A poor, Appalachian mining community. A century-long blood feud. A corrupt local government. Nearly a decade of peace, tension building below the surface.

A hundred years ago, after the Twist Creek Calamity, Saint Abernathy was executed at the hands of Sherriff Davies. Ever since, it's been a game of eye-for-an-eye between the two families, a joint history of violence and animosity. Miles is 16-years-old, the great-great-grandson of the infamous labor riot leader, and a proud socialist. He loves his rural West Virginian hometown, despite the oppressive hand of the current Sherriff Davies keeping everyone under his thumb. Socially awkward and used to keeping his head down, he discovers something that could change the way Twist Creek County sees their beloved Sherriff. But before he can expose the truth, Davies' equally sadistic son attacks him, nearly killing and permanently disfiguring Miles. With threats of further retaliation hoping to keep him quiet, Miles looks to a new stranger for guidance—​a silent, soot-covered apparition who hovers over Miles' hospital bed and outside of his bedroom window. Realizing that the folks of Twist Creek might not be as loyal to their Sherriff as once thought, a plan hatches to rid the county of their oppressive leader. Time for a tooth for a tooth.

As with White's previous two novels, we have a transgender main character, sick of existing under the heel of those in corrupt power. We watch as they find their footing, stand up, and bite back. This novel is less supernatural (though not entirely so), and less visceral, but just as entrancing; I found that once I started, it was hard to put down. While considered a young adult horror novel, White proves that sometimes the monsters that haunt us are indeed human. The reluctant hero's journey from cornered animal to beast that bites back feels so real, as does the representation so reflective of our poorer, rural communities (as much as I can understand, not having lived such a life myself). I recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt like they are being held down, but are ready to fight for their freedoms. With transgender and nonbinary characters, as well as those on the asexual/aromantic spectrum, this story has the representation needed in current media. I will say, the amount of transphobia/homophobia experienced in an aggressively red state such as West Virginia was little to none—mostly just "needing to come to terms with" instead of "violently opposing." As unrealistic as this is, though, it's a nice reprieve from reality. We have enough "bury your gays" in the real world, we don't need it in our fiction.

Andrew Joseph White has done it again! I'm absolutely speechless after reading this. Compound Fracture is not what l'd typically read, but White is one of my auto-read authors. This is most definitely a thriller that is full of politics, gore, queerness, and family. As to not spoil anything, I will mainly focus on the characters and writing of the book, rather than the storyline.

Miles is an incredibly well written character that is trans with undiagnosed autism. Cooper was complex and White does a fantastic job of writing the complexity of Cooper. Dallas was a delight. They happen to be my favorite (besides Lady)! Miles' parents were not perfect, but you could tell that they're trying. Actually, every character was well written!!

White has a certain writing style that just hooks you in and this book wasn't any different. I enjoyed the plot of the book, I think it was very well done and concluded in the way all of White's books do.

Overall, I loved this. I highly recommend any and all of Andrew Joseph White's books. Thank you NetGalley and PeachTree Teen for the arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Author for gifting me this ARC!!

I truly don’t even know where to begin with this review. As a queer and neurodivergent reader/reviewer it was an honor to receive this arc. This book is bloody and brutal but also charming at the same time. This is a book I wish I could have had at a younger age. Growing with our main character as they figure out who they are was truly beautiful. I couldn’t put this book down. Plus there’s a dog and she survives. This book really makes you think about gender, trans identity, mental illness/neurodivergence, small town politics, and so much more. I don’t want to give any spoilers but this book is so beautiful and darkly written I’d recommend it to everyone. Thank you again Andrew and Team for gifting me this arc. It was truly an honor to meet Miles early. I know I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time.

Andrew Joseph White has quickly become an auto-read author for me, and I think Compound Fracture is his best work yet. As someone who grew up in the south, the voice, characters, and setting all felt very realistic and believable, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. This book is less paranormal than White's other books, but it's no less eerie, and if you're a fan of horror and gore, those elements are still strong here, even if the main concept is more of a political thriller than outright horror. Overall, I think anyone who enjoys White's writing will enjoy Compound Fracture, and I can't wait to see what White comes up with next.

I read this within the first week of receiving it, it's that good. It is not a book that will sit in a TBR pile for long. The character made me feel seen as a human being. The blending of history, genealogy, and the present was amazing and made for a highly enjoyable read.

Don't flinch, because Andrew Joseph White's Compound Fracture throws a lot at you–a trans teen fighting for justice, a simmering family feud, and a chilling brush with the supernatural. This Appalachian thriller buries you in the heart of Twist Creek, a town where the air hangs heavy with coal dust and simmering tensions.

White's writing evokes the weathered faces of coal miners, etched with hardship, but still holding a spark of defiance. You can practically feel the damp earth under your feet and taste the grit of determination in your teeth. But don't let the picturesque scenery fool you. This story is brutal. The violence is raw and unflinching, just like the struggles faced by the working-class folks in Twist Creek.

Miles is a complex protagonist. A socialist. An autistic teen coming to terms with his identity. And a flawed hero. Because how could you not be flawed growing up under a cycle of constant oppression? White also imbued the supporting characters with their own struggles and desires, all trapped in the same suffocating system.

The first half is a slow burn, building tension like a minecart rumbling down a rickety track. Then, the second half explodes into a wild ride! Compound Fracture will leave you bruised and breathless but ultimately hopeful. It's a must-read for anyone who craves a brutal tale with heart, grit, and a healthy dose of the unexpected. So, prepare to delve into the heart of Twist Creek. You might just find a hidden vein of strength and solidarity waiting to be unearthed.

Andrew Joseph White is already one of my automatic buy authors and he hasn't disappointed yet!

I've read both of his earlier books and adored them, so it wasn't a big surprise that I loved Compound Fracture. I resonate deeply with his characters, and while I don't share any of Miles' patriotism it was very interesting to see another pov on the American south that I hadn't really considered before. (Although I think there should've been more discussion of the Native Americans who are actually indigenous to the regions he felt so connected to)

The depiction of Miles' coming out was almost identical to mine in a rather depressing way (I texted my parents and then boarded a 9h flight and they essentially ignored it, like Miles' mom) and it brought out a great many emotions.
One scene nearly gave me a heart attack and I had to put down the book for while while I panicked but the way his family handed it had me sobbing.
I still tear up thinking about the line: "but it is what makes it click for Mawmaw. This was a violation. This was something taken from me. She don't need to get it; she needs to be kind."

I wasn't a big fan of Cooper to be honest, I could kind of tell from pretty early on that he would be Gale-ified but he ended up being not that bad.

The one thing I wasn't a big fan of was the romance, I'm not sure why but in my head they felt way older than Miles (although i know they weren't) and it just seemed to come out of nowhere, I normally like AJW's couples but I wish there had been a bit more buildup.

Overall, though, Compound Fracture was an intriguing and emotional book with AJW's typically hopeful ending and I can't wait to buy an actual copy!

Please check the trigger warnings before reading Compound Fracture has a lot of explicit and difficult content so always put your mental health first <3

Thank you to NetGalley & Peachtree Teen for giving me access to this arc!

Some things I loved about this book: the queer representation especially in a rural town. I enjoyed the talk of politics especially leftist politics in a small town.
It was fun reading about queers in a small town considering that is where I grew up. Many of the grudges held were not necessarily believable and the main characters were far too happy to murder for me but there were aspects of small town government that would definitely happen in real life. While I know it is fiction, I still didn't love the premise of so many murders. I enjoyed the first half of this book more than the second half. I gave this book 2.5/5 stars and will for sure pick up some of the authors' other work.

When I first heard about Andrew Joseph White’s debut novel (2022), Hell Followed With Us, a YA novel about a young trans man mutating into a monster meant for destruction, I immediately read and reviewed it. As a trans man whose fiction writing centers on trans characters being or becoming monsters, I am thankful for the author sharing these beautiful stories of trans bodies and monstrosities. His second novel, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, is just as astonishing. Now he stuns readers, yours truly included, with his upcoming YA thriller, Compound Fracture.

Miles Abernathy’s family has a history of enduring oppression and systemic violence at the hands of the Davies family. In his rural hometown in Appalachia (Twist Creek, West Virginia), Sheriff Davies holds the upper hand. The novel begins with Miles coming out to his parents via email and then sneaking into a party one night. Armed with evidence of Sheriff Davies’ motives and involvement behind a past tragedy that has affected Miles’s family and family friends, he shares the photos with his friend Cooper. But then Miles ends up in the hospital. Although he couldn’t clearly recall the people who had physically assaulted him that night, he was sure that the Sheriff’s son and his friends were the perpetrators. A visit and threat from Sheriff Davies propels this notion.

Compound Fracture spins a story about injustice and the fight to uncover corruption. Miles’s research on the Abernathy family history reveals his trans great-great grandfather named Saint, a socialist. Saint led the coal miners’ rebellion against the people who exploited them a century ago. Law enforcement publicly executed Saint, and this cycle of violence has continued since. In the present narrative, Miles begins to see Saint’s ghost now and then as he digs further into his ancestor’s life later in the story.

But before moving on with my review, I want to point out how Andrew Joseph White magnificently dispels the stigma and misconceptions surrounding rednecks. Until I read Compound Fracture, the word redneck conjured images of poor country people with sunburned necks. However, what I saw on TV and in films misconstrue the historical significance associated with the population. Through Miles’s point of view, the readers learn that coal miners living in rural West Virginia who oppose lawlessness and poor working conditions would wear red bandanas on their necks. The author has truly opened my eyes to the region and its history. I’m positive that other readers unaware of the true meaning and origin of the word redneck will have the same experience.

Now let’s move on with my review: After having been released from the hospital, Miles encounters one of the perpetrators of the attack, which leads to an unfortunate incident. Now Miles, with the help of his friend Cooper, has to cover his tracks to avoid repercussions. The desire for revenge, however, swells. Miles, at first, does not agree with Cooper’s intentions afterward. Miles has to consider whether to stay back or break this vicious cycle between his family and Davies.

This novel is a compelling, unapologetic thriller with a dash of surrealism. Within those pages, you will face vivid imagery and memorable characters. Miles, autistic and a proud socialist, explores his gender and sexuality while interacting with Cooper, Dallas (who is nonbinary), and other characters. Miles’s parents’ reactions to him being trans evolve over time – their denial and confusion turning into understanding and acceptance throughout the story.

Compound Fracture also unravels the devastating effects of recurring violence and injustice in a family or community. After the first incident, Cooper gradually fixates on avenging Sheriff Davies’ damage to the community. Miles, conflicted, finds himself even more confused as his trans ancestor’s ghost appears more and more. Miles, a character to root for, eventually fights against the people who have persecuted his family and community for generations.

Compound Fracture will leave you speechless from beginning to end.

"Compound Fracture" by Andrew Joseph White is a gripping and intense young adult thriller that delves deep into the complexities of rural Appalachian life, queer identity, and generational struggles. Set in West Virginia in 2017, this novel offers a unique perspective through the eyes of a trans autistic protagonist who survives a harrowing ordeal.

White's writing is raw and unflinching, tackling difficult subjects with sensitivity and authenticity. The author skillfully weaves together themes of economic injustice, local political corruption, and the challenges faced by marginalized individuals in a conservative rural setting. The suspense is palpable throughout the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The protagonist's journey is both heart-wrenching and empowering. White's portrayal of a trans autistic character adds a layer of representation that is often lacking in young adult literature. The exploration of identity, survival, and resilience in the face of adversity is particularly compelling.

While the novel excels in its portrayal of complex characters and societal issues, some readers may find the intensity of the content challenging. The book deals with heavy themes and potentially triggering situations, which, while handled with care, may not be suitable for all audiences.

The pacing is generally well-executed, with the story described as a "fast-paced rollercoaster from beginning to end". However, at times, the plot's intricacies and the weight of the themes explored may feel overwhelming.

Overall, "Compound Fracture" is a powerful and thought-provoking read that successfully blends elements of thriller, coming-of-age story, and social commentary. Andrew Joseph White has crafted a narrative that not only entertains but also educates and challenges readers to confront important societal issues. While it may not be for the faint of heart, those who appreciate gritty, realistic young adult fiction with a strong voice will find this book a rewarding experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

Compound Fracture is not going to be for everyone. If you are an educator, definitely check content warnings before handing it to a student--this is not the book for teen readers who do not like to read on-page violence.

That said, I really enjoyed this book. Hell Followed With Us was one of the most popular books in my classroom this year and I am definitely going to be adding a copy of this when it comes out in September.

Miles is a trans teen growing up in Appalachia, while also dealing with a generational feud between their family and another in town. I found the characters and story to be interesting and complex--no one is perfect, plenty are horrible, but there are rays of light and hope that are going to be so important for queer teen readers to see.

* Trigger warning: This book contains depictions of animal cruelty, addiction, and oppression of minority groups*

Compound Fracture is a gritty, fast-paced, and darkly realized story of a trans boy in the rural south coming of age in the modern world.

Having already loved two other stand-alone novels by this writer I was very excited to dive into this story and it more than met my expectations.

I continue to love how trans masc and nonbinary characters are portrayed in these stories as well as how the writer presents the experiences of existing on the Autism spectrum.

I can not wait to grab a physical copy for my bookshelf.

Wow. This is a tough one to write for me. This one really missed the mark and took a long time to get through. The story meandered a lot and in those meandering moments felt like they were only there to shove down social issues that while they are relevant to the time and place felt shoehorned into the actual story. Which is almost 400 pages and with such a simple premise I was already worried about its length. Miles, a teenage trans boy gets beat to hell by shitty town sheriff's son. Shitty Sheriff and Miles's family have feuded for years. Miles after an accident decides to get revenge with friend Cooper. Over simplified yes, but 373 pages later most things happen in the last third of the book and not to a very satisfying outcome. White is a great writer and "Hell Followed" was damn near perfection but this book couldn't find its groove. There is a solid bit to enjoy and seeing a loving group of family and friends around Miles was nice but it made everything too easy. There are some horrific acts in the book both by Miles and the antagonists but the aftermaths always felt easy. Miles and Cooper MURDER people in cold blood and even when Miles confesses everyone is just basically cool with it. I really love that AJW has ASD characters in his books but as someone with ASD this felt like a hammer hitting you to show Miles's habits. Also, Miles not knowing blew my mind in a bad way. Ain't no way. Again, the loving community around Miles was nice but it also felt way to coincidental. Pretty much every single person he knows is accepting of him/also queer/also autistic/also liberal or communist/ also all of the above and the town is fine with it all but mostly background noise anyway. Even his supernatural ancestor is basically him but dead. Which brings me to that element in which he sees his ancestor Saint. For me it didn't serve much purpose other than to be a B story that just showed up kind of randomly till the last third when Saint was suddenly around a lot more. Saint being a jumping point for the years of families feuding is necessary after that his story felt nice but not needed. This supernatural element just didn't add much. The family feud is lead on the Davies side by The Sheriff and his son who are both soooo laughably evil and the sheriff is such a cut out of "evil southern law enforcement" that it's hard to take it seriously. Both are honestly not directly in much of the story though. Then they die and everything is fine. The romance aspect was a bit all over and Cooper being straight (I guess?) but fine with Miles being trans and fine hooking up wasn't explored much since (in short) he got mad, ran off, and then was murdered. So, easy out there. I would have liked more with them and an exploration of what their relationship meant but he died (which was brutal but we quickly move past)and Miles ends up with Dallas anyway so happy ending. There are so many issues and social topics in here that again feel shoehorned but more so leave not one of them really being explored that deeply. I know it's YA but everything felt very tell you more than show you and it slowed things down a lot. This won't deter me from AJW books in the future but was a let down as I know what his writing is capable of.

I love Andrew Joseph White’s commitment to being gritty and gnarly. The explanations of gender/sexuality/disability were very textbook, but it’s a YA book, so I understand why. There were points where I felt the pacing could have been better. Despite that, this is a solid, realistic addition to the YA horror genre.

I am a HUGE fan of HFWU and TSBIT, so I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to read an advanced copy of AJW’s new novel. Thank you to NetGallery for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.

As someone who grew up in a small town in the deep south of the US, I have a particular love for tales like this about queer kids from red states rallying behind a hope for a better world. At the heart of it, this book was about the people you love and the lengths you’d go to keep them from harm. It’s messy and honest and, like all of AJW’s work, full of gory heart.

YA novels often function as young reader’s first introduction to topics like the ones in Compound Fracture (class disparity, police brutality, and the socioeconomic impacts of capitalism on the working class, to name a few), so while the reiterations of political and moral ideology felt heavy-handed and distracting from the narrative, I can fully understand they were there for the benefit of younger readers.

For me, the best parts of the book were the dynamics of the Abernathy family. Judging from AJW’s dedication, author’s note, and acknowledgements, that is where the heart of the novel was for him, too, and it shines through in all of their interactions.

The story of Miles’ family is one of unconditional love. They might not fully understand him, especially at first, but their love for him remains implicit. It was wonderfully humanizing to see the adults in Miles’ life grow right alongside him throughout the story.

In this case, too, Miles’ struggles with his family depicts such a hopeful outcome for queer kids in similar situations, who come out to their families and aren’t outright rejected, but aren’t fully and immediately accepted by them, either.

I loved the fact that we got to watch a main character discover he was on the aro spectrum in real time. It’s by no means the focus of the book, but I’ve rarely seen that identity represented well before, so it was lovely to see! My only caveat there is that the mention of the QPR right at the end of the novel felt out of place without the additional context and development given to almost every other queer topic in the book. I would have loved for this to be extrapolated on a little further, as I imagine a lot of the audience won't have encountered the term before.

i did not like it 👍
to be fair, i also didn't like white's last book, the spirit bares its teeth. i found it morally and politically shallow. but there were some really cool ideas there, an interesting and admirable approach to horror, and i hoped that the shallowness i observed was function of that book's protagonist's particular personality, rather than a fundamental quality of white's writing.
so that egg is on my face, i guess! because in compound fracture, white doubles down on everything that i found grating in spirit -- the shallowness, the hamfisted morality, the absolute refusal to dwell on complexity or allow his protagonists to be wrong in even the most minor of ways. and layered on top is this obnoxious affectation of country-isms that could make tom sawyer seem a subtle depiction of the american south. maybe it's just that it's closer to home (literally) for me since i'm from a nearby area myself, but while i understand from white's introduction that he is himself from west virginia (or his family is?), in style and substance it felt more characteristic of the kind of twitter progressive posturing than anything i recognize from my own experiences. all of that is to say -- lesson learned! no more andrew joseph white for me.
that being said, if you enjoy the idea of a "john brown did nothing wrong uwu" t-shirt i'm sure this is the kind of book that will really appeal to you.

4 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for approving me for an e-arc, in exchange for an honest review.

After reading The Spirit Bares Its Teeth and absolutely adoring it, this was my most anticipated book of 2024. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed it a lot.

Miles was such a lovely character to read from. I absolutely adored his family as well. It's so clear how much love there is in his family, even if they don't always say the things Miles is hoping to hear. Seeing how fiercely they all protected each other was very beautiful. I really loved how Miles shows clear autistic traits and you can see those same traits in his parents. I also liked that characters were shown using disability aids and needing accommodations, but never being viewed as weak or burdensome for that. Miles's connection with Saint might be my favorite part of the book. I got very emotional seeing them interact with each other and Miles feeling an immediate kinship with him. Also, Lady is the best dog and deserves the entire world.

I loved the setting of West Virginia. AJW's love for Appalachia is so very evident. I liked that he made point to show the South in layered, multifaceted way. I also really appreciated the depictions of community and how community shows up and protects each other in times of need, especially from those who abuse their power. Seeing how many characters were disabled and disfigured, and treated/written with so much compassion, was deeply heartwarming. I loved how blatantly and loudly this book was pro-union, pro-strike, and pro-workers rights. I found the book's discussions regarding violence, specifically the cycles of violence and how they get passed on generation after generation, very interesting. It was also interesting seeing how trauma was passed down in the same way. Something that stood out to me was the depiction of kids ending up in adult situations and the harm that comes from that.

Unsurprisingly, I found the trans and nonbinary rep really lovely. I also loved seeing the experience of knowing one aspect of your identity, but ending up questioning a different part of it. My only complaint is that the book at times did more telling than showing, though not to the point where I started to dislike the story.

I enjoyed my time reading this and I'm deeply anticipating AJW's upcoming works, including his adult debut next year.

If you already loved previous work of this autogr: HFWU or TSBIT, then youre going to love this one! The atmosphere is dark and brutal, but very fascinating in its own unique way.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ thank you netgalley and peachtree teen for this arc!

i just wanna start off by saying i feel so privileged to get to read this early, because holy hell this was good. i spent the last 100 pages on the edge of my seat, i couldn’t put it down.

i really adored this book. the choice to write this in miles’ voice gave the story so much character. i also appreciate that miles is a complex protagonist. too often authors are afraid of depicting lgbtq characters as anything other than perfect. but miles is not perfect. he makes some questionable decisions and isn’t always likeable. but that just makes me love him as character even more.

as someone who is both queer and autistic, i think the handling of miles’ identities was done so well. i wish i had more books like this available to me growing up. but this isn’t just a book about a young trans teen coming of age, this is a heart pounding thriller that, in the end, is about the importance of family and community.

I completed this in a single day and from page one, I was enraptured. The modern setting of the book was different from White's previous books, but this step into the modern was no less interesting, especially when ghosts are involved. The history of the town was felt across every chapter, and the tenseness of the political hold Sherriff Davies has on everyone made my stomach churn. Miles was an excellent protagonist, his thoughts and struggles with his sexuality and autism hitting home with me in ways I did not expect. Fast-paced and captivating, I was reading as fast as I could to see what would happen next.
My only concern was with how quickly things seemed to resolve after the climax of the book, but I do not think it detracts from the overall experience and my enjoyment of the book. I will surely be buying this when the book comes out in physical form, as Andrew Joseph White wrote another excellent novel!