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Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
572 reviews
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Racism, Pregnancy, Colonisation
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Abortion
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Torture
Minor: Ableism
Negatives: Almost nothing. I would have liked to see more at the end as the epilogue wrapped up very quickly. At times the violence and gore was a bit hard to get through, but this didn't feel gratuitous and served the story well overall.
Plot: There isn't much to this as it is largely a character driven story. The plot that is there is simple but powerful, based largely around the mystery of what is happening at the institution. The slow development of this did so much to build dread, and while the reveal was a slow realisation more than a big twist, the discovery of
Characters: I loved Silas so much. His journey to gaining the power to fight back and overcoming the fear he lives with in the form of the bunny is incredibly well executed. The author is very skilled at driving home the emotion and tragedy in what he and the others at this institution are dealing with.
The other girls at the school were all great. I loved seeing the way they had all reacted to the situation they were in, and the various ways they tried to cope.
Setting/World building: The author very skillfully combines the realities of Victorian society - including it's asylums, medical experimentation, misogyny, and rigid social structure - with the creepy ghostly world he has invented. The ghosts segments were a fantastic addition to bring the supernatural elements to the forefront. I love the way that the horror permeates the world at large through the structure of the Society not just the institution.
Writing: This is visceral, horrifying and gory. The author doesn't shy away from fully describing everything that is going on to drive home the points he is making. The first person perspective really conveys everything that Silas is going through and conveys his perspective (including his neurodivergence) very well.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Self harm
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Gore, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Pregnancy
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
- A really masterful incorporation of minority identities in the historical context, vividly contextualized
- Great pacing and a well-constructed plot, awesome world-building, incredible imagery
- Just the right amount of humor and hope to balance out the horror and abuse
- I would've liked a bit more explanation of the mechanics around the
Speakers and medium brands - The extent of the
Braxton conspiracy felt a little ridiculous towards the end
Graphic: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Abortion, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Medical content
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Deadnaming, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Dysphoria