Bubblegum horror, good pacing, solid characterizations, relationship dynamics amazing + tender, Horror elements are on point, vicious.

Kelly Andrew has done it again! This is a deeply romantic, terrifying bubblegum horror—the two leads have such strong voices, a compelling hate-to-love relationship, and some truly unhinged defense of each other when things get really dark. Andrew's prose is gorgoeus, the pacing impeccable, and the themes resonant. Fans will love seeing old friends from previous books, too.

I Am Made of Death is my third book by Kelly Andrews and my favorite thus far. There are so many things to love, from the body horror imagery to the rawness in characters to the bloodthirsty secret societies. And did I mention a clinical exorcism takes place? 

Kelly mentions in the author’s notes that she put bits of her soul into this book, and you can feel it on the page. Vivienne is an emotionally complex character, and I recognize that feeling of being suffocated with the idea that one is inherently unlovable. As a result of that belief, she hides parts of herself that she’s scared others will judge.

Vivienne personifies the fear that one will never be worthy of love unless one strips away the unique and vital fragments of oneself. Enter Thomas, who proves her wrong by breaking through the armor she’s built and standing by her side through it all. He accepts her–all the parts of her–as she is. 

The plot is also fantastic, with haunting imagery and mad scientist vibes. Forces grow darker within each chapter, as lives are at stake, and leave you guessing what direction the characters will push the story toward. The last few had me entirely engrossed as secrets started unraveling, and there’s also a sense of found family that emerged, which I loved. 

Add this one to your tbr if you enjoy bodyguard romance, secret societies, body horror, and the paranormal. 

Thank you to Scholastic and Netgalley for sending me an e-ARC.

𝑰 𝑨𝒎 𝑴𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝑶𝒇 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 🩰
by: Kelly Andrew

𝑺𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒃: Following the death of his father, Thomas Walsh had to grow up quickly, taking on odd-jobs to keep food on the table and help pay his gravely ill mother's medical bills. When he's offered a highly paid position as an interpreter for an heiress who exclusively signs, Thomas -- the hearing child of a Deaf adult -- jumps at the opportunity.

𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆: In his fury, he'd shouldered through worlds. He'd shattered the skies for her.

𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓: Thomas! I love his wittiness and loyalty. He has such a loving heart! He takes care of what needs to be done and that includes his family. He also keeps his sense of humor and his banter is fun to read!

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅: I never like to give anything away/allude to the story at all. As someone who goes into a book without knowing anything I try to have the same curtesy for those who read my reviews. With that said I loved everything about this book! The banter, the slow burn romance, the twists and secrets! The horror aspect was perfect, and all of the symbolism in this book makes it a little emotional even. I adored the ending and I truly will miss these characters.

100% 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒇: You enjoy a little horror mixed with some great banter, rivals to lovers, MC self love and growth!

𝑰 𝑨𝒎 𝑴𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝑶𝒇 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉
𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆: March 4th, 2025

Thank you! Kelly Andrew, NetGalley and Scholastic for this digital ARC!

As a fan of Kelly Andrew, I loved coming back into the world that she has created. She does a great job of mixing horror elements with a compelling romance story. I highly recommend any of her work and look forward to reading whatever her next project will be!

Thomas Walsh is hired for a summer job interpreting for Vivienne Farrow, a dancer who has been mute for the past several years. It's supposed to be a well paying gig for Thomas who is a bit aimless, but Vivienne makes it clear from the start she wants him to quit. The kicker: Vivienne is not entirely human, particularly after dark.

"I had a handler before you, she signed. You should know that. You're not the first. The first is rotting at the bottom of the S-o-u-n-d."

I thoroughly enjoyed Kelly's first two novels (The Whispering Dark and You Blood, My Bones), so when I Am Made of Death was announced, I was so excited to read it. It exceeded my expectations. For being set in the summer, there's a major chill in the air during this story. Rife with body horror and a secret society, Kelly brings her universe together, bringing back some characters you will recognize from The Whispering Dark. Though you could read this by itself, it's always a fun little payoff seeing characters again on the page in a new context.

Thank you to Scholastic for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is due to be published 3/4/25. I'll be posting to Instagram closer to publication.

WOW just WOW. I'm utterly speechless at the beautiful tragedy that is played across these pages. Never have I read something so eloquently written yet so horrifying at the same time. This bone chilling YA horror novel stole my heart.
From demons to romance this book had everything my heart could have wanted. This is the first of this author's work I have read and I will definitely be seeking out more. Bravo Kelly Andrew. Bravo.

Thank you to Netgalley and Scholastic for sending me an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

How does one properly review a masterpiece? How do you describe picking up a book by a beloved author and falling in love with their writing all over again?

For starters, this book feels like Kelly has poured her own heart and soul onto the page, and every word of that was so beautiful to read. Vivenne is at once a strong, independent woman and a girl scared of truly being seen. I adored her as a main character because I saw so much of myself and the chronically ill/disabled experience within her. She embodies what it's like to wish you could whisk away that "most unique" part of yourself that others all too often fear, pity, or hate. She embodies the experience of trying to wrench that piece of yourself out by the roots, only to discover that those who truly love you were never bothered by it in the first place.

And then there's the actual story and the utter craftsmanship. The way that Kelly's books have been weaved together is so masterful it's breathtaking. And that doesn't even begin to cover what it's been like to watch her mastery advance with each book. Kelly's ability to use the written word to take you through emotions as though they are your own, as though you are beside the characters and are fighting their fights is always incredible and grows with every new story. The backdrop of bubblegum horror combined with the raw and vulnerable story of Vivenne and Thomas is one that gives its all to the reader as it reaches into their very being and mirrors their heart.

Please don't ask me how much I love Thomas...I am unwell.

If you're looking for a masterfully crafted series of standalones full of love, eldritch horrors, and the most perfect representation, look no further!

I loved how the relationship grew between the two main characters. The story was so atmospheric and I will deff be recommending this one!

This is my first “bubblegum horror” genre book and where has Kelly Andrew been all my life !!! Her writing style is so brilliant. I love when a writer gets to the point and has same pacing throughout. I never looked at what page I was on. Being that I was completely enthralled and felt as if I was there.

The FMC (Vivienne) is an entitled brat with a history so dark, while her past unravels to ribbons you understand exactly why she lashes out with grand sabotage schemes. She reminded me of Blair Waldorf, but possessed and a ballerina with a top tier ASL rep. The MMC (Thomas) he is the most selfless and caring despite his own trauma. And is the perfect forbidden bodyguard romance character since Moulin Rouge ! It was the perfect time to read this during spooky season. I actually need a physical trophy copy of this one.

Each entrapped in their own right, Vivienne and Tommy are on a collision course with danger. Beautiful Vivienne, trapped under the thumb of her rich step-father, Phillip, and by the deadly sound of her own voice... And Tommy, fighting to care for his sick mother and forced to take a job for Vivienne's step-father acting as her sign language interpreter and paid watchdog. But when emotions blossom between these two teens, will they be strong enough together to escape the grasp of both Phillip and the demon residing in Vivienne's chest?

I saved this ARC for the fall because I thought the vibes would be right and it did not disappoint. It was creepy, compelling, engaging, romantic, and mysterious all wrapped up in one New England package. At no point did I expect how this would end, and that makes a book so special to me.

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: horror, ASL rep, monsters in the night, heiress x bodyguard

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 9/12, Instagram as of 9/13, and my review blog as of 9/26.

This is the third book set in the world of The Whispering Dark/Your Blood, My Bones. You can read any of the books without having read the others, they're really just companion novels where someone will mention a character from another book or they'll show up for a couple of scenes. I for one am hoping we get more books set in this world. Maybe a team-up, or maybe just a new character story like usual, lol

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you (and pleased), to find a horror book featuring a ballet dancer that does not make the ballet world out to be monstrous and vicious. It was nice to have a dancer character in a horror book enjoy dancing and find it pleasurable and freeing. I do wish ballet played a bigger role in the story though, especially since it seems to be one of the few times Vivienne feels at ease.

Vivienne is a complex character who's reached her breaking point and is absolutely desperate to be rid of the thing inhabiting her body alongside her. The same thing that turns her voice to poison and that reflects back a different girl in the mirror. Vivienne definitely feels trapped, and at times she very much is. Her solution is to go to the extreme to try and fix what's happening, be that extremely mean to push people away for their safety or to the extremes of her own physical safety to remedy the situation of her...passenger. Despite outward appearances and behaviors, Vivienne actually cares very deeply and yearns for connection, but she's also terrified of it at the same time.

There was a lot of mystery and build-up around what Vivienne was harboring inside her, and I like that we never get a fully solid answer to the question. Some of the characters call it a demon, but 'demon' seems to encompass a number of different things in this series' world, so it's not an overly descriptive category. I also thought a certain scene at the end was super interesting and liked the way Vivienne's passenger interacted/reacted in that scene.

Thomas needs money badly and so, despite his misgivings, he's willing to put up with the Farrows' weirdness and Vivienne's cruelty in order to help make ends meet. He's definitely out of his depth from the get-go, but he tries his best to first get along with Vivienne, and then to just not get fired. Thomas has a big heart and so as soon as he gets the faintest hint that something's wrong with Vivienne, he's immediately invested in trying to help her, no matter how much she pushes him away. I have to say, his dedication to helping others is admirable, if at times a little risky and stupid. Thomas also tends to think of himself as someone who has to solve problems on his own, and it was nice to see other people going to bat for him and the people he cared about. It was a nice reminder to him that he's not alone.

There were quite a few side characters in this one, both new and old. On the new side we have Reed, an art college friend of Vivienne's who helped her get in contact with someone who theorized surgical exorcism. Hudson is a long-time friend of Vivienne's who ends up getting wrapped into the whole mess. I definitely think there's potential for a Reed x Hudson book next. Then there's Jesse. Poor Jesse, who definitely got manipulated by Vivienne and couldn't back out, but who, at the same time, I think wanted to know if his theories were possible, no matter what happened. Both Reed and Jesse are involved in the House of Hades, a secret society obsessed with the supernatural. We also get to meet both Vivienne's and Thomas' families, the latter of whom were more likeable and lovable than the former.

The House of Hades definitely intrigued me. More than just obsessed with the supernatural, the society actively seeks it out and investigate strange goings-on. The House references some of the supernatural goings-on of the other two books and it was such a fun little Easter egg to see those references. It also definitely hints to something larger going on behind the scenes.

In terms of returning characters, Lane and Cole are both in this one, along with Eric (whom I don't remember but I'm sure was in The Whispering Dark). It was definitely a treat to get Lane and Cole for more than just one scene this time around. I enjoyed seeing how they've changed since TWD and the ways they interact with one another as well as the overall magical world. Cole is still an asshole, but at least he's not mean anymore. It was also a nice surprise to get a little more background on him and, honestly? No wonder he was such a dick in TWD.

Overall I enjoyed this book and the characters. Thomas and Vivienne are both complex and stuck in difficult situations, but they're able to fight their way through it by relying on others. This book is a standalone but there are two 'companion' novels with Easter eggs in this book.

There was something so spectacular about this book that I cannot fully put into words. Vivanne and Thomas are an unlikely couple that shouldn't work but do because of their circumstances not despite it. I loved all their interactions leading up to their first 'I love yous' and everything heartbreaking that followed.
While I was expecting more cameos from past characters like in Your Blood, My Bones I'm glad there weren't because it would have distracted me from everything going on - and at one point a lot was going on (please they needed a break and a nap).
The bubblegum horror aesthetic is something that is constant throughout the whole book and something I didn't know I needed.
I loved every moment of this book - it was fast-paced but the characters were so well thought out that all their decisions and choices made sense. I wanted to finish it as fast as I could while also taking my time because I didn't want it to be over.
I cannot wait for this book to come out so I can add it next to the others written by Kelly Andrew.

Another hit for Kelly. It's so hard for me to articulate how much Kelly just writes the books I want and need to read. While this is pitched as a standalone, I would HIGHLY recommend reading at least The Whispering Dark first, but you'll get the most out of it if you read both of her previous books before hand.

Expect: Angry girls, ASL, big dogs, powerful men.

This was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed about the dark romance genre. The concept worked well overall and enjoyed the young adult element, the characters worked well in this universe and glad it had that element. Kelly Andrew has a great writing style and I wanted to read more.

Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Kelly Andrew’s “I Am Made of Death” is a haunting and evocative tale, absolutely filled with gothic horror. While this book is a standalone, it’s also a companion to Andrew’s previous works (Your Blood, My Bones and The Whispering Dark), and all the books are interconnected. I do recommend reading Andrew’s previous books, even though it isn’t necessary, as there will be certain characters or points that will make more sense with that context.

The story centers around Thomas Walsh, a young man burdened by family hardships, and Vivienne Farrow, a selective mute heiress who harbors a dark secret. Thomas, desperate to make ends meet for his chronically ill mother and sister, accepts a job as Vivienne’s interpreter, unaware of the supernatural horrors that surround her. Vivienne, haunted by a traumatic event from her childhood, struggles to free herself from the malevolent presence within her. Their relationship quickly evolves into a dark, forbidden romance as Thomas begins to see past Vivienne’s cold exterior to the vulnerable woman underneath.

Andrew’s writing style is a beautiful blend of eerie gothic tones and deeply romantic prose. The book captures the tension between horror and love, with moments that make you clutch your chest from both terror and tenderness. If you’ve enjoyed Andrew’s writing in the past, then you will love her writing in this one. I think Andrew’s writing only continues to get better and better, especially in establishing the tone. The dark, atmospheric setting creates an immersive experience, as you are pulled deeper into Vivienne's world of secrets and despair.

Vivienne is one of Andrew’s most compelling characters—snarky, bratty, yet heartbreakingly vulnerable. She longs for connection but is terrified of hurting those she cares for. Her struggles with communication, shaped by her selective mutism and the sinister force inside her, are explored in a relatable way. Andrew brilliantly delves into the violation of losing one’s voice, drawing parallels to the experiences of disabled individuals who are often misunderstood or silenced. This representation was very well done, and it was one of my favorite parts of the book. Thomas, on the other hand, is a character defined by his compassion and determination. Despite Vivienne’s cruel attempts to push him away, he remains steadfast, driven by a desire to protect and understand her.

The horror elements of “I Am Made of Death” slowly build in intensity, with the latter half of the book becoming increasingly suspenseful and terrifying. The House of Hades, a secret society obsessed with the supernatural, adds another layer of mystery and intrigue, pulling threads from Andrew’s previous works. Fans of her interconnected world will appreciate the cameos and Easter eggs, although the book stands strong on its own.

In the end, “I Am Made of Death” is a story about survival, love, and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about. With its blend of gothic horror, romance, and emotional depth, Kelly Andrew delivers yet another unforgettable tale that will stay with you long after the final page.

This is one of those times I wish I was a good writer of reviews. I wish I know the perfect words to tell you how insane and amazing (insanely amazing?) this book was.

I did not read IaMoD in one sitting. It felt like one of those books I needed to savor as slowly as I could. So I did. And I'm glad I took my time with it.

Kelly Andrew writes some of the most weirdly chaotic and impossibly wild books. And they are always saturated with all the feels and vibe one could ask for. (Anyone who knows me I live for those feels and vibe.)

One thing I always expect from a Kelly Andrew book? I can never quite fully grasp what's happening. Ask me right now to explain what I just read. I'll tell you I can't. And maybe that's part of the appeal? Because that has never stopped me from loving the book in it's entirety. And I love, love, love IaMoD. With all of its sharp edges and deadly secrets.

Thomas Walsh has stolen a piece of my heart. (Sorry, Vivienne but I will fight you for him. I still love you tho.)

I'm not into horror. Never have been actually. But I find I'm into horror when Kelly Andrew's name is attached to it.

Kelly Andrew writes masterpieces. This book is so violently beautiful, inner demons brought to life and fought off by girls in pink dresses who don't think they are anything other than their violence, and boys who reveal in fighting off not only those thoughts, but everything.

The writing is so gorgeous and it is filled with horrifying creatures. It is so incredibly good.

Kelly Andrew has done it again.

I Am Made of Death rounds out a gorgeous New England Gothic trilogy. Kelly brings us two more complicated characters that you cannot help but fall in love with.

Thomas is at heart a caretaker keeping his family afloat. He dives headfirst into Vivienne's life and cannot help but entangle himself in her problems. It doesn't help that his old college fraternity president keeps calling him. Vivienne has been dealing with an eldritch horror since she was four, and her meddling stepfather her whole life. Once Vivienne's and Thomas' lives collide, they start making decisions that include each other, and it will change them forever.

Kelly's language as always is stunning. "Insatiable as a weed, it continued to consume her. Year after year. Little by little. It bound itself to her bones, the way green bittersweet could swallow an entire tree." And the descriptions help with the creepy atmosphere of the story - I particularly loved every time Vivienne looked in the mirror and found her reflection doing something it shouldn't have been able to. If I could have, I would have read it while peeking through my fingers!

Most importantly it is a devastating account of Vivienne's voicelessness. While her issue with speaking caused obvious, immediate consequences; I Am Made of Death examines what it looks like to live without a voice and the varying reactions of her friends and family. There are various instances of Kelly's language making words palpable/tactile ("The words fluttered between them like a trapped moth" or "a dozen unasked questions dropped to the floor between them") but there is also a lot of ASL in this book - both translated literally and letting the reader ascertain the meaning - and it is wonderfully unrelenting.

Highly recommend reading The Whispering Dark and Your Blood, My Bones before reading IAMOD, as some of our favourite characters pop up in this one in a way that you'll appreciate more if you've read Kelly's other books.

Thanks to Scholastic and NetGalley for the ARC!