Such Sharp Teeth

This book gives you a haunting feeling of unease but is a well written story that underneath all the fur is a picture of grief, unwanted change, and acceptance.

rachel harrison truly just is gonna do it everytime. this book perfectly conveys both raw emotions and humor. the characters in this book are truly messy which i loved and we are seeing our main character and others figure out their inner selves and navigating the relationships around them. i specifically adored rory's relationship with her twin sister.

AND THE METAPHOR OF TRANSFORMATIONNNNNNN. *chef's kiss*

I’ve seen so many positive reviews for the author this year that I finally grabbed one of their books. I did the audio, and Kristen Sieh did a fantastic job with it.

On the surface, this is the quintessential werewolf story. A mysterious attack that ends in a bite. Strange healing, new appetite, an aversion to silver, and then of course, that first full moon, incredible pain, fur, and waking up bloody. But what the author has layered here is anything but typical. What could virtually function as a familial contemporary drama has been layered within this werewolf horror. Rory has returned home for a few months to help her twin sister out with the end of her pregnancy. She’s in need of something new, a change, a transformation, but the one she gets is anything but what she had in mind. And as she begins to work through the past she thought she had left behind, old friends and even old flings begin to make themselves known.

An additional layer that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout was the novel’s humor. The author has imbued this story, and even some of its more serious moments with some really great, tongue-in-cheek turns. From Rory’s dark, sarcastic millennial attitude, to her almost entirely meat driven diet, there is a sense of comic relief even when the beats turn emotional. I think as a novel taking on the werewolf trope that was a really wise and well done choice.

And while there are some darker notes here, especially those around sexual assault and compounded family trauma, the novel in essence is about bodily autonomy and choice. The mirroring of Rory losing her choice and freedom to this monstrous change to her sister’s fear and loss as she’s about to give birth and virtually have to completely relearn the idea of “self” really can’t be understated. The fact that they are twins, one with a past of trauma and the other without, really drives home that closeness as well. And together they learn that they can forgive and grow, to move forward.

The romantic side story in this did move a bit fast, but when you keep in mind their past together, it’s pretty understandable. His ability to see past her imperfections, including the monthly side with fangs, ties back into choice and the ability to move on. I will definitely read more from the author!

this book was nothing short from phenomenal. from the plot to the discussions that were had in this book to the main character. this is definitely a new all time favorite for me. Rachel Harrison is one of if not my new favorite author

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.

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What’s Such Sharp Teeth About?

The Publisher’s website says:

Rory Morris isn’t thrilled to be moving back to her hometown, even if it is temporary. There are bad memories there. But her twin sister, Scarlett, is pregnant, estranged from the baby’s father, and needs support, so Rory returns to the place she thought she’d put in her rearview. After a night out at a bar where she runs into Ian, an old almost-flame, she hits a large animal with her car. And when she gets out to investigate, she’s attacked.

Rory survives, miraculously, but life begins to look and feel different. She’s unnaturally strong, with an aversion to silver—and suddenly the moon has her in its thrall. She’s changing into someone else—something else, maybe even a monster. But does that mean she’s putting those close to her in danger? Or is embracing the wildness inside of her the key to acceptance?

This darkly comedic love story is a brilliantly layered portrait of trauma, rage, and vulnerability.

How Was the Narration?

Sieh matched the energy and tone of the book—elevating some of the text with her performance.

So, what did I think about Such Sharp Teeth?

If I took the time to make a pros and cons list…I think the pros would win but by a hair.

The way the book is set up—a high-powered businesswoman from “the City” coming back to her hometown, only to meet with her High School friend who’s been carrying a torch for her since then. Things spark up between them and she’s starting to consider leaving behind all the power and money for this humble guy from a small town. I couldn’t help but think of every single Hallmark Movie parody I’ve seen/read when she talked about “the City.” And most of the storyline surrounding them reminded me of those movies/parodies, too.

The pros, however…Harrison delivers some great werewolf fiction here. The initial bite, the transformations…just about everything that Rory does to investigate her new condition…and more is so well done, and in many ways is superior to every other werewolf novel I’ve read. It’s some really solid and creepy work there, and I wish more of the book lived up to it.

In the end, it was good enough. It kept me engaged, the story moved well, and I can’t say enough about the depiction of lycanthropes. I do recommend Such Sharp Teeth, but with a few caveats.

5 Stars

Once you get passed the first 70 pages, it all consuming and a really good story. I loved it. Rory and Scarlet are twins and go through real things. I love there bond. Rory changes into a werewolf and the writing is beautiful and makes it feel realistic.

This book has family drama, friendships, romance, mild horror, and some humor. It was great. I kinda wish there was more. Like a second book or a little novella.

Rating: 2.31 leaves out of 5-Characters: 1.5/5 -Cover: 5/5-Story: 1.5/5-Writing: 3/5Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Romance-Fantasy: 3/5-Horror: 0.5/5-Paranormal: 2.5/5-Romance: 1.5/5 Type: AudiobookWorth?: NoTW: Child SA, body horror Hated Disliked Meh It Was Okay Liked Loved FavoritedI am going to list what I liked about the book first since it will be the shortest:1. The beginning of the book. It gave so much promise. It read like a good ass werewolf story. I was eager to sink my teeth into. All puns intended.2. The fact the story had me gag once. It isn't often a book does that to me. Kudos. 3. They guessing game on who the OG werewolf was. I liked that I had to bounce around trying to figure who it was. I kind of got it towards the middle-ish? A bit after but even then I wasn't 100% sure.Things I was meh about. Like it wasn't bad but it wasn't something I would say I liked or cared for. It was so damn weird to mix in with a werewolf story. Like... let me try and tell you the hardships of being a woman while I slap a werewolf in the mix but don't mix it. Let me just have these two things be sitting in the same bowl. Can't make fucking brownies unless you mix everything in the damn bowl, Rachel. That wasn't my biggest issue and honestly I wasn't too annoyed with it.What I didn't like:1. Making excuses for why it is okay for women to cheat. That is all I am saying. Then having Rory be pissed at some guy she thought cheated on her when in fucking reality she was too much of a fucking child to hold a goddamn conversation. And bonus they weren't going out but then did some shit with someone and... hunkydoory? Like bitch you went and cheat and IDFC what midlife crisis you were in.2. Being toxic as a woman is okay. 3. You not judging but judging a woman who actually likes being a mom and wife while saying it is okay for a pregnant woman to not want the baby and think her life is over? Which don't get me wrong, being pregnant is a big deal. There are a lot of scary factors that go into it. I, personally, won't be trying for a baby but at the same time I am not going to be a bitchy judge ass about it?4. Rory being SO AWFUL. Rory is this cool woman who works in the fucking city and she goes into meetings to tell people how fucking wrong they are. Like, ohh good for you for being... what? A bitch? It is one thing to be a boss ass bitch and another to just be a bitch. Idc if you are a city girl... how Rachel worded it made Rory out to be that popular POS in high school that bullied you.5. Rory is supposedly sooo fucking smart yet ssooo stupid at the same time. How she treated Matty and Ian in this whole damn book was just so trashy. 6. What happened to Rory as a child was horrible hands down and her being pissed at her mother so justifiable. Scarlet though? Mmm I disliked her so much as the book went on. 7. Rory knew something was up with her sis. You know how when something happens to a woman, like a fight or some shit with her boyfriend, and people are like... well what did the woman do wrong? Like you victim blaming? That is what Rory did for a good chunk of the book. 8. How Rory bitched that Matty's mom did a shit job in raising her son yet her mom, who did shitty things, has her girls and... what? 9. This isn't horror at all. The horror in here is so minimal and low. It could be a Goosebumps book.. but like the lower scale of it. Or it could be how horrid this book was that could be the horror.Edit: Wanted to not now that at the end of the day I don't hate Rory. She has her trauma. It is Rachel and her double standards and toxic views that really fucked up the book.

I love Werewolf books. And so happy I got to read this book. And get to see a different perspective of werewolf and how they turn into one. It was a enjoyable experience to read. 

I went back and forth and back and forth with this book. There were times where I thought it was just a silly superficial werewolf book, and there were times that I thought a very specific, very triggering aspect of the book was what the werewolf story was an allegory for. I'm choosing to believe the latter, and rate this 4 stars, rather than assume that the author would be so unaware. As an allegory for [redacted] this book shines, a la the Babadook. As anything else, it is terrible.

There is something about Rachel Harrison's writing that makes me can't stop reading it. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

Rory leaves her big city life to come back home and help out her twin sister, who is pregnant and estranged from the father. As much as Rory loves her sister she is less than thrilled to be back home where she was more than happy to run away from. Soon after she's back she is attacked by an animal after hitting it with her car. From there life for Rory drastically changes and has her googling werewolves.

I loved this book! Harrison has a talent for writing books with witty female characters that are both cozy and horrific. She can really write a disgusting scene then turn around and make you want to roast marshmallows. And make you crave a good group of girlfriends. I could have easily read this in one sitting if I didn't need to sleep or work.

This is the classic story of werewolf with no new or earth shattering take but also made me think my best friend could come out to me about being a werewolf and I wouldn't bat an eye - well, after the initial shock. The parallels of Rory's transformation and her twin sister's pregnancy I thought was brilliant. The sprinkle of feminism throughout was chef's kiss. Rory is someone I'd like to be friends with. She's also written as a real person and not a fantasy version you sometimes run into with strong female characters. The side characters were also wonderful and so fun to read. They perfectly complimented the story.

This is a perfect October read. Highly recommend.

It's a book about werewolves, but somehow the whole werewolf thing felt like it took the backburner to the family issues. It was enjoyable, but I feel like it could have done more for the werewolf thing.

-ARC received via goodreads giveaway