An excellent book! Jenny, Temperance, and Brackus are wonderful characters, and the story is rich and engaging. A storyteller that fans of T. Kingfisher will love!

Just not for me! The writing was good, but I was never invested in the plot or the characters. The tension was minimal and I never felt a sense of urgency. I think O'Neill did a cool exploration of the world of Faerie and all other European folktale figures, but the book became weighed down my exposition. With the lack of enjoyable characters on top of endless internal monologue, I never found myself interested.

This one was a little closer to 2.5 than 3, but I can see what the author was trying to do, so I bumped it up to a 3. This was just... fine. For a debut, the writing definitely felt more certain in places than some other debuts I read. And I appreciate a morally gray main character. For me, at least, there were just a few things that didn't quite work for me.

For starters, while there were hints of a good character voice from Jenny, overall I think the 1st-person POV was more of a detriment than an asset. There were times where the narration felt very clunky and, particularly in the early chapters, hopped around a bit too much when trying to establish plot details and backstory. It felt like, more often than not, the author's voice bled too heavily into the writing, drowning out Jenny's voice.

Normally, I've found that in debut novels, they're under-written rather than over-written, stylistically and narratively. This was the opposite. There were a lot of details that bogged down the writing rather than enhancing it. I think it probably would've been a bit more excusable in 3rd-person POV, but because it's 1st-person, it ended up feeling a bit more unnatural. Because despite Jenny's age, she's a character that's largely isolated, so giving her certain bits of knowledge and verbiage to use within the narration didn't quite work, in my opinion.


I also felt like the character relationships never quite hit. I wanted a bit more bonding between the main trio (though I did appreciate that the relationships were entirely platonic!), particularly because their relationships are such an important and character-defining thing for Jenny. It's not that there weren't any of those moments. I just wanted more.

Overall, this was just fine. I can definitely see why people are really enjoying this. It just didn't work for me.

cozy fantasy is very hit or miss for me— but greenteeth is a certified hit. this is the kind of warm story that stays with you, like sleeping in front of the fireplace. it’s also just wonderfully folkloric. a cozy, atmospheric tale of friendship that’ll hopefully worm its way into your mind (positively) for long after its pages are done.

This has everything fun about a frothy cozy fantasy, with whipped folklore, and a sprinkling of teleportation to the British Isles!

I loved the prose as it flowed effortlessly. This was clever and a lot of fun! This deserves the hype I am certain it will get.

Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley!! Also, thank you to Molly O’Neill for this wonderful escape from real life! I very much needed it!!

Clever, breathtaking debut novel! Greenteeth is a fairy tale, a fast-paced adventure story and ultimately an exploration of how we perceive humanity, told from the perspective of Jenny Greenteeth, a creature who dwells beneath a small British lake.

The author has written a love letter to the mythology of the British Isles in these pages. Immersive without being overbearing in its world-building, the story strikes a good balance between moving the plot forward and making sure not to leave the reader behind. Jenny is an engaging, flawed protagonist and she and her traveling companions (a witch and a hobgoblin) play off of each other well throughout the book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy!

Greenteeth is an Arthurian adventure fantasy that takes the scenic route in the best way!

The main character is who Scooby Doo would call a lake monster and apparently English people would call Jenny Greenteeth the river hag. She is a great morally grey POV who is both funny and decidedly not human. Her witch and goblin friends were excellent supporting characters, but Jenny was definitely my favorite. I vaguely know the King Arthur myth, so I only recognized some pieces in this story, but I imagine true Arthur-heads will enjoy the many references in Greenteeth.

The prose is straightforward and descriptive enough to paint a pleasant atmosphere without bogging you down. There are plenty of Welsh and Scottish creatures and fae, too, and the author did a good job describing these while keeping the story moving. This is a relaxed pace fantasy, which may not be everyone's speed, but I quite enjoyed it. I will be interested in future novels from the author.

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the arc!

Thank you net galley and orbit for letting me read an advanced copy. Green teeth is a cozy fantasy about a folklore creature called a Jenny and a human witch that gets thrown shackled into Jenny’s lake and the adventures they end up going on. I loved the beginning of this book and found myself laughing out loud multiple times. The found family relationships in this are great. However , I was let down by the pacing of this book and found myself losing interest as the adventures went on their scavenger hunt quests. While Jenny was well developed we only get things from her perspective and that could have been why I was feeling like it was dragging. In all it’s worth a shot for cozy fantasy fans and a good debut.

Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill: A Haunting, Atmospheric Masterpiece

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Molly O'Neill's "Greenteeth" is a mesmerizing, atmospheric novel that delves into the darker aspects of human nature, folklore, and the unsettling power of the unknown. This gripping tale will captivate fans of horror, mystery, and literary fiction.

Plot:

In the sleepy town of Ravenshire, nestled in the English countryside, a series of unexplained disappearances and gruesome discoveries unfold. At the center is Emilia, a troubled, enigmatic young woman with a dark past, who becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery. As the truth begins to surface, Emilia's own demons resurface, threatening to consume her.

Positives:

1. Atmospheric setting: O'Neill masterfully crafts a chilling, immersive atmosphere, evoking the eerie landscapes of rural England.
2. Complex characters: Emilia's multifaceted personality, motivations, and backstory drive the narrative.
3. Slow-burning tension: Expertly paced suspense builds to a heart-pounding climax.
4. Folklore and mythology: O'Neill seamlessly weaves local legends and myths into the narrative.
5. Literary prose: Beautiful, evocative writing elevates the story to a work of literary fiction.

Negatives:

1. Pacing issues: Some sections feel slightly slow, but the payoff is worth the investment.
2. Limited supporting character development: While Emilia shines, secondary characters deserve more depth.

Notable moments:

- Emilia's initial encounter with the mysterious, unsettling Greenteeth figure.
- The eerie, suspenseful exploration of the abandoned mine shaft.
- The heart-wrenching revelation of Emilia's tragic past.

Quote:
"The trees seemed to twist and writhe, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky. The wind whispered secrets in a language only the darkness understood."

This passage showcases O'Neill's mastery of atmospheric writing, conjuring an unsettling, immersive world.

Recommendation:
"Greenteeth" is perfect for fans of:

- Atmospheric horror (e.g., Shirley Jackson, Edgar Allan Poe)
- Literary fiction (e.g., Donna Tartt, Gillian Flynn)
- Folklore and mythology (e.g., The Wicker Man, The Blair Witch Project)


Overall, "Greenteeth" is a haunting, masterfully crafted novel that will leave you spellbound. With its atmospheric setting, complex characters, and slow-burning tension, this book is a must-read for fans of horror, mystery, and literary fiction.

A classic fairy tale story with a less classic protagonist! If you like quests, folklore creatures, and witches, this one's for you.

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

This fantasy had amazing imagery and a story that kept you guessing about what would happen next.
There were several parts where the dialogue felt stiff and this made it drag a bit for me.

This cosy fantasy read was so lovely!

I absolutely adore stories like this. The book is filled with mythical creatures drawn from the folklore of the British Isles, including Jenny Greenteeth, high fae, goblins, and even unicorns.

Jenny serves as a wonderfully fun protagonist. Throughout her journey, she learns about humanity while forming unexpected friendships. It’s interesting to see her navigate morals as a magical being.

Greenteeth takes readers on a captivating adventure that explores themes of found family and a creature discovering her humanity.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an eARC!

I really loved this book. I am a big fan of when books are written like the narrator talking to the reader. It makes it feel like I’m being read to as a kid with a bedtime story. This book has creatures from British folklore. Jenny greenteeth has to go on a magical adventure with a witch named Temperance and a hobgoblin to get rid of the evil pastor in the village. They go on journey together with tasks they have to pass and it’s an enthralling journey! The descriptions of the setting were lush, and the characters flawed but loveable. Such a fun read!

**Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill** is a whimsical, cozy fantasy brimming with folklore, friendship, and magic. Told from the perspective of Jenny Greenteeth—a sharp-toothed lake monster with unexpected depth—the story follows her unlikely alliance with Temperance, a witch accused by her village. Together, they face a sinister force threatening both their worlds. O'Neill masterfully combines heartwarming friendship with mysterious, dark magic, creating a tale that’s perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher. This unique, enchanting adventure is a must-read for lovers of fae lore and found-family tales.

A wonderful witchy tale that explores the fascinating myths and fairy stories of British Isles, this book was an absolute joy to read! The interactions between Jenny and Temperance are utterly enchanting, as is the engaging and intriguing plot! A fantastic piece of work from a debut author, and one whose career I'm excited to follow! Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit, I received an uncorrected version of this book for review.

I had really high hopes for this book. I loved the premise, but it somewhat fell short for me. I still give it 3*.

The found family aspect was phenomenal as it's one of my favorite tropes. However, the story felt like it dragged a bit in some places and rushed in others. I often found myself skimming paragraphs and pages.

**4 stars**

I absolutely love stories like this. This book is full of mythical creatures that can be found in folklore from the British isles. You have everything from a Jenny greenteeth, high fae, goblins, and even unicorns. This story takes you on a magical adventure that has a found family, a creature that finds her humanity, and even a fae hunting dog.

Jenny greenteeth spends her days catching fish and taking care of her lake. Her life is peaceful, until one day a witch is thrown into her lake. She decides to go against her nature and save her. Jenny and Temperance, with the help of a hobgoblin(Brackus), join together to get rid of the evil pastor that has taken over the village. Their journey is long and treacherous, full of near impossible tasks. If they fail, their home and all of Britain will be lost.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

2.75
This book is fine, which I genuinely think left me more disappointed than if it had been bad. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with Greenteeth, apart from being boring.

We follow our narrator, Jenny Greenteeth, a spirit who inhabits a lake near a small village in vaguely medieval England. When a local hedgewitch named Temperance is thrown into the lake on suspicion of witchcraft, Jenny rescues her. They then embark on a quest, along with a goblin peddler, to save Temperance's village from the great evil that has inhabited the town pastor.

This story suffers from not entirely committing to anything, and in doing ending up dull. If you're going to do a fairytale/folklore story, you need to make at least one of three (preferably more) things unique or else the story feels so familiar it is boring. Those three things are the characters, the world/tropes, or the prose.

In Greenteeth, the characters felt one dimensional, with cut and dry motivations and little pathos. I didn't buy their friendships or their fallings out, they just sorta seemed to happen. Even moments that felt like they ought to be big emotional turning points or revelations felt shallow and out of nowhere, as though simply being told a sad thing was enough to make the beat hit. Jenny had the potential to be a much more interesting character, but it wasn't fleshed out or developped to the point where she felt like a real person. The other characters were deeply one note.

The world and tropes are equally uninspiring. The settings is a very standard post-Arthurian English town (that weird time period of history where fantasy stories often take place, but which never actually existed). The story is based around a quest to retrieve 3 magic objects to defeat a great evil, and very little is done to dissect this structure or do something unique with it. They are tasked to retrieve item A. They retrieve item A. They are tasked to retrieve item B. They do. Etc. These items are not uniquely difficult for these particular characters to retrieve, the quests do not force them to confront their own demons in any meaningful way, and there is no play on readers expectations. The item is named. The item is retrieved. The reward is given. Not every story has to have a twist, but if you're going to be using such a well worn formula, there is a certain expectation of something interesting being done with it.

Finally the prose. That is perhaps the strangest thing about this book for me. If you want to play fairytale tropes straight, you can often make the story compelling through beautiful, lyrical prose and descriptions. Greenteeth does not do this, opting instead for a very direct, no-nonsense tone for its narration and its main characters. This isn't in and of itself a problem, but when a book has a tone that seems to promise a no-nonsense deconstructions of a fairytale but then proceeds to play every trope perfectly straight, its jarring. Additionally, since the voice is very casual and conversational, it makes it very obvious that the characters don't speak naturally. The dialogue is very stilted, and often feels like the characters have paused, looked directly at the reader and begun a monologue on their history or motivations or experiences. They include details that don't make sense for a real person to include in an anecdote about their real life.

Overall I was so excited for Greenteeth, and ended up so disappointed. There's nothing I love more than a fairytale done well, but this one really missed the mark for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the arc! This was a book that I read. It was cozy, sure, but everything else was just there. I barely finished; I just couldn’t give a single crap. Not even a dingleberry. Many things I found old, overdone, or ironically underbaked. TLDR: yawn.

This is an amazing book. I don't often give 5 star reviews, but this book hit all the marks for me.

On the surface, this is a fantasy book based on UK mythology with an epic quest. But it is so much more.

There is huge character development. A massive story arc. There are moments of sadness, horror, sorrow, anger, friendship and hilarity. The world is built in such a way you can not just see it - you can reach out and touch it.

This is a book that will stick with me. When it is released in February I will be buying two copies - one for me, and one to lend. It is SUCH a lovely read, and I can't recommend it enough.

I cannot wait to see what else the author releases!