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Graphic: Ableism, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia
Minor: Miscarriage
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Lesbophobia
Minor: Drug use, Kidnapping, Colonisation
the characters are really captivating, and this is the first romantic relationship in white’s books that i felt attached to. i think that the portrayal of the t4t relationship was beautiful, and it’s not something that i come across a lot in books, especially between a trans man and a trans woman.
despite the twisted and horrific narrative, the themes are something that every trans and neurodivergent person can relate to—the pressure of conformity, the betrayal of someone we trusted being like everyone else, and feeling like society would take us apart muscle by muscle, vein by vein, in order to consume as as “palatable.”
i also appreciated how white interweaves how a trans man can still identify with femininity, as that is what the world forces on him, and the infantilization of trans men being “confused” resonantes with today’s political environment.
as always, white creates a world that captures the rage of trans people and turns it into an unimaginable power that leaves me wanting more.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Rape, Suicide, Vomit
Minor: Ableism
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.
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
Graphic: Misogyny, Transphobia, Medical content, Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Classism
Moderate: Deadnaming, Genocide, Self harm, Slavery, Abortion, Colonisation
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Classism
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
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
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This book was incredible from start to finish. It had me hooked from the first page, though Im sure the narrator's performance helped too. The switch between Silas, his inner monolog, the Rabbit, the spirit, and other characters always felt distinct and purposefully, which can be tricky with audiobooks, but is pulled off so well here.
This story has everything you could ever want, both in a novel and in a horror novel specifically. The dark sense of foreboding, of being watched, permeates the narrative from start to finish. The discussion of surgery and the inner workings of bodies was both clinical and grotesque, but also frequently begged the question-are we all truly that different, when it comes down to it? I found this cross section of medical/anatomical language mixed with discussions of gender and queerness very intriguing. The dissection of feminity and masculinity from a binary and historical perspective was also a wonderful thread throughout the novel. I can't remember the exact quote, but something about "masculine in a way that only one who's lived as a woman could understand", really stuck with me. Every scene is purposeful and drives the story forward. There is no unnecessary fluff to bog down the pacing, and there is light hearted moments to help pad out the pervasive sense of dread. The characters are all memorable and stand out on their own, and their convictions guide them through the narrative with care. The diversity of the cast of characters was wonderful and felt very natural. Different kinds of women, different kinds of men, different kinds of people, different lives and experiences. The amount of care and research required to create this victorian era novel shines through on every page. There is never a dull moment, and I always found myself wanting more.
At times I will admit, it was a difficult read, not because of the prose itself but because of the subject, the atrocities that are imparted onto the girls, and how women as a whole are treated. While it's accurate to the time frame, reading this in 2025 as a neurodivergent queer woman of color was difficult at times, purely because of current events. I see so much of the darkness in this book reflected in our present day. That said, for anyone reading this review who may be discouraged by the dark tone, I wan you to know (completely spoiler free) that the story does have a happy ending, and does have moments of joy, discovery, and validation.
The most memorable parts of the book for me were the many instances of trans joy despite the darkness. Of characters finally seeing themselves reflected in others, of characters feeling truly seen and understood for the first time. Like with all his books, I came for his masterful use of horror, and stayed for the queer joy, self discovery, and love found in his stories. Andrew Joseph White is truly a treasure, and I'm impatiently waiting for more from him!
Also, this book totally didn't make me cry like, a lot, or anything. Especially not the end. (IN A GOOD WAY)
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Transphobia, Abortion, Pregnancy