This is a very fast-paced read about a blood feud in Appalachia and the ways it has impacted the families on each side and the bystanders in the town for generations. Our protagonist Miles is trans, autistic, and aromantic, and we get to see him figure these things out in real time, which feels like a real privilege. Miles’ family and the families of his childhood best friends Dallas and Cooper had their lives changed forever after an accident caused by the antagonist family. Miles is a great character because even after all he has been through, he is still able to really find sympathy and the grey areas in dealing with all kinds of antagonists throughout this book. I enjoyed this book a lot!

I continue to be impressed by Andrew Joseph White's depictions of trans and autistic characters, and I loved getting to know Miles throughout 'Compound Fracture'. White's characters are complex and distinctive, and that keeps drawing me into his books. Being trans and autistic myself, seeing this great representation is so encouraging, and it's amazing this book is being published (as well as White's other books). Reading Miles's interactions with his family around gender was sometimes hard, but it was a realistic portrayal of the difficulties family members can have with others coming out as trans.

Another thing I love is White's writing throughout – it's accessible and keeps me interested and reading. It's easy to overlook prose, but having read 'The Spirit Bares Its Teeth', it's one of the key things that made me want to read this latest book.

I did struggle with really understanding the familial feud as it's introduced without much explanation. It's easy enough to gather the details as you read on, but I think the book could have benefitted from an initial chapter that better laid out some of the foundational concepts for the story. I also found the first half of the book very slow and felt the pacing could have been improved, but it picked up in the second half!

Overall, it was a good read that I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to read early!

Andrew Joseph White is back at it again, this time with a political thriller set in Appalachia. Known for his excellent dystopian and paranormal books, Compound Fracture was a turn from White’s sci-fi roots. His vivid and bloody descriptions are still here, as well as excellent trans characters and is unabashedly queer and leftist.
And yes, the dog survives!

Ah! Okay first off thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of my most anticipated read of the year!

Andrew Joseph White is one of my favorite authors. Its hard to put it into words but just know his work is incredible. He is passionate and real in his depictions of queer and neurodivergent lives. He manages to put words to things I never could.

Okay! I loved Compound Fracture! It brought out all of my emotions but I want to emphasize how well they depict autism and being on the spectrum. I saw myself so much in Miles, I felt so understood for one of the first times in my life. This quote in particular resonated with me.

“And it’s hard trying to bridge the gap between me and everyone else. To do all the work, mold yourself into what you think people want, only to have it fall apart when you’re too tired to keep it up anymore.”

Just wow, sums up so much.

I also loved how Miles’ parents grow throughout the story. Its absolutely beautiful and shows that people can be wrong and confused but make up for it by trying. Without giving any spoilers, the references to our current political world was STAGGERING. I felt that scene in the Red Holler through my soul.

This is an amazing novel that is real, gritty (oftentimes hard to read), and such a symbol of rebellion. I loved it and White continues to knock it out of the park. 100000/5 stars ⭐️.

4.5 stars, rounded up
——————

Andrew Joseph White knocks it out of the park once again.

When I see an AJW book, it’s an instant request and oh, how happy I am to get an advanced copy because I could not wait any longer to read it. The story focuses on a family feud and the fall out for the small town the families live in, while also including a healthy dose of found family in the mix. The found family was so good. The horror was horror-ing in this one. I’m not very squeamish but this one was gross in the absolute best way. The research this one must have taken on death is unimaginable. The trans aspects were really well done, but I expected no less from reading other AJW books. We love a good supportive family, enough if they don’t get it at first. The story was well written, the plot was interesting, the setting was realistic and I stayed engaged the entire time. I wish there had been a little less politics, but I understand its use in the context of the book.

I cheered Miles on for this entire book. I supported his rights and his wrongs equally. I loved seeing his relationships flourish and even fail. The flaws of the characters made them more realistic. The characters are all complex, which makes them really stand out. Again, I loved seeing Miles’ family being so supportive and the feud was really well done. Noah was grotesque, but that really made the story that much better.

I have basically no complaints over this one. I loved every minute. AJW never seems to let me down.

COMPOUND FRACTURE is gripping and visceral, staunchly supportive of the essence of a place and people without pretending away their flaws. Instead, Andrew Joseph White wraps them together into an intense and periodically informative thriller with Miles Abernathy, an Appalachian, trans, autistic boy in a small West Virginia town, distilling a hundred years of Socialist and Anarchist history into the most salient parts: fuck capitalism, support workers, and protect those you love by doing a whole bunch of things that make for an excellent thriller, but a pretty nerve-wracking existence.

Still partly in the closet, Miles is beaten nearly to death by the Sheriff's son and his crew, two boys who might be his friends but are definitely accomplices. It's another moment in a hundred years of violence between their families, going back to when Miles' ancestor, Saint Abernathy, was killed by the Sheriff's ancestor when he incited a miners' rebellion.

Worldbuilding and characterization are deeply intertwined as Miles shows his West Virginia town through his love for it as a place, his fierce need to not let the bigots take it over and run his family out. He's a trans boy in a place where the Sheriff uses the letter of the law the warp the spirit of it, and his own whims to warp the letter. Miles describes so many small moments of his difficulties masking various autistic traits and general neurodivergence that I was surprised when, late in the book, it becomes clear that he hasn't actually realized that this is another place where he can claim a label and take up space for himself. It's really nice to see this, where Miles goes from having just one person who's slightly not shitty but is inconsistent in his support of Miles (Cameron, the friend who saves his life), to having a community of queer and neurodivergent people who also want to fight for their town. He starts in a place that's very precarious, not quite unsupported, but uncertain, and ends up fighting a bloody battle to get to somewhere largely better for those who remain.

Things I love, in no particular order: supportive parents (with a slight learning curve), neurodivergent solidarity, queer solidarity, class solidarity, ACAB, Miles finding connection with his ancestor.

If you like this you may like:

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston
The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
Graphic/Explicit CW for transphobia, outing, fire/fire injury, blood, gore, violence, injury detail, gun violence, murder, child death, death.

Moderate CW for alcohol, misgendering, deadnaming, bullying, ableism, classism, PTSD, vomit, medical content, medical trauma, car accident, animal cruelty, animal death, child abuse.

Minor CW for sexual content, pregnancy, panic attacks, drug use, drug abuse.

Since reading this book a few days ago I have actively convinced multiple people to pre-order it. I just love this book with everything I am and while it is harsh and unforgiving it has such a beautiful community that lives inside it. Miles is a a-romantic, autistic, trans-boy (as he would put it). He has the bestest doggo in the world by his side named lady. I would do anything to protect them both, but as what happens in this story will show they don’t necessarily need me to protect them.
Miles goes through so much pain in this book. Pain that enraged me and made me cry and made me want to erase lines from this book if it meant that Miles wouldn’t have to suffer so much. However, Compound Fracture’s justice in the end would not have been nearly as satisfying without the pain. Because, that pain is real. It’s what so many people suffer at the hands of people who hate just because their ideals don’t align and sometimes you got to take justice into your own hands.

I loved the twisted sense of justice this book had. I loved the grassroots uprising building up against the sheriff. I loved that even though Miles family didn’t understand his transness and couldn’t fully support him at first, they stood by his side when he needed it. Those were the moments of relief that fully had me sobbing.

The Abernathy’s had been standing up for what was right for generations. Even if it meant fighting back with as much horror as what was inflicted on to them. In this book there’s plenty of horrors to be found.

With everything that I am I give my wholehearted recommendation to everyone with even the slightest of interests in this book to pick it up. Reading this is something you will not regret. It’s a top book for me for the year and for all of my time reading as well. This book is what humanity is broken at times, full of hope, and persistent in the path for change and becoming better as a whole. I love this book so much. I hope you will too.

(Side note: the authors note at the end had me bawling my eyes out. I felt so happy for Andrew and his wife and I wish them every happiness together. It means everything to me to see someone living their truth.)

AHHHH this is so hard for me because on its own, I did quite enjoy this book—but when I compare it to AJW's other books (especially HFWU, which grabbed me by the throat the MINUTE the narration started), I did find this to be quite underwhelming. Hence, I'm rating this 3.75 stars. In terms of the positives—I adored the main character & setting, as well as the horror elements! As well, AJW's writing style continues to be top-tier in YA horror! Plus this book sets itself apart in YA on so many fronts - AJW is definitely a favourite author for me. However, I do think that this book in particular didn't have the kick that other AJW books have had for me - part of it is the setting, I suppose I found it difficult to be immediately hooked onto the setting & its relationship with the main character, and I don't think the rural setting quite worked for me the way AJW's other settings have. I also didn't really care for the cast of characters beyond Miles, which thus made me not truly care about the stakes and the general plot of the book. As well, I didn't care about the politics (which I initially thought would be my favorite part of the book as I love political thrillers or horror!). All in all, as a book it was interesting enough to hold my attention, but I've certainly loved the author's other works far more than this. However, I am so glad AJW is an author teens can read from - as every idea that comes out of AJW's brain is so utterly unique! I can't wait to read more from him - my opinion on this book certainly hasn't killed my love for AJW's work.

currently 3 for 3 on five star reads by AJW because he seriously just does not miss when it comes to YA books (i'm waiting for the day there's an adult release because i can just IMAGINE how it would turn out) this one specifically was perfect all around, the pacing was great, the characters had me on their side from the beginning to end and just. WOW.

I literally blacked out and requested this ARC the second I saw it was AJW and didn't even read the synopsis lol. Is it any shock for me to say the cliche, he has indeed done it again.

What I love about it is that it really digs into the complex trauma of threatened violence, what it really means for you (and your family) to constantly live in this state of fear, constantly having to consider possible retribution. It's got this like constant simmering anger that AJW is so good at writing- turning helplessness into action. As much as I tend to struggle with YA, AJW really hits on the head this perfect teetering between being scared, feeling young, not wanting to deal with harsh realities- and the responsibilities of growing up too fast and wanting to be treated as mature, that terrible adolescent conundrum.

I think some people are disappointed because there's not the supernatural horror type element that was present in his previous books- but imo it was equally horrifying. There's danger and gore and gnashing anger. I definitely got like edge of my seat, heart racing fear, in a way that was imo somehow scarier because it's so real. Just real people enacting gut wrenching violence upon each other and then having to sit back and figure out if it was worth it.

My heart aches so much for these characters. I love Miles so much. Dallas is an icon. Cooper makes me clutch my chest every time I think about him. I really can't stop thinking about this book since I finished and don't think I will any time soon. I probably barely have to beg you to read it but if you're on the fence I'm telling you it's good.

4.5/5☆

Something I love about AJW and his work is just how different each vibe is, but yet the message is still fairly similar. This was different from his usual novels in that it wasn't a ton of body horror, more psychological horror and a bit more thriller.

I felt like I was in this tiny Appalachian town the entire time I was reading this story, really living with these characters, dealing with corrupt police officers and their century long feud, and grappling with the main character's identity.

I did not expect the relationship "violence" that happened but I think that it was handled in a sensible way that moved the plot forward, not sidetracked it. Absolutely loved Dallas and what they added to the story, especially in terms of Miles figuring himself out and finding another person who understood.

This book is for the rural kids, for the queer and trans kids, for the disabled kids growing up in inhospitable lands, and still surviving. This book did so many amazing things: this discussions of class, of law enforcement, of labor unions, of vigilante justice, all of these themes worked so well together. White continues to improve his craft when it comes to body horror, and I especially loved this book's scenes of bodily horror; particularly in the climactic scene.

While this has a great plot, the characters are really what makes this book interesting. I loved Miles's relationship with his family and how these relationships develop throughout the novel, as well as the friendships Miles forms and strengthens along the way. I really enjoyed reading about a character who is learning he is autistic and seeing how his world opens up for him with that knowledge. Most of all, I love the way Miles refuses to leave his home and knows that despite the treat of violence, he deserves a life in the town he grew up in and loves.

After not loving AJW's first book and loving his sophomore novel, I'm so pleased that this exceeded my expectations and I ate it up within a couple of days. This is a perfect pick for summerween or that transition season from summer to fall: the atmosphere of Appalachian summer was perfect and made for an amazing setting: this book feels so lived-in and grounded in a way we haven't seen from AJW's other, more fantasy/dystopian leaning stories. I'm very interested to see what this author writes next.

AJ White cannot write a bad book, I'm convinced at this point. Each successive book just gets better and better.

Compound Fracture feels like the book that we need right now. Set in Appalachian West Virginia, Miles Abernathy finds himself the latest victim of a century-old blood feud between his family and the sheriff of Twist Creek (and the overarching county leaders that Sheriff Davies represents). Beaten nearly to death the same night he comes out as trans by the sheriff's son and his friends, Miles is in the middle of the feud no matter what he, or his family, want for him. So, when he accidentally kills one of the boys who attacked him (a horrible person in his own right), he finds himself teaming up with another victim of Davies... and finding a hidden community just as eager as them to be free of the sheriff.

This book is the call for change that young queer people have been hoping for. Unapologetically queer, neurodiverse, and socialist, it is the antithesis to the modern politics we have been suffering through and heard preached at us for the past decade. There is something so beautifully freeing about a group of young people getting their just revenge on the ones who have kept them down for decades.

Summary: A queer Appalachian thriller that pulls no punches—following a trans autistic teen who's drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them.

On the night Miles Abernathy comes out as trans to his parents, he sneaks off to a party, carrying evidence that may finally turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: Photos that prove the county’s Sheriff Davies was responsible for the so-called “accident” that injured his dad, killed others, and crushed their grassroots efforts to unseat him.

The feud began a hundred years ago when Miles’s great-great-grandfather, Saint Abernathy, incited a miners’ rebellion that ended with a public execution at the hands of law enforcement. Now, Miles becomes the feud’s latest victim as the sheriff’s son and his friends sniff out the evidence, follow him through the woods, and beat him nearly to death.

In the hospital, the ghost of a soot-covered man hovers over Miles’s bedside while Sheriff Davies threatens Miles into silence. But when Miles accidently kills one of the boys who hurt him, he learns of other folks in Twist Creek who want out from under the sheriff’s heel. To free their families from this cycle of cruelty, they’re willing to put everything on the line—is Miles?

A visceral, unabashedly political page-turner that won’t let you go until you’ve reached the end, Compound Fracture is not for the faint of heart, but it is for every reader who's ready to fight for a better world. Hand this story to teens pushing for radical change.

Review: One of my favorites, auto-buy author. Andrew has done it again! Compound Fracture is a raw novel about history, self discovery and social commentary. I think it was very successful with its message. Remember to read the TW/CW. This books is a delight!

“Compound Fracture” is a book with some great qualities for a YA audience that is searching for an introduction to complex discussions. However, trying to bring depth to a book — especially when said book deals with a lot of complicated topics — is something that always brings with it the risk of ending up with a narrative that is not as deep as it is presented. In my opinion, “Compound Fracture”, despite being a book that deals with many heavy topics and has passages of extreme violence, “simplified” some discussions by presenting what felt like very definitive answers for them. I believe there is a glaring contradiction in “Compound Fracture”: on one hand, there is a context that is presented as something extremely complex, with circumstances that constantly put people in difficult positions; but, on the other hand, a simple answer is presented by creating one single “cartoony” villain that didn’t receive any depth.

Andrew Joseph White has truly outdone himself with Compound Fracture. While I admired Hell Followed With Us, this latest work has secured its place as my favorite. White’s ability to craft deeply meaningful stories with characters who feel incredibly authentic is remarkable. The atmospheric setting draws you in, making you feel as though you are experiencing the journey alongside the characters. This novel is haunting and an ideal read for the fall season.

What stands out most is White’s skillful balance between delivering important societal commentary and maintaining a narrative that is both engaging and accessible. The novel doesn’t shy away from exploring complex topics like the deconstruction of political parties and the lingering effects of generational trauma. The history of coal miners, a subject I knew little about before, was not only refreshing but also an important lesson in labor rights and union history.

The own voices representation of trans and autistic experiences was profoundly impactful for me. It was an honor to accompany Miles on his journey of self-discovery, watching him grow into the person he was always meant to be. His reflections and moments of self-realization are something I will carry with me for a long time.

I am incredibly grateful to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book, which has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. I preordered it from my local bookstore as soon as I finished it, and I can hardly wait for its release on September 3rd.

Honestly words cannot describe how much I love this book. I was nonstop thinking about it while I was going throughout the day because it enwrapped me so much.

Miles is a really compelling main character, I felt his fears right along side him throughout the book. He grows so much as a character when he takes the first step on coming out of the closet. He's not perfect, he makes mistakes and seeing everything through his eyes really pushes the story along in the best possible way. This is a book where a trans teen can be messy and god does it get messy (and gorey). I was gasping and screaming towards the end of the book with all the gripping plot.

Compound Fracture explores what it means to fight against a hundred year old system that has messed with those who don't have authority for too long. The exploration of what it meant to be a union man in the coal mining days made me think about the political climate now. And Compound Fracture brings this in as well with what it means to be a trans Appalachian teen where the system is against you.


I am going to be thinking about this book for a long time and if it at all sounds interesting to you I highly recommend it. It is my favorite read of 2024 so far.

It was raw, it was gritty, it was definitely a page-turner.
It was great to read about Miles, trans, autistic, aromantic main character, one that fights for a change in a place that is actively hurting his family and now against him, too.
Very important part for me was the relationship between Miles and his parents after his coming out, the kind of middle ground where there's no gushing acceptance nor rejection, but an often weird feeling that lingers around the characters for a while. It made the story feel extremely real, and the growth of both of the parents as they learned more about Miles' identity was great to see on page. Then, his relationship with Cooper among the deaths and how it progressed, and the reunion with Dallas and their connection, were both also interesting to read about.
Of course, the acceptance and the community, the way other people leaned on each other to combat the oppression from the cops really shown the strength these things have.
Speaking of community, West Virginia (and rural areas in general, and not only in the US) were so nicely portrayed in this book, especially how queer people from these places are often forgotten and brushed away by mass media to only show the stereotypes that then shape how the general population from large cities and such view it.

I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to read Compound Fracture as an ARC! After my first introduction to Andrew Joseph White's writing with The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, I knew he would become one of those authors I just couldn't pass up. Compound Fracture was no exception to the equally moving and haunting storytelling I've come to expect from AJW.

First and foremost, I urge you to check TW/CW before diving in: some examples being graphic violence, police violence, transphobia, animal violence, and opioid use/withdrawal (everyone say THANK YOU ANDREW for being transparent with TW/CW and for not hurting the dog). With that being said, Andrew Joseph White has such a knack for his characters making a home in your skin- the way this book is written had me feeling and tasting and burning right alongside with it. AJW said it best: "this book is kind of like moonshine. It's gonna burn like hell going down".

This book is heavyyy with themes of class and political warfare, identity as we know it, Appalachian roots, generational trauma, and the family/community we build despite it. I'm giving this a solid 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for Goodreads purposes- and I hope that if this book finds its way into your hands, you feel as much hope as I did by the last page. Compound Fracture is out 9/3/24, and I can't wait to see what kind of conversations this book starts!

Andrew Joseph White’s books just keep getting better. The writing and characters are absolutely fantastic. This book is incredibly engaging and really well-paced. The darker and horror aspects are really well-written and really add to the story. The ending is incredible and really ties the book together. I highly, highly recommend this book.