Hell Followed With Us

by Andrew Joseph White
Hell Followed With Us cover
Good Books rating 3.55
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 1450
  • Added: 2025-10-06
  • Updated: 2025-10-06
  • ISBN: 9781682633243
  • Publisher: Holiday House
  • Published: 2022-06-07
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 4

Sixteen-year-old trans boy Benji is fleeing from the cult that raised him and unleashed Armageddon. Infected with a bioweapon that's mutating him into a monster, he seeks refuge with the Acheson LGBTQ+ Center, led by the enigmatic Nick. As Benji struggles to control his transformation, he uncovers hidden agendas and secrets that threaten the fragile safety he's found./n/nPerfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and Annihilation, this novel is a powerful exploration of identity, survival, and the monsters within. It's been recognized by the New York Public Library and the William C. Morris Award, among others, for its compelling narrative and queer representation.

Reviews
the starving artist · Devontre Varro Flaherty · 2025-01-12
overwhelming 1.50

They found the book to be overwhelming with body horror and visually confusing. The representation was often too intense for their liking.

The reviewer had a hard time with the level of body horror in this book, finding it too much for their taste. They also mentioned that the visual and spatial elements were confusing, which made it difficult to fully engage with the story. While they appreciated the representation, it was often too intense and overwhelming, making it a challenging read overall.

Quick quotes

    I remember that this book was way too much body horror for me.

    And it was visually and spatially confusing.

    And the representation was often too intense.

Los Angeles Review of Books · 2022-10-22
uncompromising 4.20

They admired the novel's uncompromising approach to horror, anger, and faith, highlighting its bold and unflinching narrative.

The reviewer was impressed by the novel's uncompromising approach to tackling themes of horror, anger, and faith. They noted how the novel's bold and unflinching narrative made for a gripping and thought-provoking read. The reviewer also appreciated the way the novel explored the complexities of faith and identity, particularly through the lens of a queer protagonist. Overall, they found the novel to be a powerful and unforgettable exploration of these themes, one that stayed with them long after finishing the book.

Quick quotes

    White's young adult debut novel is uncompromising in tackling horror, anger, and faith.

    When Benji joins and fights alongside the Acheson LGBQT+ group, the novel's themes of identity and resistance come to the forefront.

    The novel's unflinching narrative makes for a gripping and thought-provoking read.

The Story Sanctuary · 2022-10-01
engaging 4.00

They praised the balance of character development and horror elements, finding the novel engaging and well-crafted. The exploration of character vs. horror was particularly noteworthy.

The reviewer found Hell Followed With Us to be a standout horror novel, particularly appreciating the way it balanced character development with intense horror elements. They highlighted how the novel's characters were compelling and well-developed, making the horror aspects even more impactful. The reviewer also noted the novel's unique exploration of themes such as identity and survival, which added depth to the story. Overall, they felt the novel was a gripping and well-crafted read that effectively combined horror and character-driven narrative.

Quick quotes

    Hell Followed with Us is the second horror novel I've read this year.

    Loved the balance of character vs horror elements.

    My review here.

Every Book a Doorway · Sia · 2021-11-20
powerful 4.50

They celebrated the novel's exploration of rage and its unapologetic embrace of queer themes, finding it both powerful and necessary.

The reviewer was struck by the novel's raw and unfiltered portrayal of rage, particularly queer rage and teen rage, which they found both powerful and necessary. They appreciated the novel's unapologetic embrace of its themes and its willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on. The reviewer also noted the novel's post-apocalyptic setting, which they felt added an extra layer of intensity to the story. Overall, they found the novel to be a glorious and impactful read that left a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    It's post-apocalyptic queer horror, and it's very much a book about rage – queer rage and teen rage and righteous rage.

    It's glorious, getting into the raw and unfiltered rage that comes from being othered and oppressed.

    The novel's unapologetic embrace of its themes is both powerful and necessary.

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