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

439 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication 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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.