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Finished the spirit bares its teeth and..... haunted frankly

Here's some traditional sketches of Silas Bell aka my best friend

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✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: What’s a book you’re glad you didn’t give up on?

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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.

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“I want to peel off all my skin, if only so I could be anything other than a naked body, something horrifying instead of vulnerable. Nobody looks at a pig corpse and thinks it could be made beautiful.” - Andrew Joseph White, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth

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the rabbit usually misgenders silas, and it made me very happy to see that the proper version of the word ‘blond’ was used to describe silas, especially since it’s from his own perspective. it’s random but it made my little genderqueer artist heart happy :)

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Book rec!!! Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White is so good, and I highly recommend it for all of you fellow queer teens out there(and adults!)

It’s about Miles, a trans boy from rural, republican Virginia, and his family’s blood feud with the town’s local sheriff and his family. There’s also a little paranormal aspect. Please please please read it!!! His other two books are good as well, but this is my favorite for sure.

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What the Rabbit said today

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Today, the Rabbit didn't speak as clearly, muttering and chattering away to itself. I wondered why it was so distraught until I realized that it was simply too tired to fight with me. I've even been too tired to do anything, frankly. Too tired to get up in the mornings and Too tired to face anyone. I guess that is what happens when you have many things expected of you. Although, with Daphne at my side it becomes bearable.

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Re-reading❤️

I have a second copy now, so this one is getting annotated! >:)

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I’m normal about these books (the playlists total ~5hrs)

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What is it with Andrew Joseph White's protagonists becoming more like me with every new book

Benji Woodside

I'm not specifically a trans boy/man but but I can relate to transmasculinity in my own genderfluid way

That feeling of finding a community of other queer kids like you

Silas Bell

Same as above but also:

Autistic on top of that

Special interest in surgery (as a horror movies/gore enthusiast I can get behind that)

I barely even know how to describe it but like,... that feeling that fucking feeling of seeing pieces of yourself reflected in others, that feeling of there are other people like me, I am not broken and I am not a mistake and I am not a problem to be fixed and someday may we destroy this world that thinks we are those things

+ minor detail, blonde hair

Miles Abernathy

Same as both above but also also:

AROMANTIC!! 😭😭 MY BOY IS FUCKING ARO!? I actually have representation?! 💚💚🤍🩶🖤 aaaauuughh 😭😭😭😭

Hating capitalism so so much

Specifically mentions not eating specific foods because they have the most awful textures

Loves his doggy 😊

+ minor detail Supa short hair, just totally buzzed all short (mines like half a buzzcut)

Sorry I still can't get over the aro part 🥲🥲

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My custom ring inspired by the spirit bares its teeth just got here!! I’m so happy hihi

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the spirit bares its teeth. i have been sobbing for like 3 hours finishing that read and i don’t feel like i’ll ever be the same!!!

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This is something I'll be exploring later through my rereads, although a theory i would like to propose; while the rabbit is cruel to silas, most times, it is still apart of Silas' inner conscience. The rabbit referring to Daphne with she/her is a testament to 1, Daphnes impeccable and undeniable girlhood, 2, The fact that the rabbit's motive may be to distress/disorient/antagonize Silas, 3, Silas truly only sees Daphne as a woman. Daphne will always be a woman to Silas, even if she wasnt always. Daphne was always a woman, Silas just didn't know that yet, it doesnt change the faxt that Daphne is solidly a woman.

At least, thats my theory on it.

More ranting about The Spirit Bares It's Teeth because vebfhhrhd

The rabbit never once misgenders Daphne

The rabbit never calls Daphne a boy but the rabbit calls Silas a "sick girl"

I get that it's mostly just because the rabbit repeats what other people say and is Silas's anxiety personified

But it's also just a very interesting thing to note

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What the Rabbit said today.

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Today, the Rabbit said that I was a foolish girl. It told me I was such a stupid little girl for ever thinking my manhood was real. Although, i know that what it said was inherently wrong. I know that my manhood is real, and I know I am not foolish. I've always known the Rabbit speaks in lies, riddles, and twisted tongues. Nippping at its own wounds. Or are they my own wounds? Sometimes, I feel the rabbit nibbling on my ribcage while muttering its contradictory statements. Sometimes, I also find myself listening to it, having to remind myself that what it says is not true.

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There's a special kind of ecstasy I feel when I read an Andrew Joseph White book and his protag unapologetically talks about the horrors of being a woman (without pulling any punches), and talks about the horrors of being a woman when a woman is not what you are

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It is really fun to draw on colored paper

(Quote from "the spirit bares it's teeth")

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Ah yes my favourite genre… Be Gay, Do Crime