Hey! Hey? Hi. Hey! Just out of sheer curiosity, maybe someone will happen to know the answer, but how in the ever-loving hell am I supposed to continue living my life like a sane, regular person after reading this book? Andrew Joseph White, you better expect my therapy bills to show up at your doorstep, because I don't think it will ever be humanly possible for me to recover from this.

I mean this book, at its core, embodies the mind-boggling, stomach-churning, true essence of horror and I am in love with every single one of its pages. It is fantastic and deserving of every single award a person can bestow on a novel. I thought Hell Followed with Us was stellar, but I could never, in a million years, have anticipated just how life-altering White's second book would be for me.

I think the word "disgusting" has lost all meaning for me, because everything included in this story far and above surpasses the realm of disgust. I'm talking about repugnance and vileness, I'm talking about the indefinite extent of human violence and evil. I was sick to my stomach the entire way through, and I'll probably exist in a state of general nausea for the rest of the week—it was spectacular.

This was also one of the most enticing narrative voices I've come across in a very long time. I simply could not look away. As horrifying as the passages were, as much as every single scene made my entire body cringe in on itself, my eyes refused to look away, even for a second. I was enthralled by, not just the main character himself, but specifically the way he was experiencing everything that was happening to him and everything that he was doing. I could read this a thousand times over and never get bored of it.

This is definitely not a book for the faint of heart, I will warn you. However, if you think you can stomach it, I recommend it so wholeheartedly. White really does have an amazing talent, and I cannot wait to see what he does next.

This book is just as harrowing and disturbing as the author's debut. Actually, possibly moreso although in a different way.

I will admit I struggled with the beginning of this novel, it was a slow starter and felt a little clunky in terms of the writing and the setting up of the world. There were a lot of words used to set up the Speaker Society and what the Veil was and yet somehow I still didn't fully understand what precisely that meant until way later in the book. It did pick up though and once I hit the 40% mark or so, I was hooked and it was a straight read through until the end, and a lot of that was spent on edge and with a lump in my stomach.

There is a lot about this novel that hits close to home for me (although obviously in a very different setting haha) and because of that there were passages that were particularly hard to get through but the story was told very well and with a lot of nuance. The characters were full of depth and despite being quite a lot of them (namely the numerous school girls) they were all individual and had distinct personalities and motives, even those who were 'off screen' for the majority of the book. Silas is a great MC and to date is possibly one of my favourite representations of an autistic character. I also liked that he was not the only autistic character within the book and that the other character's autism was portrayed differently but in such a way that Silas was able to identify like with like.

Andrew Joseph White doesn't shy away from difficult topics or harsh betrayals and it's always written so clearly and precisely that it can be incredibly uncomfortable to read. It makes the story all the more engaging.

This was a discomforting read and I really enjoyed it. It was a hard read in places but very worth it.

Silas wants nothing more than the freedom to create his own life: to study medicine, to only answer to one name, to never be married off to the highest bidder simply because of his eyes. But escaping his life and his fate of becoming a Speaker wife is more dangerous than even Silas anticipated. Which is exactly how he finds himself institutionalized at Braxton's, a finishing school meant to cure "Viel sickness" in violet eyed women. Something is not right at Braxton's beyond the school's goal to break students down and reconstruct them into the perfect obedient wives desired by Speakers. Silas sets about trying to get to the bottom of what is happening while desperately trying to find a way out.

Andrew Joseph White yet again creates a world of true horror seeped in a reality that many had to endure. Despite the frustration and horror Silas expresses within the narrative, the casual mention of the violence of treatment and expectation he has experienced is chilling. This intentional narrative creation is one of White's strongest skills. That and his consistent ability to make me utter ew gross while reading, a personal favorite aspect of any horror novel. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is gruesome and disturbing and so compelling that I read it one setting.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early access to the book



Characters: a star for characters as they are very realized but motives were slightly confusing. It was difficult to read the struggle and abuse the main character suffered through because he was born in the wrong body.

Setting: This is a part in history that is both fascinating and stifling but the author seemed morefocused on the horror of expectation on these women than supernatural horror itself. I’m giving this a star because of that focus more so than how the author created the world of elites, the veil, or the house he ends up in to “correct him”.

Plot: the plot got lost on my. There were times where moments sped through and we barely explored points made by characters or circumstances. Then the author would chose to slow way down and hyper focus on moments that wet close to dragging on to long. It was not a weakness of the story but of my patience of the book in the moment. Though I still didn’t want to give a star for it.

Resolution: The characters seemed both changed and stuck in this world ready to take advantage of them. They seemed to use bc manipulate the system rather than dismantle it and which is what I was hoping for.

Writing: this is the first book I’ve read by Andre Joseph White but not the first I heard of. I liked moments of the writing but some other point felt confusing, wordy, or convoluted. I still give a star because there were moments where the sentence gave me goosebumps, especially when the horror elements came into play.

"i think the entire world depends on people pretending they don't know they're doing terrible things."

holy fucking shit. this book gripped me by the throat from the start, and didn't let me go till i finished it. i read the whole thing in one sitting (literally just ～7 hours of me rotting in bed, reading in both awe and horror) and its definitely going to be one of the best books i've read this year

if you want an amazingly written historical fiction book with fantasy elements, queer/trans rep, [SPOILER] a t4t relationship [SPOILER], paranormal activity, and depictions so graphic they make your stomach churn (its a fun time, i assure you) you NEED TO READ THIS. seriously.

i don't have the words honestly so all i can say is READ READ READ. check the trigger warnings first and make sure you haven't eaten anything (bc i felt nauseous like the whole way through,,) and then, if you think you're prepared, do yourself a favour and READ IT

literally On my way! to read everything this author has ever written now

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Andrew Joseph White did it again. The Spirit Bares It’s Teeth is an incredibly heart wrenching book while somehow also heart warming. It held the balance of being very hard to read due to graphic gorey scenes and then intimate scenes around friendship and identity and love.

I’m not going to lie, my two gore topics I avoid are eyes and pregnancy and this book hit both of them and yet I didn’t ever want to stop reading. Andrew’s writing is so captivating and poetic it’s hard to put down. Even though this took me almost a month to read, it wasn’t ever because I got bored or didn’t want to be reading it. It was constantly on my mind and I already wish I could keep reading it.

The characters really embedded themselves in my heart. I was so deeply invested in their stories and what would happen to them. Silas felt very special to me as a person both in the trans community and neurodivergent. I related to the struggles he faced and how his mind worked. All the girls were also so well written and I wanted to know more about all of them, just like Silas. I was also so attached to the groundskeeper even if he wasn’t in a ton of scenes. The element of spirits and the veil were both scary and intriguing at the same time. I really enjoyed that.

I am still fairly new to the horror genre but this is the first book that I’ve physically felt my heart pounding and my eyes trying to skip ahead to find out what happens and if the characters are okay. I was in such a state of anxiety but for once, it was enjoyable. It was a really intense reading experience.

This book has made me much more interested in looking into the history of forced institutionalizations of women / minorities. Horror based in history and real life hits so much harder and really opens my eyes to things I didn’t put much thought into previously. Even if it isn’t a completely accurate representation.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book!! I would especially recommend it to my fellow queer and neurodivergent readers because this just felt so special and I want more people to experience that! Thank you Andrew Joseph White for writing such incredible books and I can’t wait for more!

CWs : graphic violence, sexual assault (both implied and on page), medical gore, on page c-section, abortion, transphobia, ableism, medical / psychiatric abuse, gaslighting, physical / emotional / verbal abuse, forced institutionalizations, body horror, dysphoria, torture, confinement, death of parent, murder, adult/minor relationship, self harm

When autistic Silas gets sent to a school to train spirit-world connected girls to be obedient wives, things go about as well as to be expected. Secret rooms are discovered, a few girls turn up dead, and you find out you may have more in common with your arranged marriage fiance than you originally thought.

As to be expected with an Andrew Joseph White book, all of the characters were fantastic. Honestly, Silas was a bit frustrating for me in the beginning, but he had such amazing character growth and there were so many opportunities we had to get to know him that I think he was written perfectly. All of the the girls at the school were unique and had distinct personalities. Not all of them were likeable, which I really liked, but they were all different. Each one had a distinct personality with individual relationships and backgrounds that made her unique. White is so good at creating characters!! I also think White wrote some very interesting gray characters in this book, and I was happy to see the challenge taken on. And as always, the diversity and representation in White's novels can't be beat.

Unfortunately, this is a "it's not you it's me" situation with this book, thus why only 3 stars. This solidified it for me, I'm just not a fan of Victorian era novels about spirits. I've tried several and not really enjoyed any of them but I thought surely if anyone can get me into it, it's White. And boy did he try! And he has a great book on his hands here! It just wasn't for me, and that's ok. While I loved the characters, the subject matter bored me. I found myself reading more because I was invested in the welfare of Silas and Daphne, and less because I was invested in the plot. I really didn't care what was happening at that school. Victorian times were horrible for anyone that wasn't a white, rich, man, it's not a secret. And as much as I love the representation, for a book that was clearly researched, it felt out of place in such a time period. I realized I just don't enjoy reading about that time period. And spirits just aren't my thing. Post apocalyptic religious viruses? Yes! Victorian era spirit worlds run by rich white men? No! Learned something about myself.

Again, this will be a great book for loads of people. I'm happy to see the representation still going and to have met so many great characters. Unfortunately I just didn't find myself enjoying the experience and am looking forward to a different setting next time.

This was vivid, disturbing, absolutely gross, and so, so good. Wildly horrific, disturbing, and thrilling. Full of just incredible amounts of gore, a very respectable number of spooks, and absolutely horrible and worse, pretty historically accurate treatment of anyone young, female, queer, or neurodivergent (do not take the content warnings lightly, there is no underselling here). Makes you want to throw things that may or may not explode. A+ horror again from Andrew Joseph White; I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.

Amazing. Truly amazing. But this book is not for everyone, the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book need to be paid attention to.

Andrew Joseph White’s writing is always amazing but this is on a whole new level. This book destroyed me in the best kind of way.

Thank you Holiday House and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Look, I’ll admit, I nearly DNF’d this one. The first third or so was so slow and the themes were all so heavy handed instead of allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.

But somewhere after the first third, I found myself hooked on this story, needing to know how (if) they got out of it.

I found myself falling in love with Silas, with Daphne, with Isabella and Mary and Louise. I found myself desperately needing them all to be okay and happy and to have the lives they deserved. These characters were all so rich and vibrant and it felt like such a stark contrast to the dull tone of the first third of the book.

The plot was fascinating and engaging and while it was, at some points, incredibly predictable, it was a thrilling ride nonetheless.

I do still think certain ideas are pushed on the reader too heavily and there’s a lot of telling and not enough showing, and I would have liked more details about the veil and spirits and how it all works, but it still ended up being an enjoyable read.

4.25 stars. This author has beautiful writing and characters that I relate to way too much. I highlighted 22 times!!

This is a gothic medical horror trans autistic queer asylum finishing school type novel. It is amazing.

The first thing I heard about this author was the way body horror & gore was described could be a bit nauseating. Honestly, I have a pretty good stomach for those kinds of things so I was pretty much sold on reading anything by White!

Aside from that, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is full of beautiful queer representation. As an autistic queer reader, I felt so SEEN by White’s writing.

Gothics settings + queer rep is my idea of a perfect story. Literally a million stars for this book.

I didn't think a YA horror novel could impact me so much, and yet here we are. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth has all the elements of a book I love: accurate representation, gothic/historical horror (!!!), and an adorable cast of characters I couldn't help but root for throughout. The way that this book navigates transphobia, ableism, sexism, and oppression really makes it such a powerful text, and a must read.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is an absolute triumph in the realm of gothic historical horror. White's masterful storytelling transports readers to a captivating 1883 London, where the boundary between the living and the dead grows thin, and the atmosphere drips with an eerie intensity that sends shivers down your spine. White's writing is a tour de force, painting vivid scenes that transport you effortlessly to the haunting world he's created. His deft hand at weaving historical details into the narrative enhances the immersive experience, making every moment feel palpable and authentic.

What truly sets this novel apart is its unflinching exploration of societal prejudices. White fearlessly delves into the realms of misogyny, racism, transphobia, and ableism through the lens of medical history, creating a tapestry of thought-provoking conversations that resonate deeply. The narrative brilliantly navigates the struggles of both women and those perceived to be women by a transphobic society, offering a poignant commentary on the harsh realities they face. The way White addresses these themes is not only eye-opening but also deeply empathetic.

The heart of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth lies in its protagonist, Silas Bell, an autistic trans man. Silas's journey is a poignant exploration of sacrifice. The novel beautifully explores both the sacrifices required to conform to society's expectations, and the sacrifices one must make to avoid going down this path. Silas's determination to resist such conformity is powerful and serves as a rallying cry.

In The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, Andrew Joseph White has crafted a gothic historical horror masterpiece that transcends its genre. It's a chilling tale that confronts prejudice and societal norms head-on, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat. This book is more than just a story; it's a mirror that reflects the struggles of marginalized individuals, a mirror that invites readers to introspect and evolve. This is a must-read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

Wow. Al I can say is wow. Another hit out of the park by this author. I would say if you are not a fan of body or medical horror this is not the book for you by a long shot but if you stomach it, than this book is such a great read.

I have SO many feelings about this book! Part of me this wishes it were broke down into 2 books because they are so many important conversations. That's why I'll divide my review in 2 parts:
-Fantasy aspect: I think the story could be differently put together, plot was not revealed til over the 100 pages mark. And the whole "magic" aspect was forgotten til way latter. This being said this is basically a queer whodunnit!
-Social aspect: Please read TW's. Raw, powerful and full of hard necessary discussions. What does it mean to be a man, women or queer person? WOW, author talks about this topics in such a beautiful and open way. Author has become an autobuy for me! Queer and autistic rep is chef's kiss.

#TheSpiritBaresItsTeeth #NetGalley

I mean, let's just start with: YA horror goes SO MUCH HARDER today than it did in my Youth (tm). Whewwwwww buddy, I had some very stressful nightmares after reading this one, and I am a thirty-something horror lover!

I loved so much about this book -- Silas is such a wonderful protagonist, and I was immediately drawn into his curious, thoughtful mind that doesn't always fit with society's expectations of what someone in his body 'should' think and act like. White offers such a nuanced, loving portrayal of a nineteenth-century autistic trans boy without ever using either term. I will always be a sucker for 'boarding school where something Wrong is happening,' and my only qualm is that I wish we'd gotten a bit more details about the other girls' "illnesses." (That is, some characters are obviously queer-coded, while others are a bit more nebulous. Was the Headmaster's wife in love with Henrietta? Some plot details moved by too quickly!) The horror and gore in this novel is a force to be reckoned with -- so much medical trauma, so much pulled from actual history. (White's author's note at the end does admit that such experimentation/torture was largely reserved for people of color in Victorian medical history, but I would've preferred to see that fact fleshed out on the page -- not seeing girls of color tortured, of course, but perhaps referenced as something the Speakers started with or do in the colonies. I understand White's reluctance to replay that history, but there's always room to remind the reader of Britain's horrifying legacy of colonialism and racism IMO.)

White accomplishes a lot in one novel, and I respect the choice to make it a standalone rather than stretching the plot into a duology. That said, I often wanted the novel to slow down a bit and give a little more build-up. The entire Speaker / spirit work / violet eye system was confusing -- I'm willing to roll with it, as it's primarily a way for us to dig into medical misogyny/transphobia/homophobia/racism, but I wished the connection to empire were a bit more clear. (Something something, spirit workers, something something, useful for the British army -- but how? what?) Also, while I enjoyed Daphne as a character and her budding relationship with Silas, the jump to love was rather sudden. They literally speak for ten minutes and then Silas moves from 'wait, there are more people like me?' to 'I like her!' to 'I am IN LOVE' without further interaction. Again, I'll suspend a lot of disbelief in order to keep the plot rolling, but I would've liked to sink into their love story a bit more.

Despite my nitpicks, I did really enjoy this novel and will be happily recommending it to my customers (with MANY content warnings). Sick cover, sick plot, perfect fall read. HELL YEAH, AJW, what a gruesome lil gem of a novel you've created!

god, i love a book that keeps me up until i finished the whole thing! AJW has done it again folks!!!
---
This is one of those books that I love so much, that I find it hard to write a review that reflects the burning adoration I have for the work. Let's try though.
Truly a masterful follow-up to his debut, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth feels refreshing, while evoking all the same great (although not exactly pleasant) feelings - anger and connection chief among them - from Hell Followed With Us. [If you read HFWU you need to read this one, and if you read TSBIT go read HFWU!!] I have been anxiously waiting to read more from Andrew Joseph White and this did not disappoint one bit!
The writing and imagery continues to be exquisite and the plot feels like a galloping rabbit through the meadows of Victorian England. If you're looking for a book about the survival of intersectional identities in a world where anything but the norm is broken apart, about humans surviving despite the narrow-eyed views of the powerful, about bringing them down the best you can, this is for you. [(plus, go read HFWU)]
If you're hesitant over the content warnings and the gore, I don't think it was that bad, and I'm quite squirmish at times, unless specifically medical gore messes with you. but the discrimination CW are very much there and very much real - I said anger was central, it will be central in the reading experience too.


Thank you so much to NetGalley and the PeachTree for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.

“Mors vincit omnia. Death conquers all.” When Silas Bell was born, her parents named her Gloria. She had violet eyes and was destined to become the wife of a member of the Royal Speaker Society. Sent to Braxton’s Sanatorium and Finishing School and recently diagnosed with Veil sickness, Gloria insists that he is a boy named Silas and not the girl the world sees. “Speaking tiles, white porcelain squares engraved with letters, light enough for spirits to move” lead to a mystery involving girls previously diagnosed with veil sickness but now missing. “You know what happens to little girls who play with ghosts.” Autism and transgender representation, vivid imagery, found family and the horrors of medical experiments made The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White a five star read for me. Be aware of the content warnings including transphobia, ableism, violence, sexual assault, discussions of forced pregnancy and miscarriage, and extensive medical gore. Thanks to Andrew Joseph White, Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Peachtree teen
*Quick trigger warning for transphobia, medical malpractice, ablism and abuse *
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is a phenomenally written novel that gives the gothic story that every lover of the genre could sink their teeth into. Silas is a wonderful protagonist to follow as he grapples with the veil sickness as well as the societal norms found in the Victorian era. I would say this novel is similar to the haunting of hill house in terms of how much this book sucks you in. If your looking purple pros and a story that will suck you in and leave you fascinated I can't recommend The Spirit Bares Its Teeth enough