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A review by lenorayoder
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
4.0
I really liked this book, but it also left me feeling unsatisfied.
I loved the main character, but wish we got to sit a little more with the rest. I never feel like I really got to know anyone but Silas. That's maybe just the hazard of having a POV character who doesn’t enjoy or understand socializing, but even considering that I think Daphne should have had more dimension given the connection I'm supposed to believe Silas has with her. I found myself not really believing their love story, and I think part of that was Daphne feeling as vague as everyone else in Silas' life (except maybe his brother).
I also found the pacing a little odd. I've come to the conclusion that I think this book should have been a trilogy. There's enough world and plot here for three books. Because we just get one the pacing feels weird, a lot of the characters don't have enough dimension or impact, and we don't get as immersed in the world as we could be. There are several points in this book where Silas does something that we're told is unprecedented or a big deal, but because we haven't had time to get used to the status quo, Silas upending it doesn't have as much impact as it should. We should experience what this world is like, not be told what it's like.
Okay, quick fire: Solid ending. Loved everything with the rabbit metaphor/imagery. Unlike Daphne, I did believe in the connection between Silas and the groundskeeper, so I'm sad he didn't appear more or show up at the end of the book at all. Loved that dude. Some fun world-building that I wish I got more of. Will definitely be picking up another book of White's.
I loved the main character, but wish we got to sit a little more with the rest. I never feel like I really got to know anyone but Silas. That's maybe just the hazard of having a POV character who doesn’t enjoy or understand socializing, but even considering that I think Daphne should have had more dimension given the connection I'm supposed to believe Silas has with her. I found myself not really believing their love story, and I think part of that was Daphne feeling as vague as everyone else in Silas' life (except maybe his brother).
I also found the pacing a little odd. I've come to the conclusion that I think this book should have been a trilogy. There's enough world and plot here for three books. Because we just get one the pacing feels weird, a lot of the characters don't have enough dimension or impact, and we don't get as immersed in the world as we could be. There are several points in this book where Silas does something that we're told is unprecedented or a big deal, but because we haven't had time to get used to the status quo, Silas upending it doesn't have as much impact as it should. We should experience what this world is like, not be told what it's like.
Okay, quick fire: Solid ending. Loved everything with the rabbit metaphor/imagery. Unlike Daphne, I did believe in the connection between Silas and the groundskeeper, so I'm sad he didn't appear more or show up at the end of the book at all. Loved that dude. Some fun world-building that I wish I got more of. Will definitely be picking up another book of White's.