A review by betweentheshelves
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

 In London 1883, the Veil between the living and the dead has gotten thinner. This allows those with violet-eyes to commune with spirits, but only through the guidance of the Royal Speaker Society. Silas Bell would rather do anything than become a dutiful Speaker wife. But according to his mom, he’ll be married by the end of the year. No matter his autism or the fact that he’s a boy and not a girl.

After an incident at the Society, Silas is sent to Braxton’s Finishing School and Sanitorium diagnosed with Veil sickness. But at the school, he realizes girls are disappearing and no one cares. It’s up to Silas to expose the secrets of the school–if those in charge don’t get to him first. 

Thanks to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White to review! White jumped onto the YA scene last year with Hell Followed With Us, firmly planting himself in the YA horror field.

Let me start by saying this is not an easy book to read. It’s a little bit fantasy, a little bit history, with a heavy emphasis on the horror. It shows how dangerous the world was at that time for women who didn’t fit the mold. Women who were a little different. Women who were queer. There is some hard, dark stuff in this book, and if you’re not in the mindset for that, save it for a time that you are.

Despite the difficult nature of the text, it is beautifully written. There are lines in this story that feel like a gut punch, because you know that there are women who were treated like this at this time. And we’re not even going to get started on how trans people were treated, because it was much the same. White does the horror elements so well in this book. Teens looking for dark gothic horror will definitely be drawn to this book.

And the characters! The relationship between Silas and Daphne was just so wonderful. The book may be dark, but it is not without its moments of hope. Tender, sweet moments of hope that really keep them going despite the darkness. 

The fall is really the perfect time for this book to come out, so if you find yourself looking for something dark and queer, definitely pick this one up! 
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