Of White Pills and Lobster

by S.B. Wilhelm

Surtr would do anything for the people he loves—sell cocaine, go to war, or even commit treason. As a young fire sewa, part of the warrior caste of his country, his only chance to escape the meat grinder of war is to study, to research weapons instead of using them. He is drafted into the armed forces and captured by a foreign mob. Desperate to get home and to protect his younger brother from the same fate, Surtr agrees to bring their cocaine trade back with him. In pursuit of his freedom, he discovers the depth of corruption in his country that pits his tribe against his found family. Surtr must find a way to balance expectations between his country, his gang, and his tribe. As he fights to keep all three from hurting each other under mounting pressure, he is forced to choose what to save and what to sacrifice.

Of White Pills and Lobster is a dystopian science fantasy set in an alternate world, after WW3 set on the Steppes of Eurasia. It’s full of elemental magic, gene tech, war and drug trade. The book relies on Tengiirist and Nordic mythology to fuel its beliefs and magic system, marrying two ancient raiding cultures, as half of the Author's family is from a post soviet steppe culture, and half is Northern European. We’ve read about Peter Pan beating up pirates, Naruto fighting assassins, and Luffy battling warlords of the sea. In short, watching children in an adult’s world. This book is inspired by the beloved childhood heroes.

Early readers have

Of White Pills and Lobster is a sweeping, visceral dystopian packed with action and tragedy that never let up. I was so engrossed in the intricate world and the devastating arcs of characters I couldn't help but love. A true feat of a debut! - Hunter GayS. B. Wilhelm paints a story of love and corruption, a scathing indictment of the abuse of power, and people, where the good moments burn all the brighter for how bleak the world is. - Adorne SibleyWonderfully different. Seeking glimpses of beauty in a deeply painful reality. Who they become resonates with the struggle between bitter circumstance and the human necessities of love and security. - H. R. SillinA pressure chamber that forces the reader to experience it alongside the characters, who we feel like we’re friends with. There is no escape from the horror in this morally ambiguous story. - Lynn Kerrigan

morally ambiguous story telling, sibling relationships, found family, forbidden love (part of a romantic sub plot), mentor trope

Trigger
This book contains scenes of self harm, scenes of a graphic nature towards all ages (including minors): violence, domestic abuse, explicit language, human experiments, mention of genocide, rape and assault, death of named characters, drug/ substance abuse and addiction, infringement of reproductive rights.

443 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2026

Reviews

[Cera Simum · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was given this ARC to read, all I knew was it was a dystopian novel and it had subplots that involved drugs and politics- and I thought: not far off from my favorite genre, mafia romances... This book wrecked me!
I have to admit I struggled a lot with the characters' names because I always want to make sure I'm pronouncing something properly, it took me longer than I expected to immerse myself. Every time I attempted to read these names, I stumbled. But when you focus on the MMC's journey and not the names, I became obsessed with this book!
While struggling for survival as a child, the MMC is drafted as a soldier in the war and fed performance enhancers that grant him transformative powers. Despite having these powers, he just strives to have a "normal life" of fun, friendship, and love.
This book is so well written and the author is extremely talented. She pulled me through a rollercoaster of emotions. Overall I was swept away by the background love story and rooting for his happiness. Double check TW- you will be reading graphic details of child abuse, the cycle of drug addiction, and murder.
**Thank you S.B. Willhelm, @PeanutsForMonkeys-Author📚📖🐉 for trusting me with an early view of your beautiful, hard fought work. Your words brought this world to life.
#booktok #books #dystopian #viral #reading

[Ember Lboski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly painful. A lament for those broken by war and hate. It leaves you wondering which side of you will you be in the end?

[Paula]

dnf @ 34%

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

First a thank you to S. B. Willhelm for the honor of reading this ARC.

This post third world war, dystopian, novel has a solid plot and subplots that revolve around political and drug wars, and the struggles of a young man to merely survive the life he was born into.

The setting is bleak and gritty, the endless struggle of lower classes struggling to survive under the oppression of the upper classes. Wars between factions are fought for freedom, wars between drug lords are fought for money and power, and children are the ones drafted to fight in both.

We are taken on the journey of the MMC life after he’s drafted into the war as a child, fed “white pills” to enhance his performance during war, the development of his elemental powers, and the wreckage the war causes on his psyche. His journey, despite being a child soldier, contains the desires as any “normal” childhood; friendship, love, acceptance, fun.

This story has elements of child abuse, addiction, withdrawal, death, and murder. There are some graphic and brutal scenes depicted so I recommend reading the content warnings. It is very well written and evoked a full range of emotions for me.

I found myself rooting for our MMC and the girl he falls in love with. There were on the edge of my seat, heart pounding moments as well as chest tightening moments of sadness while reading this story. The end left me hoping for another book but also leaves me sad knowing that the cycle may just continue endlessly, as it truly does for many in the world today.

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of White Pills and Lobster is a beautifully written, haunting, and deeply human story. S.B. Wilhelm crafts a world shaped by the scars of war, where survival pushes people to unthinkable limits. The novel dives into the murky world of post-war drug trafficking, revealing how far people will go to endure life in cities left in ruin.For readers who are drawn to gritty, emotional military stories, this book is a must-read. The writing is dark yet poetic, capturing the raw desperation of its characters while maintaining a sense of aching beauty. Amid the darkness, the love story woven through the pages brings warmth and hope, a reminder that tenderness can survive even in the bleakest times.Wilhelm’s storytelling is both brutal and graceful, leaving you breathless and deeply moved long after the final page.

[Malcolm Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 (Rounded up to 5 stars)
Craft: 4.5/5
Story: 4/5
Vibes: Immaculate
Characters: Delightful

This is the kind of book that only comes out once in a while. It delivers incredibly high quality in both the story it’s telling and the technical craft involved.

Spoiler-Free Review
A child soldier grows up in a war-torn, anime-esque dystopia where a far worse reality lurks just beneath the surface. We watch him grow within this brutal environment and witness how it consumes him—or perhaps, how he consumes it.

The story is a bleak look into dystopic living, woven with a lot of anime and Slavic DNA. It’s a fascinating mix of former USSR-bloc survival, complex politics, and cultural zeitgeists. The world-building here is deep and meticulously thought out, especially for history buffs.

I only have a couple of minor constructive criticisms. First, the dialogue can feel a bit stilted at times, but it actually reminds me of how direct translations of Eastern languages sound in English, which gave it a unique flavor. Second, while the accuracy of "inherited names" like Ayutthaya is solid, it can get a little excessive when the protagonist, Surtr, has various ranks, nicknames, and calls on different deities. It can also get confusing with transliterated honorifics like Agaa and Aniaa, as it can be difficult to recall on the fly that they are the equivalents of "dad" or "mother."

Overall, it’s an excellent, deeply layered story, and I'm very curious what the sequel will be like as there are plenty of unresolved threads, even if Surtr's arc did reach a sort of conclusion and new beginning.


Spoiler Review

Looking at this from a more Eddic or Homeric angle, this story is a mythical retelling of growing up in a former Communist Bloc nation, shifted into a post-apocalyptic dystopia. Add in the "GMO" bender powers and deep cultural conflicts—including an updated Mongol vs. Chinese conflict, drug-running Khmer Rouge from Thailand, and straight-up Yakuza from Japan—and you’ve got a powder keg of tension pulling the MC in every direction.

The world-building is spectacular. Despite the challenging names, fantasy fans used to dense character lists shouldn't struggle much. Every name was chosen specifically and with intent, especially Surtr and Subetai.

This isn’t a happy retelling, though. It takes all the injustices of fascistic totalitarian leadership, adds sci-fi justifications for the oppression, and mixes it with a stratified society that is part capitalist (where money is power) and authoritarian enough to enlist children into war. You never truly get the whole world explained; we only know as much as Surtr, which isn't a lot. We watch him survive terrible situations, make terrible decisions, fall in love, become a smuggler, and slowly lose connection with his family—both biological and found—until his own self-fulfilling prophecy comes true.

His biological family members are also GMO benders, and the plot point regarding how they are "taxed" is easily the most messed up part of the story. The brilliance of it, however, is the realization that things like this have already happened in our real world. Aside from the bender powers, nothing here is completely outside the realm of possibility. This element causes a lot of cognitive dissonance because of the heavy subject matter, which I think was intentional.

The central plot is more or less just a pathing mechanism for the MC. It’s honestly the weakest part of the book, but because the characters are so relatable and interesting—driving the story forward with their decisions, even the dumb ones—it doesn’t feel like anything is "missing." Surtr isn't after anything grand and has no long-term plan beyond keeping his brother safe. These good intentions can’t survive contact with his brutal reality; his arc is very much a case of "the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Much like how the Iliad is a warning to young men about glory-seeking, the cost of immortality, and the need for self-control, this story is a warning about the dangers of a world made perilous by technology and ideology. It highlights the struggle of communal strength versus the ease of corruption, as well as the dangers of idealistic trust.

There’s a brilliant thread I caught right at the start. When they call him and his family the "Whores of Erlik Han," I looked it up. If you combine Surtr with Erlik Han, and later Yerleg, the character's entire arc is subtly hinted at. Only someone paying close attention would catch this, especially in the West where Tengriist deities aren’t well known. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was even more framework pulled from Tengriist customs for other character arcs, i just don't know

I do have a couple of gripes regarding the climax. The nuke going off to escalate things made me raise an eyebrow. If you can see the mushroom cloud, you’re probably already dead, or at least at extreme risk—though at least they were facing away from the flash.

Finally, the ending feels a bit rushed. The back-and-forth flashbacks didn't quite work for me. It felt like an attempt at cinematic prose (the demon recalling his good moments as they fall), but it would have been stronger to show all those scenes earlier or to reference them in dialogue. It doesn’t ruin the satisfaction of the conclusion, but it does make the ending feel disorienting and unstable. While that matches the POV at the time, it hurts the immersion and pacing just a little too much in my opinion.

[Adorne Sibley · Rating 5 out of 5]

SB Wilhelm paints a story of love and corruption, a scathing indictment of the abuse of power, and people, where the good moments burn all the brighter for how bleak the world is.

[Daniel Fansler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for Of White Pills and Lobster

Went into it with a vague impression of what I should expect. I knew there would be violence, drugs, dark themes comparable to The Poppy Wars. After reading it, I can confidently say reading this was like watching Breaking Bad if Walter White was a kid/teenager with elemental powers (and don't forget to sprinkle in some war, for good measure).

In the end, I could not help but root for Sutr and Yimir and Ashe even though I knew the ending could be nothing short oftragic. Make no mistake. This IS a Dark Fantasy. This IS a tragic story. Several chapters, including the ending, had me put the book down so I could stare at my ceiling for a prolonged time.

The only thing against this book, I would say is the cursing. Not the fact that there IS cursing, but moreso that I think it's way overdone. Not only overdone, but all the cursing sounds the same too. This became a problem, especially in the middle of the book, which was the harder part for me to get through, because at times it just sounded like all the characters sounded the same. It just felt like the cursing was there for cursing's sake, it was there to sound edgy--especially when it was in the narrative itself (rather than dialogue).

But, in the end, the ending was so rewarding I do still highly recommend this book. Though, obviously, if you mind cursing in your literature, you would not like this one.

[James McGettigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an early copy of this work from the author and I see the potential, especially considering the author has publicly stated English is not her native language, this is a solid book. If you like The Last Airbender, Breaking Bad and other media along those lines, you could get into this easily and I definitely saw the inspiration from both those shows meshed here.

I think where the author shines best is in her characters, their dynamics and how they develop over time. The author does a good enough time diversifying her characters and making them stand out.

That said, I think the author could improve on the cohesion of her storytelling. Especially for the first third of the book, I didn't really understand why the war was going on, but that turned out to not be a big issue because it wasn't the main focus of the plot. Still, I felt the action and events jumped around too much without much context. There were too many instances where in my mind the characters were having a conversation, in a completely neutral area and then all the sudden it felt like I jumped into an action scene that was already 5 steps in, before I even saw the instigators arrive to the scene...

Overall, I think the author shows promise and I wish her the best of luck on the rest of her series, as the ending alludes to a potential sequel!

[Bi W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt as if the author invited me over for dinner, where I turned out to be the food and then they ate me and spit out my bones.

This is the most accurate analogy I can find to describe how it felt reading this book.

Not because it promised a light story but due to the fact that I did not expect to develop such affection and thought for the characters in this book when I first started reading it.

Through deliberate planning (I assume) and thought, the author was able to develop multi-layered characters whose behaviour and acts you can understand - and sometimes potentially relate to- even if you don't agree with them.

It feels real because you get a glimpse into the minds of these people and see that they are not evil for the sake of being evil but that they do evil things as they believe that it is the only way for them to protect those they care for, or simply they do not know any better due to lack of information about events happening around them in a cutthroat, post-WWIII militarised society where everyone has a predestined role to play from the day that they are born.

I feel that nowadays, this is quite a unique trait in a book, since we usually have the "good" and the "evil" but rarely the in-between, and it is likely the reason why I felt completely emotionally exhausted - in a good way - at the end of this book.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful debut novel that anyone who loves dystopian fantasy should read.

The story follows Surtr, our main character, a child soldier living in a post–World War III society. He is thrown into the chaos of politics, organized crime, and illegal substances as he tries to protect his family.

What I really loved is that the author doesn’t shy away from the brutality of war. The young age of the main character adds an extra layer of heaviness, yet it all feels grounded and realistic. I genuinely liked Surtr as a POV character, and his mentor, Subutai, was easily one of my favorites.

Another aspect I found incredibly realistic was Surtr’s family life. His sense of responsibility toward his brother reflects something very real how children often grow up too fast when their parents are emotionally absent. The way Surtr is treated when he returns home, as if his family doesn’t quite know what to do with him, was heartbreaking.

This is a heavy book, but the themes are handled well. I loved the plot twist, and it gave me strong Arcane meets ATLA vibes.

I gave it 4 stars because I couldn’t fully connect with some of the other POV characters, but that’s more of a personal preference. Overall, the characters are well written, and if you enjoy this kind of story, I highly recommend it.

[Tales with Atticus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of White Pills and Lobster throws you into this gritty, post World War III world where magic and gene tech mix with war, drugs, and impossible choices. It follows a young soldier who just wants a normal life but keeps getting pulled into things way bigger than him. He’s trying to protect his brother, stay alive, and hold onto a little bit of love and loyalty in a world that keeps breaking him.

It’s dark... like, really dark, with scenes of child abuse, addiction, and war trauma. But it still finds space for friendship, found family, and those small flashes of hope that hurt because they’re so rare. The writing is emotional, and I found myself rooting for the main character even when everything felt hopeless.

What to expect:
-Morally grey storytelling
-Found family
-Forbidden love
-Choosing between duty and love
-Tragic hero / reluctant warrior

Tones
-Dystopian science fantasy
-Bleak, emotional, and raw
-Heavy on moral grayness and inner conflict

If you like morally gray stories with complicated characters, sibling bonds, and a world that feels both magical and painfully real, you'll like this book

Anyway, I’ll just be over here pretending I didn’t tear up over a boy who deserved better.

[Deyuan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of White Pills and Lobster completely caught me off guard in the best way.
The story is layered, intense, and emotionally sharp from start to finish. The characters feel real in a way that makes you sit with their choices. Nothing feels exaggerated. It feels human.
One thing I do not see enough in books lately is strong, meaningful monologues. This book delivers them. The internal reflections and character driven moments create a deeper understanding of who these people are and why they move the way they do. It adds weight. It adds intimacy.
The exploration of child soldiers is handled with seriousness and care. The emotional gravity is constant without feeling forced. The subplots are fresh and unpredictable, adding real depth instead of filler.
What stood out most was the character evolution. The main character, along with much of the cast, does not stay static. You feel them shifting, adapting, breaking, rebuilding. They become more familiar to you as the story progresses, yet they are clearly not the same people you met at the beginning.
This is my first 5 star read of the year. A must read.

[Dido Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Of White Pills and Lobster as an ARC read. It's a stunning debut.

I do not like when authors spoon feed information to you, I truly enjoy learning with the characters and that's exactly what SB Wilhelm does brilliantly. The devastation is a part of the landscape, and while I know some reviewers aren't a fan of jumping from scene to scene, what I particularly loved about it is the energy it gave the story. The eeriness that enveloped the world and the psyches of the characters was palpable as they had to navigate impossible situations with less and less resources.

SB does not pull a single punch, and you find yourself hoping for devastation knowing that the only solace you can find is that you can predict it.

It's one of the most beautiful and heart wrenching portrayals I've seen of PTSD.

I highly recommend.

[Jeremy Scholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of White Pills and Lobster is a dark, imaginative story set after a massive war, with myth, science, and realism. The main character, Surtr, is a young man forced into battle by his war-torn country even though he dreams of a different life. When he’s captured, things get real, challenging his morals, to protect his brother and survive. The world in the story is detailed and unique, combining ancient warrior culture with futuristic technology and corruption. It explores deep themes like loyalty, family, and sacrifice, making readers think about right and wrong in tough situations. Some parts can be intense, but the action and emotional depth keep is engaging. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking read.

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

was a beta reader for this and now it's out in the world! i blurbed this! crazy cool! this was such an intense read, it tricks you into thinking you're reading a war story for the first third and then becomes about a kid having a breaking bad-esque descent into getting really involved in the drug business he started to make money for his family. it's such a rollercoaster and so dark for a story with mostly children MC's. really deep world building, very intense action scenes, and soo many heartbreaking character moments. highly recommend!

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible. Breathtakingly vivid. This book is emotionally deep and complex. It is dark and sad, but somehow still highlights the moments of beauty in the characters lives. It feels like Jade City meets Heart of Darkness and it was probably one of the best debut novels I've ever read. If you have the stomach for it you have to read this book.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He will do anything to protect his loved ones and he is sent to war where he is captured by the enemy. To escape he needs to cocaine back with him. His life is not going to be very easy and choices will need to be made. See what he will do next
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a fascinating read