I totally understand why everyone's been raving about this book, and it is absolutely well-deserved. It's a complete gut-punch, right from the start, but in a good way — entirely raw and compelling and hurtful, but also with an undertone of hopefulness there too, both in terms of Miles' narration and I, as a reader, desperately wanting things to get better. This book has everything that I was looking for from a YA horror — a gritty setting in the Appalachian region, a well-rounded, hard-edged but soft-interiored protagonist in Miles, a horrifying plot, a proletarian social commentary, some much-needed violence, and a discovery of identity. Honestly, it just cements for me that I would read anything and everything by Andrew Joseph White, and I can't imagine I'm the only one that feels that way.

I'm always intrigued when a book takes place in the Appalachian region. I'm even more intrigued when they have social commentary, where the poor, working class must fight against the upper class elite that control everything. This book has heart and grit. It's dark but ends with a sense of hope.

I didn't think it could get more deeply personal than Hell Follow With Us, and Compound Fracture didn't quite match that...but somehow it reached into a DIFFERENT part of my life, grabbed THAT by the throat and dragged it out. As always, a masterpiece.

Super solid YA, first person, intimate and intense novel on the politics and lived reality of the US Appalachian region.

I think generally this might not be the story for ME but its craft is obvious and it is a wonderfully written book with lovely attention to detail that added to the atmospheric quality of the setting.

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

review: I’ve never felt more personally connected to a book than I have to this one. Do yall understand how it feels as someone from West Virginia to finally get good media representation??!! A book where we aren’t being looked down upon or being called names, but a book where it reveals the true trans & queer experience of living here?? I feel seen. I feel heard. Andrew Joseph White understands a good majority of the West Virginian population struggle. I cried reading the last 30 pages. Thank you Andrew for writing this book🤍

fav quotes:

“If you grow up in West Virginia, there’s mainly two ways to think about the place. The first is you hate it and want to get out as soon as possible. This is the option that liberals love; they devour voyeuristic think pieces about Trump Country and our obsession with voting against our own best interests, titter condescendingly about how anybody with potential would never stay here long. And yeah, sure, a lot of people here are conservative assholes carrying Confederate flags. Sometimes our water ends up full of chemicals and our schools are struggling and our healthcare infrastructure sucks. So from an objective standpoint, I get it. But I’m the second. The only way you’ll get me to leave this state is in a body bag. For all its problems, it’s mine. For all the overdose deaths, environmental disasters, and reactionary politics, West Virginia is mine. The Twist Creek Calamity is mine, the highest rate of trans kids in America is mine, the population crunched under the boot of a right-wing government are mine. Even if I don’t like people, you know, it’s hard not to give a shit about people as a whole.”

“Used to be that socialists were a real political party, and now you can’t even say the word without being told you’re an anti-American far-left fuck. (I mean, I am, but I don’t appreciate the tone.) Democrats think we’re all Trump-drunk illiterate hillbillies, self-sabotaging, too stupid or too proud to accept the help we clearly need; Republicans point at our poverty and dying communities and remind us that liberals don’t care about us, which is funny because neither do they. Big-city Democrats need someone to feel superior to and Republicans need a voter base. That’s how it works.”

“We seceded from Virginia so we didn’t have to join the Confederacy, and now you can find a half dozen traitor flags while walking down Main Street.”

"Compound Fracture" is a mostly captivating read, although the politics of the place the novel is set in barely scratch the surface of issues dominant in the American Appalachia. The first person narrative makes the story read quite personal, although at times it feels like the protagonist is kept at a distance from us. These two factors are glaring, and are the main reasons why White's newest novel doesn't quite work.

While reading it I wanted more from the author, and more for the novel's characters, but instead I was left feeling a bit hollow. Despite this, "Compound Fracture" is an undeniably important read, especially for younger audiences.

Another dark exploration from an autistic and queer lens from Andrew Joseph White. Compound Fracture follows the story of Miles Abernathy who, while navigating a blood feud, almost ends up becoming a victim himself. The story is more thriller than horror compared to AJW's previous works but still packs a snappy pace. As a Canadian, I can't say I know much about Appalachia and the southern US, so I won't speak on the setting and people of Twist Creek.

I found that there were too many moving parts for me to be completely satisfied, and the plot overall was unfocused and "easy." Miles came across as a little too perfect once the story got moving which left me craving more of a character arc.

Still enjoyable, but currently my least favourite of AJW's offerings.

3.5

Andrew Joseph White never misses. Absolutely fantastic. The Appalachian elements felt super authentic, and White always makes me feel uncomfy in the best way.

Representation: Trans autistic queer MC

Sixteen-year-old Miles Abernathy just came out as trans to his parents, and immediately sneaks out to a party with evidence of violence enacted on his family by the blood feud that’s been raging on with the Davies family. This feud was started a hundred years ago, by Miles’s great-great-grandfather who started a miners’ rebellion for better living, and got executed publicly. It continues on today, with Miles almost dying at the hands of the sheriff’s son. But Miles keeps learning of more reason to fight back and end this blood feud for once and all.

Rating: 5/5 Holy shit y’all. I’m already a huge fan of White’s work with Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, and he knocked it out of the park again with this incredible, violent, horrifying story. There’s definitely rage in not being understood as a trans person and autistic, but a large part of the rage comes from the injustice. The small town being under the iron fists of the Davies family for a century, people being silenced when they simply ask for fairness and rights, and blood being shed left and right to maintain the status quo. I loved that this was set in the Appalachians, it’s an area that I, and many others, am not familiar with. So I learned quite a bit! I liked that White included aspects to show that while rural areas are often known to be the most queerphobic areas, there will always be loud and proud queer people around to fight. This is extremely political and not for the faint of heart, and I would absolutely recommend this if those aren’t dealbreakers for you.

Yet again another amazing book my AJW

YA horror done to perfection. AJW is a master in the genre and I will read everything he puts out.

With an Autistic Trans main character the representation in this book was as always amazing to read. I am so glad that an author like AJW gets to put out these books.

I recommend this if you love horror and thrillers as I felt there was a bit more of a mystery plot to this in comparison to his other books.

A bit gory a times but that’s to be expected by now.

Please read everything this author puts out you won’t regret it

This might be the best book I've read all year, actually. I will be convincing everyone I know to read all of AJW's books :)

This is my third AJW novel and he continues to impress with each new book. I really enjoy the setting in Appalachia and the commentary that comes with it. My only critique is that he tried to touch on so many topics that it felt like none were fully dissected.

This is also less gore/horror heavy, and is more of a thriller with a heavy political commentary/generational corruption aspect. It has the same impact regardless of it being realistically more tame compared to the other AJW novels I’ve read. Overall, AJW’s writing is captivating and this is a worthwhile read.

As a full-time library staff member and new MLIS student, I have to carefully pick my leisure reads as my time alone and unburdened by work is precious. I know that I can rely on Andrew Joseph White's books to fill in that leisure time wisely, as I consistently enjoy them. Compound Fracture is no exception to this, even though the themes in this book may be heavy (e.g. ableism, murder, violence, etc.). It is a story about a queer and proud Appalachian kid named Miles and the lengths he (and his town) are willing to go to fight their oppressors and live in harmony. Above all, the book is a story of hope, community, and the amazing things that can happen when people say enough IS enough.

3.5/5

I am definitely still biased towards A Spirit Bares Its Teeth, but it’s a pretty good thriller. Compound Fracture follows Miles, a trans autistic teen living in the Midwest who survives an attempted murder, being drawn into the generational trauma of his family and town. The family dynamics are great and are a true light into how a family might react to their child coming out. It was done with a lot of care and grace, alongside the relationships that Miles has with the people in his town. Andrew Joseph White definitely gives a great perspective on autism and trans individuals and is an important writer in our literary and horror world.

However, I couldn’t sink into this world. I think I like the atmosphere and vibes of A Spirit Bares Its Teeth more because everyone is in on the ghosts/ supernatural. They know that they exist, and it’s part of everyone’s language/ story. Compound Fracture is too set in our world for me. Also, the moral lessons and thoughts on class consciousness were too “on the head” for what I like in a book. It was less social commentary interspersed throughout, and more uncoordinated and meandering for my liking. I feel like there could have been a bit more finesse, especially with how much I liked the social commentary in A Spirit Bares Its Teeth. While I do feel like I’ve compared both books too much in this review, I think the writing disappointed me. Because I think the vibes and tone are there, but I didn’t like the writing and plot in Compound Fracture as much. Maybe it’s also because a YA book that sometimes Andrew Joesph White’s creations will be a bit or miss for me, but I will still be on the lookout for more.

Once again the author blew me away with their writing, this book is dark and gritty but beautiful at the same time.

Another absolute banger from AJW. I want to read about autistic, trans, queer, disabled, BIPOC, bad ass kids forever. I love my community but I am also scared and angry. This gets me.

Quick Take
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White is an extremely hard read that should be required reading. I simply cannot sum it up for you more than to just say – read it.

Tell Me More
Ooof, you guys. I had said a while back that this book played a huge part in saving my life, and that has only intensified since I have officially changed my pronouns to They/He and have opened up about being trans masculine during a very scary time in our world.

Compound Fracture is bloody, gritty, and horrific in every sense of the word. But the scares here aren’t classic. While there is a paranormal aspect, it is about how the worst monsters are human, and those who SHOULD protect us are so often violent beyond measure. The book is set in White’s native West Virginia, and sheds light on Appalachian and mining culture, oxycontin addiction, lack of proper healthcare, police brutality, generational trauma, and the dangers of being queer and/or having a disability, or in any way being “othered,” in these rural areas.


The book follows Miles, a trans, autistic teen from a bloodline that has long been targeted by the sheriff and his family. Miles is attacked by the sheriff’s son and his friends, to the point of near death and permanent disfigurement, and after the assault, sets off on a mission to get bloody revenge on his attackers with his best friend, Cooper – following an accident that occurs with one of the boys. However, things unravel drastically, and the events lead to an atrocious climax that left me sobbing.

If you have followed me for any length of time, you are probably aware of my dislike for animal cruelty in horror. But in this case, it was necessary to portray the extent of evil of some of the characters. White did not include any unnecessary violence, he just shed light on these very real atrocities in such a brilliant and delicate (while still gruesome) way.

However, one character – my absolute favorite – is named Dallas and they are nonbinary, have permanent burn scars, and present masculine. I LOVED how White highlighted how nonbinary folx DO NOT owe anyone androgyny, and we are all valid however we present, which is something I often struggle with. He also highlighted aromanticism apart from asexuality, and how both orientations are entirely separate from each other despite being seen as one and the same most times.

White’s writing is a beacon of hope for trans/queer and neurodivergent readers such as myself, and while his books are young adult, they go SO HARD. If I had had his books as a teen it might not have taken me until I was 30 years old to come out as trans/queer and acknowledge my autistic traits to get help and understand myself. Instead, I always felt like something was wrong with me and internalized it (this book was an essential tool in helping me see myself in Miles’ experience with autism). Even so, it appears that this book came into my life exactly when it was supposed to do so.


White stated in his author letter that this story burns like moonshine going down, but to me, it felt more like a railroad spike shoved down the throat. While the ending is hopeful, the excruciating pain of that spike remains.

If you read nothing else this year, or any year, read this book. And that is something I have never said about any book. It is that important.

I absolutely LOVED Compound Fracture! Dare I say it’s AJW’s best so far👀
The way family, relationships, autism, mental health, and small towns were represented and explored, chefs kiss.
I felt for every single character (except for Davies). The fear I had for Miles, his family and friends, was so true and to make it even more terrifying, it’s so close to reality it hurts.
I cannot recommend this book enough!

This was absolutely stunning. I think it's the best book Andrew Joseph White has written so far. This is a gripping (and violent) story of a trans autistic tean in rural appalachia who comes from an incredibly complicated history.

Absolutely loved it, as always! Andrew Joseph White is definitely an auto-read author for me!

Had some issues reading with the formatting, but of course that's not the fault of the book/author.