Tales & Tomes

Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Benji, a 16-year-old trans boy, is on the run from the fundamentalist cult that raised him. The world outside is crumbling in the wake of an apocalypse the cult helped unleash, and Benji himself carries a terrible secret: the cult infected him with a bioweapon designed to reshape him into something monstrous. Struggling between survival, identity, and the horror within, Benji finds refuge with a group of queer teens fighting back, kids who may be his only chance at freedom, even as his body begins to change in terrifying ways.

My Thoughts 

(Spoiler Alert: minor spoilers ahead!
This book is visceral, bloody, and raw, it doesn’t shy away from horror, body transformation, or the trauma of religious extremism. But beneath all the gore and chaos, there’s also something deeply affirming about Benji’s journey. I loved how Andrew Joseph White centers queer and trans characters not just as survivors but as fighters who create their own chosen family in the ruins of the old world. Some moments hit hard emotionally—Benji’s struggle with both his humanity and his identity feels brutally honest. The found family aspect gave warmth in the middle of an otherwise nightmarish setting.

Would I Recommend It?
That is a simple, yes. If you’re a fan of queer horror, dystopian settings, or body-horror transformation, this book is a must-read. It’s unapologetically gory and intense, so it’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a story that blends terrifying apocalyptic horror with fierce queer representation, Hell Followed With Us will grab you and not let go.

✨ Loved my review? You can grab your own copy of Hell Followed With Us on Amazon!