Review goes live January 20

I don't know what I was expecting. I think more of a psychological horror. But it turned out to be more of an eldritch horror. I honestly am still kind of confused about some stuff, but I loved this book. The confusion just added to the story and the horror. I also never knew what was going to happen next and that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Both Vivienne and Thomas are deeply flawed and I loved their characters. I don't feel like there was much character development, but I loved that they came together with their flaws instead of working to be perfect for each other.

I think people who love horror, psychological thrillers, and all things eldritch will love this novel.

This is the YA book to pick up if you are looking for a dark romance with a touch of fantasy and horror. I especially enjoyed how unique this story felt and how strong the two main characters were. Something I found intriguing is that not all of the backstories or all of the fantastical elements were completely explained; I think that readers may be a bit divided as to whether they like that, but I did.

This book captured my attention and held it throughout the entire time I read it. I recommend this to readers who like the the way the summary on the jacket sounds. This is a book that would translate well to the screen.

Ummm……wait a darn minute? Why is this the first I am hearing of Kelly Andrew and her books? Because, wow! Just wow. If you want to know how I feel about this book, all I have to say is IMMEDIATELY after I finished this eARC on my Kindle I instantly ordered her other two older works. I can’t wait for them to get delivered because I will be cracking those babies open as soon as they get here.

I am having a hard time putting into words how I feel about this one or even summarizing what it is about. It’s completely engrossing, original, dark, and atmospheric. Both Thomas and Vivienne, our two main characters, are such deep and complex characters. I couldn’t look away for one second, practically finishing this book in two sittings. I WANTED TO KNOW MORE! In fact, my one very small complaint is I wish we had a little more insight into Thomas and his past (to put it in a way that doesn’t spoil anything).

In these pages you will find a very dark story of possession and the paranormal. You will see what desperation looks like when you feel like your life is not your own and what it means to truly keep your promises to the people who are most important to you. It’s a beautiful story wrapped up in a disturbing package. I didn’t know this was the story I was looking for, but it truly delivered in the BEST way and is there anything better than when a book completely takes you by surprise? I say not.

Andrew’s book is a MUST read for 2025! It is absolutely captivating and imaginative! It is both powerful and haunting! I was immersed in the book from beginning to end. I love how much imagination and creativity is used to develop her paranormal characters.

The story of Vivienne and Thomas is fascinating. The backgrounds, the way they interact with one another and their personal demons drives the story. Their relationship goes through several phases with a strong connection that is tested a number of times. The intensity between them and the haunting creature continuously draws the reader deeper in the story.

I was completely thrown by the ending of the book but it is so good. Absolutely do not miss out on reading this book!

Kelly Andrew’s I Am Made of Death is a spellbinding tale of resilience, identity, and the battle against darkness, both external and internal. Set against the backdrop of grief and survival, the novel weaves a rich tapestry of love, desperation, and supernatural suspense.

🩰storyline:
The story follows Thomas Walsh, a young man burdened by familial responsibilities after the loss of his father. As the hearing child of a Deaf adult, Thomas's unique skill set lands him a job as an interpreter for Vivienne, an enigmatic heiress whose life is as tightly controlled as it is mysterious. From their first encounter, the tension between them crackles—Vivienne, haunted by a presence that’s slowly consuming her, and Thomas, determined to protect her despite the risks.

🩰world building:
Kelly masterfully builds a world that is both intimate and terrifying. Vivienne’s struggle with possession is a chilling metaphor for the loss of autonomy and identity, while Thomas’s relentless loyalty and resourcefulness create a poignant counterbalance. The interplay between these two characters forms the emotional core of the novel, drawing readers into a relationship that is equal parts tender and tumultuous.

🩰the vibe:
The book thrives on its eerie atmosphere and haunting imagery. Andrew’s descriptions of Vivienne’s otherworldly plight are vivid and unsettling, creating a sense of dread that lingers throughout. The pacing is taut, with each revelation adding a new layer of intrigue and urgency.

🩰what's different:
Yet what sets I Am Made of Death apart is its exploration of the human condition. Beneath the supernatural elements lies a deeply human story about the lengths we go to for the people we love, the fight to reclaim our sense of self, and the courage it takes to confront the monsters—both literal and figurative—that threaten to destroy us.

I liked the idea of this book, but it was a little hard to follow in some parts. It is very detailed, but I feel that there could have been a little more information about how Thomas became what he was. I also know that Thomas is supposed to be 18, but the way he acts especially toward Vivienne he seems older in his late 20's. It was an interesting read, but not something U would read again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for this copy of "I Am Made of Death."

Let me start by saying that I envisioned this as a movie while I was reading with Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) playing Vivienne and Hunter Doohan (Tyler) as Thomas. It would be awesome!

To help his family, Thomas quits school and takes a job with the Farrow family to be the interpreter for their daughter Vivienne. She was lost in a canyon at age 4 and the experience was so traumatic that she refuses to speak. But how did she survive in the canyon and did she bring something out with her?

(March 2025) AZ I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew, 368 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic Inc), 2025. $20.
Language: R (84 swears, 18 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
College dropouts paying for their mother’s medical bills are beggars, not choosers, which is why Thomas (18yo) is living the Farrow household as an interpreter for Vivienne (18yo). Vivienne chooses not to speak, but she doesn’t need an interpreter-slash-babysitter. Once she finds a way to ditch Thomas, she can continue with her plans to fix herself—or else die trying.
The occult aspects of this story are not explained very clearly. The vagueness adds an element of horror in the beginning but distracts from the action the deeper readers go, turning mystery into confusion. In the end, the forces of evil somehow collapse, causing the antagonists to somehow face consequences while the protagonists drive hopefully into the dawn of a new day. A happy ending, if not a very disclosing conclusion.
The majority of characters are implied White, and Frances, Hudson, and Reed are part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, illegal activity, scary elements, mentions of prostitution, kissing, and innuendo. The violence rating is for assault, gun use, blood and gore, mentions of suicide, and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Loved this book. It was different from what I usually read but this was great. The author is great and I absolutely loved how all three books tie together. Kelly Andrew is a new to author and I'm so glad I discovered her.

I felt the pacing was great and I loved the multi POV. The only thing I wish was a little more explained was Thomas's abilities, I felt that was glazed over. Otherwise he definitely goes on my fav MMCs list. I love how gritty and rough around the edges he is even when he is in a suit

Vivienne is an absolute angel who deserves the world...above and below the world too, with Molly and Judd by her side.

I have yet to read a book by Kelley Andrew that I haven’t absolutely loved. I am made of death had so many things about it that were amazing: from the dogs, to the storyline, and the romance between Vivienne and Thomas, the book was perfection! And I do have to say, I’m glad this book didn’t devastate me in the way Your Blood, My Bones did

This was everything I wanted it to be. If you loved Jennifer’s body (the film) then you need to read this immediately. Kelly’s writing style is so deliciously unsettling. I would read her grocery list.

Another beautifully creepy read by Kelly Andrew! I love how all of her books are connected, but I admit it’s hard for me to remember the details from the previous books which takes away some of the impact. I finished this in a day nonetheless so obviously I enjoyed it. The MCs were really intriguing and very different but were connected through their tragic backstories. Vivienne is a spoiled rich girl on the surface, but is a selective-mute due to something horrible that happened to her when she was a child. Thomas is a college dropout working multiple jobs to try to make ends meet for his family and his sick mother.

I guess you could call this a bodyguard romance - Thomas is officially hired as Vivienne’s interpreter, but unofficially as her bodyguard/spy for her father. Their relationship was cute but I wouldn’t say it was overly memorable. I also enjoyed the horror aspects, the occult society, and the plot twists. I would definitely recommend this if you’ve enjoyed Kelly’s previous books, or if you’re looking for a fast spaced spooky read.

Thank you to Scholastic and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This bubble gum horror/romance will have readers rooting for the characters. Thomas is a college drop out due to circumstances out of his control and must take odd jobs to support his chronically ill mother and little sister. Vivienne is a rich socialite that is mute by choice. When Thomas takes the job interpreting for Vivienne, he does not know what he signed up for. The tension between the two characters is great and the story is interesting.

Terrifying, angsty, beautiful. I loved everything about this book. A favorite of the year!

So grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC !!

🎀bubblegum horror
🦷bodyguard romance
🎀mutual pining
🦷found family

I Am Made of Death is a dark and twisted, weird little book that's also SO romantic and beautiful, you simply can't help but immediately fall in love with it.

It's written so beautifully haunting and creates the most stunning imagery ever oh my god... I can't get over it. The way some scenes were described and written, even if it was just the tiniest little detail, set the perfect eerie mood & just added sooo much to the atmosphere and the reading experience.
Like genuinely it was so good that I caught myself wishing I knew how to paint or draw just so I could capture specific scenes.
(I also really loved how sign language was included into the writing and thought it worked so so well!)

I already knew that I was going to love the horror elements and the creepiness of this book, but it was the romance that really had me hooked from the very beginning.

The yearning and pining between the two characters was SO DAMN GOOD, I was genuinely giggling and kicking my feet all the time!!
It takes a lot for me to be this giddy about a romance, so I can safely say that the way theirs was written was just pure perfection, so soft and sweer ughhhh I WISH we'd gotten so much more of it.
Kelly Andrew really masters any genre and subgenre she touches.

She always writes the most lovable characters ever, they just feel SO real, like they're actual people out there in the world living their silly lives. I immediately fell in love with both Vivienne and Thomas and was rooting for them so hard. It was great to see how morally ambiguous both of them were and how that somehow only made me like them more.

& another thing I'm gonna say is I am absolutely OBSESSED with the way everything was connected and came together in the end, the little found family we got!! It really was the perfect full circle moment and a great conclusion to the story.

This was (still is!!!) one of my most anticipated reads for 2025, and it absolutely delivered!!! I cannot wait to get a physical copy in my hands. Kelly Andrew has done it again. Bubblegum horror? Sign me the heck up! Absolutely a joy of a book, I devoured it. Such an interesting take on possession, and I loved all of the eerie, spooky moments.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!!

I have loved everything Kelly Andrew writes and I Am Made of Death is no exception. She nails atmosphere so well and her characters feel so real. The relationship development was masterful, the storytelling was gripping, and the payoff tied everything together. I didn't expect a connection to The Whispering Dark so for fans who have read her other books that was an unexpected delight! I loved getting a glimpse back into that world and to see that there was more than a superficial tie in - introducing those characters into this story had purpose. This story is rich, and haunting, and beautiful. It's such a unique take on possession, I absolutely loved it.

So good! I really enjoyed this book. Without spoilers, just know you HAVE to preorder this one! Thank you very much for the ARC!

Thank you to the publisher for an arc of this novel; all opinions are my own.
I’m definitely in the minority in that I didn’t love this. It definitely had promise, but this was a very mature story for characters who were only 18 years old yet acted as if they were much older. In my head they were at least 23/24.
It was a really interesting premise and the reveals were shocking, but for some reason I just couldn’t follow what was going on. The ending took forever and kind of dragged on, in my opinion. It could have been my mood, but I just wasn’t fully invested in the story.
It was fine, and there were moments where I was sucked into the novel and fully invested, but the ending dragged for me.
Ultimately, the writing was good, the story was interesting, I just wasn’t invested and I’m not sure I can put my finger on why.

Nicely written, engaging story, characters you would enjoy knowing. Readers from middle school to octogenarian will be engrossed in this story of love and magic.