I was nervous to pick up Compound Fracture because as someone living in the midwest version of Appalachia, I was afraid it would be too familiar to all the things I hate about the area I live in – and this couldn't be further from the truth and was in fact part of the reason I LOVED it.

Compound Fracture follows Miles, a trans male teen who suffers a violent attack while trying to navigate injustices in his Appalachian small town perpetrated by the local sheriff and the closer Miles gets to seeking justice the more dangerous things become for him and his family.

Antithetical to what you might think, Compound Fracture was a love letter to the Appalachian culture of tight knit communities, strong family ties, and (I hate to say it, cause I know you hate it Miles, but…) resiliency while not shying away from the difficulties like lack of access to healthcare, conservative good ole boy politics, generational poverty, and violence. The character work was fantastic – I loved Miles and the growth he had over the course of the book in finding and acknowledging his identities (trans, queer, aromantic, and autistic) and gathering strength and courage from his support system who were not perfect but tried for the most part which made them all the more real.

I also found myself confronting some of my own biases in regards to self-diagnosis (mental health therapist here – its a job hazard) and how helpful it can be when resources are scant or scarce. The autistic representation was, in my opinion, so well done.

This is true with all of Andrew’s books, but the sense of strong community is the stand-out and it tears at my heartstrings EVERY SINGLE TIME. Something we as queer kids hope for and some never find. There is just a subtlety of humanity and hope in every novel no matter how gory or how “horrific” they are and I love that. I love the contradictions and complexity that are present in all.

I might be an officially be an AJW stan now as I’ve solidly enjoyed every book he’s written and wish I had more books like when I was a queer teenager growing up and trying to navigate life.

I highly recommend Compound Fracture and thank you to netgalley and peachtree teen for the opportunity to read the book early in exchange for an honest review.

I am so honored to get to read this early. Compound fracture follows a young trans teen named miles who lives in a small town -county. This book does contain politics *which based of the synopsis should not come as a surprise to other readers. *please keep in mind for sensitivity reasons everything that happened during 2017 is also in this book! Along with that is the long standing feud between our main characters family and the police. there are also ghosts, and gore. the underlining messages are not overshadowed by this book especially considering this will be aimed at a teenage audience. I inhaled this book, and cannot wait for the career Andrew Joesph White is bound to have with his talent. I cannot wait for his next books! Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.
5/5 stars no notes

Compound Fracture was everything I hoped for and more and this just solidified AJW as an auto-buy author!

The story was impossible to put down, unpredictable in the best ways, the conflict felt so visceral, and - the cherry on top if ever there was one - the autism rep for AFAB people was not only incredible but so relatable to me! And I cannot state this strongly enough: I would die for both Miles and Lady!

I also love how the autism wasn't cast as "good" or "bad" just framed as 'this is what I need to cope' and seeing that first person felt very affirming to me.

A brutal story about a young autistic trans boy fighting a century old family feud, set in rural Appalachia. This was a hard read and covers a lot of serious topics (please check CW) and the author handles them so well. It does end on a hopeful note but my god do I just want to give Miles a hug!

This is an absolutely amazing book. A.J. White has such a talent for writing a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Compound Fracture also has great LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent representation. Overall, it is an amazing book and I will absolutely be buying it upon release.

I think this was more thriller than horror (which is what I thought it was going in), but it's really good!
It's follows Miles, a trans boy who is the descendant of a locally famous and disliked mine striker, and there's been a blood feud between his family and the sheriff family ever since that strike. Miles becomes a victim of this himself when he is beaten up and nearly killed by the sheriff's son and two friends, and has to navigate how he wants to deal with the blood feud.
There's lots of social commentary, the book is set in a small town in West Virginia with a miner history and the book explores the political issues in such areas, including how Democrats don't really care about them while Republicans use them to get voters while also not really caring. Miles himself is a proud socialist/communist in the book there's much about organizing politically.
There's also a lot of violence, quite graphic too, and while I think it's all handled well, I think this is something to keep in mind.
As someone not from a rural area (and not from the US), I didn't know much of the history presented in this book, so that was interesting
The autism and aro-spec rep were also really well done and I liked how it was explored on page, Miles doesn't know he's either of these things at the start of the book, while the signs are definitely there and I love how Miles is all "I hate people but I also want good things for people", because he doesn't like social interaction but is also a socialist, and I think this is not uncommon in autistic people.

Would recommend it to people who like thrillers, can handle a bit of violence and like a political, socialist backdrop

I've been a big AJW fan since reading the ARC of his debut, despite all of its flaws. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is still my all-time favorite of his, but I'm still somewhat bothered I didn't enjoy this one as much as I anticipated I would.

Don't get me wrong, this book still has a lot of incredible things. AJW's nasty, gory writing is still fantastic, and I will always admire the unlimitless lengths this man goes to when creating the most gruesome descriptions I've ever seen in YA.

Another element AJW always nails are the characters. Miles is a great main character, and the familial relationships, both biological and found, are handled with such care and nuanced. Dallas, especially, was such a gem. I loved their relationship development, [and I was so happy when they got together in a queer platonic relationship (I only wished there was a little more development/showing of Miles discovering his aromanticism other than a Google search, but it's not that big of a deal breaker to me).

The discussion of politics in the South was particularly interesting, too, that left-leaning people have always existed down there and they fight like hell to make their home a place for queer and/or BIPOC people. I live in a swing state, which shares a lot of the political strife portrayed in this book, and I really appreciate AJW putting into words why people would rather stay and fight for their homes rather than moving away.

Even with the things I loved, I still found some things that held is back a bit. The politic portrayal is a double-edged sword. While I liked the nuanced depiction of it, there were still too many info-dumps that didn't leave much room for the reader to comes to their own conclusion about things. I do understand it was Miles' special interest, so of course he's gonna think/talk about it, but there were some points where it felt like AJW was preaching directly to the reader. It got heavy-handed, especially at the end of the book where all of it had already been emphasized so much.

The villains were also comedically over the top and one-note. I do get that there are some people who live for the suffering of others, but I never felt like they were a real threat. Miles kept saying that they're powerful, they rule the town, etc., etc., but besides Noah and his posse's attack, they didn't really seem all that powerful. I wish there were other cops besides the sheriff or a mayor who bowed down to whatever he demanded; that way it'd show the sheer amount power and sway he had over the town. Cooper's love-interest-to-villain arc had a good amount of substance, though. I liked that he wasn't the end game, and his death at the end added a level of tragedy to his character.

Another thing that bothered me was that religion wasn't brought up, whatsoever. This aspect confused me because, as far as I'm aware, Christianity is huge in the South, and it is what lies at the center of the political conflicts. There should have been an interesting discussion about it and how it's used/weaponized in order to "legally" discriminate against any class/sexuality/gender/etc. that wasn't white, straight, and male. AJW not diving into this confused me a lot. He did dive into religion a lot in his debut; maybe he wanted to solely focus on the political side here but I don't wanna speculate too much.

All in all, another good addition to AJW's repertoire. I will continue to devour anything this man devours, and I cannot wait to see what horrors await for us in his adult debut next year!

'Compound fracture', the last YA novel of Andrew Joseph White so far (out on September 2024!) is a self-indulgent book packed to the brim with many different themes, raw in the realism of how messy every subject and their intersections can be.

In its core, this is a story about how people are shaped by their circumstances - their support network at micro level, the economic system at macro level, with a focus on how the working class suffers under the many violences of capitalism.

It also talks about the ugly realities of existing as a minority in a small town of the deep American South, particularly queer people of all kinds, but also with a brush of disabilities and mental health problems, and how the strength of close-knitted groups is often misused as a weapon against its own members for the sin of breaking away from the group's internal traditions, rather than used for the protection of their collective interests.

This thriller kept me glued to the screen, unable to go to sleep without one more chapter, one more twist, one more glimpse into this world so far away from mine yet so familiar in its troubles. I only knock down one star because I would have liked a bit more nuance on some of the bad guys, even though I am aware that cartoonish evil is a sad reality sometimes.

This was honestly so crazy in the coolest way. I've been meaning to read Andrew Joseph White's books for a very long time so getting an ARC of this one was super exciting for me and I started it immediately. It did NOT disappoint whatsoever! I don't know much about Virginia or Appalachian history so I can't comment on that much (though I definitely will be doing much more research on it after writing this review), but I can safely say that even without knowing the historical context of some past events, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting without feeling like I was out of the loop. The characters were so dynamic and twisted (Miles, I will always forgive your wrongs) but you can't help but love them and root for them anyway. Smalltown America seems like a scary place but so many of the characters were kind and accepting, and even though it took a bit of time for the parents to get used to the idea of their child being trans, the end result was so sweet, my heart warmed! The dialogue was hilarious, clever and also very realistic (especially the texts) which really helped me engage with the story and the characters,

For people who like thrillers and a little bit of gore, this story is definitely for you, and YA or not, anyone can read this and get a real kick out of it as well. I can't wait to go and read through everything the author has ever written now!

Compound Fracture follows trans autistic teenager Miles as he reckons with a century long family feud turned deadly. The concept of this book is certainly unique and I was hooked both by the idea and the execution. Miles and his friends Cooper and Dallas are well fleshed out and complicated characters. I also loved Miles' family and wish we could have seen more of them! White tackles a lot of brutal subjects in a less gory, but more unsettling way than the other books of his that I have read.

My only complaints with this book is that it sometimes felt like White was trying to do too much with one book. The issues and identites that Miles grapples and comes to terms with are all very important and definitely should be explored more frequently in the YA sphere, however it sometimes felt that each individual part of Miles' identity and the issues he faces could not be explored enough in-depth. There was a lot of telling about and listing what these were and why they were significant to Miles's journey, but frequently in a very surface level way. However, I do think it is still amazing that the topics were even explored at all.

At the end of the day I think this book is a great introduction to ideas about class, gender, abuse of power, and endurance in the face of societies injustices and predjudices, I just wish there was the space to explore some of these more throughout the book.

Thank you for providing me an arc of this book!

5 stars! ☆☆☆☆☆

wow! this book was amazing!!! i will read anything by Andrew Joseph White

longer review to come...

I liked it! This was a book that was outside of my usual genre and style-but I love Appalachian Fiction and trans characters and I think both were done well in this book- I just didn't care for much of the gore

(4) AJ White’s classic easy-to-read writing style and his signature stories surrounding trans and autistic experiences returns in COMPOUND FRACTURE, a bloody tale of revenge in a small town.

I’ll start by saying that COMPOUND FRACTURE takes a different turn from White’s previous books, being heavily focused on politics, rather than the supernatural with politics on the side. It’s more thriller than horror, dotted with ghosts on the side.

The novel follows Miles, trans boy with a family targeted by the Sherif and his impossible dream to survive when the powers are stacked against him. This is the first time where White uses an external supernatural factor, in this case, a ghost, to add that extra bit of twist to the plot. I loved this, but I wish it was steeped more heavily in the fantastical. White uses his trademark gore to amplify the abuse of power and violence against minorities, something that is very prominent in modern society.

The characters are great, as usual. Trans and queer characters are scattered throughout the narrative, and are explored in an uplifted way despite the heavy themes of this book.

It’s a matter of personal preference, I think, especially coming from White’s other books, that makes me rate this one lower. At times, the plot felt a bit slow despite a lot of things happening, and I think this comes from the central conflict centring around one person. Despite this, COMPOUND FRACTURE remains a powerful tale, especially considering it’s queer, trans, and autistic slant.

official favourite book of the year contender right here besties!

compound fracture is a horror/thriller set against a feud between two rival families in a rural Appalachian town with a sprinkling of trans, autistic, non-binary and general queer representation.

i would highly recommend reading the trigger warnings before getting into this book because wow it does not hold back. at times it is absolutely gruesome and vile, while still feeling so rooted in reality it's nauseating, but in the best way.

this author always hits it out of the park when it comes to representation and compound fracture is no different. the explorations of identity within this book feel so raw and real and honest and heart wrenching and just SO MUCH, while still being a super solid horror/thriller and managing to juggle both of those things simultaneously in a natural way.

reading this was like running a marathon honestly. the world this author created was so vivid i really felt like i was there, struggling right along with the characters. even aspects of the story or their identities i personally haven't dealt with were so comprehensible and so empathically described, you just have to feel them and it's a damn wild ride.

thanks to netgalley for providing me with an arc for this book!

This book was amazing. It had me on my toes the entire time, and it took true perseverance to get myself to put it down. You will be enthralled by suspense, charmed by the romance, and fascinated by this West Virginia tale. I especially love the way that the main character was trans and autistic is a way that wasn't the whole plot of the story, or just tossed in the background with no regard. The supporting characters are all complex in their characterizations, and make it easy to see how humans can be both good and bad and do both good and bad. 10/10 ate and left no crumbs.

I am new to thriller novels, and as my introduction to the genre, Compound Fracture had me by the seat of my pants and didn't let go until I was reading the acknowledgements. This is an unbelievably important book to have on shelves. Incredibly dark and raw, this story highlights hardships in a transparent way with a full cast of characters that all feel so very human. Even the bad guys, in all their horror, feel as if they could leap off of the page.

The representation in this book, much like White's other novels, left me misty eyed. As an autistic trans aro person myself, it's insane and wonderful to me to see that kind of representation in a book that's going to be on shelves in no time at all. The nonbinary/trans representation is fantastic and I can't say I've ever read a more accurate depiction of autism before in any novel. Miles' struggles with their autism had me by the heartstrings, because I often felt exactly how he felt.

[Vague spoilers ahead.]

My only real gripe with this novel is that the Saint Abernathy plot point seemed to fall flat as a presence. I found myself forgetting about it often, and it made the climax of the book not have as much oomph as i wanted it to. In a story full of nail biting, harsh realism, having THAT happen at the very end felt cartoonish in comparison. I understand what Saint stands for and how important he is for Miles' journey as a protagonist, I just feel like it didn't need the supernatural angle to do that.

Otherwise, wow! What an incredibly important book. Very dark for YA, but it's refreshing in that sense. I highly recommend it and look forward to getting my own copy once it's out this fall

"It's easy to think there's monsters in the woods when the woods are more than happy to let you die. But I don't believe in none of that, or ghosts, or God, because if I ain't got proof, I ain't budging. [...] But Saint Abernathy's dead, and I've been seeing him for weeks."

This book feels so much like a love letter that I almost feel like giving it a review does it a disservice. As someone who has family from West Virginia, who has relatives that were involved in the coal industry there, this book hits so very, very close to home. Reading of Miles' love for his home and his family despite everything made me wish I knew more about my own family history in a very real and complicated way.

Of all the trans autistic teens that Andrew Joseph White has written about, I think that Miles is the one who hits the closest to home. He feels like someone standing right beside me. Someone I would have known and tried to befriend had I been born later. Every character here feels so real. I think one of AJW's greatest strengths as a write, and something that he keeps proving with each subsequent release, is that every character on the page, no matter how small, has a life and a story. It feels elevated here to a new level simply because of how perfectly he tied these characters to the setting. Every character in this book feels so well-rounded and so real in such a distinct and familiar way. I have met these people. I have stood face to face with these people. I have visited graves of these people.

Compound Fracture has cemented just how unique and creative a writer AJW can be. He is constantly surprising and endlessly unflinching in his portrayal of how the world reacts to those it considers "other." This is the kind of book that would have changed my life if I could have read it as a teenager.

Where do I even start on what this book meant to me?

The messages within this story were so strong and important. I kept screaming about them to some of my friends. I genuinely hope that many trans and/or autistic people will read this book and know that they are worth more than society makes us believe. As a non-binary reader I rationally knew some of these statements were valid and, but at the same time I had to read them to feel it as well. Reading plenty of thoughts by Miles and stuff said by Dallas warmed my heart and gave me hope. Yes, a dark thriller gave me hope!

Apart from the message, the storyline itself felt spot on. I found myself constantly looking for clues, wanting to solve whatever was going on with all these people, resulting in me not being able to stop reading. Before I knew it, over a 100 pages had gone by. The writing style, the lay-out and the sometimes shorter paragraphs made it so much easier for me to focus. Lots of books tend to add a paragraph that lasts for multiple pages in a row, which doesn't help my chaotic brain. Well, this book was not like that at all!

The main character, together with some side characters, sure gained a spot in my heart, while I am ready to strangle other characters. They felt so human and real, with their strengths and their flaws. The representation in this book was amazing as well!

I'd like to thank @ajwhiteauthor, @netgalley and @peachtreeteen for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Andrew, you’ve done it again. Every time another AJW book hits the shelves, they get better and better. Having read HFWU and TSBIT, I can whole heartedly say Compound Fracture is my new favorite. Miles goes through horrific things as a teenager, carrying that generational curse is already a burden to juggle with. As a queer, autistic person of the South, I was able to identify and share moments with Miles. AJW’s ability to connect and bond with his audience through moments like that throughout the book is what will keep me coming back for more every time. 5 stars, will absolutely recommend to anyone and everyone.

I've loved everything I've read by AJW, so I went into this book with incredibly high expectations- and to say they were met would be no understatement. I sat down and finished this book in one sitting, which isn't something I do very often.

I have a never-ending list of praises for this book, so I'll limit this section so this review isn't too lengthy.

-The way Miles' autism was handled absolutely astounded me. It was the most realistic portrayal of it I've seen in literature. The genuine journey of it, absolutely beautiful. The way it was shown and not told up until Miles himself found out absolutely amazed me.

-The same can be said about his journey with being aro-spec!! I have the same feelings on that as I do with the above point

-The way substance dependence and abuse is depicted is incredibly realistic while not being over-the-top and triggering, very well done and successful

-There were such raw and emotional lines, the way Miles spoke was so personal and real to him, and we'd be randomly hit with these absolutely heart shattering lines that definitely contributed to the beauty of this book

I could go on, but I won't for the sake of whoever may read this. Moving onto the very few cons of the book.

-There was never a scene where Miles was truly and wholly wrong, and that was kind of weird because throughout half this book he was in a manic state, I would've liked to have seen more personal conflict, a situation where we got to see how Miles handled confrontation for an action he took that could've just been wrong.

-I wish we had gotten further into why Cooper acts the way he does, I loved reading his character but ultimately exploring more with his family would've helped me feel for him a bit more.

And that is literally it! Other than that, this book easily climbed up onto my list of recommendations for my friends. I'm excited to buy and annotate a physical copy in September!!