If you are a Petty Crocker like we are, then Boys with Sharp Teeth is right up your alley. It is an enjoyable read, with a beautiful plot and fun twist ending.

Thanks to Macmillan Children's and Roaring Book Press for an eARC for an honest review.

This is marketed as dark academia with hints of the supernatural and a YA thriller.

This follows Marin James who recently lost her cousin in a mysterious death ruled to be overdose, however, she thinks one of his three friends at Huntsworth Academy - Adrian Hargraves, Henry Wu, or Baz killed him. She disguises herself as Jamie and infiltrates the school determined to find his killer. Overall, I found this overwritten and meandering, the premise sounded interesting and while I love morally grey characters, these did not have any true depth for me. Felt melodramatic and faux philosophical as well to me. Reminded me of a hybrid of the vibes of Catherine House with the mystery premise of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife. I wanted to DNF several times.

2.5 rounded up to 3/5

3.5 - I was so excited for this one, as it is marketed as a dark academia, young adult philosophy, and a bit of a gothic horror. Although I enjoyed this book, I was a bit let down.

Boys with Sharp Teeth is a dark academia/thriller taking place at an elite boarding school. Marin comes to Huntsworth Academy after finding out that her cousin has been murdered, determined to figure out the truth. She knows that Adrian and Henry are involved somehow and will do anything to get in their inner circle to seek justice. A love triangle unfolds, where Marin feels more seen and understood by these two boys than anyone ever before.

The setting of this book, while a bit unrealistic in the details, was really atmospheric. I was really impressed by the author's writing, especially as a debut book. The actual genre of the book is a bit hard to place, because of how it definitely is young adult, but incorporates dark academia, a bit of horror, and psychological thriller. There also was paranormal elements, which made the book lean slightly fantasy.

I thought this was going to be a gay romance but it was more of a love triangle, where I think more development was needed. The book was less romance but a subplot of the love triangle, where Marin is in love with both the boys for different reasons. I got a bit bored towards the middle of the book, after really being hooked in the beginning by the setting and the mystery that was unfolding.

Overall, not the book for me but I really enjoyed the writing! Thank you to FierceReads for the free booK!!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC and ALC I received in exchange for an honest review.

There were things that I truly loved from this book especially the dark academia atmospheric vibes. I am always a sucker for that kind of vibe in books.

I kind of wish that the characters were college students and not high schoolers because some of their decisions were more mature than you would expect from high schoolers. The mystery was interesting and kept me engaged.

Overall, it was a good read. I don't think I would recommend the audiobook version though. The narration did not work for me and I had to speed it up sooo much in order to be okay with it.

3 stars
——————

I haven’t been this confused by a book in a long time.

The description of this book is what really drew me in. But while the vibe of the book is immaculate and the writing was poetic, the actual plot left me completely lost. The start of the book was interesting. Girl seeks revenge for the death of her cousin. But it fell apart as I went on. I almost DNFed halfway through, but hung on hoping it would get better. Somehow, this one is neither character or plot driven. That left it in limbo for me. There are points where it feels like nothing is happening, which can be fine. But here, it just felt like the book was primarily unexplained filler. Entire plot lines just end without explanation or go on and on without explanation. I got that this was suppose to have a bit of supernatural to it, but it’s never clearly explained for me. The book exists, but that was about it for me.

I love a morally grey character, which I absolutely got here. Marin/Jamie is incredibly unreliable as a narrator. Graves and Henry both have this air of mystery to them. But there was no character growth. Everyone remained stagnant and within their roles, if not devolving within them. I rooted for no one and nothing.

I could not connect with this book at all and I was really disappointed by that.

Thank you so much to Fierce Reads and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Jenni, come outside. I just want to talk real quick. Firstly- how dare you? Second- how dare you? How dare you write a book that altered my brain chemistry and had me in complete bi panic the whole time. I loved this so much. It was mysterious, fierce, romantic, and tense, but SO GOOD! I loved everything about it. From the story, to the characters, to the plot, to the conclusion. I couldn’t get enough. When I wasn’t able to read it, I was thinking about reading it. It was everything to me. I want to erase it from my brain so I can read it for the first time again. Truly.

Jenni- give me everything you ever write. I am a forever fan!

Absolutely beautiful prose. I love the aspects of the paranormal woven in, and though I did predict the murder, I still did not expect that final twist at the end!

Thank you to Net Galley for the eARC!

A girl seeking revenge against the group of students who murdered her cousin finds herself in over her head as she becomes entangled with them and her feelings begin to grow twisted. To say I didn't like this book was putting it lightly. This had me so excited from the get go, the tag line "they're wicked, she's worse" completely got me, and the whole cover made it seem like it would be queer, and then throwing in "raven boys" completely sold me... but the red flags were there and I should have known better. The first red flag is "we were liars" and honestly I should have turned away from this book souley based on that. Marin/Jamie is going to go undercover to solve her beloved cousins murder ( completely unreleastic how she goes about it and you never feel the actual familial love between Marin and her cousin you're just told.) Marin immediately falls in love with the guys who are involved in her cousins murder (in this insta love weird love triangle) and honestly it just came out of nowhere, there was zero chemistry and it made no sense. Next issue, the whole fact that the cover doesn't even include Baz, the other member of the group so that the cover makes it seem like a poly/queer book when THERE IS NOTHING QUEER OR POLY ABOUT THIS BOOK. This book was an entire case of : wayyyyyy to long, nothing happens, and just ridiculousness. I was dragged until the end, and even the end was so unsatisfactory. The mystery was so bland, the relationship and resolution of it all was just not good. Anyone who is rating this 5 stars, I have questions, did we read the same book? For a book titled "boys with sharp teeth" this entire experience felt like I was being torn apart with the dullest butter knife and it just keeps going. I adore dark academia murder mystery, I love a complex love interest, I love a revenge story, yet somehow none of that actually worked in this. Suffice to say, this is not for me, but I guess if you love We Were Liars, you'll have a fantastic time with this one.

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

**spoiler warning for this review**

I think people will either love this or hate it. I personally loved it. The dark academia atmosphere was perfect, the deeply flawed and morally grey cast of characters were interesting, and the supernatural twist was a very pleasant surprise for me.

The prose was beautiful and poetic. Even though it was a bit over the top some times in my opinion, it just really worked for these characters, who were brilliant and formidable in the outside, and full of grief and pain on the inside.

I enjoyed “Jamie’s” relationship with each character, especially the toxic moments. I was fascinated by the philosophical questions and the way that was weaved into their real life.

I was not expecting a paranormal twist, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. It caught me off guard, but not in a bad way at all. The horror elements/imagery of shades and broken mirrors and detached souls resonated with me and was a really unique reading experience for me.

I am a major fan of a bitter sweet ending, so I LOVED the end. That sort of punch in the gut you feel when you realize not everything is going to be unicorns and rainbows for everyone is a feeling I love in these types of stories.

The characters motivations and some of the magical elements involved felt a bit blurry around the edges, like they weren’t completely fleshed out, and this is where I think it will lose some people, but for me it worked. It was psychological, philosophical, and a bit cerebral at times which is a vibe I find I really like in this setting.

I recommend this for fans of YA paranormal horror and dark academia, and who love their characters flawed and morally grey.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the early e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was really intrigued by the premise, and I personally thought it had a good start, though I did find it a bit unbelievable that not a single soul cared Marin had been missing, right after her cousin was found dead, and for a prestigious school to allow her to continue taking classes when her tuition continued to not be paid.
I did like the supernatural elements, and finding out what was going on/who was the killer, but I think that’s when things also started getting confusing and little unclear as to what was happening. Ended with the possibility of more, and overall I liked the more mature nature of this book and the exploration of emotions and trauma bonding.

Not amazing, but pretty okay.

I wanted to love this. The concept is interesting, but I had to DNF at 70%. I am typically a character-driven reader, but I felt like nothing was happening, not even a little bit. I also did not care about any of the characters. I saw this marketed as a cross with Raven Boys, and I would disagree. It has Southern Gothic vibes, but that is the only similarity.

I have seen a lot of people enjoying this, especially readers who love books like The Secret History or philosophical books. That is not me.

I will say that the audio production was fantastic. The narrator really fits the character.

Thank you to Roaring Brook Press and MacMillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.

“I am Jamie Vane. At least until I find the three students who murdered my cousin—and make them pay.”

Boys with Sharp Teeth is set within the gates of Huntsworth Academy, the enigmatic boarding school that caters to the wealthy elite. When Marin finds her cousin Sam’s dead body on school property, everyone is quick to dismiss it as an accidental overdose, but Marin isn’t convinced. To find out what really happened to Sam, Marin hatches a risky plan: she will enter the school as Jamie Vane, track down the three students who could be responsible for her cousin’s murder—Henry, Adrian, and Baz—and get a confession to avenge Sam’s death. But during a party held unexpectedly in Sam’s honor, Jamie discovers a hidden side to the three students buried in philosophy studies and covered mirrors. Through it all, the truth seems impossible and the lies seem unending.

Jenni Howell’s novel combines demanding revenge, taunting lies, and enthralling characters. The first thing that I really enjoyed about this novel was the writing. It was evocative and compelling, and I found myself slowing down to really appreciate how well this book was crafted. There is a blend of psychological thriller and complex philosophy that fits into the dark academia aesthetic perfectly. I also really liked the characters. Jamie, the narrator, craves the truth behind the murder that changed everything for her. She had moments that made me shake my head but even more that made me root for her. Baz is tender, and I really wanted to protect her. Henry and Adrian are two sides of the same coin, and they kept me constantly questioning who they really were. However, I will acknowledge that while the book is marketed as a romance story with vampires, that is not really how I would define this story. The paranormal aspect centers around mirrors, and I enjoyed how it kept me guessing about what was happening, but there weren’t any vampires. While there were moments that could be considered romantic, the story more so showcased begrudging tensions with Adrian and reluctant games with Henry. Though this might be considered a drawback, I think this fits perfectly within the narrative. Boys with Sharp Teeth was a rollercoaster that I couldn’t put down, and it fit every aspect of dark academia that I could hope for.

DNF @40%

I really wanted to love this book. I had been following along with the marketing and was hooked by the premise and the first couple chapters, I truly believed it could be a favorite. But it really quickly started feeling like a chore to get through.

At the point I'm at in the book it still feels as though absolutely nothing has happened. And although a bit of plotlessness or fluff is usually okay with a book it only really works when you at least somewhat care about the characters and I just don't. They feel kinda empty so I can't bring myself to want to know what's happening to them.

Maybe someday I'll bring myself to finish the book but as of now I just dont see it happening.

Loved this book. It was what I needed to read for dark academia. The plot moved along well and kept me on my toes.

I need more books from Jenni asap! This is a dark, gothic, and delicious crime dark academia with a romance that you can sink your teeth into. Such good stuff.

Boys with sharp teeth is an absolutely terrifying ride, I LOVED it. Between having an untrustworthy narrator and the kind of suspense that oozes from every page it’s quite possibly impossible to put down. I cannot believe this is Jenni’s debut novel, it’s an absolute feat of both poetic prose and masterful world building. I wish I could read this again for the first time it took bite out of me and I never want to go back.

Based on online advertising and what I heard about this book, I thought I would love Boys With Sharp Teeth. Dark academia, comped with The Raven Cycle, and seemingly queer. The premise was interesting, a girl going to a boarding school to find her cousin’s killer, but I kept getting lost in the plot. Marin/Jamie’s actions did not match her character. I had a hard time following her plans. When she started developing attraction toward the people who she thought killed her cousin, it was very unbelievable and unappealing to me. This book felt like it was trying too hard to be something it wasn’t. It tried to be heavy and dark and philosophical, but the plot felt too random, too unserious, and too unbelievable. The themes of revenge and twisted desires and Marin trying to find out who she really is were all too contradictory to work well together. The characters felt forced into being these dark and mysterious characters obsessed with death, but they didn’t feel real and their actions made little sense. I had no idea of their goals and Marin just counted them as evil from the start, never letting them really develop to much else. Marin’s thoughts and actions were too confusing and contradictory to follow or believe. The sense of the supernatural was kept in the background for far too long. I had no idea what was real and what wasn’t and it wasn’t a satisfactory mystery to find out. I wasn’t rooting for Marin to win by the end, not to win a game only she was playing for a weird sense of revenge on people she judged without knowing. I wasn’t rooting for her to be with any of the characters either—and I wrongly went into the book thinking it was going to be polyamorous. I would not compare this to The Raven Cycle, which is one of my top series of all time. The premise of this story was fun and it could have been very good if developed more, but I couldn’t enjoy it as it was. I will not be reviewing this book on my social media because it really was not for me.

This book just isn't for me. I keep trying to get myself through this. I am a lover of dark academia and mystery books but this just doesn't do it for me. Here's why I only made it 19%

- I hate the main character. Jamie is so short sighted. She gets herself into such a vulnerable situation with these kids who likely killed her cousin, yes maybe it's because shes a teen, but she's also supposed to be smart. The book keeps telling me that shes bored in her normal pubic school and she should have been here at this fancy school and yet every choice she makes feels so stupid.
- You're telling me the cops didn't talk to the 3 kids who were with the teen who died when he died? I get the racism but they had his phone, and his key chain at least and that's in the first 10 pages of this book. And the last text he sent... came after his death? WHAT? Why is no one looking for the killer? This seems too solvable?
- Why is Jamie's dad not looking for her?
- Why does Graves not recognize her? They have met before. He should have been onto her in seconds, he's literally the smartest kid in the smart kid school.
- Why is there school on the weekend?
- Also no teacher even in a fancy private school would expect a kid who started yesterday to turn in a 10 page paper today, that's wild.
- The CHUNKS of this book that are just philosophy or Shakespeare or whatever smart kid school stuff... like I just can't.

I always start writing these and realize I liked a book even less than I thought I did. Anyway this was putting me in a reading slump and I just couldn't so this one is a DNF for me. But if you like brain off creepy vibe books with closed campus mystery this would prob really do it for you! Also all the characters are really hot, so her romancing this prob great! Also I read that there may be a love triangle so keep that in mind.

I received this arc from Netgalley. Review by Nic @polycraftory on Instagram, Tumblr, and Tiktok, where I do book reviews and crafts with my polycule. If you are curious about my thoughts on more books, you can find me @businesswife on Storygraph. You can also find content warnings on my Storygraph review of this book. You can also find my reviews @polycraftory on Goodreads.

Thank you NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for this ARC Copy!

I saw this cover and became instantly obsessed with this book and could not wait to read it. I will say that I was deceived by the cover in a big way, but not necessary in a bad way. This story was in absolutely nothing like what I expected going into it, and I would definitely not classify as dark academia. Very little of the story is based around academia and really is just about a pretentious boarding school.

I am still not really sure how the whole story played out, there was a lot going on and a lot of crazy situations, and long monologs about anger and revenge, as well as obsession, and attachment to each other. I think the purple prose was absolutely haunting at times and this book definitely scratched that southern gothic itch, but it is also more of a thriller than anything.

This book grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go—twisting you through grief, vengeance, messy justice, and the kind of slow-burn chaos that makes your skin crawl in the best way. Jenni spins a tale that’s equal parts gorgeous and disturbing, and it lingers.

It starts with a familiar set up: elite boarding school, a girl with a plan, two dangerous boys, and a whole lot of feelings no one wants to name. But there’s something sinister under the surface, a quiet dread building behind every line, whispering that this is not your average dark academia drama. And when it hits? It hits!!!

If you love your fiction morally messy, beautifully written, and just a little bit cursed—you’re in for a ride. Just maybe avoid any reflective surfaces for a while.