Hell Followed with Us

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White is a gripping, heart-wrenching journey set in a chilling dystopian world where survival is about more than just escaping death—it's about finding a place to belong and fighting for it. In this instant New York Times bestseller, sixteen-year-old trans boy Benji is running for his life, fleeing from the malevolent cult that raised him. This fundamentalist sect has triggered Armageddon, unleashing chaos and reducing the world's population to mere remnants of civilisation. Benji isn't just trying to escape; he's desperately seeking refuge where the cult can't capture him again, nor exploit the dangerous bioweapon they’ve infected him with.

As Benji grapples with his harrowing fate, he encounters an unlikely group of saviours: a band of teenagers from the Acheson LGBTQ+ Centre, also known as the ALC. Led by the striking and formidable Nick—who is autistic and an exceptional marksman—the ALC promises Benji sanctuary. Nick, however, is privy to Benji's horrifying secret: the bioweapon coursing through Benji’s veins is transforming him into a creature capable of ending humanity.

Despite the impending danger that lies within him, Benji accepts Nick's offer of protection under a stark condition: he must learn to harness and control the monstrous side of himself and wield its power to defend the ALC. As Benji integrates into this ragtag group of resilient queer teens, he longs for a sense of belonging and family. However, as he delves deeper into the ALC's community, he uncovers that Nick holds his own dark secrets and may be harbouring ulterior motives.

Already celebrated as a New York Public Library Best Book of the Year, a William C. Morris Award Finalist, and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Hell Followed with Us is an electrifying debut. It is a narrative fuelled by raw emotion and relentless determination that explores themes of identity, defiance, and finding one's place in a world that seeks to obliterate them. For readers who revel in complex characters and high-stakes survival, similar to the awe-inspiring dynamics in "Gideon the Ninth" and "Annihilation", this novel is an unmissable experience.

With recognitions including a Booklist Editors' Choice Selection, a BCCB Blue Ribbon Book, and a spot on the ALA Rainbow Roundtable's Rainbow Book List, Hell Followed with Us stands as a testament to the power of embracing the monstrous parts within ourselves and turning them into sources of strength against oppression. Andrew Joseph White's debut offers a fierce and unapologetic roar against the rising tide of anti-transgender legislation and societal prejudice, making it a must-read for anyone navigating the perilous journey of self-acceptance and resistance.