In social media posts throughout, White has perfectly mimicked the cultures of each unique platform, adding poignant depth to how the true crime industry is treated in different media spaces, professional and social alike. . . . Physical and emotional violence match in intensity, offering a consistently unsettling and engaging narrative that is angry and passionate, with a beacon of hope at the end for escaping abuse. . . . This harrowing, action-packed thriller shines a spotlight on the exploitative nature of the true crime industry. Perfect for teens frustrated by the cruelty of the world, impossible to put down, and enthralling until the very end.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
White crafts a precise and gripping plot filled with vivid imagery and dynamic three-dimensional characters. Through Morgan, who’s desperate, flawed, empathetic, and sincere, he explores the violent impact of stereotypes that link neurodivergence and mental illness to murderous impulses. The resolution offers a satisfying harmony of realism, catharsis, and grounded hope for healing.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
White relies on curiosity and empathy to drive the reader forward through a plot thick with triggering content and the internal musings of an unlikable protagonist. And yet, Morgan is incredibly interesting and more than deserving of the reader’s investment. His complexities go beyond neat labels, though autistic is an important one, to place him at a messy intersection of experiences and identities that he’s learning to define for himself.
—Booklist (starred review)
The fallible, wholly authentic protagonist is a constant in White’s YA novels, as is the idea that, though the story is complete, the character still has a whole life of growth ahead of them. . . . You’re No Better brilliantly uses extremes to highlight and honor the intricacies and complicated intersections of adolescent and neurodivergent trans experiences, creating a novel that can speak to a multitude of teens.
—Shelf Awareness