Thank you to the publishers for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley! This review will, of course, be honest. I think 3 stars is the rating I'm going to land on, I enjoyed the book but there were definitely moments that lowered the rating for me:

I have to admit upfront that I was hesitant going into this, I've dnf-ed two other books by the author due to being unable to really get into them despite the cool concepts and worried that it would be the same with "We Can Never Leave". However! I did get into this! For the most part, I really enjoyed reading this book and the story that was being told. I've always found Edgmon's concepts for their stories to be really cool, and this was no different!

Overall, I thought the premise was really good. I enjoyed the chapters with the different perspectives and the "Before" chapters, I think they gave a nice touch to the worldbuilding and setting up everything that happened, well, before. I liked seeing the characters' perspectives of the events, I always enjoy when the cast of characters has a chapter for each view.

Of course, I said I enjoyed this for the most part. There were things I did not enjoy.

The thing that kept taking me out of the story being told was the author insertion moments where I was addressed directly. I genuinely think that something like that could be cool, but the way it was done just kept taking me out of the story every time it happened. Including lines like "No one is paying me to write a D.A.R.E. campaign" and "Okay, pause. Hello again, reader." (and frankly the entire section that follows that line specifically) just didn't ... vibe with the way the story was being told. Again, I do genuinely think that telling a story in this way and having the author be part of it like this could be cool, but the way this was done just really took me out of it. I think, sometimes, letting the reader think things for themself is good and you don't need to jump in as The Author and tell me what I should be thinking at this current moment.

Another thing that I can never get behind was the pop culture references. Don't get me wrong, I love Hozier, I am hopelessly addicted to TikTok, but making mention of that is ... a choice...! I had similar complaints with "The Witch King", though, so I guess I can't be too surprised that there are more pop culture references in this too.

I think the ending was ... interesting! Maybe dampened a little by all of the author notes about the specific character, but still interesting!

And for what it's worth, I liked Felix. I feel bad for him. For all of them, really, but for him.

All that to say, I did genuinely fine "We Can Never Leave" interesting and I'm glad I was hooked enough to actually finish it! In one sitting no less! Again, thank you to the publishers for reaching out to me with this ARC and thank you to Netgalley for making it available to me!

This book was pretty good, but I do have a few arguments with it. It jumped back-and-forth between so many characters that I couldn’t keep track of what was actually happening in the story. The many threaded plot line was difficult to follow. That, combined with the difficult plot line of the characters being part animal made it very difficult to follow this book. Apart from that, I liked it. Had the jumping back-and-forth been lesser, I think I could’ve followed this much better. The characters were interesting And the concept engaging. Some better editing and I think this book would be amazing.

This was a really great look at someone who is trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. Heartbreaking and heartwarming in the same beat.

I loved this story and the characters! Such a fun read and we love to see queer rep. I didn’t want to finish because I was enjoying it!

This book still has me thinking about it! What a fascinating and unsettling story that shows the tragedy of life that so many experience. As a fan of the author, I was ready to enjoy the world, and while it was well-written, I felt more that I was a witness to a horrific event than one who could enjoy the proceedings. Overall, an outstanding story. I will definitely be rereading this one.

Queer rep, young adult, contemporary fantasy! A perfect mix! This novel leaves you reeling and wanting to see more!

Secrets, found family, and an interesting mystery! I loved seeing how this story unfolded and the characters all will steal your heart!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a gorgeously queer, deeply emotional journey about identity, belonging, and the bonds that form in the face of the unknown. Edgmon’s writing is rich with heart and grit, weaving a contemporary fantasy world full of inhuman creatures, tangled relationships, and secrets that cut deep. The characters are raw, messy, and unforgettable, each grappling with their own truths while searching for a lost community. It’s a beautifully crafted exploration of what it means to find home, not in a place, but in each other.

Thank you NetGally and publisher for this book!

Wow! WOW! Wow!! Boy was this book a great one! I enjoyed this writing style. All of the twist and turns. This thriller was definitely one I had a hard time putting down. I guessed wrong every time!! I will be picking up more books by this author ASAP!!