Take a photo of a barcode or cover
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Transphobia, Abortion
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"So, if nothing else, I hope this story means something to you. I hope the scalpel is kind to you. I hope your sutures heal clean. You deserve that much; we all do."
Silas Bell on paper has a lot; He’s from a rich family, a hopeful surgeon, and able to control the veil connecting reality to the spirit world because of his purple eyes... As a trans man in the 1880s however, it is not safe to present as anything other than female, and with increasing pressures to marry a man and produce an heir with ‘the gift’, Silas has had enough. After being caught in an act of rebellion, Silas is diagnosed with Veil Sickness- an ailment that only affects women- as they are corrupted by the powers they were bestowed, or so they say.
Sent to an institutional school that specialized in rehabilitating young women with the sickness using unorthodox methods, things start to go awry as Silas realizes that girls are going missing, and the headmaster of the school seems to have a suspicious number of haunted items in his storage. Banding together with his newfound allies, Silas begins to unravel the truth of the school- even if it may kill him doing so.
Truthfully, while I was a big fan of AJW's other books beforehand, when it came to 'The Spirit Bares Its Teeth', I had always been hesitant to pick it up, and had pretty low expectations for it- despite knowing nothing about it. So, if anyone has ever needed a sign to not judge a book before giving it a chance, PLEASSEEE let me be it for you.
This book took me out of a slump; It made me excited to get on the bus in the morning so I had an excuse to read. It had me properly organizing my studying schedule, so that at the end of the day I had time to pour into reading. It even had me re-downloading Goodreads to write my first ever review, because I couldn't imagine not spreading my love for it out there. I hadn't even finished the story before I started a frantic search for more updates regarding the authors newest projects. It has been three days and yet still I am left astounded by the impact it has had over my life. Basically, I adored every word of this book.
'The Spirit Bares Its Teeth' was an experience unlike any other I've ever had while reading, and made me realize why I have always loved the fantasy and horror genre so much. Every page had me enraptured, and the descriptions left me gasping out loud in public. The medical gore at times had my head spinning, and a others left me in awe for minds like Silas’. The depictions of female rage- and the revolting actions that women are pushed to so they are not left living a life they cannot stomach- were so disturbing that, in a twisted way, they became a comfort.
Perhaps I am a biased audience- I am a queer, neurodivergent AFAB science student that has always loved the grotesque, and have been made to question if that is 'womanly' before- but AJW perfectly sums the fury of living in a society where minorities actions are scorned, while people doing worse in power are praised. Silas Bell is not a mad women in need of fixing, but a trans man who does not fit into the expectation of his time. The other girls are not broken, but casualties of a misogynistic society, who fail to see them as more than future wives and mothers. The cast of characters are predominantly female- and even when they are written explicitly as an antagonistic character, you can't help to sympathize for them. Mary, Isabella, Charlotte, Louise and Mrs. Forrester are all victims in the same rite as Silas, and we explore the many paths a person can take when they are held victim of their body, and left fighting for any chance at survival.
Particularly, as a queer reader, I really valued the struggle Silas had between his own gender expression, and his guilt for being seen as an oppressing figure. It is a struggle prevalent still in the community, and so getting to see Silas work it out in his own mind, even in the 1800s, and finally find comfort in his decisions was wonderful. This is equally the same with his attitude towards marriage and children, and I felt like AJ handled it exquisitely. The topics of misogyny and transphobia, class issues and ableism are, in my opinion, easily digestible, in a way that I feel is very appropriate for the targeted age range. Additionally, the language and writing style used weren't overly challenging, while still being engaging, as well as descriptive enough to genuinely leave me breathless.
So, this story did mean a lot to me. And I don’t think I can be normal about it ever again. Thanks AJ.
TLDR; I would do anything to read this book again for the first time. If you like gore, trans guys fighting for their life and female rage in the form of angry spirits, then I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Silas Bell on paper has a lot; He’s from a rich family, a hopeful surgeon, and able to control the veil connecting reality to the spirit world because of his purple eyes... As a trans man in the 1880s however, it is not safe to present as anything other than female, and with increasing pressures to marry a man and produce an heir with ‘the gift’, Silas has had enough. After being caught in an act of rebellion, Silas is diagnosed with Veil Sickness- an ailment that only affects women- as they are corrupted by the powers they were bestowed, or so they say.
Sent to an institutional school that specialized in rehabilitating young women with the sickness using unorthodox methods, things start to go awry as Silas realizes that girls are going missing, and the headmaster of the school seems to have a suspicious number of haunted items in his storage. Banding together with his newfound allies, Silas begins to unravel the truth of the school- even if it may kill him doing so.
Truthfully, while I was a big fan of AJW's other books beforehand, when it came to 'The Spirit Bares Its Teeth', I had always been hesitant to pick it up, and had pretty low expectations for it- despite knowing nothing about it. So, if anyone has ever needed a sign to not judge a book before giving it a chance, PLEASSEEE let me be it for you.
This book took me out of a slump; It made me excited to get on the bus in the morning so I had an excuse to read. It had me properly organizing my studying schedule, so that at the end of the day I had time to pour into reading. It even had me re-downloading Goodreads to write my first ever review, because I couldn't imagine not spreading my love for it out there. I hadn't even finished the story before I started a frantic search for more updates regarding the authors newest projects. It has been three days and yet still I am left astounded by the impact it has had over my life. Basically, I adored every word of this book.
'The Spirit Bares Its Teeth' was an experience unlike any other I've ever had while reading, and made me realize why I have always loved the fantasy and horror genre so much. Every page had me enraptured, and the descriptions left me gasping out loud in public. The medical gore at times had my head spinning, and a others left me in awe for minds like Silas’. The depictions of female rage- and the revolting actions that women are pushed to so they are not left living a life they cannot stomach- were so disturbing that, in a twisted way, they became a comfort.
Perhaps I am a biased audience- I am a queer, neurodivergent AFAB science student that has always loved the grotesque, and have been made to question if that is 'womanly' before- but AJW perfectly sums the fury of living in a society where minorities actions are scorned, while people doing worse in power are praised. Silas Bell is not a mad women in need of fixing, but a trans man who does not fit into the expectation of his time. The other girls are not broken, but casualties of a misogynistic society, who fail to see them as more than future wives and mothers. The cast of characters are predominantly female- and even when they are written explicitly as an antagonistic character, you can't help to sympathize for them. Mary, Isabella, Charlotte, Louise and Mrs. Forrester are all victims in the same rite as Silas, and we explore the many paths a person can take when they are held victim of their body, and left fighting for any chance at survival.
Particularly, as a queer reader, I really valued the struggle Silas had between his own gender expression, and his guilt for being seen as an oppressing figure. It is a struggle prevalent still in the community, and so getting to see Silas work it out in his own mind, even in the 1800s, and finally find comfort in his decisions was wonderful. This is equally the same with his attitude towards marriage and children, and I felt like AJ handled it exquisitely. The topics of misogyny and transphobia, class issues and ableism are, in my opinion, easily digestible, in a way that I feel is very appropriate for the targeted age range. Additionally, the language and writing style used weren't overly challenging, while still being engaging, as well as descriptive enough to genuinely leave me breathless.
So, this story did mean a lot to me. And I don’t think I can be normal about it ever again. Thanks AJ.
TLDR; I would do anything to read this book again for the first time. If you like gore, trans guys fighting for their life and female rage in the form of angry spirits, then I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Dysphoria
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really great story of queer people and women's experiences in historical circumstances
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Medical content
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second of AJW’s published books- you can already tell the difference in his writing and storytelling. The plot is easy to follow with nothing rushed onto the reader, interesting characters and a thrilling, gore filled story. Overall a really great book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, Sexual harassment
Minor: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Vomit, Pregnancy
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fer, pater, opem! si flumina numen habetis,
qua nimium placui, mutando perde figuram!
Father, bring help. O rivers, if you have divinity, destroy my shape by changing it.
Fuck the Speakers.
qua nimium placui, mutando perde figuram!
Father, bring help. O rivers, if you have divinity, destroy my shape by changing it.
Fuck the Speakers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Transphobia, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Rape
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn’t sure about this book from the synopsis but it was so much better than I could ever have imagined. I felt seen in a way I don’t often get from books, and this is one of the few books I can see myself rereading. I devoured it in under two days, despite coming out of a very long reading drought. This book exposed parts of myself I hadn’t even fully known about, and because of that, reading it was a pretty intense experience. This is not a light book. But it’s one of the most impactful books I’ve read in a very long time. I already have my hands on another one of Andrew Joseph White’s books and I can’t wait to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit
Minor: Homophobia, Suicide attempt
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
— 4.5/5 ★ //
“When the dead men come, we are waiting. We have been waiting so long.
They must have convinced themselves they would never rot in the same dirt we do.”
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth was recommend to me after I read another YA horror called Don’t Let The Forest In (another amazing book, which I strongly recommend) and after reading the summary and learning that the book was a supernatural, historical, queer and neurodivergent featuring, horror, I just knew that I had to read it.
This book is horrific, I just need to get that out of the way. Please, please read into the TW’s as there is hardly anything that White didn’t cover in here. If you tend to be a squeamish or queasy person then there’s a good chance that this book isn’t for you and that’s completely fine! This is a book that covers all aspects of horror, showcasing it in all of its many various forms and styles. While having an incredibly strong supernatural element to it, the horror comes primarily from the ever-existing horrors of humans and their multifaceted existence. This grim truth of humanity mostly lies under layers of darkness, fueled by misogyny, ignorance, apatheticness, and the need for conformity. Anyone who dares to defy these societal expectations is either brainwashed into belief or are simply in need of “healing”; this is certainly the case for the women who disobey. They are apparently victims of a supernatural sickness that drives women with the ability to enter and interact with the spiritual realm mad. This sickness, that is labelled in the book as “Veil sickness”, effects the violet-eyed women driving them to either defy the order and rules of the cult-like Royal Speaker Society or their connected families. These women, who we are told are increasing in number, are sent to a specialist Sanitorium meant to correct and “treat” these ladies who step out of line, molding them into perfect wives and mother’s who will eagerly raise the next generation of Speakers. If the already well-established existence of potent misogyny isn’t enough to make you uncomfortable, I can assure you that there is plenty more to this story.
Other subjects heavily explored in this novel are the trans, queer, and neurodiverse experiences. The main character, Silas, is a transgender, pansexual, autistic man and my heart ached and bled for him. Reading his story was just heart-wrenching and I really do relate to him on a great many things: his neurodiversity, his fear, his anxiety, and his constant self-doubt that is forever bundled within his chest, mentally pictured and mentioned as the “the rabbit” who insistently whispers sceptical, dismal words into Silas’ ear. His life and his strugggles are vividly described to us and it’s one of the deepest explorations of otherness that I’ve ever read. Silas had me hooked from the start and I was behind him all the way. Furthermore, the novel features other examples of queer and neurodivergent characters and the representation was genuinely immaculate. Plus, as someone who isn’t trans, I found delving into Silas’ and AJW’s mind to experience the bleeding, raw, gaping wound of not belonging in the body that you were born into, so informative and powerful.
As I’ve already stated before, big trigger warnings for this book! The themes explored in this book are probably the most I’ve ever had listed for a book. AJW didn’t shy away from a number of taboo, difficult to stomach subjects, but the articulation of these horrific themes was incredible. This book is laced with violence, injustice, rage, and mania... there wasn’t a single second where I felt that White had held back. He unapologetically and ruthlessly writes about the darkness of this world, a world which was heavily inspired by the painful realities of Victorian England, leading you to everything from illegal experimentation, sexual assault, vivisections, abortions, and pedophilia. The gore in this novel is not only suggested, it is described in detail, and you have no choice but to read and understand and mourn for the awful grievances against these people who are seen as broken and delusional. This book will tear and claw at you with its potency, but the strength and power of these survivors with stitch you back together.
It’s an incredible book of horror, but also of love and understanding. The connection and “found-family” aspect of the final characters is so heartwarming in the most bittersweet way. United through their difference and their insistence to survive a world that has decided that they are wrong and sick and offensive. My heart will stay with these characters for a very long time.
In conclusion, I will 100% be reading AJW’s works again. He is an incredible writer and this story was beyond amazing, filled with lines and scenes that were disturbing and emotive. I most definitely won’t be forgetting this book, it’s just too memorable and haunting. I still can’t believe that this is labelled a YA novel though…
“When the dead men come, we are waiting. We have been waiting so long.
They must have convinced themselves they would never rot in the same dirt we do.”
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth was recommend to me after I read another YA horror called Don’t Let The Forest In (another amazing book, which I strongly recommend) and after reading the summary and learning that the book was a supernatural, historical, queer and neurodivergent featuring, horror, I just knew that I had to read it.
This book is horrific, I just need to get that out of the way. Please, please read into the TW’s as there is hardly anything that White didn’t cover in here. If you tend to be a squeamish or queasy person then there’s a good chance that this book isn’t for you and that’s completely fine! This is a book that covers all aspects of horror, showcasing it in all of its many various forms and styles. While having an incredibly strong supernatural element to it, the horror comes primarily from the ever-existing horrors of humans and their multifaceted existence. This grim truth of humanity mostly lies under layers of darkness, fueled by misogyny, ignorance, apatheticness, and the need for conformity. Anyone who dares to defy these societal expectations is either brainwashed into belief or are simply in need of “healing”; this is certainly the case for the women who disobey. They are apparently victims of a supernatural sickness that drives women with the ability to enter and interact with the spiritual realm mad. This sickness, that is labelled in the book as “Veil sickness”, effects the violet-eyed women driving them to either defy the order and rules of the cult-like Royal Speaker Society or their connected families. These women, who we are told are increasing in number, are sent to a specialist Sanitorium meant to correct and “treat” these ladies who step out of line, molding them into perfect wives and mother’s who will eagerly raise the next generation of Speakers. If the already well-established existence of potent misogyny isn’t enough to make you uncomfortable, I can assure you that there is plenty more to this story.
Other subjects heavily explored in this novel are the trans, queer, and neurodiverse experiences. The main character, Silas, is a transgender, pansexual, autistic man and my heart ached and bled for him. Reading his story was just heart-wrenching and I really do relate to him on a great many things: his neurodiversity, his fear, his anxiety, and his constant self-doubt that is forever bundled within his chest, mentally pictured and mentioned as the “the rabbit” who insistently whispers sceptical, dismal words into Silas’ ear. His life and his strugggles are vividly described to us and it’s one of the deepest explorations of otherness that I’ve ever read. Silas had me hooked from the start and I was behind him all the way. Furthermore, the novel features other examples of queer and neurodivergent characters and the representation was genuinely immaculate. Plus, as someone who isn’t trans, I found delving into Silas’ and AJW’s mind to experience the bleeding, raw, gaping wound of not belonging in the body that you were born into, so informative and powerful.
As I’ve already stated before, big trigger warnings for this book! The themes explored in this book are probably the most I’ve ever had listed for a book. AJW didn’t shy away from a number of taboo, difficult to stomach subjects, but the articulation of these horrific themes was incredible. This book is laced with violence, injustice, rage, and mania... there wasn’t a single second where I felt that White had held back. He unapologetically and ruthlessly writes about the darkness of this world, a world which was heavily inspired by the painful realities of Victorian England, leading you to everything from illegal experimentation, sexual assault, vivisections, abortions, and pedophilia. The gore in this novel is not only suggested, it is described in detail, and you have no choice but to read and understand and mourn for the awful grievances against these people who are seen as broken and delusional. This book will tear and claw at you with its potency, but the strength and power of these survivors with stitch you back together.
It’s an incredible book of horror, but also of love and understanding. The connection and “found-family” aspect of the final characters is so heartwarming in the most bittersweet way. United through their difference and their insistence to survive a world that has decided that they are wrong and sick and offensive. My heart will stay with these characters for a very long time.
In conclusion, I will 100% be reading AJW’s works again. He is an incredible writer and this story was beyond amazing, filled with lines and scenes that were disturbing and emotive. I most definitely won’t be forgetting this book, it’s just too memorable and haunting. I still can’t believe that this is labelled a YA novel though…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
Minor: Racism, Slavery