mr. andrew you've done it again

i read hell followed with us on a whim when it first released last year, after being immediately pulled in by its stunning cover. now, almost a year later, i've read andrew joseph white's second novel, and i have to say: i somehow like it even better than hell followed.

so tense! so atmospheric! so terribly sad! yet at the same time, it managed to make me feel both immensely seen and hopeful, both as a trans person and an autistic person. the way silas discusses his autism and anxiety resonated with me in ways i hadn't thought possible. also he and his love interest daphne are completely adorable and i loved everything about their relationship.

if the gore/body horror in hell followed was too much for you, spirirt should be easier to stomach depending on your taste for medical horror. obviously read the tw's, but if you think you can handle it, please give this book a read when you can. it is nothing less than excellent. 

thank you to andrew joseph white, peachtree teen, and netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

e-arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review

"if a dead girl prays to god can he hear her?"

i had to sit on this review for two weeks and i'm still lost for words. what can be said about a story so all-encompassing?

there is something terrible going on in england. people are born with violet eyes and the power to see through the veil that separates the living from the dead. for men, this means power and influence. for women, this is as good as a death sentence.

i won't spoil too much. this is a book you need to go into blind. if detailed descriptions of surgery are not your thing, this book might not be for you, but everything is written in a way that makes you see even the gnarliest of operations as beautiful and complex, the way our protagonist does.

we follow silas, our violet-eyed trans boy protagonist, as he is forcibly shipped off to a sanatorium for girls suffering from veil sickness, a mysterious illness that only seems to befall disobedient girls. but even in a place as quiet as that, the dead do not rest.

something is terribly wrong. something is terribly wrong, and silas will not rest until the injustice is uncovered.

(it should be noted that this book contains graphic scenes, body horror, and explicit depictions of violence, which may not be suitable for all readers. please be sure to check the trigger warnings.)

Rating: 3.5/5 (rounding to 4)
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White is a horror novel set in London, 1883. The story revolves around Silas Bell, who finds himself trapped in a society that enforces patriarchal standards and subjects individuals to gruesome medical practices. It has a strong focus on the exploration of gender identity, societal oppression, gender roles, and the mistreatment of women.

One of the book's strengths lies in its characters, particularly Silas, who is a remarkably well-written character you will root for. White's portrayal of Silas's experiences sheds light on the struggles faced by those who do not fit society's narrow definitions of normality and serves as a rallying cry for empowerment. The supporting characters also add depth and nuance to the narrative.

While I really enjoyed the book, I wish that it delved deeper into the Speaker society and the Veil. Having more context and explanation would ground and enhance the depiction of the setting and society.

Andrew Joseph White's skillful storytelling and compelling characters make for an engaging and unputdownable reading experience. If you are drawn to dark historical paranormal tales that challenge societal norms, this book is a recommended choice.

Thank you to Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink for a digital ARC of this book.

i never thought id say my favourite scene from a book was an incredibly graphic c-section but wow turns out my favourite scene in this book was an incredibly graphic c-section. this was a horror novel to its CORE and i loved every second of it. authors who are desperate for representation for themselves always do the best rep, and our autistic trans mc was a prime example of that. the writing made me feel so seen which really shouldn't have been that unexpected as it was, because horror is one of the best mediums for exploring the themes of grief and guilt and forcing people into boxes that they should never have been in in the first place.

and i wasn't even that bothered by the instalove between silas and daphne, which is usually my biggest hatred in books, because for the first time maybe ever in a book, the instalove had a really valid reason for being instalove!!! huge win!!!! t4t romances u have my heart <3

the only issue i had with this book was the inconsistency of the pacing especially around the school scenes. there was a bit of a struggle to build realistic tension between the students for me in the early half through the lessons and their education, because a lot of the time was just glossed over and the amount of time that passed wasn't really explained, but the second half made up for that quite well.

the book is set up really nicely at the end for a sequel, but resolved enough that i could be happy with just this. a really fantastic read.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing me an e-ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.

WHAT A WONDERFUL AND EERIE EXPERIENCE!

I am not gonna lie, when I first read the book's description, I am intimidated at how I think this book would be such a gory read (spoiler: it is). But is it strange to be so drawn into this book after reading the author's note? In the author's note, he reminds the reader the trigger warning and that it's okay to not continuing the story and he reminds the rest that the story is not justifying the real history.

"True history is often much heartbreaking than any horror novel can depict."

I enjoyed reading this book despite its heavy topic and explicit body horror and transphobic slur mentioned throughout the book. To be honest, I don't know words how to describe how eerie it is when I read this book. The strange things happening, the horror I felt, the gory details of ripping out someone's body... I couldn't believe myself I could go through all of this. Sometimes I have to take a break because of how graphic it is, tho. But something in it is making me drawn over and over again.

The way the characterizations feel so alive and real. All of the characters, I feel like, all have purposes and not just a mere 'character' filled for the plot. The world building is not that easy but simple enough to grasp what's going on. The veil sickness mentioned is portrayed as women that do not fit into the ideal category of how women should behave in society and it's ok to 'use' them as an experimental object.

It's so disheartening to read and think that there are marginalized people, or people that are considered odd to have to go through dehumanization process for societal experiment or similar to it. The romance in this book is a good little touch that refreshing through all of the dark things that going on.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy.
This book was atmospheric and extremely heart wrenching to read as the story goes on. It deals with all the trauma that autism and mental illness can bring, as well as identity searching. I really loved it, such a beautiful story that left a deep impression.

This beautiful, heart wrenching, and oddly calming book spent 381 pages burrowing into my chest and I wouldn’t have it any other way. To steal a metaphor from Silas, the main character, reading this book felt like the first tug on a knot my muscles have never learned to let go. Painful at times, brimming with tears, but healing in a way I never thought possible. An historical horror book filled with fear and rage that follows Silas, an autistic trans man. Silas is like me and he gets to find people like him in the horrible world he is forced to try to survive in. And he does survive. And I am surviving. I could fill my own 381 page book with notes about how and in what way this book means the world to me but I think you should probably just read it yourself. If you are trans, if you are queer, if you are neurodivergent, if you have ever felt like a means for someone else to experiment, then I highly suggest reading this book because you will feel reflected in a way you never have before. And if you ever want to be an ally to me, then this is required reading because even though I do not have the same experiences as Silas, I do have the same pain for the same reasons. This book truly did rip me open before sewing me back up with a brand new sense of hope and love.

This book is an extremely hard read however it was an amazing read. Well researched for the time period and great representation of autism spectrum disorder. Highly recommend this book however read authors notes on triggers if you need them

The Spirit Bares its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White horrifying and disgusting and I loved every minute of it. This was one of my favorite books thos year.

Set in an alternative Victorian era Englad where the veil between our world and the spirit world can be pierced, Silas would do anything to avoid an arranged marriage. And when he does get out of it, he is locked away and diagnosed with Veil sickness. And because no one sees him as the boy he is, he locked up with girls also diagnosed with Veil sickness at what is supposed to be a finishing school. But something dark is happening at the school.

Content warnings for this book should definitely be heeded.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth was a fantastic read. Horror is not my normal genre, so I wasn't entirely sure what I was in for going into this book--seriously, check the trigger warnings before diving in--but I took away so much more than I was expecting.

Silas is such a well-crafted protagonist, and my heart ached for him as he struggled against the barriers Victorian society set for him. I felt his internal struggles and his anger at the world, and he is a perfect lens for viewing the ways that misogyny, transphobia, and ableism take root and perpetuate in society.

So while there are plenty of gore and ghosts in this novel, it is clear that the real horror in the story comes from the patriarchy. The violence that Silas and the others faced at Braxton's, as well as the love that formed in spite of it, were incredibly visceral and felt well-earned. I also appreciate that whether characters perpetrated that violence or were indifferent to it, the book condemns them all the same. This book was honest and brutal, and I know I'll be thinking about it for a while.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers

Once again White has written a horror novel that rocks you to the core. I enjoyed the story of Silas and this historical gothic story of suppression of women and transgender characters. Lots of trigger warnings as well. White doesn’t shy away from intense subjects that are weaved through out this story.

Mors vincit omnia. Death conquers all.

Andrew Joseph White is a great voice in horror. Like his first novel, Hell Followed With Us, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is a very well-written queer horror that will rip your heart out and stomp on it. More, please!

I'm going to need 3-5 business days to recover from this. It is a historical Victorian era story with feminist undertones that I am obsessed with. The concept of this book was so well executed, and the use of veil sickness to show the treatment of women/minorities in Victorian era England was a master-class. One of the most compelling things about this book is that its most confronting and horrifying scenes are grounded in the real world.

Andrew Joseph White did an excellent job here. The Spirit Bares Its teeth is not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach, but it is a big f*** you to patriarchal systems. Its exploration of ableism and transphobia along with its depiction of feminine rage, make it well worth the read.

I also loved the trans boy x trans girl romantic sub-plot. This book was pretty grim and gnarly at times, so it was nice to have someone to root for.


Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5




*Thank you NetGalley and Peachtree for this complimentary arc in exchange for my honest review*

This book is a marvel, and I mean that quite literally.

It perfectly mixes mystery, romance, and copious amounts of body horror in what I would describe as one of the best books I've read all year. It's unlike anything I've ever read before. Every single aspect of it is so masterfully crafted, from the worldbuilding to the characters to the representation. Silas is a wonderful protagonist and the supporting characters are each compelling in their own ways. It takes a while for all the book's secrets to unravel all the way, but once they do, this becomes a deeply satisfying story on every level. Truly incredible from start to finish; I can't wait to get my hands on a finished copy!

5 glorious, bloody stars. I loved it!!

thank you to NetGalley for providing me this arc i genuinely have so many thoughts that i cannot put to words but this book surpassed expectations. i thought it was incredible and the moment i started it, i couldn't put it down until i finished it.

there are trigger warnings at the beginning of the book so that's covered already, but just be warned- whether you read it as an arc or read it when it's published- that it is gory and the descriptions are very... descriptive and in depth. i was fine with it, blood and gore on a medical level don't bother me, but it could definitely be difficult for others.

that being said, i do think this is a must read for everyone. if you liked hell followed with us, you'll absolutely love the spirit bears its teeth.

this was a really good! I liked the characters, and they were super well-developed. the plot was super cool and fun to read, and the writing was also smooth and easy to understand
highly recommend

A thrilling and chilling ride throughout. I fell in love with White's writing with Hell Followed With Us, and this did not disappoint. Every step of the way I felt just as confused and frustrated as Silas. The twists and turns, guts and gore, all kept me on the edge of my seat while reading. This book has some of the best descriptions and truths surrounding transmasculine and queer life. I highly recommend this to any queer horror/thriller fan. I will leave this off with one of my favorite quotes from the book: "I love women as men are expected to, but the way only one who has ever experienced womanhood can." (pg. 72)

A thrilling, spooky and diverse read that I just couldn’t put down. The London 1883 setting was the perfect backdrop for this trans queer horror. White is a master at the gente and I can’t wait to see what he does next

absolutely fantastic. heading into this, i was unsure if it would keep my attention because i usually don’t like historical novels, but this exceeded my expectations by a million miles. i will never stop saying how captivating this book was. the representation was stellar, and the plot was well executed. as someone who reads through horrors for a living, i can testify that this is better than any manuscript i’ve read in the last year. 100/10- would recommend to anyone with a breathing pulse.

Plot: 9/10

While I would say that despite there being a lot of character-generated conflict, there's quite a bit of plot in this book. While the main plot isn't introduced until a while in, Silas' situation and potential escape are enough to keep things going in the first bit. I wouldn't say that there are necessarily any plot twists in this book. There are certainly reveals, but once you've become accustomed to the cruelty of the men around Silas it's more of a confirmation than a twist.

This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. As you could probably predict from the extensive trigger warning list, this book is a very disturbing read. Each of those warnings is for something graphic, and I mean graphic. The horror of what women and gender non-conforming people of the time had to go through is very adequately portrayed and in excruciating detail. White's other book is also horror, and it seems that this is where he thrives. What Silas and the girls at the school go through is truly horrendous, but it all plays into the plot. They are never suffering just for shock value or anything like that, and the ending is quite satifying.

My one criticism is the worldbuilding. While I found it interesting and unique, I do wish it had been fleshed out a bit more. Silas is constantly mentioning how much power the Speakers have, particularly within England, but it's never really explained how that came to be and what that means outside of the high society circles. Other than that, I was engaged and on the edge of my seat the whole time!

Characters: 9/10

Silas is an incredibly well-written character with apparent flaws and distinctive voice who is still sympathetic and likable. From the very beginning, readers can instantly grasp the horrible life he has had from being unable to conform, both in terms of gender and his autism. As such, his continuing aspirations are admirable, and his extreme hesitance to speak or act out are understandable. Silas' growth to become secure in his actions and his identity is amazing, and incredibly satisfying to read.

While the odds of Silas meeting a trans girl, especially one in such a convenient position to help him, is a little unrealistic, I loved the introduction of Daphne. She did seem a little too perfect at times, but in a world where they have so little hope, her and Silas' relationship was a welcome ray of light, even if it did progress a little quickly for my liking.

The side characters were amazing. The girls at the school, particularly Mary and Louise, who while unlikable at first are fleshed out quite well. Mary in particular has a pretty great arc, and her scenes of grief were heart-wrenching. Charlotte and George are characters I love to hate. Incredibly interesting from an analysis perspective but scum of the earth from any other. I also really liked how the antagonists got no redemption. They were horrible people, and they were dealt with as such.

Writing Style: 9/10

Overall, I would say the writing is pretty standard for YA, especially in the in-between scenes where things are some semblance of 'normal'. However, there are two things that bump up the rating for me. First, I loved the rabbit as a metaphor for Silas' insecurities and also survival drive. It puts Silas' fears in a clear context that makes understanding him much easier.

Also, while incredibly disturbing and often having the effect of making me feel queasy, the small intermissions from the perspectives of the dead girls were phenomenal. They add so much tension and urgency to the story, and they got some of the most visceral emotional reactions from me.

Meaning: 10/10

This book is fundamentally about a trans, autistic boy trying to make his way in a world that insists on placing roadblocks wherever he goes. Silas' determination is so admirable, and I think it is very important that this book ends happily. Yes, Silas and the girls went through the most horrendous times of their lives, and some of them didn't make it out, but some of them did, and they get to experience peace for once in their lives. This book brings attention to the horrible things people went through during this time, but it isn't completely hopeless, and I think that's quite important in this day and age.

Overall: 9/10

This book was amazing. There are very few bad things I could say about it, and most of those are personal preference. Now, it isn't for everyone, as it's basically gothic horror to the extreme with some very sensitive topics. However, as long as you can stomach this sort of thing, I highly recommend this book. It's dark, tense, and not without some hope.