novel does not shy away from explicit depictions of violence and body horror, reflecting the brutal realities of Benji's experiences (Content Warnings - Andrew Joseph White, Bookshelf Soliloquies). Yet, amidst the carnage, the novel finds a way to be a testament to the power of queer resilience, community, and the unquenchable desire to thrive even in the bleakest of worlds (Bookshelf Soliloquies, The Nerd Daily).

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Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

OMG!!! This book was exactly what I wanted it to be! I loved it. I will make sure to check out other books by this author. When I requested this I was just intrigued by the concept of it and I loved how it turned out. This story had a great plot and if you have read this and enjoyed it, This was so much. It was such a great story. I would say give this one a try. I will continue to follow this author. Way to go to this author for not letting me down.

I highly enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook. Kept me listening.

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This book absolutely took hold of me from the first chapter, found family will always be my favourite trope, but religious trauma comes a close second!

We have had this book in stock for our store and sold out in days so will stocking more!

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Hell Followed With Us is a book that grabbed my attention from the moment I laid eyes on its intriguing cover. Without even reading the description, I dove headfirst into its dark and gripping narrative. Let me tell you, it was a journey unlike any other.

Dark doesn't even begin to describe it. This YA novel delves into themes of violence, gore, and religious persecution with an unapologetic honesty that captivated me from start to finish. Some might think these elements are just for shock value, but they serve a crucial role in shaping the story's powerful narrative.

At the heart of the tale is Benji, a transgender protagonist who escapes a sinister cult that groomed him to be a weapon of destruction. As he navigates a world ravaged by chaos, he finds solace and camaraderie in the Acheson LGBTQ+ Center, where he meets Nick, a fellow survivor who accepts him for who he is. Their bond becomes the driving force behind Benji's determination to protect his newfound family.

What struck me most about this book is its uncanny parallels to our own reality. White masterfully draws connections between Benji's harrowing journey and real-world struggles, particularly the exploration of identity and the dangers of religious extremism. As someone who has grappled with similar issues, I found myself deeply moved by the authenticity of Benji's character and his relentless quest for survival.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of Hell Followed With Us is its portrayal of redemption and resilience. Benji's transformation from a pawn of destruction to a beacon of hope is nothing short of breathtaking. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the resilience of the human spirit.

This book has left an indelible mark on me, and I know it will stay with me for a long time to come. It's not an easy read, but it's one that's absolutely worth it. I urge anyone who's willing to embark on a journey of darkness and redemption to pick up a copy of Hell Followed With Us. Trust me, you won't regret it.

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Absolutely breathtaking, this is a book that sticks with you in a harsh but lovely way. The religious aspect was difficult to read for me personally sometimes, but it was so well written that I had to power through.

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This story has all the bite and teeth it promised. I really enjoyed how the virus elements played into the dystopian world and political system; how emotionally connected Benji and Nick became and how that was put across to the reader; and the general imagery of the novel. I haven't read something as gripping or punchy as this in a long time - an excellent debut novel!

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I won’t lie, this story is everything my religious trauma wanted and needed it to be and then some. I love Andrew’s books and can’t wait for the next ones!

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This is an incredible book that takes you on such an emotional journey! Wow! I really loved it a lot and am glad that I read it. I know that I'm two years late, but I do get through to all the books at one point. Go read this!

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Dare I say I think I loved this even more than The Spirit Bares Its Teeth? Benji and Nick are everything!

The journey that this book takes you on is stressful and heartbreaking but so hopeful at the same time.

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