This is my third Andrew Joseph White book and possibly my least favorite. That isn't to say that I didn't thoroughly enjoy myself, but it didn't have the same draw to me as his other books. I loved the community organizing, the autism rep, and the aromatic rep so much. This book just felt a little bit less visceral and horrifying than his other books. I'm so glad the dog survived.

I think the pacing of the fist 2/3rds of the book really didn't work for me as a reader. It took me a lot longer to finish it than his books normally do. I also almost wish that he'd almost gone a Communist Heathers route with the plot. I do like what we got instead, and I liked the complexity of the protagonist's feelings on violence and revenge. The last third of the book really worked for me. I do wish there was more sleuthing for the truth with his ancestor. I didn't need his ghost to be real, but I wish that Miles did a little more legwork to find info out. I liked that they were both trans, but I feel like it's hard to pull the "is the ghost really real or not" bit with the binder from the afterlife thing. It brought me out of the story a little bit. I wish he'd found a journal or other evidence inside the mine instead. It would have worked a little better for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was given the opportunity to read Hell Followed With Us before it came out, and after that I had decided to keep up with the authors work. Even though I haven't read The Spirit Bares Its Teeth yet, it's now on my list after reading this excellent thriller. The authors note lays out all the things that would make the reading uncomfortable, doesn't offer to hold your hand or shame you, just the facts.

White is such a strong writer. With how often I read, I find it hard to keep all the details of a book in my head after I finish, let alone write a decent summary of a book if I've enjoyed it without just keyboard smashing. But the way he wrote the characters and how they all connect, the pacing wasn't something I got lost on, the progression of Miles learning more about himself and the people who love him. Oh how I loved the interactions between him and his father. There were things about the main body of the story that were placed so well in the first few chapters to frame it.

I've been stuck on the word mitigation lately, the action of trying to lessen the horrors of an event if its possible and Miles journey that started with just wanting to come out and help an aspect of the blood feud only to be pushed deeper into it really showed it. Miles notices a lot. whether by calling out that they're also stuck in a pattern or just actively participating in the problem, and offers chances to all of them, while some are not received in the same way as others. But he still tries. And the people he loves tries to as well. Also loved the characterization of Dallas and Cooper, mainly how they were affected by the accident and how they grew up differently than Miles did. It was ugly, it was beautiful, it simply was.

This review will be cross-posted closer to mid-late August

Paranorman meets Hatfields and McCoys.
First of all I would like to say thank you for choosing my profile for a netgalley copy.
Second I would like to say there are far more elliquent reviews on here that pretty much sum up my feelings precisely.
Thirdly and lastly, I want to address yes I raised the rating from 1 to 2 stars. I feel I may have been a bit harsh in the aftermath of reading this book.
The book was a easy if not sparse read it took me only about 3 days to get through and im normally a slower reader. I like to take my time with books.
There were some typos here and there but that's not a big deal to me and have no part of why I reviewed it so low.
I was really excited for this book, I too am a weird autistic trans guy from down south. I thought ide enjoy the use of way alot of us talk, but sometimes it felt incorrect or forced/stilted. One of many things that may have benefitted from a bit longer in the oven.
I also think the characters were a bit lacking in different ways. Miles felt very wishy-washy in a way that didn't feel intentional. It felt like everytime he did anything it had to be rationalized he was still a good boy.
He couldn't be wrong and even when he was being kind of manipulative it was justified. Just let him be black and white this is what needs to be done and not keep backing out. I think the book suffered from this.
I felt like some of his traits being written off as his special interests felt a bit hallow or like they were mostly an aesthetic choice.
Cooper oh poor Cooper. You were a weird little golden retriever that kind of just became a vilian out of nowhere. I know he is supposed to be a tragic character but it would have been nice to see him be at least retain some tiny amount of sympathy through.
I thought Miles was going to have a cute but safe first crush thing to hold up against the scary harsh reality of things but it just turned to yet again more transphobia and cis male entitlement. I personally think the abusive behavior was not needed for this story. It felt like a way to be yet again shocking for shocking sake.
By the time of...the how to put this... the turning him into a hog ready to be roasted.. I didn't care a bit about him as a character anymore...
I have the most mixed feelings about the nonbinary character Dallas... they angered me the most. They honestly felt like a caricature of a person. Rather than a full human being.
I felt the same way about the topic communism,aromantism and the flippant use of the suffering of miners.
I don't think it was ment in that way but it felt at times exploitative.
I caught myself wondering why were things executed in the way they were instead of just reading.
I felt like most of the horror and suspense was more to shock you rather than actually have anything to say. It almost came across so distasteful it made me laugh uncomfortably.
For instance the mention of SA was just put in there to be shocking and was never really discussed again.
Also you can not boldly put oh don't worry the dog doesn't die making me think I am not going to to read graphic dog death several times. Its not cool man.
I also believe the vilians in this story were far too cartoonish for the grounded story this was trying to be. Small town cops tend be more under the thumb of a rich person who uses them like dogs and not the other way around so I will say i think that's mildy subversive.
Also grandpa ghost was under utilized and I think I would have rather read a period peice about his life. If this was a book about him I would have probably gave this 5 stars. The little tidbits you get about him kept me reading.
I was really disappointed in this book. The first two books were really solid considering some of their issues :(. I was really looking forward to this book and will most likely buy it for my shelf and read the next one.

TlDR
Pros
-Trans MC who isn't passive
-under utilized setting in use
-easy to read.
-metion of not all southerners are right wing weirdo
-ghost grandpa
Cons
- felt a little too shock jock
-hamfisted but not convincing in places
- use of communism without explaining what it is or why its important to the character. Feels more of a aesthetic choice.
-non natural exploration of some heavy topics.
-characters ages read much younger than their on page ages.

i cannot put together words. this might very well turn into one of my all time favorites. this cut me open and filled me with dirt and worms, but also anarchy and queerness and violent hope. yall, get your hands on this book as soon as it comes out. major, major trigger warnings for a whole lot of shit, but i think it was well worth it. it was gorey and gross and heartbreaking and raw and real. i love it very dearly.

Thank you, NetGalley, Andrew Joseph White, & Peach Tree Teen for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review! 🥰🫶
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This review is going to be all over the place - sorry. 😅
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The first thing that popped out to me while reading is that each of Andrew’s books has a different tone. Hell Followed With Us was dystopian - end of the world. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth was historical. And now Compound Fracture is set in modern(ish) day Appalachia.
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This book is messy with the small town, everyone-knows-everyone vibes, conspiracies, and tough love but a family who fights for family.
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An amazing thing this book does is its characters! 😍 Just by reading I feel like Miles is in the room talking to me. I feel like I got the essence of each of the characters while reading. They were all fully fleshed out and I was able to remember things about each and it not be overwhelming! So I loved that! It really helped add to the overall atmosphere. Andrew just really knows how to write characters to where I will hate them one minute then love them the next and vice versa! 😂
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Totally random but one thing I loved is that both Miles and I have a “squishy pillow” - just autism things! 🥰 But I really loved Mile’s journey with learning about his autism through another person. This is something similar I went through and it's very relatable. I absolutely LOVE Amber! Amber is this older autistic figure in Miles’ life and she helped him through a tough time and knew exactly how to help! Miles’ went nonverbal and Amber knew what to ask! Amber shows Miles’ how to accommodate himself which is something he didn't know he could do. I just love this so much! That whole scene will forever have my heart! Amber, you are an angel! 🫶 I also love the conversation that you don't have to get medically diagnosed with autism to be autistic and how many factors are working against an “official” diagnosis and that self-diagnosis is just as valid! 👏
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Miles also had a queer friend in Dallas who is agender (or nonbinary - there's reference to both)! I love them and they are kinda like Amber’s kid as they live with Amber and Dallas’ brother (Amber’s partner). Dallas also has ADHD. I love them and how they support Miles throughout the story. ☺️
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This is kinda a spoiler but I really enjoyed the unexplained possibly paranormal aspect we got of Miles’ great (times a bunch) grandfather, who we learn was also trans (and gay)! Was it ghosts? Was it head trauma? We’ll never know and I’m okay with that! I liked the role of Saint in Mile’s journey with both his gender and just all the stuff going on in the book.
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Out of the three of Andrew’s books, I think this may be my least favorite or tied for second favorite with Hell Followed With Us. I don’t typically read the genres Andrew writes and at the beginning of his books I question if I’m going to like it, but I always do and the books always hook me! 😊🫶 So even if you're a contemporary girlie like myself and are interested, I say give it a shot! 💕
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As with any of Andrew Joseph White’s books, please, please, please, check the content warnings! They can be found on his website! 🫶
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🌈Rep: Autistic ftm MC is a questioning aromantic (loses an eye during the book), queer nonbinary/agender SC with facial differences (burns) and ADHD, gay ftm SC, queer-platonic relationship (at the end of the book)
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💚Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White comes out September 3rd!💚

Every time I pick up a book by Andrew Joseph White, I can't put it down. This book kept me up at night until I caved in and finished it. Miles is such a strong, realistic character and the way he faces his problems is very relatable to me as a fellow trans autistic person. This story can be brutal at times and I was worried a bit near the ending, make sure you check the CWs. (Don't worry, the dog on the cover makes it). Like others have said, this book leans a bit more thriller than White's previous horrors, but Id say it sits comfortably in both genres.

Compound Fracture was a captivating and enjoyable read. I initially thought the premise of this book sounded interesting, and once I picked it up it was definitely hard to put down. The first person narrative made the story so personal, as well as thrilling. Including real life issues and historical factors of Appalachia and West Virginia really enhanced the story. It was wonderfully told alongside the blood feud and how it affected each of the characters.

The autistic narrative was something that I genuinely admired; it is incredibly hard to come by an accurate portrayal of autism in literature, and I believe it was spoken upon quite eloquently. It completely affected the way the story was told from this perspective. The reaction that Miles had when he came to realize his whole life he'd been experiencing autism was very well done, and I appreciated reading such a realistic perspective. Another thing that I enjoyed was the accurate portrayal of an aromantic character. I was overjoyed to finally see a genuine depiction of someones experience with aromanticism. Alongside this, the transgender perspective was incredibly done, and I truly felt and connected with the anguish of being a trans teenager in America. I felt that the author really handled all the issues throughout the story with care, from financial struggles to drug addiction, I believe that it was all captured very accurately.

There were some errors that stuck out to me throughout the book. Particularly towards the beginning, there was noticeable repetition regarding some of Miles' thoughts. He often continuously talked about the same political topics, and although I am glad it was brought up, it felt like we weren't getting anywhere with these offhand statements. Similarly, there was an abundance of telling rather than showing within the narrative. Although it is first person, much of what we were told from Miles could've easily been translated into an action or event. I wish we were shown more of the character traits rather than blatantly told about them on the page. Another issue I noticed was, funnily enough, the lack of right-wing viewpoints being portrayed. This kind of stuff was, again, told by Miles in the early chapters rather than being shown by the surrounding characters throughout the narrative. The device of this blood feud felt like an excuse or pardon from the characters expressing disagreements with, for example, the LGBTQ characters or that whole party at the Red Holler; it made the story feel pretty unrealistic seeing as we are in West Virginia.

Regardless, Compound Fracture was a well put together story, and the complexities amongst the characters involved in this century long dispute was very interesting to follow. It was an age old tale about the fight between the privileged and the underprivileged- class, it always was and always will be about class.

3.5 stars

Big thank you to Holiday House and Peachtree Teen publishing for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this. Coming from someone who is not a mystery/thriller reader (they don’t entertain me), this book made me sit down and read it from start to finish. The suspense was great and didn’t create too much room for me to guess the plot, which I appreciated. The “horror” of the story was pretty gruesome and has hit me the hardest out of all of AJW’s books. I did like the town and characters as well, though I did feel a bit disconnected from them. I am assuming this is just cultural difference, not anything lacking in the character process.

The only thing I would deduct a star for is the way murder and crime is treated so casually in a social and moral aspect. I understand the corrupt police/political power but the family and people in the town being so chill with murder threw me off.

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

⭐️ Rating: 4 stars
📖 Format: e-ARC & physical ARC
📚 Pub. Date: 9/3/24 (coming soon!)
📕 Genre: Thriller
#️⃣ Pages: 384

✧ A huge thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for the advanced reader copy! This book releases in September of this year (2024) ✧

What I liked: Andrew Joseph White is my favorite author & I think his books are so beautifully written. I love the way he writes about transness, queer family / found family and autism. All of his main characters have been relatable & compelling. Compound Fracture is a great addition to his repertoire in this way. As a trans person who also had a difficult time recognizing / coming to terms with their autism, I relate a lot to Miles and his inner monologue about himself. I love Miles’ relationship to his family, both biological & found, and I love all of the descriptions of the leftist queer community in Twist Creek. Some of these scenes moved me to tears. I also loved the gore in this, there’s one scene in particular that had my jaw on the floor - I cannot wait to see what White does with his adult novel next year.

What I didn’t like: Both of Andrew Joseph White’s other books are easy 5 star reads for me. Compound Fracture came very close, but I didn’t feel as hooked by it. Both of his other books start immediately in the action, where CF felt like more of a slow burn. I don’t think this is a bad thing, but is a matter of preference to me. I definitely prefer horror to thrillers, so I think it makes sense that I prefer his horror novels to this one. I do also feel like the end was a little bit rushed / wrapped up a little too quickly for me, but again that’s a personal preference. I definitely think this will be a 5 star book for a lot of people!

Fav Quotes (Potential Spoiler): “Do you know how thin this line we gotta walk is? Between defending ourselves and not making things harder than they already are?”
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“I’m not autistic. I’m some unsocialized dog.”

This book is like a raw flesh – awfully naked, terrifying to look at, with the uncomfortable thought like it's not supposed to be, and yet so warm, so familiar to human creature on a primal level.

Andrew Joseph White do not write for everyone, but oh baby, he sure speaks right into my soul. Third book, and third time he enchanted me with his words. Emotions keep buzzing, style is evolving, stories become more terrifying and heartbreaking, and I follow like a faithful dog.

Miles' story is raw and complicated. It crawls under your skin, shape-shifting there, from a beating heart to sharp tusks, comforting you just to tear your mortal shell to pieces. And it doesn't stop there. The atmosphere of West Virginia – gods, I've never been there, but I sure as hell felt like I did. It's beautiful and iniquitous, habituated by people neither good nor bad. Yet between them awaits true evil – yet you can't be sure where to look for it.

Of course I'm recommending it. How could I not, after it left me in state of want to tear my teeth out of my mouth, dip my fingers into tree bark and howl?

tw // graphic violence, queerphobia, transphobia, opioid dependency, physical and emotional manipulation, animal harm, discussion of ableism, vomiting

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

God that was A LOT!! I absolutely adored Andrew Joseph White’s previous works, and this is no exception - I loved it!!!

More detailed thoughts to come closer to the release date!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC copy.
Having read AJW’s previous works I was excited to read and review this book. Unfortunately, I came away disappointed. The book is by no means bad. The character voice is strong and White has a talent for flowing prose and dynamic descriptions. And yet this novel seemingly failed to hit the mark on the things I have come to expect for him as an author.
To begin, the novels strays from the supernatural elements found in HFWU and TSBIT, yet is unable to divorce itself entirely from the subject. This result in Saint Abernathy’s ghost sometimes being real and other times not. The final reveal where he becomes ‘real’ by speaking made me audibly sigh. The book would be better off without this moment. Let Saint be ambiguous - figure or fiction who knows? If the character, hypothetically, was taken back to the drawing board I would have had him be an active character in the murders. I wanted Miles to speak with and learn from Saint, not have him hover in the background on occasion.
On that note, very early on Miles makes a comment in the hospital regarding the attack that made my stomach twist. It was a very real reality when he realizes he doesn’t know the full extent of what the boys may have done to him (while I am avoiding the name of this topic AJW has mentioned that his fourth novel will include this as a pertinent part of the plot), and then it is never touched on again. I thought that might become a focal point when he hunts his attackers down yet Miles never once mentions it. Let Miles be angry. Let him interrogate Paul or Noah about what happened to him. Instead, he is White’s weakest protagonist. Miles comes across as wishy-washy and incredibly performative. There was a balance that needed to be struck between politics and family that simply did not hit. It felt like White danced around the topic and that Miles focuses heavily on the physical harm that occurred to his face and not the deeper bodily trauma he may or may not have experienced because we as readers will never know. Which in contrast I did like the sections on Dallas. It was nice to see a disabled character intersecting with a queer identity. I would have liked White to have included at least one more conversation on this topic. Perhaps, seeing as Miles’ dad requires a cane and refused to use it, Dallas could have used a cane as well to serve as a generational contrast. This could have played into a discussion on toxic masculinity.
The novel noticeably sags in the middle. The characters do a lot of talking and not a lot of showing. Sheriff Davies and Noah are laughable as a villain in that they are to the point of moustache twirling caricatures. Eddie is ham-fistedly and repeatedly described as ugly to really hammer home how disgusting he is. The novel needs to make these characters despicable so that killing them is justifiable to the plot. Meanwhile Paul gets a slight redemption. In fact, the scene where Miles confronts him is one of the better scenes in terms of ambience. Here you see White’s knack for unsettling environments and tension on dazzling display.
And then it falls apart. Characters are inherently flat or rushed. The ending with Miles and Dallas confused me. It came so suddenly that I felt instead of giving their relationship a label the novel should have left them off as friends with the potential for a relationship in the future. Cooper was alright. I, again, would have rather replaced him with Saint. Cooper becomes nearly an antagonist of his own with his treatment of Miles and it was disappointing to see his character spiral.
Therapy is barely touched on, as the therapy group is only a stepping stone to get Miles to reconnect with Dallas and to find the Red Holler. I would have wanted at least one more scene in the restaurant to flesh it out more. The novel tries to hit you with several shocking twists in quick succession and this only diminishes what could have been an emotional moment when Davies and Noah show up. This scene is again one of those laughably evil moments. In contrast, when Noah gives his speech at the Fourth of July festival this felt like a good villain moment. It felt more real. As terrible as his actions were, they fit within the narrative. There is a very brief comment from Miles’ family that Noah outed him in order to get Miles’ family to turn on him but this is barely explored. As I mentioned earlier, I would have also liked the novel to at least touch on the toxic masculinity present instead of briefly brushing past it. With Miles’ dad struggling to be the provider of his family due to his injuries this would have been fascinating to see the father-son duo discuss.
With all that said, what did the novel do well? Because despite my complaints I did still enjoy it overall.
White as always has a knack for quickly ratcheting up the tension near the end. The environment was well described and I liked the way Miles’ dialect was naturally included into his dialogue and internal monologue. I enjoyed the representation of a queer teen in a poor rural community, and Miles’ personal discovery that he has autism. The parallel between Miles and his father regarding opioid dependency and the touching scenes of his family supporting him give the novel a strong heartfelt tone at its center. Had the novel leaned away from Cooper and more towards Miles’ family dynamics I believe it would have rated higher for me. The pro-strike and communist rhetoric were good albeit preaching at times, still these are important topics to bring to the YA genre. And, of course, the cover design is once again fantastic as always.
For a gore-filled action novel about community and activism, Compound Fracture felt oddly shy of itself. I do feel a bit sad giving this book a rating below four stars. It feels like it was almost there, but needed a bit more reworking. White has consistently good premises. It is the execution of said ideas that needs work. Compound Fracture was for me, simply put, the weakest link in a trio of overall excellent novels. With that said, I am looking forward to his fourth novel and any future work he produces.

I've read all of AJW's books so far and he has a great talent for writing about the grotesque and the horrific alongside supernatural worlds as in HFWU and TSBIT, but in this book, he grounds us more in the reality of small town America and the fight between the privileged and the underprivileged. This book is about all of these things, but it's also about community and finding hope where it has previously been stolen. I loved these parts of this book, and the themes that continue to thread through AJW's work. However, this book didn't land as strongly as his others did for me. There was something off about the pacing and plot of this one; it felt like nothing really happened for a while, and then when things did start happening, I found myself aggravated by both the actions and inactions of the characters. This seems like one of those books where you're not supposed to love most of the characters, but even then, I found myself not connecting with anyone and spent most of it being frustrated rather than intrigued by and rooting for their actions. Overall though, this book is still pretty solid. The prose is great, the shell of what this could have become is strong, and as with his other work, it makes you consider your own position in society. I'm excited to read White's adult debut next year as well, and hope his future YA continues to improve.

I'm going to copy the review I've posted on Goodreads, so here goes.

Copy: I don't know how he does it, but Andrew's writing always grabs me by the throat from the first page, dare I say the first sentence. Massive fan of Hell Followed with Us, so when I had the opportunity to read this as an ARC on NetGalley, I had to take it. I'm only seventeen pages in, and I'm already sat here reading wide eyed, feeling the exact same feeling of excitement I'd felt while reading Hell Followed with Us. I'll update this once I get further in.

Update: I was right. This book is AMAZING. If I could marry Andrew's writing I would. It's some of the BEST I've ever encountered in my life.

Compound Fracture follows Miles, a trans boy living in poverty, who is haunted by a generational blood feud between miners and local government. This book has a similar framework to the iconic movie Heathers, as Miles gets involved in a string of murders.

This isn't my first Andrew Joseph White rodeo. Hell Followed with Us and The Spirit Bares its Teeth both solidified AJW's narrative voice in the horror genre, but Compound Fracture really adds a modern flare to an age old story. And the author gets to show off a Southern dialect, which really added to the story for me.

Aside from that, Compound Fracture is a fantastic political commentary on socioeconomics, the two-party system, drug abuse and healthcare, and rural American living--and, of course, the intersectionality of all of those.

But still, I'm giving this tree stars, mostly because the pacing felt messy. The first 30% was very exciting, but the whole novel slowed down dramatically until the 60% mark. While that whole section was a slog, the last 40% was amazing.

I'd also say this is my favorite "romance" of all AJW's books (I use the word romance VERY lightly). The dynamic between Miles and Cooper is awful and compelling and upsetting, and it kept me very interested in their friendship.

Also: why is the description of Dallas's room LITERALLY identical to my room? Cannibal Corpse and the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries...I feel called out, but also seen.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars rounded down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Miles Abernathy has lived his life under the shadow of a century's long feud between his family and that of the sheriff. When Miles sneaks out to a party, leaving behind an email coming out to his parents as trans, with proof of how the sheriff killed folk who tried to unseat him, Miles knows he is more likely than not to end up paying for that audacity. Even after the sheriff's son nearly beats Miles to death, Miles works to find a way to say that this is enough. Only then, it is not just the stories of the past that are haunting Miles. Some vision or ghost has stayed with Miles since he woke in the hospital to either witness or aide Miles' stand.

White describes this book as his ode to West Virginia and the people who shaped him. That care comes through with every description and every moment of community with in Compound Fracture. The characters are messy and loving and put the love of community and family above all. It is unwaveringly about choosing to fight for that community even when the cost is high. All of this is blended beautifully with White's signature approach to horror. The ratio of "ew gross" per page has always told me what a great time I'm having with a horror novel, specially that of an American horror and White truly seems to understand and encourage that in every book. This novel is a distinctly American tale and one that I think offers a kind approach to who people can be even when it is hard because it always is.

Andrew Joseph White has a way of writing the most visceral but optimistic YA novels, and I'm constantly amazed at his ability to do this. Compound Fracture is no exception. Miles is an autistic trans boy who was unfortunately born into one of the oldest, violentest family/labor disputes known to man. As he struggles to just...survive being an Abernathy, he navigates his ever-changing world of growing up, learning about his sexuality, his autism, and what it means to be a part of a community.

First, I devoured this novel. I couldn't get enough of the narrative and found it difficult to stop after every chapter. The pacing was on point and the characters interesting. Second, eff Cooper. I really don't care that he had underlying issues, he was going to hurt someone eventually (he in fact did hurt someone who arguably was surrendering but...) and unfortunately he was got first.

Here in lies where I struggled. I am not the target audience for these books, or YA in general and I think I'm really starting to feel that. Four children (yes teens are children) were killed and two were maimed but we're all just willing to...glance over that because "that's they way things are" and there are no consequences for any of those actions? Now I'm not from West Virginia or that rural of a blue collar town, but it's really like that there? In this day in age? Where 4 kids could die and nothing would happen? Or even more so, an autistic boy, who already had the crap beaten out of him, would be the one to solve it? Which leads me to my next issue, this is just a "chosen one" YA story in a different wrapper. Our protag isn't riding a dragon or a poor normal girl, but he certainly was framed to be the only one who could do anything to stop the cycle including ALL OF THE ADULTS IN THE STORY. And not in a Mala or Greta way, but in a "send him down in the coal mine to have a fight with another kid way." Also, the way Miles was written that even though he was still figuring himself out, that everything he knew and stated was "the correct thing." I just...I know these are supposed to be optimistic, triumphant stories for queer youth, I get that, and they are. But reading this as an adult I just can't help but feel like this one in particular has a real rough time of that. I think also because this one is more actually real-world violent than the others. There isn't much paranormal going on here. Everything is routed in the present with the exception of Miles seeing a dead relative. I think the fact that the violence is so real, so guttural, that the idea that it's up to this 17 year old boy to stop this cycle perpetuated by adults is just...awful.

Anyway, still 4 stars because I couldn't put it down and it genuinely is written extremely well. I just think I'm too jaded for YA anymore. Looking forward to his debut adult novel.

After reading The Spirit Bares its Teeth last year and having it become one of my favorite books of all time, it's needless to say that I was excited for Compound Fracture.

A complete switch from the overly cautious and anxious Silas of Spirit, we have Compound Fractures rough and tumble trans teen Miles. Right from the start Miles voice is so strong and has so much character that you want to listen to him speak forever. The way his thoughts run into others, the way you can feel him parse through his emotions in order to make them make sense, how he processes the horrific things that happen to him in this novel - it's all done so well and it makes for an experience that truly feels like you live inside the characters head. Miles may be a piece of work as a young kid learning how to navigate this truly terrifying world while trying to keep those he loves safe, but his outward strength is countered by moments of weakness and emotional pain that you as the reader truly feel when you read it.

I compared this book to how I feel about movies like Uncut Gems and Good Time, incredible works of art but also the most anxiety inducing thing I've had to experience. There are some small moments of levity in Compound Fracture, but for the most part it doesn't take it's foot of the pedal. And by pedal I mean paranoia. With the way the atmosphere and societal climate of the book is set up you feel like Miles a lot of the time - looking over your shoulder, constantly afraid of what might happen to you or those you care about at every page turn. It's such a harrowing experience but it only serves to elevate the book by creating such an air of unease. Twist Creek county isn't a place I think I could ever feel safe, but for Miles and the Abernathys it is home and they love it and fight for it, warts and all.

Miles family and the relationship he has with them is so real at times you can tell, as mentioned in the authors note, that this was based on lived experiences with real family members. As a trans person myself, some of the conversations between Miles and those around him hit very close to home and really did feel honest in regards to its depiction of coming out to a family who either wants to try their best by you or rejects it entirely. There is no perfect way to come out or exist in a place where you are one of the few LGBTQ+ individuals and Compound Fracture reflects these experiences with a truth that hit home for me a few times.

Also this book is violent, much more so than Spirit was. It's grimier, dirtier and with more malice behind many of the violent scenes. But is is also a world that treats violence as an everyday occurance, if it is something as natural as breathing. Family members are murdered, people are beat up and left to lick their own wounds, building are destroyed but it all has a sense of this is the order of things - just pay it no attention. And I think that makes it all the more terrifying.

I truly did enjoy Compound Fracture, anxiety inducing and all as it was (which I believe was the point). It is a must read for any LGBTQ+ or Neurodivergent teens growing up in places where they othered by those around them. Where they feel beat down and treated as lesser just because of who they are, for those who feel let down by the people who claim to have our best interests at heart, for those who want to release a screech of rage at an unfair world.

While Spirit is still my favorite, Compound Fracture will stick in my mind like Saint Abernathy does in Miles'. It is a marvel of a novel, truly one that is filled with truth, lived experiences and a nuance that could only comes from someone who understands those he writes about, I will endlessly recommend this upon it's release, but for now I need to lie down.

absolutely loved this!!! which is how i feel picking up anything from andrew joseph white tbh

i think out of all of his books, this one had the least appealing plot to me personally, but i still really liked it!! it was gritty and thrilling and attention-grabbing and heartwarming at all the right parts.

it has a trans/queer autistic main character living in a small town, a sprinkle of found family(?) and romance, a centuries-long generational feud, a lot of politics, a dog(!), and is (unlike ajw's previous books) set in a contemporary setting. fantasy/supernatural themes are light but still present.

the actual horror/body horror part came in quite late but it still hit really hard, and made me feel sick to my stomach (as ajw usually manages to do.)
sounds weird that thats a compliment, but it is.

to anyone who wants to pick this up i'd definitely tell them beforehand that it has a lot of politics, with a socialist/communist mc, which doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the book but i'd say would probably appeal more to someone from the US.

going to end this with: MILES ABERNATHY I LOVE YOU 😭😭😭

Compound Fracture is a vicious, heartwarming thriller that touches on the important themes of growing up queer/trans in a small town. I also grew up in a small town and while it wasn’t as centered around a specific resource, like coal, I still felt represented, as it captured the otherness a queer trans person can feel growing up (and loving) the small town that hasn’t always been welcoming to them. This book is for the small town outcasts who, while they may find themselves in the big city, never lose the love they have for their small town and the community that does accept them for all that they are. This book is to remind people that queer people exist everywhere, not just in the cities/countries that are safest for us.

While Compound Fracture lacked some of the horror aspects of AJW’s writing, I was still enraptured by the bloody, brutal, and honest writing that follows Miles, our aromantic, autistic trans MC, through his struggles of finding belonging and acceptance within his community while also fighting the corruption that is rampant throughout the police force and the weight of a century long generational fight. I also found Miles’ relationships quite compelling, especially as Miles himself as well as the others around him struggle with what morality is and how it affects how they view and enact social justice, as Miles and many of the other characters deal with poverty, disability, homophobia and transphobia perpetuated not just by the system that controls the small town but people abusing that system to continue to victimize Miles and his family and friends. Overall, I continue to love AJW’s writing and the rawness of queer and trans rage that is a continuing theme throughout his books. I already can’t wait to see what he writes next!