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

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

4.75

The YA troupes are a bit more evident in this book than in the author’s previous work. However, it is a remarkable second novel with an effective plot structure, atmospheric from beginning to end, visceral in the horrors of what can be done to a human being (mind, body, and soul), and a big high-five for diving into the ableism directed towards the autistic while giving them the direction in learning how to shut up their own internal rabbits. Also, “George, we were all rooting for you! HOW DARE YOU!!!”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Child death, Body shaming, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Transphobia, Violence, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Deadnaming, Abortion, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Torture, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Animal death, Outing, Classism, Sexual violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Sexual content, War, Rape, and Infidelity

Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

A majority of graphic content in this novel addresses transphobia, abhorrent ableism against autistic folks, misogyny/sexism (the “biology” argument), nasty surgeries, medical content and trauma, physical abuse and violence, and sexual abuse. Any minor in the novel is aged 14-16. It also features familial rejection, pus, stitching up wounds, a graphic abortion, self-mutilation, execution, and a ton of injuries and gore involving glass. It can be a hard read at times.