I'm still confused about this book. But I enjoyed it. I think the leftover confusion is perfect for the horror of it. The confronting themes within it.
What it is great at, is representation of genders, of explaining neurodivergence, of accepting who you are with no regrets.

Well written, exciting and engaging from the first page. Absolutely devastating. The perfect book to read this Spooky Season.

andrew joseph white never misses!! i had been waiting for this release for well over a year but somehow i hadn't actually grasped what the book was going to be about?? i must have read "trans, autistic, west virginian" and then stopped processing. tonally, this book seemed different to ajw's other books. maybe it's because miles was written with the cadence of a west virginian, something unique to this book. maybe it's because it's set in a time period pretty close to present-day (although 2017 being 7 years ago is VILE if you ask me). either way, this novel had all of the gore and violence that i know and love ajw for.

weirdly enough, i think the murders that happen in this book hit a lot harder for me than the ones in hell followed with us and the spirit bears its teeth, probably because this book was set in a much more realistic setting. yes, there's still an element of magical realism, but it's easier to overlook. the idea that such terrible things could happen in a real american town with ZERO repercussions would probably bother me if i thought too much about it (also yes, i'm pretty sure that twist creek is fictional). there were also a few particularly gory scenes that i didn't think too hard about, so hopefully i don't have nightmares!

ultimately, i didn't love the characters in this book as much as i did in the spirit bears its teeth but i really enjoyed the presence of positive parental figures and supportive communities. contextually speaking, it would have been very easy for ajw to pin all of miles' family against him, but i'm glad that he didn't. i also liked the aromantic rep, which i think is pretty rare in ya books!

now to wait a year for the next book from ajw...

4.5 rounded up

There are some slight spoilers ahead

Compound Fracture is a brutal love letter to the people who love their small town even if it doesn't love you back - "for all its problems, it's mine". It's for those hurt by a world that hurts them for existing but you can't help but care ("even if I don't like people, you know, it's hard not to give a shit about people as a whole") and fight and bleed. It's full of heart and rage and discovery. Generations of pain and love and oppression culminating in the terror of being alive, especially then, especially today, especially always. It's hard out (t)here when you're queer and disabled and you stand up for what's right.

The book follows Miles, a trans autistic teen in Appalachia striving to survive and protect his family. A family that has been at war for over a 100 years, clawing their way to survival, forced to turn to violence to save them, and the town, from the elite. We join Miles on the eve of his coming out, set on a mission to right the Sheriff's latest wrongs. A violent attack cements a drive to fight back, fuelled by the pain of his ancestors and those still living it. Stakes rise, tension mounts, and the violence escalates but in the midst of the storm a community is formed and Miles finds further self discovery and acceptance dug from the years of smoke and blood. There's also a very good dog.

The horrors of Compound Fracture are very real. Whilst there may be a supernatural guide, the monsters are men and they don't need to wear a mask. They'll smile with your blood on their hands and your money in their pocket. It does not back away from reality. It's an unflinching portrayal of trauma, with complex characters that genuinely make you feel a full spectrum of emotions. I have never felt such terror, never held my breath and urged the book onwards like chapter 45. AJW writes so compellingly that I've highlighted at least half the book. Words that are tattooed on my viscera, on my soul.

I docked half a point mostly because I am a whore for gore and revenge. Like watching a horror film where they run upstairs instead of outside, I'm screaming at them to stop being so stupid. Think of the evidence, think it through, don't leave a trace that it was you, but god if you're gonna do it, make it hurt. I was begging for some poetic torture, to string them up and butcher them as there hands have done so many times before. It was too quick of an end than they deserved. Miles has SO much empathy, far too much in my opinion but it's a testament to his character. No matter how broken, how hurt, he still cares about people. He emerges from the battle, blood stained but still merciful. Still kind. Throughout he feels undeserving of other people's kindness, when other people care. Even from the smallest of autism accommodations, he's so used to hurting that it's foreign to him. I am so grateful he got such a good community that understands him (though there were some stereotypes) and that this book can be a voice for so many to feel less alone. The disability representation/acceptance was also a welcome reprieve.

There were some little things that I didn't like, like the aforementioned stereotypes, lots of unnecessary info or sentences that can take you out of the story. I spent a good chunk of the book begging for SOMEONE to understand police procedure and to maybe NOT LEAVE EVIDENCE. Trigger warnings to be aware of: Transphobia/queerphobia including deadnaming and outing; death, murder, violence; animal death; ableism; fire/fire injury; paedophillia; addiction; medical content.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy. I really loved the book and its characters. I can see that the author spent a long time on worldbuilding and forming 3 dimensional characters. This was already on my wish-list for the year, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. I loved the read and can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next!

Absolutely loved this! Andrew Joseph White knows how to tell a story and is phenomenal at creating stories and characters with so much depth and intrigue. I loved how reading this felt and the journey we went on a as a reader. 10/10 and I can’t wait for more of Andrew’s books

This is a gritty, gory, and brutal tale of a violent and centuries-old feud between the working class Abernathy family and the Davies', whose current figure head is the cruel county sheriff. We follow trans and autistic Miles Abernathy as he becomes the feud's latest victim and is forced to sacrifice it all in a desperate effort to put an end to the cycle of violence and free his family - and town - from the abuse they suffer.

The story is fast-paced but gripping. The writing is brutal and direct, but oh so enjoyable. Our protagonist is raw and real, and his journey of self-discovery is gut-wrenching at times, tender at others, but overwhelmingly empowering at its core.

There's an incredibly diverse array of characters, and I thought the representation was handled with the utmost care. The story and writing are also highly political, and I was so here for it - a group of fierce and unapologetic socialists and anarchists who rise up and take their town back? Yes, please. Also, a ya novel where the adults are competent, loving, caring, and supportive (even if flawed)? Again, yes, please! We desperately need more of that in the ya genre, and it was a definite highlight for me.

𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒓.
This quote kept coming to my mind while reading; one of the most touching plot points is perfectly encapsulated by it.

The book's last line gave me goosebumps; there's something deeply powerful and moving in seeing people take power and win.

This is a story about the working class coming together and standing their ground in the face of those who oppress them and benefit from doing so. It's a story about family and community. It's a story about being unapologetically who you are. It's a story about fighting for your place in the world, about clawing your way out of silence.

This was a harsh, captivating, and deeply emotional read. The book is out now, and I highly recommend it. I honestly can't wait to read more of this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the earc in exchange for my honest review!

Andrew Joseph White went from a never-heard-of author to a insta-buy author for me this year, and I say that as someone who doesn't specifically enjoy or seek out a lot of YA books, especially YA horror. But I have really enjoyed all three of his published books to date. Admittedly, I think this one was the toughest read for me in that it felt a bit too uncomfortably close to reality while the other two books have required some fantastical thinking, but with that discomfort came a lot of home truths about the world we live in and the way we treat each other. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a gritty and grim story about a queer teen who fights for what's right and learns endless life lessons in the process.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Compound Fracture is the kind of book I would normally not pick up. I'm not much for the horror thrillers, even if they have a slight fantasy element. Super tiny that element is in this book. But as this is Andrew Joseph White I wanted to give it a chance. I'm glad I did.

This is not a book I can say I enjoy. I don't think anyone will 'enjoy'' this book. As the synopis says, it is gut wrenching. It is a hard read that packs a punch. If you think you are just getting a thriller, think again. There is so much more packed into this book. With a trans and autistic mc, how could it not have?

It is an important book however in the currently political but also social climate. There are people who think they can say what goes and not goes. A little violence and corruption is nothing to them. Socially there is a lot of transphobia still. Autistic people are often also very mistunderstood. And then there is a past that haunts this town as well. And that all came through in this book. It doesn't offer solutions. It's not that kind of book. It is gritty and realistic for parts in the world. Where people are scared for their life just for existing.

So no, this book is not for the faint of heart. But if you want a book that leaves you with an impact, this is a good read.

In my opinion, this novel is the least scary of White’s books. Maybe because the supernatural appears only as a reminder of the past. In this story, the people are the source of evil, their greed and cruelty.

Still, the novel is filled with blood and rage. It is a call to fight for what one believes to be right and just. It’s a great book.

Also, it has an absolutely adorable dog in it.

'Compound Fracture' is not my first introduction to the work of Andrew Joseph White, and it has been lovely to see his writing develop and mature since 'Hell Followed with Us'. This book truly has it all, starting with complex characters with well-developed backgrounds, a sense of mysticism woven throughout the atmosphere, and gory, unexpected twists that WILL make you gasp out loud on a packed tube at rush hour.

The story follows trans autistic protagonist Miles as he survives an attempted murder and is pulled into the tangled world of generational trauma and class struggle in a small Appalachian town. It also explores his gender identity and the process of unmasking his autism. It's a gripping and compelling tale of community and resilience in rural America, delivered with the tasteful horror-esque writing style White is known for. Although this book features fewer fantasy elements than the author’s previous novels, it is no less fantastical. It was a great read from beginning to end!

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved Andrew Joseph White’s The Spirit Bares Its Teeth and Hell Followed with Us. As a warm-up for the spooky season, I was very excited to read his new novel, Compound Fracture. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed: this queer Appalachian thriller pulls no punches, from its first chapter full of horror and gore to its final pages, it all come beautifully full circle.

Compound Fracture is set in West Virginia and follows a trans autistic teen drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them. While it wasn't flawless, I found it unputdownable and read it in one sitting. It took me a week to digest and articulate my thoughts about it.

There is a lot packed into this novel, but the themes of individualism versus the importance of community shine throughout Miles story, Miles, our main character is slowly coming out as trans to his family and his group of queer and disabled friends, they are all connected by an eventful past. They live in Twist Creek County, where violence and generational trauma impact everyone’s lives, with many choosing to leave. The representation of a trans autistic character experiencing an aromantic awakening was particularly good. Miles emerged as one of the most fascinating characters I encountered, navigating his challenges with nuance and depth. Sheriff Davies and his son presented as truly creepy villains, while Cooper and Dallas were drawn with remarkable dexterity. White has a great talent for crafting compelling stories with deeply nuanced characters and unexpected plot twists. Combining elements of gore, horror, and violence, this novel really stood out for me.

Andrew Joseph White has crafted a gripping tale that beautifully balances its violent core with the rich stories of its characters. Several plot twists caught me off guard, leaving me flabbergasted.

This is a hard-hitting, gut-wrenching, and soul-touching novel. Definitely not for the squeamish or easily unsettled - make sure you check the trigger warnings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the eARC!

When I tell you I will literally read anything Andrew Joseph White writes, I am not exaggerating. Compound Fracture is such a ride, and I never knew where it was going.
If you have read any of his previous books, I would say this leans more Thriller than Horror, and I am constantly in awe of how his mind works!
Miles lives in a rundown town, born into a family feud with the Sheriff, he has grown up knowing how to stay off his family's radar. Dealing with coming out as Trans, and existing as an Autistic person, Miles has a lot on his plate, when he is almost beaten to death. Little does the Sheriff’s son know, but his decision to attack Miles starts a route no one can stop.
I went through so many emotions reading this book, especially reading what Miles experiences as an Autistic teen. Every one of Andrew Joseph White’s books has made me question things about myself, and this was no exception.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publisher (Daphne Press) for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. #CompoundFracture #NetGalley

I really liked Miles, who was a very well written and complex character. It felt to me that the other characters were more like set pieces for his story arc, not real characters, plus they were a bit too black and white (especially the antagonists), compared to previous AJW books. What it absolutely delivers on is queer rage, living with autism, trans issues and other themes of actual political topics.

Overall, I liked it, and although this one was not for me, I'll definitely read his next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC of this books.

I flew through Compound Fracture - the writing is fluid and the themes are addictive. I love a story of a dirty cop and political revenge….add in the mix a super cool trans kid and an adorable dog.

Set in West Virginia, Miles Abernathy comes out as trans to his parents and sneaks off to a party… but that night turns into a nightmare for him…he’s left on the verge of death. An event that has everything to do with a long standing feud from 100 years previous; Miles’ great-great grandfather incited a miners’ rebellion, which ultimately ended with his public execution.

These events spiral into murder and revenge - a town that wants out from under the sheriff’s cruel reign - they are willing to put everything on the line.

I loved the character of Miles and his dog, lady - his trans journey felt very authentic to read and I was rooting for this kid.

Themes of the book:
🍃 Trans kid
🍂 Autistic reps
🍃Dirty Cop
🍂Historical events (west Virgina coal wars)
🍃Politics
🍂Revenge

Overall a very enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to checking out the author’s other work, which currently sits on my TBR.

Having read both of White’s previous books, I went into this book with somewhat high expectations even though the synopsis didn’t sound as though something I would necessarily have picked otherwise. This book is quite different from his other works but I would probably say that it is his most brutal and honest work to date. This is a book about a transmasc, neurodivergent character and they are going through some truly horrifying things.


Whilst there is gore in this book and multiple very dark deaths, for me the violence came in the form of the prejudices that these characters faced. Topics of transphobia, homophobia, and classism are all tackled within this story, as well as there being a strong through-line of generational trauma. There is one supernatural element to this story but I would place this story more into a category of mystery / thriller similar to Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby.


I found this book really challenging to read because it was written so well and I could recognise a lot of reality in what these characters were facing. There is also repeated mention of a rather brutal mention to the death of an animal and references to hunting. I think this is a truly incredible book and I think a lot of trans and/or neurodivergent teens and adults will find a kind of comfort in the truth of what is happening within these pages. There is also a catharsis in seeing a type of justice be served.


Because of the variety of triggers and the violence of this book, I do think this is a book that is a little difficult to recommend but I still would say that anyone who might be interested should give it a try. The story does not get easier as it goes on but, as White says in his author’s note at the start of the book, it does have a happy ending.

I have loved every book they have wrote and this is no exception, I cant wait to try to get the illumicrate collection when it releases. Once again, Andrew writes a brutal, unflinching and poignant story that pulls absolutely no punches.

∞ ↺ this guy continues to write the most unhinged unapologetically queer stories and i eat them up every single time;
∞ ↺ our mc was so compelling, fighting back against bigotry in their small town as well as being in a century old family feud, i'm not trans so i have no first hand experience, but the reactions of family members/ignorance felt so very real;
∞ ↺ trans rep, autism rep, and general queer rep - with fast paced plot

Andrew Joseph White is unmatched in his talent for writing queer and disabled teens. Having read hiss two other books, I can say confidently that there is so, so much love poured into every single main character, making each one so unique and, I'm certain of this, differently capable of comforting, offering hope and understanding to people - of any age - who can relate.

This book did, indeed, feel more intimate, with the story revolving about community, through and through. The message was beautiful and impactful, although I wish it had felt somewhat more realistic - the action was less entertaining than the relationships, most of the villains felt unidimensional and the characters' plans were not very credible.

Even so, the book was special and has more positives than negatives: both Family and Friendship were written beautifully, their complexity was explored very thoroughly and this is what I believe stands out the most in Compound Fracture. The community aspect and the politics were an incredibly bold choice and so fantastic for it. This book is a loud reminder that writing is political, writing can be activism and it's fundamental as a means to give shape to a future that seems inimaginable amid the chaos we live in. Very worth the read!

4.5 stars, rounded up

White's writing is addictive, and he has a knack for crafting characters and worlds that stick with you. His books are consistently excellent, and this one was no exception. It's very much recommended, though you should take a look at the trigger warnings before you pick it up, as it gets very heavy and dark.

Well plotted, tense, and intriguing. I loved the well plotted story and the solid mystery that kept me hooked.
The characters are fleshed and the setting is fascinating
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine