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astralchicken 's review for:
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth
by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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:
Yes
TLDR: 1000/10, would read again, my favorite novel by this author. This book cemented him as a must read author for me, and I want everyone to know about his work!!!
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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)
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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)
Content Warnings
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