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

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I read this book a month or so ago and it still occupies a sizable part of my brain way too often. It’s very violent and some images are very graphic (see content warnings). It’s scary, horrifying, but also hopeful and a lesson in bravery and resilience. 

The only part that was a bit disappointing is that the magic system felt underused. While the fact that the main character is basically forced to stay in that school adds to the tense atmosphere of the book, this also means that the magic can feel unexplored, being more of a plot device than an actual fantastic element. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Sexual assault, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Blood

Moderate: Rape

there is detailed accounts of both dissection and vivisection, as well as a detailed c-section scene. Also the torture is very graphic, with descriptions both of the torture and of people who have been tortured