Reviews with content warning for Death - The Spirit Bares Its Teeth

This book instantly drew me in, and I read it in under 36 hours. I loved Andrew Joseph White's debut novel, "Hell Followed With Us," and I enjoyed this one quite a bit, too. There isn't as much gender euphoria in terms of morphing into a monstrous beast, which is sad for someone like me, who enjoyed that aspect of "HFWU" immensely. But I found a lot of joy in the interpersonal connections in "The Spirit Bares Its Teeth," specifically the relationship between Silas and Daphne.

"TSBIT" explores transness and autism in a different way than "HFWU," and I think that's wonderful. Both novels are similar in tone and style (sharing the theme of "trans kids biting back"), but unique in content and imagery, with very different settings (post-apocalyptic America, versus nineteenth century England). I especially enjoyed the way that Silas' anxiety manifests in a figurative rabbit inside of his chest. That ongoing metaphor culminates very nicely in the finale, and it's one of many personality traits that distinguishes Silas from Benji.

The weakest point in this book, for me, is the worldbuilding. AJW mentions in a video of his that he doesn't feel equipped to write in more detail about what a revolution against Speaker society would look like, and he adds lightheartedly that his worldbuilding probably wouldn't withstand such a heightened level of scrutiny anyway. I agree with this.

The fantasy elements added to nineteenth century England allow for 1) frequent eye imagery and eye-related horror; 2) characters to recognize others with spiritual powers; and 3) dramatic parallels of how colonialism and misogyny operate in the real world. I enjoyed a lot of these fantasy elements. Eye imagery is neat, and I appreciate the concept of vengeful spirits wreaking havoc on their oppressors in death. The line where the ghosts say that their privileged abusers never thought they'd end up in the ground like their victims was bone-chilling and, quite frankly, awesome.

But there's still so much that I don't understand about how the Speaker system works. Silas isn't allowed to pierce the Veil, and he doesn't seem very interested in trying, so it makes sense that our protagonist doesn't give us much insight into these fantasy powers. We hear allusions to how Speakers use ghosts to gain intel, especially during military campaigns. But I understand very little about the afterlife, which is surprising, considering how every unique fantasy element in this story revolves around the dead.

Is the Veil a kind of purgatory where spirits are trapped? Do any spirits get to "move on" to someplace better? Are they miserable in death? And if the afterlife is a freezing cold hellish landscape (which it certainly seems to be), then why aren't more Speakers and those with supernatural abilities concerned about it? The explanation could be that the men in power often think that death will never happen to them, but I don't think this is a satisfying answer for how all of a fictional society seems to ignore the horrific implications of their powers.

Then, there's the detail that these powers miraculously appeared several decades ago. I wonder if there's some parallel that I'm missing in the real world, some revolution or change in society that is represented by purple eyes and ghost powers. Industrialization, perhaps, or the age of empires?

Still, what's trickiest for me to reckon with is the decision to denote ghost powers with purple eyes. I imagine that AJW wanted an unnatural eye color to reflect the characters' supernatural abilities. But as someone with ocular albinism, I know very well that purple eyes are possible, and they have a clear scientific explanation. (If you lack enough pigmentation in your irises, then you can see the red color of the blood vessels beneath: hence the prevalence of red and purple-tinted eyes among people with albinism.) I can tell myself that the purple eyes in this novel are more jewel-toned and fantastical than real purple eyes, and perhaps with more range and variety, but I can't fully get over the odd correlation of eye color with magic, especially considering the harmful stereotype of PWA as mystical or otherworldly.

There was a moment in this novel where Silas reiterates that there is nothing special about purple eyes; they are no different from any other eyes. While this is true in one sense, there is a tangible difference in pigmentation that has a clear scientific explanation (and a very interesting one at that, in my opinion). I wish that that portion had been worded differently, to emphasize that purple eyes are different from other eye colors, but not inherently magically. Still, I don't know if that's correct in this universe, since there is a 1:1 correlation of purple eyes and magic powers that I quite honestly don't know what to do with.

How many people actually have this eye color in the novel, by the way? What percentage of the human population has inexplicable ghost powers, and did these powers suddenly awaken in adults, or only in newborns? I accept that Silas is able to go into hiding, because I want that for him. But just how much do his eyes stand out, even once he's left his old identity behind and can safely pass as a man?

There are a few topics I'm very picky about when it comes to fiction: depictions of albinism, aromanticism, asexuality, and romance itself. My thoughts about eyes in this novel, therefore, are complicated and still forming. But I must say, all of the romances were amazing (and if I'm saying that, then it's a high compliment indeed). Silas and Daphne have my whole heart, and I enjoyed Mary and Frances' relationship, as well, even if I don't quite understand the physics/logic of ghosts. The idea that hauntings can be gentle and formed out of love makes me very happy and emotional.

The non-romantic relationships were phenomenal, as well. I loved Silas' dynamics with Isabella and the groundskeeper especially, the way that they care for one another and see themselves reflected in each other. These relationships didn't have to be romantic to be important to the story, and they are just as emotional and captivating as the two main romances. Silas' relationship with his brother George is more complicated than heartwarming, but I still appreciate the attention and nuance given to non-romantic connections such as theirs.

All in all, this is an amazing book, and I'd highly recommend it for anyone with the stomach to handle its many content warnings. (There is plenty of gore, misogyny, violence, abuse, body horror, rape, forced pregnancy, etc. etc. Seriously, look up a list of content warnings if you have any triggers to avoid.) I may have lingering questions about the worldbuilding and its implications, but the story itself is solid and compelling, and I will happily read any other novels that AJW puts out in the future. Plus, his covers look awesome!

Content Warnings

toto8's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

clarke's review against another edition

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dark mysterious

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The Spirit Bares its Teeth is set in 1800s London, where violet eyed mediums can commune with the dead. It follows Silas, a 16 year old autistic trans boy who dreams of being a surgeon, not a man's wife, worthy only because of his violet eyes and uterus. In a desperate bid to escape, he poses as another man but his impersonation is caught. He's deemed to have "veil sickness" a disease where any woman who opens the veil descends into madness. Instead of being sent to Bedlam, a wealthy suit sweeps in and he is instead sent away to a finishing school to teach him how to be a proper lady and beat the madness away. As he learns of missing students, and the truth the headmaster is hiding, he discovers that the punishment for disobeying the patriarchal norms is worse than death.

This book was beautiful. I've highlighted parts that really spoke to me, and it was especially evocative when discussing the trans and autistic experience, eloquently describing the horrors of being perceived: "It is only when I step back to see it all through another’s eyes that I want to unravel it and carve the meat into a new, different, more acceptable shape. The only thing that will ever matter is how others see you. I want to take myself apart into something else, and if I cannot do that, I want to destroy every part of it that could ever be used against me. And if that is my eyes, or my womb, or all of it—" and the connection of girls and womanhood through being AFAB and raised as such: "I still connect with women. I find companionship with them, closeness that cannot be denied, because the world will always do its damnedest to see me as one of them. As long as we are seen the same, we will experience the same. Our lives will be linked. I will be held to the same unfair standards, punished under the same unjust rules. To separate how you are seen from who you are sometimes feels nigh impossible.". There was also an immaculate summary about my feelings as a doctor and a uterus: "know enough about pregnancy to be terrified of it, which is the only sensible reaction to discovering how it works." As well as a many tragically beautiful descriptions of grief: "Death never goes after those who deserve it. It only ever takes from those who aren’t ready." and the horrors of man: "why is it that when they hide their faces, men become monsters instead of angels?". I'll stop quoting the book now and let you enjoy it in its entire form, but God I want you all to read it immediately. I want to highlight it in its entirety.

I couldn't put this book down, and it was sad when it ended. It's an exquisitely haunting tale tackling patriarchy, identity, and complex relationships. Whilst the plot points were predictable for me, it was still satisfying: the blossoming love story and the ones that never got to be; the evil deeds committed by men; betrayal and courage and anger and cowardice and fight. Parts were akin to screaming at your TV for the character not to go up the stairs when the killer is chasing them, not to be alone in a room with a man. It did a great job at revealing information, even if I knew it already, especially early on when Silas is investigating the missing students. The world is immersive, and whilst the author notes taking historical liberties, I found everything worked and nothing pulled me out. I would have preferred more of the ghosts, opening the veil, talking to the spirits, etc but it didn't feel lacking (I'm just a spooky bitch). The horrors of man are far worse than ghosts could ever be. We're treated to small exerts from the ghosts perspective, and they are so deservedly angry. The book came the a satisfying conclusion (even if it would have preferred a more torturous end), and I want to read it for the first time again. It does feature dark themes, but none of it feels gratuitous - this is how a horror about transphobia should be done. It does not deadname for the readers sake nor try to justify itself. The queerness felt natural, as did the relationships and reactions to events. There is a kinship amongst the different characters, and I'm glad Silas had people he could trust.

Overall, this was piercingly beautiful, and whilst I wouldn't say not to more supernatural elements, a more brutal punishment, or a tad more vengeance, it was a fantastic read. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Content Warnings

greeneerie's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

oh my GOD

Despite having read the warnings, I did not expect this book to be so heavy. Not that that is a bad thing, the writing was wonderful and I loved the book even more because of this, it's just not something I had prepared myself for. I've read White's other book, "Hell Followed With Us", and while it dealt with some similar/equally as heavy topics, it wasn't quite so graphic in its descriptions and depictions of them. TSBIT is AMAZING, just be prepared if you're going in expecting it to be light.

Content Warnings