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llaurareadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Transphobia, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
barrel_of_monkeys's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Body horror, Gore, Transphobia, Abortion, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Torture, and Ableism
larosamorada's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Sexual assault
throwback682's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“I just finished reading a horrifying violent disgusting wonderful beautiful book,” I texted my friend immediately.
Horror/fantasy/historical fiction, set in Victorian England, with a protagonist we would call bi or pan, transgender, and autistic (and who is subjected to what we’d call ABA “therapy”). I love the protagonist so very much.
This book is not for the faint of heart. The author gives a non exhaustive list of triggers in the introduction, and acknowledges that this book isn’t for everyone, reassuring would-be readers that it’s okay to walk away.
For me personally, it was very much worth it. I hesitate to say too much for fear of spoilers but I just loved this book so much. I guess some of my favorite things were
That the protagonist
The
And [big spoilers] that the
The depictions of
Basically I feel like this book shows the almost unfathomable ugliness of the world and the hatred and oppression of queer, trans, and neurodivergent people, but it also
Graphic: Eating disorder, Abandonment, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Torture, Transphobia, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Body horror, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Grief, Medical trauma, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Medical content, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse
“Letter from the Author One of the cruel injustices of the world is that survival hurts sometimes. Open-heart surgery, for example, looks a lot like murder. Amputation before the advent of proper anesthesia was just a bone saw and a rag to bite. On that note, I will make this clear: The Spirit Bares Its Teeth containsasheconsumesbooks's review against another edition
4.25
can't wait for ajw's next release.
cozywanderlust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kazthebookdragon69's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Going into this I knew I was gonna read things I was on some level at least sorta relate to. If you are someone who would like to read this, just be aware of a few things. I.e ableism, transphobia, some gore
sophia_turner's review against another edition
5.0
It's not often that a book shakes me up so badly that it's all I can think about for the next few hours. The topics Andrew works through are difficult, and as a reader you're regularly challenged to keep going. The draw is there, the characters and setting are compelling and pull you in and don't let go.
The experience is intense. There are parts I read with my "hands in front of my eyes", worried about what was going to happen next.
It's a beautiful told story about an ugly world. I'm glad I read this, though admittedly not eager to relive the dark intensity this book is chock full of.