The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is a horror/historical fiction book that is worth picking up. The story and pacing kept me enthralled to the point I read this book in about half the average time it takes me to read fiction books. I really enjoyed Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth made Andrew Joseph White an autobuy author for me!

Another horrendously magnificent masterpiece.

White's first novel, 'Hell Followed With Us,' was a one-of-a-kind monster movie nightmare of a tale–and I mean that in the absolute best way. This book, while less viscerally disturbing, is just as upsetting, leaving the reader just as ill-at-ease. In the best possible way.

In the same vein, White's second novel brandishes a transgender main character, desperate to escape their cultish upbringing and be seen as the man they are. With autistic representation also front-and-center to the tale, its easy to see the mark White is leaving on the world. Let's just hope our world is a little less cruel than the ones he creates.

Where 'Hell Followed With Us' kept us in the modern day, with an apocalyptic plague killing and mutating all in its path, 'The Spirit Bares Its Teeth' takes us back to the 1880s, where mediums and spirits co-mingle amongst the elite known as the Speakers. Silas, born to a life of nothing more than a child bride, an existence as a tool for keeping powerful men powerful, dreams of freedom to practice surgery and live freely. When his escape is foiled, he is shipped off to a finishing school for wayward girls accused of "Veil-sickness." With the same gaslighting and coercion that many Victorian women considered "ill" or "feeble-minded" suffered, the students at Braxton are treated just as gruesomely as one would expect. But with the ability of all violet-eyed persons, Silas begins receiving messages from the other side of the thinned veil, and vows to discover what happens to the girls who are too sick to fix.

I'm not sure how to explain all the ways I loved this book without spoilers, so I'll just say this: I fucking LOVED this book. I mean, it disgusted me, left me feeling nauseated and upset at parts. Other parts had my heart burst with joy (Daphne? The grounds keeper?!). As soon as it was done I was ready to start it again.

Five vibrant stars.

Who else has a little rabbit hiding in their chest? A rabbit that translates the fear that buries itself underneath the sternum beside the heart? The same rabbit that tries to convince you everyone is picking you to pieces? The rabbit that fuels your anxiety? That rabbit constantly talked to Silas in The Bares Its Teeth and it was so recognizable.

When I finished Hell Followed with Us, I said that even though that story would probably haunt me forever, I’d pick up anything Andrew Joseph White would write, even without reading the blurb. Well, I kind of read the blurb of his sophomore book but otherwise jumped in without knowing much more. There’s gore again. A lot of. A trans character but this time in 1883. And that beautiful writing.

This story fueled, at times, my anxiety and my nausea. I read the author’s note, and Andrew said I didn’t have to endure it. That I could get off the operating table and walk away at any time. And I thought I didn’t really have triggers. But I do. I have one. I’m not one for bloody things, and I have to look away if I see blood on tv or in a movie, especially if it’s an operation. There’s so much to love about this story, and I highlighted so many sentences. Andrew’s writing is one of the best I’ve ever seen. But I had to skip some parts. I got off the operating table sometimes, Andrew, because the medical horror was just too much for me. But I came back and gobbled up that beautiful story for a while. And then I got off again. And got back on again.

I still want to read anything Andrew writes in the future. I only hope that I can control my anxiety and nausea the next time.

I read this book as an eARC thanks to NetGalley.

Um. Thanks so much for removing my heart and repeatedly stomping on it. At least I can trust it was done so with steady hands and a sharp blade.

I don't really know how to review this book other than to say its was phenomenal and you should definitely read it.

Flappy Hands. 5 stars.

This is probably the most intense book I've ever read, in multiple ways. It's gory and horrifying and so, so good. Seriously, this book is incredible. One of the most impactful books I've read in a long time. I absolutely recommend it--but best to read it on an empty stomach.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

hank you @Peachtreeteen for the #gifted ARC - out 5 September!

In his sophomore novel, Andrew Joseph White continues a streak of horror that brims with rage and transcends typical “old manor, creepy suburbia, dark forest” settings. From the near-future, monster-riddled dystopia of “Hell Followed With Us,” to the blood-soaked Victorian-era seances of “the Spirit Bares Its Teeth,” I. CANNOT. GET. ENOUGH.

Silas, our autistic trans MC, struggles to keep his head above water in a world where his only value is in his violet eyes and his eligibility on the marriage market. Punished for trying to escape a life as a woman doomed to an arranged marriage, Silas is thrown into a school for sick young women. But Silas can see ghosts, and the ghosts at Braxton’s Finishing School all scream the same thing. Run.

Major trigger warnings for this one include transphobia, sexual assault, and medical trauma/gore.

Read if You Love:

Dana Schwab’s “Anatomy”
Screaming into the void, as a concept
Grey’s Anatomy, with a side of extra gore

I would read anything Andrew writes. I don't even know where to begin with this review but, that if I could, I would swallow this book whole so that it could absorb into my body and be apart of me.

THE SPIRIT BARES ITS TEETH is a gorgeous, gruesome, and electric novel about the horrors of early medical practice and the atrocities that we as humans commit against one another. Andrew is unafraid to get visceral, gritty, and downright horrifying as he depicts Silas's journey through Braxtons Finishing School and Sanatorium as a trans and autistic boy. There are intricate layers crafted into this book from the touch of the magical that is violet-eyed mediums and the cult-like Royal Speakers Society who embody and uphold the patriarchy. But even through all the horrors, this book is threaded with hope and ends on a bittersweet and hopeful ending.

I know this book will give trans youth, not only hope and power, but *rage*, and rage is so important. Andrew doesn't pull any punches, the horrors and violence that Silas faces may be fictional but they are rooted in truth. I know this book will mean the world to so many, that it will find trans youth at the right time and be the world to them.

Thank you Peachtree Teen for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

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

Thank you so much Netgalley and Peachtree for the eARC!!

If you loved Hell Followed With Us this book is an absolute must read. I loved AJW’s debut but this? The writing is so visceral it snatches you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the end. The only time I put this book down was to take a break and stare at the wall for a while.

I can’t wait to own a million copies.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth releases September 5th.


List of CW from the author’s website that I implore you to read over:

Graphic violence
Sexual assault - implied, attempted, and on-page
Medical gore, including an on-page Cesarean section
Transphobia (explicit misgendering, dead-naming, transphobic violence/conversion therapy)
Anti-autistic ableism
Medical/psychiatric abuse, including dubious diagnosis and treatment
Gaslighting and abuse
Minor discussions of miscarriage

I read an eARC of The Spirit Bare Its Teeth by Joseph White. Thank you, NetGalley and PeachTree Publishing.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This book is beautiful, angering, and everything I could look for in a horror book. The way the character is written is amazing. I would pay attention to the triggers of this book. Silas is trans and has autism. He is set in the time of 1883 in the Seer society, a society that often ignores the laws. Like Silas should be 21 before he marries, but because everyone in the society sees him as a her, they only see him being a Seer as a way to create more powerful Seers.

In this society, men who are Seers are treated as the upper-class. Those Seers born into powerful families are taken advantage of, but they can still get their certificate, but women are seen as an “unfortunate must”. They need females to create stronger Seer lines, but women aren’t allowed to contact the dead, to open the Veil.

People like Silas are said to have “veil sickness”. Basically, this is given to any purple-eyed AFAB person who isn’t a “perfect woman”.

Which brings us to the plot. As Silas’s parents start talking about marrying off, Silas realizes he needs to get away from them before they ruin his life with an arranged marriage to the highest bidder. He dresses in the clothes of a young man who is too sick to get his certificate and tries to go to his ceremony. There his brother quickly recognizes him, but doesn’t immediately out him, though starts making comments that are… “things are more than black and white”.

Unfortunately, Silas is found out, but the father of the person he’s been “arranged to marry”, says that he is continuing the arranged marriage, the only thing is now Silas must go to a reform school he funds that will cure him of his “Veil sickness”. He even stops Silas’s parents from abusing him.

When dropped off at this school, we immediately are clued into hints of danger when characters say things like “we don’t like the Headmaster’s private lessons”, and the fact that one of the girls went missing a little while ago. Silas misses some of this at the beginning. Not because he’s not smart, but because he’s not good at context clues. Silas himself is a strong character that is constantly fighting against a voice in his head he calls “The Rabbit” which is basically everyone’s inner critic and insecurities given a name. He does, however, know certain things, like that he is a boy, even if he can’t define what a boy is, and see through certain social conventions as the bullshit they are.

As I said, I love this book. I love these characters, but watch out for transphobia from characters, deadnaming, mentions of suicide, conversion therapy, and medical gore. As what Silas really wants to become is a surgeon. Otherwise, happy reading!

This was an absolutely amazing read and I loved every page of it. It gave an insightful look inside a trans womans mind. Beautiful imagery.

I first picked up Andrew Joseph White's Hell Followed With Us on release day because of his videos promoting it. It was honestly one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I absolutely devoured the book. So when he announced this book (and also Compound Fracture!) I RAN to get my preorder in (and subsequently request an ARC).

If you enjoyed Hell Followed With Us, if you want horror novels that take place in Victorian England with LGBT+ and autistic characters, and most importantly, if you want to feel disgusted to your core, this is the book for you.

Something I really love about White's books are the letters at the beginning that give a little taste of the book and provide content warnings. Not only are the content warnings extremely valuable in helping readers decide if the book will contain any triggering topics for them, but White presents them in such a caring and reassuring way. He emphasizes the importance of taking care of yourself and that it is okay to walk away if it is too much. I will also say, please do heed his warnings because this is, in many ways, one of the most disturbing books I've read.

The book follows violet-eyed teen Silas Bell as a failed attempt to join the Royal Speaker Society (an upper class, white male society who control spirit work) traps Silas in an unwanted engagement and imprisons him in a Finishing School/Sanitorium that "cures" women of veil sickness (an alleged affliction that drives women who dare mess with spirits mad). Except, Silas is not sick, and there is something sinister at the school.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth has ghosts, medical/body horror, and so much more that will make you sick to your stomach (intentionally so). At times reminding me of the ghost children in Coraline and the absolute horror that is being trapped in an asylum like in American Horror Story: Asylum, this book goes all in and was an absolute disturbing delight.

This book was not fun, it was not happy, but god was it good. As a cis woman, I still found myself relating to a lot of Silas' thoughts about wo/manhood, masculinity, and femininity. The depictions of autism in this were also incredibly validating and made me smile despite it absolutely not being something to smile at. It handles misogyny and female hysteria/rage so poignantly and makes you seethe at the indignity of it all.

The whole book is icky. It made me uncomfortable, and itchy, and squeamish, and shy. But it also made me feel so seen and loved and nurtured for who I am and who I will never be, and made me feel like that's okay. As an adult, I feel like I've more or less come to accept my flaws for what they are, but it made me feel so vindicated that I was never Wrong, they just didn't know how to handle the things that didn't fit right.

TW for sexual assault, sexual harassment, transphobia, ableism, misogyny, pedophilia, gore (eye-related and the rest), abortion, parental abuse

Prepare to be entranced by the exhilarating world of "The Spirit Bares Its Teeth" by Andrew Joseph White! This mesmerising gothic horror/fantasy novel transports you to the captivating and tumultuous Victorian Era. Brace yourself for this is a thrilling journey filled with mystery, supernatural phenomena, and societal intrigue. If you like you gothic fantasy/horror, it won’t disappoint!

White's impeccable research sets the stage for a historical and fantastical adventure. Our courageous protagonist, Silas, defies societal norms as a person born biologically female but identifying as male. He is inspired by James Barry (a high-ranking military surgeon who improved conditions for the poor and sick all his life—and when he died, it was discovered by a nurse that he’d been biologically female).

Silas has unique abilities like violet eyes and the power to summon spirits, which also challenges the restrictive rules governing spirit-work imposed by the Speaker Act of 1841. Their story takes on added layers as they navigate societal expectations, medical experimentations, and yearn to be recognised for who they truly are.

"The Spirit Bares Its Teeth" delves deep into the oppressive gender roles and lack of understanding prevalent in Victorian society. Women of the era were confined to marriage, child-rearing, and household duties, with any deviations leading to medical institutions created solely to control their autonomy. The novel cleverly taps into the supernatural, horror, and taboo topics that enthralled the subversive subculture of the time.

This is going to be a reading experience that awakens all your senses. Andrew Joseph White doesn't shy away from vivid and blood-soaked shocking descriptions. Through the gripping plot, we also witness the systemic injustices faced by racial minorities in the face of medical experimentation.

Silas's determination to become a doctor and their involvement in a suspenseful Gothic mystery adds another layer of intrigue to the story. As they join forces with a group of diverse girls at Braxton, one of ‘those’ medical institutions, where they are sent, a series of mysterious disappearances sets the stage for an adrenaline-fuelled quest. What ensues is a rollercoaster ride of gore, surprises, and soul-searching as Silas and their companions delve into the unknown, challenging the boundaries of personal identity, societal constraints, and the limits of medical science.

"The Spirit Bares Its Teeth" is an atmospheric journey, whisking readers away to the hidden secrets and profound themes of Victorian England. White's masterful storytelling transports you to a time and place where the supernatural and the intricate web of societal intrigue reign supreme. This is a spine-chilling thrill, an unforgettable adventure that will resonate long after you turn the final page.

Wow wow wow this book. Andrew Joseph White is so incredibly talented, and after reading this and his first book, he has become an insta buy author for me!

This book is raw, full of rage, horror, and love, and acceptance, romance, and found family. It tore me open and Silas sewed me back up. I couldn't put it down, I read it in one day.

I still can't get my thoughts in order, I just know I loved this book, and honestly can not think of a single thing I didn't like about it. It was brilliant, if you loved Hell Followed with us, you'll love this too!

Thank you NetGalley and Peachtree for the ARC!!

This book was DEEP - and it had it all.

Supernatural fantasy? Check.
Inclusive characters? Check.
Historical time period? Check.
Romance? Check.
Dark and twisty? Check.

Definitely not for the faint of heart, take the authors note at the beginning of the book seriously but it was such a good read!

WOW.

This is beautiful and horrible and emotional and I loved it.

I'm not a horror person, never have been, but this book just sucked me in from the synopsis. This is not an easy read, and I really do suggest trigger warnings, but WOW was it good. The writing was beautiful, gory and lyrical all at once.

I've always been interested in necromancy as a magic system in books, and the concept of the Veil and how it was incorporated into the Victorian setting was so interesting. At first I kind of wished to have a more in-depth understanding of the Speaker society, but reading on in Silas's head and seeing how he and other AFAB violet-eyed people are pushed down and treated like both ticking time bombs and objects for the men to use, never knowing what the Speakers are truly doing, it added to both the literal horror and the horror of this society.

I loved Silas from the get go, and seeing the pain he went through was almost painful to read. Throughout his time at Braxton's, I really felt for all the 'patients' (or, more accurately, prisoners) there, and I appreciate that none of them were demonised for just wanting to survive the day. I even loved Mary by the end (and I really want to know what happened between her and Frances). I loved Daphne and her relationship with Silas, and for all that I hated George, I was still hoping until the end that he was truly a good brother, for Silas's sake.

I don't even think I can fully talk about all the themes present. I loved how, despite all his hardships, Silas was truly secure in his identity and never let anyone take that away from him. I loved the autistic rep, and as an autistic person I really related to so many of the things Silas felt (the restlessness, how overwhelming feelings can be, hating certain fabrics or textures). I know it wasn't historically accurate, but watching Silas be accepted for who he is was really heartwarming.

Of course, this is still a horror novel, and damn does it deliver. The descriptions were visceral and clinical at the same time, so unique to Silas and his way of thinking. His surgical knowledge threw me off at first, but as it got into the meat of what Braxton's is, it really helped set the atmosphere. I grew so attached to almost everyone that I desperately hoped they'd all be alright, even though I knew logically that it's a horror and that's not how it works, and the antagonists disgusted me so much I wanted them to die in a fiery pit.

Overall, this was absolutely incredible, and if I can I definitely want to get a physical copy.

3.5 stars

<b><i>if we still had the fingers to take out their eyes we would feast on them like witches</i></b>

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is a mean little fantastical horror novel set in the 1800s. In it, we follow Silas, an autistic transgender boy as he gets shipped away to Braxton's Sanitorium and Finishing School because he gets diagnosed with this mysterious disease called the Veil sickness.

Mediums - recognisable because of their violet eyes - are able to pull back the Veil and communicate with spirits on the other side. But only women-mediums succumb to this mysterious disease, sending them into madness.

<b><i>Do you know how angry the dead can be?</i></b>

I absolutely loved a lot about this book. I loved the parallels the author drew between this Veil sickness and "female hysteria". I loved the trans representation (I mean, a trans girl and trans boy romance!? Yes!). I loved Silas' interest in surgery. It's mean, it's horrific, and it made me very angry. Which are all good things, I promise. It took a little while for me to get really into this story, but once it got me, it got me good. It's not an easy read, and it wasn't meant to be an easy read, but it's pretty darn great. The characters were great (both Daphne and Silas were amazing characters to read about) and I loved the autism representation too.

<b><i>They must have convinced themselves they would never rot in the same dirt we do.</i></b>

The thing I mostly missed is world building. One of the things that made it a little difficult to get into the story was the barely-there world building. Once you get into the story and Silas takes you by the hand, you kind of ignore the speculative element of it. So, yes, you get to immerse yourself into in this period of time where gender roles are violently enforced and psychiatry is a tool for oppression. But there was definitely something missing. I wanted more. I wanted to know more about this Veil, how it works, how did this Speaker Society came to be, and dammit, I wanted to know more about the groundskeeper.

<b><i>Mors vincit omnia</i></b>

While I absolutely loved the themes it explored, the story definitely missed the mark for me every once in a while, especially in the world building/speculative department. Having said that, I think it's going to be a great and affirming reading experience for transgender people. Even though it doesn't really focus on trans joy, it has amazing heart: you are enough, you are not broken, you don't have any missing pieces. You are perfect, no matter what the world tries to tells you. And yes, you will find your people, even in the most unlikely places.

<i>Thanks to Peachtree Teen and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I don't even know where to begin with this one. I expected to be horrified (the c-section scene was brutal) but I was taken by surprised how much I was moved by the main character and the overall story. The autism rep is done so wonderfully in this.

I (clap) HAVE (clap) NO (clap) WORDS (clap)

What an amazing book! I hate reading books that make me emotionally broken but this kind of broken is the one that makes you appreciate every single word you read. To me it was like walking with Silas hand by hand in every step he took. I honestly believe this book is one everyone should read, it will honestly stay with you forever. London 1882 with super natural/spooky/gothic/feminist vibes? YES PLEASE!
Do yourself a favor and pre-order this book. I really recommend checking out the trigger warnings first.
As for me I will be purchasing a physical copy because of how special it is.
BRAVO Andrew amazing world building and story!

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth was equal parts gut wrenching, achingly beautiful, and terrifying. The main character Silas is perfectly written. The trans and autism representation was handled amazingly by Andrew Joseph White, and is beautiful in a way that only someone who feels similar things can convey. Showing all the emotions and under-the-surface feelings of a character can be tough, especially when the character is as complex as Silas, but through metaphor and gorgeous prose the message is conveyed beautifully. The setting of this book was also amazing and very well researched and thought-out. The Victorian setting lent well to the horror side of this book and mixed fantasy with medical experimentation that happened in real life. This book is not for the faint of heart and I would STRONGLY suggest everyone read the trigger warnings before reading. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is easily a five star book for me and one of my favorite reads of the year thus far. If you want a book that is capable of making you grin like a maniac and also scare you enough to turn the light on, this book is for you.