Yet another great representation of autism and trans folk. Despite being a YA read, Compound Fracture did a great job of shedding light on real life issues that trans autistic people face, whilst still keeping the story gripping and poignant. A genuinely fantastic read to take me into the spooky season upon us.

CW: violence, blood & gore, gun violence, injury, death,addiction and withdrawal, child death, police brutality, animal death, outing, transphobia, deadnaming, midgendering, bullying, hospitalization and internalized ableism.

My favorite Andrew Joseph White book yet.

This certainly had less in the way of gruesome body horror than Hell Followed With Us, but I found the suspense elements to be greater. Aside from a minor ghost popping in here and there, this entire plotline could easily actually occur in a rural town like what was described here. To me, that makes this the more emotionally impactful and brutal book.

I really liked Miles and I felt like even when I didn’t agree with his decisions, they really made sense within the character as it was written. Cooper made such an interesting foil, as did Dallas—three young teenagers suffering at the hands of a corrupt police force, a rural town in the throes of an opioid crisis, recovering from the trauma of an event a few years prior to the start of the book. It was interesting to see how the three processed things differently and went in different directions.

It’s weird to call this a feel-good book but I did feel like it had a thread of hope throughout which made the ending satisfying to me.

This is exactly what YA needs - messy, queer, trans, bloody stories like only White can seem to do. I think this is his best work yet and I’m so thankful it’ll be in the hands of the kids who need it most.

This is the first book I've read by Andrew Joseph White and I was not disappointed. I loved that this story is set in a small Appalachian town. The setting really gives the story that claustrophobic feeling where everyone know everything and there's no escaping. It also made the Sheriff being the antagonist even more terrifying. What really drove the story for me was the characters. Miles is a great main character; he's real and raw and you definitely feel what he's going through. I loved Miles family and friends, and of course Lady, but I really loved watching Miles learn about Saint and his history. There are some very dark and graphic scenes in this book so please check content and trigger warnings before reading. Overall I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read my next book by Andrew Joseph White.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book and I really appreciated seeing an autistic character that was similar to my own autistic experiences. I liked the pacing of the book for the most part and enjoyed a lot of the characters. I think a few could’ve been fleshed out a little more, to feel like real people, but it didn’t deter me from my reading experience. It personally didn’t feel like a thriller much to me and I kind of wished it was more tense than it was. I wanted to feel more worry for the characters, be scared for them, but it didn’t come across as strongly as I had hoped for. I also thought that the ghost of a great-great-relative would also play a bigger role, or have a little more explanation as to why Miles could see him.

Overall this is a solid book and I will continue to love and read all of Andrew Joseph White’s books.

3.25 stars

I am all for rage, retaliation and cold-blooded justice.
However, I know I would react similar to Miles & Cooper when it comes to acting out said revenge.
Given just how poisonous a town like their is, with a generation blood feud between two families and anyone caught in between, it isn't surprising to watch both Miles spiral & Cooper become what he hates most.
We see them go down two paths; Miles found a group and his family did have a (rocky) safe structure for him, while Cooper did not (being forced to be an adult so young is incredible hard) and this caused him to act out his dark emotions. The confliction of wanting to get revenge vs keeping to morals, was a strong point in this book.

I thought that Mile's ghost ancestor was going to play a much bigger part in this story than they did and I think that threw me off a little. While I enjoyed seeing Mile's come to terms with being autistic and his family getting it together after he came out, I definitely saw a lot of the story and plot going a different way and it didn't. The ending also felt a tad lackluster.
Definitely at the bottom of my Andrew J. White favorites list.

Andrew Joseph White hits it out of the ballpark again, this time with an Appalachian suspense thriller that pulls no punches and absolutely doesn’t care what you think about that.

I’m here for it. I’m biased, of course, because when it comes to AJW I’ve always been here for it. I rejoiced when I heard he was writing yet another sure-to-be-banger, and then I read the magical buzz words: “queer Appalachian thriller”, “trans autistic teen”, and “generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them”. Why, it’s like you have seen directly into my brain and provided one of the types of books I’m absolutely going to want to read anytime I come across them.

Miles Abernathy has a lot of problems and not a lot of clues on how to solve them. He’s a closeted sixteen year-old trans boy in rural West Virginia with no friends. His parents are a mess, they’re always behind on the bills, and anyone who could actually do something to change things in their town has been traumatized or run out of town by their corrupt sheriff. Miles isn’t immune to the fear, but he doesn’t just want to sit by and do nothing. It’s too bad what happens to him when he tries to do something, though.

The sheriff wants Miles to keep quiet, just like everyone else in town. At first, that’s what Miles intends to do. Then Miles gains a partner of sorts, and all the circumstances start to change.

There’s something that needs to be said about books: Books are art. All art is political, therefore all books are political. This is especially true for Compound Fracture, and it was purposefully written that way. AJW acknowledges this and pushes for this book to be put in the hands of teens pushing for radical change. I’ll go further: I’d put this in the hands of anyone who is pushing for radical change. I’d put this in the hands of anyone who’s struggling to understand the insult-aggressions cycles surrounding the southern culture of honor. I’d put this in the hands of anyone who doesn’t understand the dangerous state of rural health care in America. I’d put this in the hands of anyone who doesn’t understand why people in states ravaged by conservative policies continue to vote conservative or live in those states. I’d put this in the hands of parents who are struggling to understand their transgender or autistic kids. Heck, I’d put it in the hands of an adult who’s struggling to understand what it means to self-diagnose yourself with autism as an adult. I’d love to put it in the hands of someone who gets socialism and communism confused all the time.

There is so much to be learned from books like this, where the author puts it all out there. Where their guts are out there for us to see.

I don’t think I need to point out that AJW’s writing is beyond fantastic. Even though his voice has been preserved throughout his three books, each one has a distinctive narrative and prose style. This book’s no different. Being trans and autistic himself, AJW’s narrative here comes across as so authentic, with that certain amount of removal that anyone who has a loved one with autism (or has autism and/or is neurodivergent) is probably familiar with. I can’t comment on what it’s like to be trans or come out as trans, but I have a nonbinary kid and a trans ex-husband and anything I felt as a bisexual myself was a sense of community and understanding. If that checks out for everyone else, then I’m happy.

This book is big vibes, big mood, huge atmosphere, large emotions, a whole lot of visceral reactions, a heap of fear, and a town’s worth of unabashed screaming in rage. I’ll read that any time.

I was provided a copy of this title by Netgalley, the publishers, and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Body Horror/Coming of Age/Disability Rep/Ghost Fiction/LGBTQ Fiction/Psychological Thriller/Standalone Novel/Suspense Mystery/Suspense Thriller/Vigilantes/YA Fiction/YA Mystery/YA Suspense/YA Thriller

thank you to netgalley for the arc! (and happy pub day to this book! sorry it took me so long to get to it!)

this was a good book!! i read hell followed with us and enjoyed it so i requested this one to see what else the author was getting up to. this book is much less supernatural than hfwu, although there is a whole thing with miles's grandfather 'haunting' him -- i kind of liked that that was left up to interpretation.

going along with that, i think the gore, although theoretically tamer than hell followed with us, was that much more horrifying because of the lack of the supernatural--it is all human violence. terrifying! but makes for a very good book

I was pretty excited to read this book because I really enjoyed Hell followed with us and Andrew Joseph White's writing, but I am having some mixed feelings about this one. I found moments where I related heavily to miles, being an autistic trans person too, and then confused about other decisions he would make. Which of course make sense, since not all autistic people are the same, but it got frustrating at times. The story made me uncomfortable through most of it, but not in a bad way which I think is pretty good writing since it makes the readers think. I'm not gonna lie I have no idea what to say about this one. It's like something you just have to read and experience on your own. I will say I half love and sort of dislike parts of the ending. Like I love miles dog coming in to the rescue because man's best friend literally my favorite thing, but I dont know how i feel about miles getting out of a short lived toxic relationship just to jump into a platonic situationship with a friend he just met up with again. I don't quite understand it. It wasn't my favorite book from ASJ, but I did enjoy reading it.

I can’t fully explain how much this one means to me. This one’s for the rural queers. The ones who grew up in the mountains, who know just how far a dollar can stretch. The ones who know what redneck really means. The ones with DIY protest shirts, clinging to the hidden knowledge that we’re not the only ones. The ones who know that Appalachian values aren’t the ones those people on TV, being paid by billionaires to lie, tell you they are. Those values are really strength to get done whatever needs doing; togetherness and lifting up wherever anyone else falls down; unionization; seizing the means of production; live and let live; a raised fist; and they sure as h*ll aren’t a governing force that wears a blue uniform.
This is a book that follows a trans teen on the short end of a decades long feud. Miles has lived his whole life in fear, and when the worst thing finally happens, he begins to finally fight back. This is a story about what might be in your genes, about generational trauma and about generational strength. About finding out you’re not alone because your ancestors, complicated people, were here to do it first. And you’re not alone because when we finally rely on each other we’ll have our family there, blood or not.

As one can expect from AJW’s writing, the voices are clear, the writing raw and visceral, some elements that are supernatural yet chillingly real are woven through the narration. The characters are multifaceted and complicated, with moral lines being smudgy gray, like they are in real life where theory doesn’t necessarily fit the way humanity behaves. The plot is fascinating and quite the ride, an almost thriller like narrative that is driven through periods of intensity yet balanced perfectly with the softer moments to allow characters to grow. There isn’t a dull moment, and it’s impossible not to rocket towards the conclusion.

This book is a way of saying we are here. We’re not alone. Because that’s what they want us to think, and that’s what Miles has to overcome in this story: we don’t have to be quiet out of fear. It’s that fear that keeps us away from one another, and it’s only when we’re together that we can begin to defeat the forces that are keeping us down. Appalachia is queer. The mountains are queer. These are our towns too, for better or for worse. Sometimes you love something that sucks, because life is complicated like that. Sometimes you can make that thing better, for everyone. There’s so much here I can envision perfectly because it looks just like where I came from. I hope this story helps us to see there’s something to save here, that our communities in the mountains still belong to us. That our values, when push comes to shove, might not be as far apart as we think. I hope this book finds the rural queer kids who need it, because I think it could be a life line where we need it. This one’s for good dogs and every true redneck.

And don’t forget: Miles Abernathy said if you need a ride, call a cab.

"Compound Fracture" by Andrew Joseph White is a gripping journey into the heart of Appalachia, where Miles Abernathy, a trans autistic teen, becomes embroiled in a harrowing struggle against entrenched corruption and historical injustice. On the night Miles comes out to his parents, he unwittingly becomes a catalyst for change in Twist Creek, armed with damning evidence against the corrupt Sheriff Davies. White's writing is nothing short of captivating; it pulls you into the visceral violence and palpable tension that permeate every page. The suspense is haunting, keeping you on edge as Miles navigates the treacherous terrain of generational trauma and hidden agendas.

What struck me most about "Compound Fracture" is its unflinching exploration of identity and justice in a community rife with secrets. The representation of Miles as a trans and asexual/aromantic protagonist is both refreshing and deeply resonant. White deftly weaves these aspects into the narrative without overshadowing the urgent plotline. At times, I braced myself for darker turns, but the story surprised me with its resilience and hope. Compared to White's previous work, this novel balances its intense themes with a slightly gentler approach, making it accessible yet no less impactful.

With its blend of spooky horror vibes and unapologetic political commentary, "Compound Fracture" is a must-read, especially for those ready to confront tough issues and root for characters pushing back against systemic injustice. It's a testament to resilience and the power of community in the face of adversity, making it a compelling recommendation for readers seeking both thrills and depth.

Thank you NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for providing me with an eARC of Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Summary:

After coming out to his parents as trans via email, Miles goes to a party with pictures that prove the sheriff caused an accident that killed his former friend’s mom and injured Miles’s dad. At the party, Miles gets jumped by the sheriff’s son and his friends. The blood feud between the sheriff and the Abernathy family continues. But now Miles is ready to fight back.

Review:

This is an amazing story. It shows the different ways people fight back against injustice either with community building or more nefarious methods. Miles does the best he can all the while, he’s learning about himself as a person. He’s realizing that he’s autistic, he’s learning that he’s aromantic, he’s learning how to talk to people about his realization that he’s a trans boy. He’s seeing that he can ask for help and there are people around him who he can depend on. He’s learning to depend on himself as well.

I love how much Miles loves West Virginia. It’s his home and he’s not going anywhere even when it doesn’t necessarily love him back. And even though there are rocky parts, Miles’s family is really loving and even when they don’t understand everything about his identity, they accept Miles for who he is.

This book is well-suited for teens who are ready for a brutally honest story about fighting for change.

5 out of 5 stars

Compound Fracture is scheduled to hit the shelves on September 3, 2024.

Andrew Joseph White has once again written a story that will stay with me forever. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would.

First and foremost, we have to talk about Miles. He has such a distinct character voice that I was reading in an accent. I loved him. Out of all of White's books so far, I think I connected the most to Miles. The struggles he faced as someone different in a small town just hit home for me.

Which makes sense considering it takes place in the real world, during current modern times. A lot of the horror from this book comes because this all feels very real and possible. This is more than a horror story though, this story explores a small group of people, different from the majority of their small town, fighting for their right to exist in the space. Fighting the corruption of their leaders. Leaders that have no problems playing dirty to get what they want.

White wrote a letter to us all, to remind us to come together and fight against the wrongs in this world, even if it gets bloody.

I can't say that this book is tame on the horror, suspense vibes that are in all of White's stories, but I will say this one was less on the body horror. (So if you're not the biggest fan of gore, this could be the book for you). However, like with all of White's books, I never knew where the story was going to end up.

I highly recommend adding this to the top of your TBR list. You'll want to read this one.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for allowing to review this book! Everything is my honest opinion.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5 Stars

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White is a queer Appalachian thriller that follows a trans autistic teen who finds photos that prove the county’s sheriff was responsible for an “accident” that injured his dad.

My oh my! Once I started I could not put this down. Genuinely not surprise considering how much I also loved Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth.

Andrew yet again has written deeply complex characters that feel real in every way. I will always recommended AJW as an author to anyone who will listen.

Content Warnings
- Graphic violence, with a focus on politically motivated, cyclical feud violence involving law enforcement and/or children
- Queerphobia and transphobia: deadnaming, misgendering, family conflict regarding trans identity (resolved), internalized queerphobia from a character on the aromantic spectrum (resolved)
- Opioid dependency and its effects on family; main character uses opioids after surgery and undergoes withdrawal after quitting without medical supervision
- Physical force and emotional manipulation by intimate partner
- Animal harm (butchering deer, off-page revenge killing of a dog)
- Discussions of ableism, including internalized ableism; brief mention of disfiguremisia
- Emetophobia (vomiting) warning

Compound Fracture was a wonderful book that explored growing up trans and autistic. Andrew Joseph White excels at writing messy and raw characters, and this book was no exception. I think this story captured the complicated feelings of loving a place that doesn’t necessarily love you back, showcased primarily through Miles’ relationship with his hometown.

This book does cover some hard themes like violence, transphobia, power abuse, and drug addiction in pretty graphic ways, so if any of that is triggering for you, you might want to pass on this book.

I recommend Compound Fractures for anyone who is angry at injustice, looking for a story with complex and compelling characters, or has a complicated relationship with their family, hometown, or community.

E-ARC generously provided by PeachTree Teen in exchange for an honest review! Thank you so much!

4 stars. Gritty, harrowing, and containing all of the edge-of-your-seat gore and horror you'd expect from Andrew Joseph White, Compound Fracture is a searing socialist manifesto of a YA novel.

AJW's writing transports me into his works in a way that few other authors consistently do for me. Every scene is easy to visualize and imagine that I’m an observer in the room due to the clear and descriptive writing. He also clearly loves the topics he writes about, as everything is crafted with an amount of care that is obvious in every line. In Compound Fracture it would have been extremely easy for Miles, a trans, autistic boy whose family works hard and yet is always struggling to pay the bills, to hate his environment and want nothing more than to leave. Instead, Miles loves his home, wants to make it better, and fights for it in everything he does. The love that he has for his home, a place that many may have preconceived notions but little knowledge about, carries him through some of the worst experiences of his life and gives him purpose in a way that really makes the setting come to life. This story is a powerful story of people who are oppressed by the system fighting against it. I highly recommend this book, as I do with all AJW’s works.

I received a digital ARC of this book through Netgalley, many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley.

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 (rounded down to 4)

I am now officially caught up on all of Andrew Joseph White’s works and they never miss. Compound Fracture is a much more grounded story than his previous works but in a lot of ways that made it feel all the more brutal.

Overall I found this book to be one that was both hard to read yet so very important. Between the representation and the messaging I believe this is a story that, if you can handle the brutal nature of it, is one that needs to be read by as many people as possible. My favorite aspect was how the story was able to show how strong community is, especially in oppressive systems that have kept people down across multiple generations.

If you are interested in picking this book up, I will say that this is a book where the content warnings should not be taken lightly. There were moments that I had to glance away from the pages to settle my stomach and I wouldn’t classify myself as a particularly sensitive reader. Despite that, I can’t emphasize enough how much I rooted for the wide cast of characters to bring down all the terrible people. Andrew Joseph White really has a knack for writing villains that you absolutely loathe and people in circumstances that you want to fight alongside. This work has proven that they will stay on my list of auto buy authors.

Thank you netgalley for my ARC copy. So excited I got to read this early. Now, contrary to AJW’s other books, this book was not as gruesome on the body horror side in my opinion, but still gruesome in many other ways. Once again, this book provides vivid descriptions of everything the main character is feeling and seeing. The representation in this book is awesome, there is definitely a wide spectrum of identities and beliefs. Definitely will be reading again at some point.

Damn, AJ White doesn't know how to write a bad book, and he only gets better with each new release. This book definitely confirms that he's an autobuy/read author.
I love that teens these days can see themselves in the protagonist Miles : trans, autistic, aromantic (!), a SOCIALIST - we love to see that.
You can feel how much the author loves West Virginia, Miles knows that the place has its problems, but that's still his home, with very important history and ancestors you can look up to. Everything that has to do with coal companies' exploitation, the workers' rebellion, the socialist ideals to aspire to were amazing to read, so much care was written into it. I was hooked from beginning to end, to see how this violent blood feud would transpire, and I was not disappointed. Maybe the whole ordeal was wrapped up a little too neatly at the end, but it didn't bother me at all, sometimes after all the grit and violence you need a happy ending.
Also, so nice to see some alloaro rep, which is still so rare to encounter in any media.