This book is like stepping into a different kind of nightmare nightmare… but in the best way. I picked this up thinking it would be a twisty revenge story with a touch of the supernatural, kind of like The Afterdark by E. Latimer. But what I got was way more poetic and layered.

The writing feels literary, almost like If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio—moody, dreamy, and full of rich language. It’s not told in a typical story format with multiple POVs, major flashbacks, or big action scenes. Instead, it’s more like living inside Marin’s head as she tries to survive grief, revenge, and the strange boys who seem to see right through her.

At first, I struggled a little with the pacing. It’s not a quick read, and the audiobook forces you to slow down, which ended up being a blessing. The way the author strings sentences together—long and dripping with emotion that cuts you before you've realized it—makes you pause and think. It’s like stretching a piece of taffy: slow, sticky, and somehow satisfying.

There’s a deep sadness running through the book, a reminder that some pain doesn’t go away—and that sometimes, the changes we go through are permanent. That’s what really stuck with me. I appreciated that the ending didn’t try to fix everything. It stayed just as sharp and wicked as the rest of the book, and I think that made it more honest.

If you like dark, slow-burn stories that focus on emotion, grief, and transformation, this one’s worth a listen. But go in ready to sit with it. Let it soak in.

As soon as I heard sinister secrets in a boarding school, I knew I needed this Macmillan Audio pick! There’s something about this niche genre that appeals to me, and this one in particular was so good because the supernatural comes to play!

I loved that the students study Descartes’ Meditations and discuss his idea that because the senses sometimes deceive, we have reason not to trust them, and how that paralleled Marin’s own experience of feeling her senses have lied to her. It sets Marin up as an unreliable narrator; we’re not sure whether to believe that she’s correct and she sees and feels things that aren’t real, or if her mind is actually wrong and her senses are correct. On the other hand, Marin feels like an unreliable narrator because of her assumptions on who to trust and what they’ve done to her cousin and why. From the start of the book, she assumes the rich students at Huntsworth have no empathy or compassion because of their positions in life, but she is proved wrong in her assumptions at nearly every turn. Normally, a narrator like this would annoy me, but in this case, her character flaws serve the higher purpose of reflecting the plot and the mystique. Although, I feel like it was a tad too pointed for Marin not to trust Adrian and to fall under Henry’s spell instead. But, this is also a YA, so it did feel authentic to the character’s age and intellect.

In the end, the otherworldly secrets and the no–holds–barred conclusion to this book are downright tragic. I give this 5 stars and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys gothic stories along the lines of Ava Reid, Kelly Andrew, or T. Kingfisher. Jennifer Pickens is the perfect narrator for this story type as well!

it’s a dark academia murder mystery I was left at the beginning of the book. I really liked the writing style and I love the philosophical part of the book I also love the plot of the book however, I did find a very predictable, and I also found the narrator of the book to be really slow and hard to continue at points

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley for a review. This in no way affects my opinion of the book.

After the mysterious death of her cousin Sam, Marin takes on the persona of Jamie - a wealthy transfer student with some grit. As Jamie, she enrolls in the private school where Sam worked and the last people to see him alive attend. Enter Graves, Henry and Baz. The suspects instantly become friends with Jaimie but discovering the truth while keeping Marin a secret proves to be more than she expected. Lines blur between truth and fiction, reality and the unknown. What is the secret behind Sam’s death and will Marin evade the same ending?

First, this was a well delivered audiobook. The mystery and suspense was subtle but the narrator took that and built it up amazingly. Definitely enjoyed the cadence and rhythm of the storytelling. Very easy to listen to at 1.5x speed.

This was also a well done novel. The twists and turns and questioning of the characters’ intent and desires really made the story. It definitely has some quality horror vibes that leave chills. 4 stars.

Based on an Advanced Audiobook provided by Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners and NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!

This book didn’t work for me because of the vibes. It’s full of really smart people doing really cool things.

I know a lot of people like those vibes. It was reminiscent of All Alone with you in the Ether by Olivie Blake, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. If you love those books, and you are looking for a high school murder mystery, I’d definitely go for this book!

3.25🌟

Dark academia meets poetic chaos with a side of murder mystery. Yes, please.

This book sets the stage at an elite prep school with haunted vibes, secrets around every corner, and a new student who definitely isn’t who she says she is, and she’s out for blood. The setup pulled me in right away and I really enjoyed that first half.

As the story went on, though, it started to feel a little drawn out. Some scenes felt repetitive, and the paranormal twist didn’t quite hit for me. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had stayed grounded in the revenge thriller space rather than veering into the supernatural.

That said, I think this book will find its audience. It’s dark, gothic, and has a very specific aesthetic that will should appeal to fans of atmospheric YA dark academia with a paranormal twist. I felt the narration was spot on: moody, immersive, and a perfect match for the tone of the story.

If you love eerie school settings, morally questionable characters, and stories that walk the line between dreamy and dangerous, this would be one for your list. Just don’t be surprised if things get a little weird.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the advance listen copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

DeAnn @deannsreadingriot

Review: Boys with Sharp Teeth
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

This YA debut is a dark, dreamy descent into the secrets of Huntsworth Academy, where gothic romance meets otherworldly horror.

The story follows Marin James, a sharp, determined teen who dives headfirst into the world of privilege and secrets to uncover the truth behind her cousin’s death. What starts as a revenge mission quickly spirals into something stranger and far more dangerous. Marin’s attraction to the school—and to the enigmatic, morally gray boys at the center of it all—is both compelling and unsettling.

The writing is lush and atmospheric, dripping with tension and just the right amount of eerie beauty. At times, the plot felt a bit tangled and the pace uneven, but the haunting vibe and morally complex characters kept me hooked.

It’s messy, mysterious, and brimming with dark academia energy. Perfect for fans who love unreliable realities, twisted romance, and stories that blur the line between fantasy and nightmare.

{3.5 stars}

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for gifted access to the audiobook. All opinions below are my own.

This one is Where Sleeping Girls Lie meets Atlas Complex meets Dead Poets Society. It's got great creepy gothic vibes but is definitely more slowly paced. I would say it skews more like younger YA, I think I would have enjoyed this one more when I was in high school or college. These kids are intense about absolutely everything and yet had zero history to make those feelings make sense. They definitely had the haughty certainty of youth. The vampire aspect was more a vibe that on the page reality, interestingly, I think I would have liked it more without that. A straightforward revenge tale set in a dark, gothic setting would have been enough.

They're wicked. She's worse.

I loved this book quite a bit! I loved the characters, the suspense and the mystery of it all. Plus-I am a sucker for elite boarding school settings in books. Add in a murder mystery and it's golden.

I think others will like these characteristics in the book as well, it's dark and mysterious which I loved. The narrator was perfect for this story, I quite enjoyed the audiobook, and I look forward to picking up a physical copy after release!

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

unfortunately, dnf @ 11%, as i just was not interested, and i am promising to myself to not force myself to read any books i am not interested in or enjoying.

as for the narrator, i actually did not like her monotonous tone, especially for a thriller.

i’m sure this book will find its audience but it’s not me

"To all the ones too monstrous to be loved, it isn't true."

🖤 Dark
🏫 Elite Boarding School
🗡 Murder
🪞 Mirrors
❤️‍🩹 Grief
⚔️ Revenge
👻 Paranormal

*I received an advance review copy for free in the form of an audiobook from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my honest feedback about the book as an avid reader.*

So dark & dramatic. Lots of tension. Twists. Wondering what's going on, what is real. Full of philosophy & the line between hate & love blurring. I do wish the paranormal part was leaned into more. That the other characters had some more depth & maybe some of their backstory was revealed.

Its very poetic & angsty which isn't my absolute favorite but I know lots of people really enjoy that. The narrator, Jennifer Pickens, did an excellent job. She really brought the dark feelings to life, the atmosphere of tension & despair.

The ending wasn't really what I had hoped for. But it was interesting.

DNF audiobook at 27%. It's southern-gothic-meets-dark-academia. The audiobook narration is slow and deep and has a real southern twang (almost like if Daria Morgendorfer were from Kentucky), which didn't work for me but others have mentioned loving. I thought it would be sillier, more of a fun paranormal dark academia vampire romp, but everything about it is so slow and atmospheric (while still being YA). I gave it a good quarter to get going but nothing seemed to ramp up by 27% and I guess that was my limit.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

This is probably more of a me problem and not a reflection of the book itself, but I am simply not in the mood for the dark academia melodrama at the moment.

(Also, I won't lie. I had somehow convinced myself that this was queer and that there was a romantic subplot involving the characters on the cover and I read a review that said otherwise... but I wanted that.)

The narrator does a great job though.

Seventeen year old Marin James is determined to seek justice for her cousin Sam's mysterious death. Suspecting Adrian Hargraves and Henry Wu, the charismatic, yet dangerous, leaders of the elite Huntsworth Academy's inner circle, are responsible. But as Marin infiltrates the school, she becomes entangled in a web of attraction and deception, questioning her own motives and the truth behind the boys’ dark secrets.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

I’ve always been OBSESSED with Donna Tartt’s THE SECRET HISTORY and it’s been hard to find its match. Jenni delivers with BOYS WITH SHARP TEETH in all the best ways: forbidden love, secret agendas, philosophical musings, mutual destruction pacts, and rakish intellectuals doing very bad things.

This is DARK-AS-THE-DEEPEST-PITS-OF-HELL Academia -- with claws out and ready to go for your jugular.

Such a wild ride.

For me, the audio book was best served at 1.25 speed. The narration slowed the pace down otherwise, but the story was still captivating.

If you're willing to toss logic out the window and embrace a world where reality takes a backseat, Boys with Sharp Teeth might just tickle your fancy. Like many, I was lured in by that mesmerizing cover, kudos to the designer! The story kicks off with Marin infiltrating Huntsworth Academy to avenge her cousin's death. Sounds thrilling, right? Well, suspend your disbelief because her seamless entry into this elite school is as plausible as a cat enrolling in a dog show.​ Despite the plot's nosedive into absurdity, I trudged on, curiosity piqued by the author's hypnotic prose. It's the kind of writing that makes you question your own sanity for continuing. So, while the storyline had more holes than Swiss cheese, the lyrical narrative kept me hooked. Two stars for the writing, and a bewildered nod to the strange enjoyment I somehow derived from this chaotic ride.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC of Boys with Sharp Teeth in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

I had high expectations for this book based on its description and cover, and I absolutely loved it. It hooked me from the very beginning. I have a special appreciation for books with a poetic style that incorporate elements of dark academia, and this one delivered just that. I highly recommend it to anyone thinking about picking it up.

This was such a unique book! It’s paranormal dark academia with some philosophical aspects as well. It’s very eerie and mesmerizing with a little hint of danger

The writing of this book was so enjoyable and atmospheric. I got an early access of the audiobook for this and found the narrator to be really enjoyable and fit the overall atmosphere of the book.

This book follows Marin who goes undercover as Jamie to get vengeance after her cousin is killed and believes it was by students at an elite school. She moves in with the very people she suspects. These boys are unhinged and develop a fascination with her. I wouldn’t say there’s really romance in this, more infatuation. This book really dives into darkness and has a lot of morally grey characters

At some points I didn’t fully know what was going on, I think the writing leaves a lot unsaid and open for your own interpretation and I will say I wasn’t fully invested until about 30% but once I was I couldn’t stop. The ending actually had me shouting “WHAT!!” multiple times out loud 🤣

This book felt like a fever dream in the best possible way

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Marin James has one thing on her mind and that is revenge for her cousin who supposedly died of an overdose but Marin know better than that. She knows that one of the three before her is responsible . That is why she chose to become Jamie Vain and scammed her way into this elite academy.

I loved how dark, gothic and full of angst this was. Howell weaves a fantastic story of obsession, revenge and a twisted kind of love.

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up!

"𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒚."

Huge thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the #gifted ALC!

If there's such a thing as a why chose YA, this is it.

BOYS WITH SHARP TEETH follows Marin James, our FMC, as she seeks justice for her cousin Sam's death. After his body is discovered with signs of foul play, Marin can only think of two people to blame: Henry Wu and Adrian "Graves" Hargraves.

This story is dark and twisted, with heavy paranormal elements intertwined throughout that I DID NOT expect from a YA novel. It's filled with tension, secrets, and unhealthy levels of obsession. At times, I struggled with the pacing of the story. Some parts felt like unnecessary filler that slowed down the stories buildup. However, the reveal at the end had me in an absolute chokehold!

This is Jennis debut novel, and with that being said, I'm expecting so much from her in the future!

🎧Again, MacMillan Audio with an incredible audiobook! Jennifer Pickens has been added to my list of top narrators. She truly brought the story and Marins character to life.

𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐁𝐑 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞..
💉Dark academia
💉Twisted love stories
💉Paranormal vibes
💉YA novels

⚠️TW: Death, murder, suicide, grief/loss

Please remember, reading is subjective, it's okay to have a different opinion🖤