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.

First of all, I’d to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me access to this digital ARC of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White. As someone who read Hell Followed With Us around this time last year, I was very much anticipating this book and could not wait to see what the author was going to do next. My expectations of this book were exceeded, blown out of water, as this book is probably my favorite that I have read all year. I’d like you as a reader to keep in mind the trigger warnings of this book, as it contains transphobia, ableism, graphic violence, sexual assault, forced pregnancy and miscarriage, suicidal ideation, and extensive medical gore. Despite this, I was enraptured into the story of Silas Bell, and those like him with violet colored eyes, in 19th century England. Silas is a character that I’m sure many of us can relate to, as when he talked about having a metaphorical rabbit in his chest, I found this an interesting depiction of how it might feel to live with anxiety, attempting to please others at the deficit of yourself, and negative self talk. This book is filled with powerful figures who have many corrupt ideologies, but has those attempting to right the wrongs of these people and breaking down the system from the inside out. A five star read and truly what I believe will be a breakthrough bestseller novel in the fantasy genre

Thank You, Netgalley and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink, Peachtree Teen for this e-Galley.

Wow....just wow. This book was brilliant, soul-stirringly dark but at the same time there was that sliver of hope and triumph.
After the first few pages I felt frozen in place, utterly mesmerised, and didn't want to get out of my car and go to work.
By page seven I was still sitting in my car almost in tears. (I did end up leaving the car eventually....)

The cover art is beautiful and haunting, loved the additions of all the eyes.
Safe to say that I loved this book I read the whole thing in 12 hours (went to work today and everything).

The Spirit Bares It's Teeth by Andrew Joseph White is wonderfully dark, beautifully written and death truly does conquer all.

Thanks to NetGalley, Holiday House/Peachtree/Pixel+Ink for the Arc!

Mors vincit omnia - Death conquers all

This book really shook something loose in me and I can´t even grasp it. Just do yourself the favor and read it! It´s such an important read. At times so hard to read on an emotional level because all of this happend at some point to some people who just did´t want to fit in the categories other people made for them. This book is a must! It explores sexuality and gender and love in all it´s different forms. All topics and themes that need to be talked about more. Can´t wait to read more of Andrew Joseph White!

Book out September 05,2023!

Andrew Joseph White writes some of the most gut-wrenching and amazing stories! The Spirit Bares Its Teeth proves it even more.

This story follows our main character, Silas, as they struggle with an abusive and obviously not accepting family. This is honestly a great oversimplification of parts of the story, but I mention in this way so that I can make a point. Andrew Joseph White knows how to TAKE ME THERE. I find myself wrapped so deeply within this storyline that I felt as lost as our main character. When Silas felt hopeless, I did too. That to me speaks to then incredible talent that is Andrew Joseph White. The emotional depth and character development that he weaves into his stories have the ability to transport you entirely to his new worlds.

Additionally, this story is very quickly paced. The mystery and intrigue that is built into this story, suckered me in and refused to let me go until I found out the fates of my favorite characters. (I also needed to know exactly how the relationships between the main character and others were going to play out).

As for horror elements, there are plenty. The first and most prominent is the evil of the human spirit. The depiction of transphobia in this story astounded me. It astounded me because I know it is an all too real sentiment and it honestly turned my stomach at times.

I'll never forgive some of the characters in this novel. They don't deserve it. However, if there is one thing to know about this book, it's that THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!! Go read it when you can, because this is trans literature at its best!!!

This books was amazing!!! I loved Hell Followed With Us, so I was really curious what Andrew Joseph White would write next. I was also a little nervous that I wouldn't enjoy his second novel as much. But I was so wrong to be nervous and doubt him. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is even better! The horror is intense, so definitely listen to the content warnings. Eyes really creep me out, so the body horror in this book messed with me. But I loved Silas and Daphne and the moments of trans acceptance and joy they had were beautiful. Definitely recommend!

I usually do not purchase physical copies of a book if I have an ebook, but I definitely will for this one!

I adored Andrew Joseph White’s first novel, Hell Followed With Us, & have been anxiously anticipating this novel & was so so so excited to be approved for an arc of it! I absolutely loved this; it told such a dark & moving story beautifully. The representation in here with transness & autism is so so good, just as I expected it would be, & the commentaries on transness were very powerful in this & I just loved my reading experience. This book is definitely very dark, so mind your triggers going into it.

Tw: deadnaming, confinement, death, gender dysphoria, forced institutionalization, misogyny, blood/gore/body horror, abandonment, murder, medical content, pregnancy due to SA, miscarriage, hate crime, homophobia/transphobia, gaslighting

“if a dead girl prays to God can he hear her?”




This is such an amazing book truly. I could not put it down. First off, thank you to NetGalley and PeachTree for the Arc!!!!

I love the way that all the horrors of this book are very in your face, you cannot ignore them. The graphic C-section in this book has to be one of my favorite parts. Which is gruesome I know but it’s very well written and just insane. I cried both in happiness (t4t will always get me) and sadness throughout this book. Some of the nastier moments you want to turn your head and not see but you really cannot escape the horrors in this book even if you tried. You think things could not get worse and then surprise they do! This is so amazingly written. There was a point where I was concerned that this would not end in a happy or even content way, I wasn’t sure it would be able to. The ending is perfectly done it’s a very satisfying ending in my opinion.

Silas!!!! I love him dearly its amazing to see trans autistic characters. Its like reading from my own brain. I love the way his love interest (also trans) does not fault him the for the ways they are different. That she doesn’t treat him as a thing that needs to be fixed in the way that others do. Theres moments between Silas and another autistic character which are so dear to me. To read two autistic people finding an understanding with each other is very heartwarming. Which is nice because there is not many moments you can describe as heartwarming in this book.

I loved the way AJW wrote an autistic character in Hell Followed With Us so I knew it would be amazing in this and I was right. I really enjoy his writing, im looking forward to his adult book!

Okay so I had DNF this book because of a certain eyeball scene I could not bring myself to pick it back up unfortunately. However, for those with a stronger constitution, I cannot reccomend this book enough, because until then I couldn't put it down, but eyes are already such a squeamish thing for me that I couldn't pick it back up

The Spirit Bares its Teeth was such an excellent read I couldn't put it down. The story follows Silas, a sixteen year old trans boy with autism in Victorian England. He doesn't have the language to describe his autism or that he's trans, but both of those facts are conveyed wonderfully through narration and storytelling.

Silas was also born with purple eyes - the mark of someone who can reach through the veil of living & dead. For women born with violet eyes, their best prospects in life are to marry well since they are not allowed to practice spirit work. Silas is seen as a girl and is raised to be a good wife. But his biggest wish is to become a surgeon. He is sent to Braxton's finishing school and diagnosed with "veil sickness." Silas meets other girls with a similar diagnosis who don't fit the mold of what a good woman should be.

This story is expertly told. There is wonderful tension from start to finish. Silas and all the characters are really well-rounded and grow and develop through the story. This book points a lens at the different ways people react to oppressive societies - how good people become oppressors and how the oppressed are trained to perpetrate the system.

There are some pretty gruesome scenes in the story, but nothing seems extraneous. This is another great horror/suspense from White and definitely worth a read.

I’ve never made a better book request in my life.

After reading Hell Followed With Us, I was ravenously waiting for AJW’s next book. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. If I thought his first novel was amazing, this is a masterpiece. I was thoroughly captivated from page one.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth follows Silas, a trans boy in an alternate version of Victorian England that involves mediums. In an effort to try and avoid being married off and forced to bear children, he attempts to live as his authentic self, only to be sent to a sanatorium.

The author does a great job of weaving historical details into the story, which helps to create a sense of realism and authenticity. The way women, minorities, and people with mental illnesses were treated in 1800s England is enough of a horror on its own, so it’s a fantastic setting for this book.

I have never felt so seen by a character. As a neurodivergent trans boy, every thought in Silas’s head throughout this novel is something I’ve felt in some capacity before. I had so many times I had to put down the book and take a moment to sit with these thoughts, and yet I still finished it within two days like a maniac. The exploration of gender identity and mental health was masterfully done. Silas’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and I think many readers will find themselves relating to it.

The horror is written so incredibly well. The medical gore made me sick to my stomach, even as a horror fan, and I couldn’t have been happier about it. Good gore is hard to write, and the author manages to ride that line perfectly. It was just bloody enough to add to the terror, but it never felt gratuitous. Each instance had a clear purpose.

Overall, this is one of those once-in-a-blue-moon novels that makes me upset that I finished it because I’ll never find another book like it again. It’s absolutely fucking feral, which means it’s definitely not for everyone, but damn if it wasn’t exactly the type of book I needed in my life. AJW has quickly become my new favorite author.

I knew that this book was going to be good the moment I heard about it, though after reading it I am even more blown away than before. Andrew Joseph White is such an amazing author, I have had the absolute pleasure of enjoying everything he has written and this one definitely did not let me down. Now I just finished the book maybe a couple minutes ago so I apologize for any messiness within my writing.

Silas took my heart the moment he was introduced, the way his “rabbit” was portrayed in the book was breathtaking and so very relatable. Not only his growth as a character but also the way he helps other characters grow within the story are beautifully written. I’d never thought I would relate to a character so much in a historical setting.

And I can’t forget about Daphne, her pureness and genuine love and concern shown throughout the book are truly felt, it makes you feel as a reader that you also have someone on your side rooting for you and your success.

This book just shows us the importance of belonging and how acceptance can move miles. I would recommend this book to everyone, but please be aware of the trigger warnings before you decide to pick up.

The biggest, sincerest thank you from the bottom of my heart to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for review!

Andrew Joseph White, first and foremost, thank you for writing queer and trans representation in the way I desperately needed but had no idea I did! I loved Hell Followed With Us so incredibly much, so much that I was nervous to read this novel because I didn’t want to compare the two. However, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth just pushed its way right up the list of my favorite books. (and Andrew is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!)

I’m writing this immediately after finishing the book, at 2:42 AM after a concert in which I was reading the book between sets because I was DYING to know what happened next that badly. I was so invested in the plot and these lovable characters. I love the way AJ writes about LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent characters in such a realistic and relatable way and allows them to face the nightmarish and grotesque struggles our communities face in real life, but with that dystopian/fantasy twist and we are still provided with gorgeous examples of these characters persevering.

It means more than I can say to get to read someone trans, queer, and autistic fight through every hardship thrown at them for simply existing, learn how to ignore and overcome that horrid voice inside our heads, and break through to the other side with a future filled with healing and joy and love.