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A review by cloreadsbooks1364
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A phenomenonal historical horror fantasy fiction novel from the author of Hell Followed With Us, similarly featuring a trans protagonist.
The plot was a brilliant concept, very gripping all the way through. I really had no clue how it would end, and kind of didn't want it to. That being said, I believe it was the perfect length, and more content wouldn't be necessary.
The pacing was very well done, I found it fast-paced, which I think is good for a horror novel.
The society in which this novel was set was cruel and unwelcoming to any sort of diversity. This made life very difficult for our protagonist and love interest. It is also why any girl who seemed anything other than a perfect obedient little baby-maker of a wife was locked away in the school.
The magic aspect was very cool, though what spirits could do was not fully dived into.
The terrible school was, I felt, slightly under-described. I can't envision it in my head, which I always like to do with settings.
Silas, our brave trans autistic protagonist, who loves learning how the human body works, who is constantly rejected by society unless he buries who he is, was such a fantastic character. I really felt like I knew him, as if he were real. I'm glad he didn't bow to the cruel world he lived in, and didn't accept the transphobia.
Daphne, the loyal trans love interest, who would protect Silas at any cost, was definitely my favourite character! She was very resourceful, which I liked.
The side characters were very well-developed. I particularly liked Mary and Isabella, while I loath the headmaster.
I found the transgender representation perfect, unsurprising considering the author is also trans.
The autistic rep was also perfect, I like how Silas stimmed and had an aversion to many foods, something many autistic people can relate too. I felt sorry for how the world didn't understand what he was.
Overall, a great book that I certainly recommend to everyone!
Queer rep:
Transmasc protagonist
Transfem love interest
Mspec protagonist
Sapphic side characters
Note: in this book, both Daphne and Silas are constantly deadnamed, so if that triggers you maybe don't read this one! There are many other TWs, which I will list below:
Transphobia, gore, rape, miscarriage, pregnancy, sexual assault, abelism, and medical content.
The plot was a brilliant concept, very gripping all the way through. I really had no clue how it would end, and kind of didn't want it to. That being said, I believe it was the perfect length, and more content wouldn't be necessary.
The pacing was very well done, I found it fast-paced, which I think is good for a horror novel.
The society in which this novel was set was cruel and unwelcoming to any sort of diversity. This made life very difficult for our protagonist and love interest. It is also why any girl who seemed anything other than a perfect obedient little baby-maker of a wife was locked away in the school.
The magic aspect was very cool, though what spirits could do was not fully dived into.
The terrible school was, I felt, slightly under-described. I can't envision it in my head, which I always like to do with settings.
Silas, our brave trans autistic protagonist, who loves learning how the human body works, who is constantly rejected by society unless he buries who he is, was such a fantastic character. I really felt like I knew him, as if he were real. I'm glad he didn't bow to the cruel world he lived in, and didn't accept the transphobia.
Daphne, the loyal trans love interest, who would protect Silas at any cost, was definitely my favourite character! She was very resourceful, which I liked.
The side characters were very well-developed. I particularly liked Mary and Isabella, while I loath the headmaster.
I found the transgender representation perfect, unsurprising considering the author is also trans.
The autistic rep was also perfect, I like how Silas stimmed and had an aversion to many foods, something many autistic people can relate too. I felt sorry for how the world didn't understand what he was.
Overall, a great book that I certainly recommend to everyone!
Queer rep:
Transmasc protagonist
Transfem love interest
Mspec protagonist
Sapphic side characters
Note: in this book, both Daphne and Silas are constantly deadnamed, so if that triggers you maybe don't read this one! There are many other TWs, which I will list below:
Transphobia, gore, rape, miscarriage, pregnancy, sexual assault, abelism, and medical content.