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Such Sharp Teeth
Win a free print copy of this book!
24 days and 00:23:14
10 copies available
U.S. only
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Horror (2022)A young woman in need of a transformation finds herself in touch with the animal inside in this gripping, incisive novel from the author of Cackle and The Return.
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 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.
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 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.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2022
About the author
Rachel Harrison
7 books2,700 followersRachel Harrison is the author of The Return, nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. Her short fiction has appeared in Guernica and Electric Lit. She lives in New York with her husband and their cat/overlord.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,469 reviews
July 21, 2024
**4.5-stars rounded up**
Such Sharp Teeth follows Rory Morris. Rory is somewhat reluctantly returning to her hometown to support her sister, Scarlett, through her pregnancy. Scarlett is currently estranged from the baby's father and living alone.
Rory moved away for a reason though and isn't crazy about being back, but she figures she should suck it up for a bit in order to help her sister. It's the right thing to do and doesn't hurt to be a good person once in a while.
Regardless, like many of us who have moved away from our hometowns, to return just feels weird. You're out of place, life has move on without you. You feel so removed.
In an effort to re-acclimate herself, she heads to a local bar, as you do. Seriously, that would be my first stop. There are faces there she hasn't seen in years. Some look real good, like the bartender and one time almost-flame, Ian.
Maybe this won't be so bad after all...
On her way home from the bar that night, as her mind is racing over the surreal nature of her evening, Rory hits something with her car.
Shocked and a bit unsure, she gets out to investigate. Apparently, Rory has never watched a Horror movie before. The next thing she knows, she's on the ground being viciously attacked.
Awaking in the hospital, Rory doesn't remember much, just the feeling of tearing flesh and a distinct, gamey odor.
The explanation offered up is that she was attacked by and then fought off a bear. Okay, Rory doesn't necessarily think that was it, but what her mind is leaning towards is too crazy to even say, no one will believe her.
Recovering from her accident, in the following days, Rory notices some changes within herself. She deals with them alone, again, she doesn't want everyone to think she is crazier than they already do.
As the full moon arrives, however, it can no longer be ignored. Rory can't control it. It can't be denied, Rory has found herself in the midst of a werewolf tale and she's the star. Ughhh, just her luck.
Such Sharp Teeth was such a delightful surprise. I love Rachel Harrison's brand of 'Horror with Heart' and this one is the perfect example of that style.
Harrison excels at body horror, of which there is plenty within these pages, all while meshing it perfectly with everyday, relatable life issues. Her characters are so well done. I never have a problem connecting with her mains and Rory is no exception.
This story feels contemporary, and it is, but with one horrifying thing happening to Rory, it changes the entire tone. It's funny, heart-warming, heart-breaking and addicting.
This is easily the most unique werewolf story that I've ever read. It was so much fun to go along with Rory as she comes to grips with what is happening to her and tries to find a way to deal with it.
Rory needed to get control of her life before the incident, but the stakes are raised for sure by the attack.
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys humorous horror, or body horror. It's a quick read and completely engaging throughout.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I cannot wait to see what Harrison delivers next!!
Such Sharp Teeth follows Rory Morris. Rory is somewhat reluctantly returning to her hometown to support her sister, Scarlett, through her pregnancy. Scarlett is currently estranged from the baby's father and living alone.
Rory moved away for a reason though and isn't crazy about being back, but she figures she should suck it up for a bit in order to help her sister. It's the right thing to do and doesn't hurt to be a good person once in a while.
Regardless, like many of us who have moved away from our hometowns, to return just feels weird. You're out of place, life has move on without you. You feel so removed.
In an effort to re-acclimate herself, she heads to a local bar, as you do. Seriously, that would be my first stop. There are faces there she hasn't seen in years. Some look real good, like the bartender and one time almost-flame, Ian.
Maybe this won't be so bad after all...
On her way home from the bar that night, as her mind is racing over the surreal nature of her evening, Rory hits something with her car.
Shocked and a bit unsure, she gets out to investigate. Apparently, Rory has never watched a Horror movie before. The next thing she knows, she's on the ground being viciously attacked.
Awaking in the hospital, Rory doesn't remember much, just the feeling of tearing flesh and a distinct, gamey odor.
The explanation offered up is that she was attacked by and then fought off a bear. Okay, Rory doesn't necessarily think that was it, but what her mind is leaning towards is too crazy to even say, no one will believe her.
Recovering from her accident, in the following days, Rory notices some changes within herself. She deals with them alone, again, she doesn't want everyone to think she is crazier than they already do.
As the full moon arrives, however, it can no longer be ignored. Rory can't control it. It can't be denied, Rory has found herself in the midst of a werewolf tale and she's the star. Ughhh, just her luck.
Such Sharp Teeth was such a delightful surprise. I love Rachel Harrison's brand of 'Horror with Heart' and this one is the perfect example of that style.
Harrison excels at body horror, of which there is plenty within these pages, all while meshing it perfectly with everyday, relatable life issues. Her characters are so well done. I never have a problem connecting with her mains and Rory is no exception.
This story feels contemporary, and it is, but with one horrifying thing happening to Rory, it changes the entire tone. It's funny, heart-warming, heart-breaking and addicting.
This is easily the most unique werewolf story that I've ever read. It was so much fun to go along with Rory as she comes to grips with what is happening to her and tries to find a way to deal with it.
Rory needed to get control of her life before the incident, but the stakes are raised for sure by the attack.
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys humorous horror, or body horror. It's a quick read and completely engaging throughout.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I cannot wait to see what Harrison delivers next!!
July 15, 2024
Another fun guaranteed- entertaining- scary- quirky and addictive novel comes from Rachel Harrison!
I love this paranormal self growth- body shape positivity approach ( learning to love yourself even though you have silver blood, grey fur, sharp teeth and nails, red eyes) - romance story!
Characters are flawed but so much attachable, genuine, quirky! I loved Aurora/ Rory’s dark sense of humor and her twin Scarlet’s peculiar, artsy, unpredictable manners! They are flirty, smart, ballsy, self confident women, bottling up their pain, acting like invincible!
New Yorker, young, ambitious Rory who has her dreamy job, apartment, social life, reluctantly goes back to her hometown to support her very pregnant twin Scarlet who is abandoned by baby’s father and freaking out!
Rory is not pleased to return back, dealing with nosy small town gossip, reconnecting with her long time friend Ian who still has a big crush for her. She also has complex feelings about him.
After sharing drinks with him at the bar, she decides to drive to her sister’s home but on her way back she hits something with her car even though she doesn’t drive fast! When she gets out of the car, she sees something… a red eyed monster looking directly into her eyes… She starts running into the woods but she cannot escape!!!
And…she gets attacked by a massive fanged mystery beast! When she opens her eyes at the hospital, she realizes she’s alive and she’s told she got attacked by a bear but she is lucky! There are only a few scratches on her body! That’s all!
Unfortunately they didn’t realize she’s oozing silver blood and anytime she looks in the mirror she sees a werewolf stands behind her!
She starts craving meat, suffering from nightmares and on the full moon she handcuffs herself in a distillery because :tadaaa she turns into SHE-WOLF OF SMALL TOWN!
Rory has to deal with this transformation and she also has to confront the big trauma from her past, her harbored anger to her mother, her unresolved feelings for Ian! She has to find a way to survive with her new self! Can she manage it? Of course she can! She’s the coolest, craziest bitch who can do anything to take care of her loved ones!
This is so far my favorite work of the author! This is amazing Halloween reading choice including scary paranormal theme blended in sarcastic, entertaining women’s fiction- romance- mystery theme! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts!
I love this paranormal self growth- body shape positivity approach ( learning to love yourself even though you have silver blood, grey fur, sharp teeth and nails, red eyes) - romance story!
Characters are flawed but so much attachable, genuine, quirky! I loved Aurora/ Rory’s dark sense of humor and her twin Scarlet’s peculiar, artsy, unpredictable manners! They are flirty, smart, ballsy, self confident women, bottling up their pain, acting like invincible!
New Yorker, young, ambitious Rory who has her dreamy job, apartment, social life, reluctantly goes back to her hometown to support her very pregnant twin Scarlet who is abandoned by baby’s father and freaking out!
Rory is not pleased to return back, dealing with nosy small town gossip, reconnecting with her long time friend Ian who still has a big crush for her. She also has complex feelings about him.
After sharing drinks with him at the bar, she decides to drive to her sister’s home but on her way back she hits something with her car even though she doesn’t drive fast! When she gets out of the car, she sees something… a red eyed monster looking directly into her eyes… She starts running into the woods but she cannot escape!!!
And…she gets attacked by a massive fanged mystery beast! When she opens her eyes at the hospital, she realizes she’s alive and she’s told she got attacked by a bear but she is lucky! There are only a few scratches on her body! That’s all!
Unfortunately they didn’t realize she’s oozing silver blood and anytime she looks in the mirror she sees a werewolf stands behind her!
She starts craving meat, suffering from nightmares and on the full moon she handcuffs herself in a distillery because :tadaaa she turns into SHE-WOLF OF SMALL TOWN!
Rory has to deal with this transformation and she also has to confront the big trauma from her past, her harbored anger to her mother, her unresolved feelings for Ian! She has to find a way to survive with her new self! Can she manage it? Of course she can! She’s the coolest, craziest bitch who can do anything to take care of her loved ones!
This is so far my favorite work of the author! This is amazing Halloween reading choice including scary paranormal theme blended in sarcastic, entertaining women’s fiction- romance- mystery theme! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts!
October 31, 2022
This was so fun, I enjoyed this one even more than Cackle, which I read last year!
Here are some quick thoughts:
•fun chaotic story about a woman who turns into a werewolf
•really cute wholesome sister relationship
•I also didn’t hate the romance happening in this
•I like the protagonist, she had a great sense of humor and seeing her start to develop werewolf-like habits was super entertaining
•the perfect October read
Here are some quick thoughts:
•fun chaotic story about a woman who turns into a werewolf
•really cute wholesome sister relationship
•I also didn’t hate the romance happening in this
•I like the protagonist, she had a great sense of humor and seeing her start to develop werewolf-like habits was super entertaining
•the perfect October read
December 4, 2022
I had a bloody good time while reading this book!
Rory (Aurora) Morris returned to her hometown to provide emotional support to her pregnant twin sister, Scarlett. Scarlett is going through a rough patch and is estranged from her long-time love and her baby's father. Needing a break, Scarlett ventured out to a local bar and met her close friend and almost flame, Ian. On her way home, Rory hit an animal and got out of her car to investigate and was attacked! Let the transformation begin!
This book will have you howling at the moon, folks! This book encompasses so many things - relationships, family, trauma, healing, love, friendship, motherhood, change, the moon, craving meat, blood, silver, and acceptance.
I loved Rory in this book. She is tough, funny, witty, caring and fierce. Ian wasn't so bad himself. They had fantastic scenes together and had me reading with a big smile on my face. I also felt for Rory as she dealt with being attacked and the feelings, cravings and changes she was going through.
I loved the wit, humor and banter in this book. This was such a fun read and so entertaining. Plus, many will enjoy this. Imo, this is not scary at all. A little horrific, but nothing over the top. I found it to be tame. It's funny and sweet while being fierce and thrilling. Sure, there is some blood but come on, it’s a werewolf book!
This was my first book by Harrison and now I will be off and running reading to sink my teeth into another of her books! Seriously, why have I not read one of her books before?
Some take always from this book:
1. Never get out of your car on a dark country road no matter what you think you hit.
2. If someone tells you to run...RUN!
3. If someone tells you not to follow them…. don't follow them.
Easy enough, right? Not so much.
Entertaining with a capital 'E'!
Pulse pounding, witty, romantic and thrilling. Highly recommend!
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Rory (Aurora) Morris returned to her hometown to provide emotional support to her pregnant twin sister, Scarlett. Scarlett is going through a rough patch and is estranged from her long-time love and her baby's father. Needing a break, Scarlett ventured out to a local bar and met her close friend and almost flame, Ian. On her way home, Rory hit an animal and got out of her car to investigate and was attacked! Let the transformation begin!
This book will have you howling at the moon, folks! This book encompasses so many things - relationships, family, trauma, healing, love, friendship, motherhood, change, the moon, craving meat, blood, silver, and acceptance.
I loved Rory in this book. She is tough, funny, witty, caring and fierce. Ian wasn't so bad himself. They had fantastic scenes together and had me reading with a big smile on my face. I also felt for Rory as she dealt with being attacked and the feelings, cravings and changes she was going through.
I loved the wit, humor and banter in this book. This was such a fun read and so entertaining. Plus, many will enjoy this. Imo, this is not scary at all. A little horrific, but nothing over the top. I found it to be tame. It's funny and sweet while being fierce and thrilling. Sure, there is some blood but come on, it’s a werewolf book!
This was my first book by Harrison and now I will be off and running reading to sink my teeth into another of her books! Seriously, why have I not read one of her books before?
Some take always from this book:
1. Never get out of your car on a dark country road no matter what you think you hit.
2. If someone tells you to run...RUN!
3. If someone tells you not to follow them…. don't follow them.
Easy enough, right? Not so much.
Entertaining with a capital 'E'!
Pulse pounding, witty, romantic and thrilling. Highly recommend!
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
January 29, 2024
Such Sharp Teeth
by Rachel Harrison combines horror with romance and family. Rory Morris has taken an extended leave of absence from her Manhattan job as a business development consultant vice president. She loves her job, but her twin sister Scarlett who is pregnant and estranged from the baby’s father. Scarlett has asked for Rory’s help. After a night out when Rory meets a childhood friend Ian Pedretti, she hits a large animal with her car. She’s attacked when she gets out to investigate.
Afterwards, Rory is dealing with the trauma of the attack, but also some side effects. She is stronger, has keener eyesight, and her hearing and sense of smell are enhanced. Those are just a few of the changes she sees and senses. Is she a monster? Is she a danger to others?
Rory values her independence, is smart, generous, sarcastic, and full of rage. Ian is confident, honest, has a good sense of humor, and has had a crush on Rory since they were teenagers. Scarlett is optimistic, patient, responds well to candor, and a hard-core romantic. She also doesn’t like surprises.
The narrative flows well with a thought-provoking story line and good characterization. Several themes stood out to me including trauma, rage, trust, fear of the unknown, accepting responsibility, taking control, relationships, sisterhood, family, and love. Sprinkled throughout the novel is some humor and banter that provides some relief as Rory transitions to a new life.
Overall, this was a great premise that delivered more than I expected. I want to read more novels by this author.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was October 4, 2022.
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My 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Afterwards, Rory is dealing with the trauma of the attack, but also some side effects. She is stronger, has keener eyesight, and her hearing and sense of smell are enhanced. Those are just a few of the changes she sees and senses. Is she a monster? Is she a danger to others?
Rory values her independence, is smart, generous, sarcastic, and full of rage. Ian is confident, honest, has a good sense of humor, and has had a crush on Rory since they were teenagers. Scarlett is optimistic, patient, responds well to candor, and a hard-core romantic. She also doesn’t like surprises.
The narrative flows well with a thought-provoking story line and good characterization. Several themes stood out to me including trauma, rage, trust, fear of the unknown, accepting responsibility, taking control, relationships, sisterhood, family, and love. Sprinkled throughout the novel is some humor and banter that provides some relief as Rory transitions to a new life.
Overall, this was a great premise that delivered more than I expected. I want to read more novels by this author.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was October 4, 2022.
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My 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
August 6, 2023
4.5 stars
I guess I’m not as over werewolves as I thought I was.
I haven’t read a werewolf novel in years, but there was something about the cover of Rachel Harrison’s Such Sharp Teeth that caught my eye. It spoke to me in some unknown way and made me want to revisit the reading days of my 20s, back when I was into all the supernatural things.
And I’m so grateful the book jumped out at me – it’s a killer read. The book is deceiving, though, and at first you think you’re only getting a standard tale of a young woman who changes into a werewolf. But Harrison turns the story into so much more.
It’s about trauma and what it really does to a person, deep down inside. And it’s about the lingering anger a victim carries right beneath the surface.
With Rory, our protagonist, Harrison gives us a survivor. Rory is angry because of what she’s suffered in the past and now must suffer in the future. And Harrison shows us it’s okay to be mad, that we should be mad when awful things happen to us.
But the story isn’t all about anger. It has a sweet romance to it, some dark humor, a mystery, and enough blood and gore to satisfy horror lovers.
Yes, the book is all that and a bag of chips. Its bite will leave a mark.
My sincerest appreciation to Rachel Harrison, Berkley, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
I guess I’m not as over werewolves as I thought I was.
I haven’t read a werewolf novel in years, but there was something about the cover of Rachel Harrison’s Such Sharp Teeth that caught my eye. It spoke to me in some unknown way and made me want to revisit the reading days of my 20s, back when I was into all the supernatural things.
And I’m so grateful the book jumped out at me – it’s a killer read. The book is deceiving, though, and at first you think you’re only getting a standard tale of a young woman who changes into a werewolf. But Harrison turns the story into so much more.
It’s about trauma and what it really does to a person, deep down inside. And it’s about the lingering anger a victim carries right beneath the surface.
With Rory, our protagonist, Harrison gives us a survivor. Rory is angry because of what she’s suffered in the past and now must suffer in the future. And Harrison shows us it’s okay to be mad, that we should be mad when awful things happen to us.
But the story isn’t all about anger. It has a sweet romance to it, some dark humor, a mystery, and enough blood and gore to satisfy horror lovers.
Yes, the book is all that and a bag of chips. Its bite will leave a mark.
My sincerest appreciation to Rachel Harrison, Berkley, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
February 9, 2023
3.0 Stars
This is a cute werewolf story that reads more like women's fiction than horror. It honestly felt like Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a werewolf book. I appreciated the focus on family relationships but it was not what I wanted. Also I felt the childhood trauma was too easily brushed aside and resolved.
This is a cute werewolf story that reads more like women's fiction than horror. It honestly felt like Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a werewolf book. I appreciated the focus on family relationships but it was not what I wanted. Also I felt the childhood trauma was too easily brushed aside and resolved.
January 13, 2023
Content Warnings:
This was such a weird one. I understand that this is marketed as horror, and it certainly has some horrific elements, but it never felt like a horror novel. It wasn't strictly a romance, either. It felt like a contemporary novel with some paranormal horror thrown in, honestly.
Rory returns to her home town when her sister Scarlett asks her to keep her company just before her baby is born, and she's barely there for a short time before she's attacked and bitten by a werewolf. I have to give Rachel Harrison some credit with the werewolf body horror - it's about the ONLY thing horrifying about this entire story. The attack, the description of gore and Rory's bodily changes were well done, and had me cringing the every time it was described.
The rest of the novel focuses on Rory trying to figure out her relationships and her life alongside freaking out about being a werewolf. Having re-connected with her old high school friend Ian (who was in love with her since they were kids), she's juggling her sibling relationship, her traumatic past that her mother's visit brings up, and a new romance with Ian. I actually liked a bit of the overall relationship struggles that Rory kept going through.
However.
How-fucking-ever.
Rory was incredibly annoying. Holy shit, was she annoying.
She was so Cool and everyone had to know it. Everyone had to constantly say it. She's COOL, y'all. She's funny and witty and sexy and everyone loves her and SHE'S SOOOO COOL. She goes to cool parties in NYC and has one night stands and never connects to any man and she always has fun times and she always has quirky zingers for every conversation. Even her sister Scarlett was a Cool Girl, just with a Kat Von D coat of paint. Their best friend was the bestest, most intense homemaker ever. The romantic lead Ian was a nerdy music kid turned hot dude - and did I mention he's tall? He's soooo big and tall. He's so tall that when he's sitting down on a chair, Rory barely reaches his face. SO BIG AND TALL!!
I would have enjoyed this so much more had the character work been done better. The relationships were done really well, but the characters felt like they were fanfic wish fulfillment come to life. I wrote self-insert girls like Rory when I wrote NSYNC fanfic as a teen. It was just so jarring to have a really compelling relationship-driven paranormal story be dragged down by these caricatures.
What a weird, weird experience this was.
This was such a weird one. I understand that this is marketed as horror, and it certainly has some horrific elements, but it never felt like a horror novel. It wasn't strictly a romance, either. It felt like a contemporary novel with some paranormal horror thrown in, honestly.
Rory returns to her home town when her sister Scarlett asks her to keep her company just before her baby is born, and she's barely there for a short time before she's attacked and bitten by a werewolf. I have to give Rachel Harrison some credit with the werewolf body horror - it's about the ONLY thing horrifying about this entire story. The attack, the description of gore and Rory's bodily changes were well done, and had me cringing the every time it was described.
The rest of the novel focuses on Rory trying to figure out her relationships and her life alongside freaking out about being a werewolf. Having re-connected with her old high school friend Ian (who was in love with her since they were kids), she's juggling her sibling relationship, her traumatic past that her mother's visit brings up, and a new romance with Ian. I actually liked a bit of the overall relationship struggles that Rory kept going through.
However.
How-fucking-ever.
Rory was incredibly annoying. Holy shit, was she annoying.
She was so Cool and everyone had to know it. Everyone had to constantly say it. She's COOL, y'all. She's funny and witty and sexy and everyone loves her and SHE'S SOOOO COOL. She goes to cool parties in NYC and has one night stands and never connects to any man and she always has fun times and she always has quirky zingers for every conversation. Even her sister Scarlett was a Cool Girl, just with a Kat Von D coat of paint. Their best friend was the bestest, most intense homemaker ever. The romantic lead Ian was a nerdy music kid turned hot dude - and did I mention he's tall? He's soooo big and tall. He's so tall that when he's sitting down on a chair, Rory barely reaches his face. SO BIG AND TALL!!
I would have enjoyed this so much more had the character work been done better. The relationships were done really well, but the characters felt like they were fanfic wish fulfillment come to life. I wrote self-insert girls like Rory when I wrote NSYNC fanfic as a teen. It was just so jarring to have a really compelling relationship-driven paranormal story be dragged down by these caricatures.
What a weird, weird experience this was.
December 11, 2022
Well, I have a lot to say about this.
Primarily, get yourself a guy that looks at you the way Ian looks at Rory (I feel lucky).
Horror centered on the female experience is so refreshingly relatable and interesting. There are so many unique female POVs here--it's hard to pick a favorite. There's a twin sister dynamic between Rory and Scarlett. If you have sisters (I have two) you'll find their relationship very authentic.
We spend our time in Rory's head, so we feel everything she goes through and all her secrets and expressed trauma-including the difficult relationship she has with her mother.
Rory has returned to her hometown to stay with her sister, who is pregnant and has recently separated from her SO.
So there is this whole small-town thing going on with past friendships and hook-ups that rush at Rory as soon as she starts hanging out with people around town.
All of this to say,
Something strange and supernatural happened to Rory late at night, in the middle of the woods after hitting an animal on a rural road.
Rachel Harrison does a supremely excellent job rolling a classic werewolf story into a hometown drama-complete with a complicated romance, family secrets, and just being a woman in this modern world.
Harrison knocks it out of the park again.
I loved The Return and Cackle, and now I'm reporting that Such, Sharp Teeth is exactly what I wanted it to be: Fiercely female horror.
Primarily, get yourself a guy that looks at you the way Ian looks at Rory (I feel lucky).
Horror centered on the female experience is so refreshingly relatable and interesting. There are so many unique female POVs here--it's hard to pick a favorite. There's a twin sister dynamic between Rory and Scarlett. If you have sisters (I have two) you'll find their relationship very authentic.
We spend our time in Rory's head, so we feel everything she goes through and all her secrets and expressed trauma-including the difficult relationship she has with her mother.
Rory has returned to her hometown to stay with her sister, who is pregnant and has recently separated from her SO.
So there is this whole small-town thing going on with past friendships and hook-ups that rush at Rory as soon as she starts hanging out with people around town.
All of this to say,
Something strange and supernatural happened to Rory late at night, in the middle of the woods after hitting an animal on a rural road.
Rachel Harrison does a supremely excellent job rolling a classic werewolf story into a hometown drama-complete with a complicated romance, family secrets, and just being a woman in this modern world.
Harrison knocks it out of the park again.
I loved The Return and Cackle, and now I'm reporting that Such, Sharp Teeth is exactly what I wanted it to be: Fiercely female horror.
November 10, 2022
I love Rachel Harrison's books. I love her writing style and characters.
And Such Sharp Teeth is no different. The pace is quick with action starting right away. The MC is fantastic. Rory doesn't do a lot of whining or stages of denial...which is pretty common these types of books. She is witty, proactive and very likeable.
My only gripe is the book became a bit too romancy for me about the halfway point. I'm more partial to dread and violence in my werewolf stories where this one really went for the good feels.
But I still enjoyed and will be looking out for Harrison's next tale.
And Such Sharp Teeth is no different. The pace is quick with action starting right away. The MC is fantastic. Rory doesn't do a lot of whining or stages of denial...which is pretty common these types of books. She is witty, proactive and very likeable.
My only gripe is the book became a bit too romancy for me about the halfway point. I'm more partial to dread and violence in my werewolf stories where this one really went for the good feels.
But I still enjoyed and will be looking out for Harrison's next tale.
October 12, 2022
a woman gets turned into a werewolf but it's not that big of a deal compared to all of the other drama going on in her life. man, this was another one that everyone's raving about & giving 5 star reviews and i just don't understand why? it felt very off tonally to me, bouncing between gory werewolf stuff and love-life troubles and intense, upsetting family issues and the protag joking around making clever remarks and being nonchalant about everything. it felt awkward. the protag was a ~Cool Girl, i didn't vibe with her. it was pretty obvious throughout that nothing was actually high-stakes. idk it just didn't blow my skirt up the way it seems to be doing to.. every single other person lmao. oh well. 2/5.
also cw for sexual assault/pedophilia
also cw for sexual assault/pedophilia
April 30, 2023
I liked this! Loved the overall message and the main character reminded me sooo much of Lorelai Gilmore. Didn’t expect there to be a romance subplot happening but overall I had fun with this one.
May 2, 2023
Everything is fine
Everything is not fine.
Rory (Aurora) is forced to return home, where bad memories lurk as her pregnant twin sister. Scarlett is estranged from the babies father and needs her help. On the way home from meeting an old friend, Ian, although she is driving very carefully she thinks she’s hit a large deer if the front of her car is anything to go by. She then realises the deer carcass is cold, she further appreciates she’s not alone. There is an upright something, the size of a bear but the proportions are all wrong. The fur is too sparse, the feet have talons, the knuckles are bald and yikes it has red eyes and fangs. It can’t be real can it? It attacks, bites, it’s utterly monstrous. What on earth has she been bitten by? And, post bite why is she craving meat and has an aversion to silver?
This is a brilliant modern fusion of a fairytale blended with the supernatural, some romance and a family/smalltown drama. It’s original and quirky with razor sharp wit, which makes you laugh out loud, then it makes you wince and sometimes horrified! There is atmosphere in abundance, especially around the lunar calendar then it teeters into the scary. The is the vibrant and vivid utilising all the senses and sometimes you wish didn’t! I like the authors writing style which engages me and makes you believe even when you know it’s hard to believe. Anyone that can make you laugh, then gasp in amazement has to have a load of talent! It’s fresh, entertaining with the yucky parts counterbalanced by some on/off romance courtesy of Ian who is a well grounded character. I really like Rory, she’s funny, fierce and yet vulnerable and her issues on returning home are relatable, especially in regards to family though there is also some trauma in her past. Scarlett is very likeable too and similar to her twin, she is flawed and believable as a character. You’re with Rory all the way in this and I really like the fairytale ending with such sharp teeth grandma, sorry grandpa!
Although I enjoyed Cackle a tad more than this, it’s still a very good book and I can’t wait to read what Rachel Harrison imagines next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Titan Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Everything is not fine.
Rory (Aurora) is forced to return home, where bad memories lurk as her pregnant twin sister. Scarlett is estranged from the babies father and needs her help. On the way home from meeting an old friend, Ian, although she is driving very carefully she thinks she’s hit a large deer if the front of her car is anything to go by. She then realises the deer carcass is cold, she further appreciates she’s not alone. There is an upright something, the size of a bear but the proportions are all wrong. The fur is too sparse, the feet have talons, the knuckles are bald and yikes it has red eyes and fangs. It can’t be real can it? It attacks, bites, it’s utterly monstrous. What on earth has she been bitten by? And, post bite why is she craving meat and has an aversion to silver?
This is a brilliant modern fusion of a fairytale blended with the supernatural, some romance and a family/smalltown drama. It’s original and quirky with razor sharp wit, which makes you laugh out loud, then it makes you wince and sometimes horrified! There is atmosphere in abundance, especially around the lunar calendar then it teeters into the scary. The is the vibrant and vivid utilising all the senses and sometimes you wish didn’t! I like the authors writing style which engages me and makes you believe even when you know it’s hard to believe. Anyone that can make you laugh, then gasp in amazement has to have a load of talent! It’s fresh, entertaining with the yucky parts counterbalanced by some on/off romance courtesy of Ian who is a well grounded character. I really like Rory, she’s funny, fierce and yet vulnerable and her issues on returning home are relatable, especially in regards to family though there is also some trauma in her past. Scarlett is very likeable too and similar to her twin, she is flawed and believable as a character. You’re with Rory all the way in this and I really like the fairytale ending with such sharp teeth grandma, sorry grandpa!
Although I enjoyed Cackle a tad more than this, it’s still a very good book and I can’t wait to read what Rachel Harrison imagines next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Titan Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
October 27, 2022
And you may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?’ I may, David Byrne, I may.
Hi, my name is Kelly and I don’t like anything lately. Actually this 3 Star is pretty much like seeing a unicorn at this point in my sea of 2s and there were things I dug about this one. Particularly Rory. I love dry, droll humor and she really delivered. I also figured this would be a werewolf story wrapped up in a metaphor for trauma simply from reading the first couple of sentences of the blurb and I was pretty much spot on there too. But then there was some mean girl stuff that just wasn’t necessary to the story whatsoever and other bad stuff and things from childhood and also the miracle of life???? Yeah. Simply too many ingredients spoiling what could have been some pretty delicious soup for me.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
Hi, my name is Kelly and I don’t like anything lately. Actually this 3 Star is pretty much like seeing a unicorn at this point in my sea of 2s and there were things I dug about this one. Particularly Rory. I love dry, droll humor and she really delivered. I also figured this would be a werewolf story wrapped up in a metaphor for trauma simply from reading the first couple of sentences of the blurb and I was pretty much spot on there too. But then there was some mean girl stuff that just wasn’t necessary to the story whatsoever and other bad stuff and things from childhood and also the miracle of life???? Yeah. Simply too many ingredients spoiling what could have been some pretty delicious soup for me.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
September 5, 2022
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing and Rachel Harrison for my copy of this book. Weird, disturbing, creepy, and wonderful, Such Sharp Teeth is the perfect book for spooky season. Rory Morris is moving back to her childhood hometown to help out her pregnant twin sister Scarlett. As soon as she is back in town, two things happen almost at the same time. The first is she reconnects with Ian, an old high school friend who could have been so much more. The second is that she hits a large animal with her car and ends up in the hospital after being bit.
Now, strange things are happening. Rory is starting to become much stronger than she was before. Her blood looks silver and she is constantly craving meat. She is changing into something new, a monster with uncontrollable urges. In conflict with her unnerving situation, Rory is trying to prepare her home for a baby and start a new relationship.
Thoughts: Rachel Harrison is one of my favorite authors to read near Halloween. Her writing is hilarious and relatable and the dark comedy is perfect for the subjects she chooses. Harrison is the master of pairing a horrific plot with fun and witty writing. She layers the deeper subjects of vulnerability and trauma and rage within the story in a way that is stunning to read. I felt myself having a range of emotions while reading a book that should have been a simple scary story.
The romance in the book served to show a power dynamic that was so different in other characters' relationships. I loved the characters in this book and it was easy to imagine their looks and voices. The character development in this book was particularly enjoyable and if you’re looking for a dark comedic horror with powerful feminine themes, this is the book for you! 5-stars!
Now, strange things are happening. Rory is starting to become much stronger than she was before. Her blood looks silver and she is constantly craving meat. She is changing into something new, a monster with uncontrollable urges. In conflict with her unnerving situation, Rory is trying to prepare her home for a baby and start a new relationship.
Thoughts: Rachel Harrison is one of my favorite authors to read near Halloween. Her writing is hilarious and relatable and the dark comedy is perfect for the subjects she chooses. Harrison is the master of pairing a horrific plot with fun and witty writing. She layers the deeper subjects of vulnerability and trauma and rage within the story in a way that is stunning to read. I felt myself having a range of emotions while reading a book that should have been a simple scary story.
The romance in the book served to show a power dynamic that was so different in other characters' relationships. I loved the characters in this book and it was easy to imagine their looks and voices. The character development in this book was particularly enjoyable and if you’re looking for a dark comedic horror with powerful feminine themes, this is the book for you! 5-stars!
July 31, 2022
Hmm, I'm not quite sure how to rate this one. If I'm thinking of it as a horror novel, I didn't really care for it. It was tonally off for me - perhaps too cozy? I'm not sure, but if I think of this as a more graphically detailed paranormal romance, I thought this was fun enough. I liked the family dynamics, and I liked Rory & Ian together. So it didn't scratch the horror itch I picked it for, but I thought the writing was very nice and it was a well constructed book
December 27, 2022
In a word... dogshit.
I read Rachel Harrison's The Return earlier this year and liked it well enough, so I jumped into Such Sharp Teeth without knowing a single thing about it other than it has a beautiful, badass cover.
Here's what I would have wanted to know going in:
This book is like 85% romance plus a ton of family and personal drama. Only like 15% of this is a werewolf story. This is a cozy, feel good book with cool girls who like talking about boys, dating boys, reminiscing about boys, going out with boys, going out with girls to drink and talk about boys, encouraging each other to date and kiss boys, sharing cigarettes while sharing secrets about boys...
::barf::
So don't totally trust my review without first knowing that I hate all of these things. I loathe romance. I particularly hate women whose identities revolve around their relationships with men. I hate cute dialogue and banter. I hate fluffy, not-scary "horror". And yeah, it's fine to like those things, but personally, I'd rather be slapped by Edward Scissorhands than hang out with women like the characters in this book.
It seems like a lot of people like this one, but I hated just about every second of it. I should have DNFd Such Sharp Teeth and filed it in the "not for me" drawer. However, I decided it would cover the "read a cozy book" task for the winter reading challenge and pushed through.
I really had a problem with how quickly Rory accepts her werewolfness and how little it impacted her life. I mean, it really only seems to be a problem for her because she's worried about what the boy she's dating will think about it.
There are scenes where Rory's ravenously hungry and eats rotisserie chickens in bed and little comments about how bad she smells and how good her hair looks. Other than that, being a werewolf is definitely a background issue here. The primary focus of this story is Rory's romance with Ian.
Rory and Ian's thing is that they were friends as kids, and he's been schoolboyishly in love with her since the 6th grade. So, when Rory moves back to her small town to help her sister who's pregnant, they run into each other and, would ya know, sparks fly. Barf, but ok. Except the two can't seem to communicate effectively. I didn't find their chemistry hot or sexy because Rory's behavior and thoughts are so juvenile. She acts and thinks like a teenager most of the time, despite being 29 (I think) and that just didn't sit right with me.
One of the biggest plot points here is that some girl at the bar mentions "seeing" Ian and, instead of talking to him about it, Rory first makes out with some dude behind a dumpster, then blows Ian off like a petty, pouting 15-year-old. Wtf?
I hate it when romantic couples are pulled apart for some arbitrary reason just because the plot is "better" for it. So of course, there is this pseudo-redemptive moment where they come back together to kiss and make up. Yuck. Also, why is this nonsense one of the main plot points of this narrative when she's a goddamn werewolf??
Speaking of the main plot, there really is no plot here. I thought for sure the main focus of the story would be Rory researching werewolfism and trying to find the one who bit her to cure herself. No, that would have taken focus away from the romance and family drama. Instead, the climax of the plot seems to culminate in two events: Rory's sister having the baby and Rory revealing her were-self to Ian.
Excuse me??
No, I did not read all of that cutesy bullshit only for the big moment to be Rory seeking acceptance from A MAN, did I????? Barf, again! And then this villain character shows up kinda late in the story, and the twist with them was telegraphed so obnoxiously, it wasn't hard to see it from a mile away.
My last complaint here is that, when I Google what genre this book is, this is what comes up: horror fiction, thriller, supernatural fiction. Lies!! All lies!! This book should be filed in the romance section. There is a little bit of body horror here, but not even close to enough for a horror tag to be pinned to the top. Nobody dies in this book, and we all live happily ever after. No thanks to that!
So yeah, I hated Such Sharp Teeth, but mostly because this kind of book just isn't for me. If I wanted to be fair, I should probably rate this three stars, but I'm a grumpy, old witch and I can't. So much of this book made my skin crawl that I can't help but rate it 1 out of 5 stars.
You might like this if you like: cozy romance between white, middle-class heterosexuals, cheesy dialogue, and feel good endings.
I read Rachel Harrison's The Return earlier this year and liked it well enough, so I jumped into Such Sharp Teeth without knowing a single thing about it other than it has a beautiful, badass cover.
Here's what I would have wanted to know going in:
This book is like 85% romance plus a ton of family and personal drama. Only like 15% of this is a werewolf story. This is a cozy, feel good book with cool girls who like talking about boys, dating boys, reminiscing about boys, going out with boys, going out with girls to drink and talk about boys, encouraging each other to date and kiss boys, sharing cigarettes while sharing secrets about boys...
::barf::
So don't totally trust my review without first knowing that I hate all of these things. I loathe romance. I particularly hate women whose identities revolve around their relationships with men. I hate cute dialogue and banter. I hate fluffy, not-scary "horror". And yeah, it's fine to like those things, but personally, I'd rather be slapped by Edward Scissorhands than hang out with women like the characters in this book.
It seems like a lot of people like this one, but I hated just about every second of it. I should have DNFd Such Sharp Teeth and filed it in the "not for me" drawer. However, I decided it would cover the "read a cozy book" task for the winter reading challenge and pushed through.
I really had a problem with how quickly Rory accepts her werewolfness and how little it impacted her life. I mean, it really only seems to be a problem for her because she's worried about what the boy she's dating will think about it.
There are scenes where Rory's ravenously hungry and eats rotisserie chickens in bed and little comments about how bad she smells and how good her hair looks. Other than that, being a werewolf is definitely a background issue here. The primary focus of this story is Rory's romance with Ian.
Rory and Ian's thing is that they were friends as kids, and he's been schoolboyishly in love with her since the 6th grade. So, when Rory moves back to her small town to help her sister who's pregnant, they run into each other and, would ya know, sparks fly. Barf, but ok. Except the two can't seem to communicate effectively. I didn't find their chemistry hot or sexy because Rory's behavior and thoughts are so juvenile. She acts and thinks like a teenager most of the time, despite being 29 (I think) and that just didn't sit right with me.
One of the biggest plot points here is that some girl at the bar mentions "seeing" Ian and, instead of talking to him about it, Rory first makes out with some dude behind a dumpster, then blows Ian off like a petty, pouting 15-year-old. Wtf?
I hate it when romantic couples are pulled apart for some arbitrary reason just because the plot is "better" for it. So of course, there is this pseudo-redemptive moment where they come back together to kiss and make up. Yuck. Also, why is this nonsense one of the main plot points of this narrative when she's a goddamn werewolf??
Speaking of the main plot, there really is no plot here. I thought for sure the main focus of the story would be Rory researching werewolfism and trying to find the one who bit her to cure herself. No, that would have taken focus away from the romance and family drama. Instead, the climax of the plot seems to culminate in two events: Rory's sister having the baby and Rory revealing her were-self to Ian.
Excuse me??
No, I did not read all of that cutesy bullshit only for the big moment to be Rory seeking acceptance from A MAN, did I????? Barf, again! And then this villain character shows up kinda late in the story, and the twist with them was telegraphed so obnoxiously, it wasn't hard to see it from a mile away.
My last complaint here is that, when I Google what genre this book is, this is what comes up: horror fiction, thriller, supernatural fiction. Lies!! All lies!! This book should be filed in the romance section. There is a little bit of body horror here, but not even close to enough for a horror tag to be pinned to the top. Nobody dies in this book, and we all live happily ever after. No thanks to that!
So yeah, I hated Such Sharp Teeth, but mostly because this kind of book just isn't for me. If I wanted to be fair, I should probably rate this three stars, but I'm a grumpy, old witch and I can't. So much of this book made my skin crawl that I can't help but rate it 1 out of 5 stars.
You might like this if you like: cozy romance between white, middle-class heterosexuals, cheesy dialogue, and feel good endings.
July 17, 2024
4.5 ☆
”It’s a miracle and it’s a curse, the secrets our bodies keep. The ability to carry the invisible burden of these secrets.”
im obsessed with the way the author used the idea of turning into a werewolf as a metaphor for trauma. Rory has been through so much and struggles with feeling like her body doesn’t belong to her, as if it’s something she has no control over. so when she gets bitten and slowly starts to turn into a werewolf, she’s forced to confront those feelings once and for all.
”I wonder how many more times I’ll have to cut myself open for her to truly believe it.”
i found Rory so funny, real and relatable, with a dry sense of humor that i absolutely adored. i also loved the added storyline with her twin sister too who is pregnant and the things she’s dealing with, along with the romance Rory developed with Ian. there’s some pretty nasty and gory things that happen in here as well but overall this book just really resonated with me and it truly is so much more than a simple werewolf story.
”It isn’t fair that I have to live with this, but I have to live.”
”It’s a miracle and it’s a curse, the secrets our bodies keep. The ability to carry the invisible burden of these secrets.”
im obsessed with the way the author used the idea of turning into a werewolf as a metaphor for trauma. Rory has been through so much and struggles with feeling like her body doesn’t belong to her, as if it’s something she has no control over. so when she gets bitten and slowly starts to turn into a werewolf, she’s forced to confront those feelings once and for all.
”I wonder how many more times I’ll have to cut myself open for her to truly believe it.”
i found Rory so funny, real and relatable, with a dry sense of humor that i absolutely adored. i also loved the added storyline with her twin sister too who is pregnant and the things she’s dealing with, along with the romance Rory developed with Ian. there’s some pretty nasty and gory things that happen in here as well but overall this book just really resonated with me and it truly is so much more than a simple werewolf story.
”It isn’t fair that I have to live with this, but I have to live.”
September 28, 2022
This was such a fun read. A paranormal romance about a girl who turns into a werewolf? I also loved the relationship between Scarlett and Rory and how much of an importance it was in the book. The romance fell a little short but hey Rory was a little preoccupied with becoming a werewolf so understand that.
If your looking for a fun paranormal book for Halloween this is a great one.
If your looking for a fun paranormal book for Halloween this is a great one.
October 16, 2022
I read this because I enjoyed Crackle. This book was disappointing. A love story? A werewolf story? A dysfunctional but caring family story? It was all jumbled together. 2.5 rounding up to 3 stars
February 21, 2024
SUCH SHARP TEETH [2022] By Rachel Harrison
My Review 4.0 Stars Out Of 5.0 Stars
Last month Rachel Harrison’s collection of short stories “Bad Dolls” [2022] was a selected read by the horror book club [Horror Aficionados]. This was my first introduction to Harrison’s work. I really enjoyed “Bad Dolls,” and the qualities of her writing that drew me the most were the utter “readability” of it and the vein of humor that threaded throughout the narrative. In short, it was not only easy to read but really fun to read as well. Therefore, I was both pleased and excited when the club chose Harrison’s wildly popular “Such Sharp Teeth” [2022] for the read in January. I bought the book right out of the gate because I simply knew I was going to love reading it.
“Such Sharp Teeth” was a Goodreads Choice Nominee and has chocked up approximately 13,000 ratings since it was released in late Fall of 2022. I noted that it was also a USA Today Bestselling Novel. Amazon appears to be sporting slightly higher ratings than Goodreads but does not seem to enjoy the same popularity.
Harrison turns her attention to another topic of horror and creatures of the night in this one, with “Such Sharp Teeth” belonging to a Werewolf. The description of the storyline, to be brief, is that a single Rory Morris is living and loving it up in the big city, but is called by her twin sister Scarlett to come home. She is pregnant and alone, relaying the story to Rory that Matty, her boyfriend and father of her baby left her. There are bad memories in her home town but Rory responds to her twin sister’s needs in a New York Second.
Rory is walking in the woods and is attacked by a Werewolf at the beginning of the book. Rory’s need to deal with this life-altering change is naturally dramatic, but also fodder for a lot of laughs. There are numerous significant sub-plots going on in the novel which Harrison manages deftly and with infused humor. Rory has some unresolved baggage from growing up and it involves her inability to let go of anger levied at her mother who she blames for the trauma. Rory also has experienced difficulty with male-female relationships her entire adult life, which not unsurprisingly stems from the former issue with her mother and the male-related trauma she is still carrying around with an inability to absolve her mother. Perhaps most significantly, Rory is beautiful, smart, not to mention a brand-new Werewolf, and discovers she is attracted to Ian, the boy who has idolized her since kindergarten. Ian’s attraction, passion, and genuine feelings for Rory have gone unrequited for his entire existence. Rory is shocked when she sees him all grown up and a man, for God’s sake, and feels this undisputable pull toward him. He has loved her forever and she is seeing him for the very first time in a passionate, “I want you bad” light.
Harrison has written an immensely entertaining novel about a woman who is transformed into a Werewolf, but whose relationship issues and family dynamics are more central to the plot than her becoming a creature of the night. This is a terrific read, and a book I would recommend to anyone. The story does everything but “read itself,” and while reading the novel you never know when the next chuckle or LOL is looming ahead.
I want to be clear about why I rated this outrageously entertaining, warm, fuzzy, funny, and rewarding novel four stars instead of five. The novel does not pretend it is not a Werewolf tale (which is fine), but it also never denies that at its very core is a “darkly comedic love story”. I loved it but the novel is not dark and the storyline is not in the vicinity of a heavyweight.
It is fair to say that I am now a Rachel Harrison fan and will continue to read her work. If a reader is looking for true darkness, the sinister, the chilling, and the tales that do not all conclude with happy endings for all of the characters then they need to look elsewhere. It is a place I am prone to go, but I will also always enjoy reading a book by Rachel Harrison.
OUTRAGEOUSLY ENTERTAINING AND A NARRATIVE WITH PROSE THAT PRACTICALLY READS ITSELF, LOVED IT!!!
My Review 4.0 Stars Out Of 5.0 Stars
Last month Rachel Harrison’s collection of short stories “Bad Dolls” [2022] was a selected read by the horror book club [Horror Aficionados]. This was my first introduction to Harrison’s work. I really enjoyed “Bad Dolls,” and the qualities of her writing that drew me the most were the utter “readability” of it and the vein of humor that threaded throughout the narrative. In short, it was not only easy to read but really fun to read as well. Therefore, I was both pleased and excited when the club chose Harrison’s wildly popular “Such Sharp Teeth” [2022] for the read in January. I bought the book right out of the gate because I simply knew I was going to love reading it.
“Such Sharp Teeth” was a Goodreads Choice Nominee and has chocked up approximately 13,000 ratings since it was released in late Fall of 2022. I noted that it was also a USA Today Bestselling Novel. Amazon appears to be sporting slightly higher ratings than Goodreads but does not seem to enjoy the same popularity.
Harrison turns her attention to another topic of horror and creatures of the night in this one, with “Such Sharp Teeth” belonging to a Werewolf. The description of the storyline, to be brief, is that a single Rory Morris is living and loving it up in the big city, but is called by her twin sister Scarlett to come home. She is pregnant and alone, relaying the story to Rory that Matty, her boyfriend and father of her baby left her. There are bad memories in her home town but Rory responds to her twin sister’s needs in a New York Second.
Rory is walking in the woods and is attacked by a Werewolf at the beginning of the book. Rory’s need to deal with this life-altering change is naturally dramatic, but also fodder for a lot of laughs. There are numerous significant sub-plots going on in the novel which Harrison manages deftly and with infused humor. Rory has some unresolved baggage from growing up and it involves her inability to let go of anger levied at her mother who she blames for the trauma. Rory also has experienced difficulty with male-female relationships her entire adult life, which not unsurprisingly stems from the former issue with her mother and the male-related trauma she is still carrying around with an inability to absolve her mother. Perhaps most significantly, Rory is beautiful, smart, not to mention a brand-new Werewolf, and discovers she is attracted to Ian, the boy who has idolized her since kindergarten. Ian’s attraction, passion, and genuine feelings for Rory have gone unrequited for his entire existence. Rory is shocked when she sees him all grown up and a man, for God’s sake, and feels this undisputable pull toward him. He has loved her forever and she is seeing him for the very first time in a passionate, “I want you bad” light.
Harrison has written an immensely entertaining novel about a woman who is transformed into a Werewolf, but whose relationship issues and family dynamics are more central to the plot than her becoming a creature of the night. This is a terrific read, and a book I would recommend to anyone. The story does everything but “read itself,” and while reading the novel you never know when the next chuckle or LOL is looming ahead.
I want to be clear about why I rated this outrageously entertaining, warm, fuzzy, funny, and rewarding novel four stars instead of five. The novel does not pretend it is not a Werewolf tale (which is fine), but it also never denies that at its very core is a “darkly comedic love story”. I loved it but the novel is not dark and the storyline is not in the vicinity of a heavyweight.
It is fair to say that I am now a Rachel Harrison fan and will continue to read her work. If a reader is looking for true darkness, the sinister, the chilling, and the tales that do not all conclude with happy endings for all of the characters then they need to look elsewhere. It is a place I am prone to go, but I will also always enjoy reading a book by Rachel Harrison.
OUTRAGEOUSLY ENTERTAINING AND A NARRATIVE WITH PROSE THAT PRACTICALLY READS ITSELF, LOVED IT!!!
Want to read
July 24, 2022This sounds EXACTLY like my preferred aesthetic and I want it
October 18, 2022
My favorite Rachel Harrison book yet. It has the strong, spiky character development I loved in The Return, plus a slightly darker and even more addictive mix of magic and creeps and good banter, as seen in Cackle. Excellent October reading!
November 8, 2022
Rory leaves her glamorous life in New York City behind to join her twin sister Scarlett in their hometown and to help her through her pregnancy. On her way there she is attacked by something bear-y, which pretty quickly turns out to be a werewolf and suddenly she's a lycan too. On top of all past pains, heartaches and traumas she need to deal with, she now also carries the burden of transforming once a month and smells like a wet dog. It's not all bad, though, she has amazing hair now, and her senses are sharpened.
While she one by one confronts past conflicts and even finds love, one question remains – who bit her and why?
Rachel Harrison does it again: another feel-good novel about complex human relationships which can be as destructive as heart warming, hand in hand with the supernatural monstrous, featuring awesome characters, a unique humor and a kick-ass final battle. I only wish there had been a little more werewolf scenes.
While she one by one confronts past conflicts and even finds love, one question remains – who bit her and why?
Rachel Harrison does it again: another feel-good novel about complex human relationships which can be as destructive as heart warming, hand in hand with the supernatural monstrous, featuring awesome characters, a unique humor and a kick-ass final battle. I only wish there had been a little more werewolf scenes.
October 9, 2022
Thank you to Berkley Pub , Penguin Random House, and Goodreads free drawings for this free Halloween read of , “Such Sharp Teeth!” I have previously read,”Cackle “ by Rachel Harrison as well! The authors writing style is witty, sarcastic, and unique! The descriptions are detailed along with action packed suspense. She draws you into the story and has you salivating until the end!
Rory Morris is a talented young successful and wildly independent woman who left her hometown and lives in New York City. She can’t help but be beaconed back to her dreadful old hometown when her twin sister summons her help during her unexpected tumultuous pregnancy.
Upon stopping at the local bar, Rory runs into an old high school friend,Ian who knew her more than most people, during their challenging and her traumatic teenage years. After she leaves to continue to her sisters house, Rory hits an animal in the road. She feels horrible and gets out to see if she can help. Before she knows it, she’s bitten by the animal and wakes up in the hospital.
Rory returns to her sisters house and doesn’t want to tell her about the strange things she is experiencing since, she won’t be believed anyways, right? Well, whose gonna believe she has strange new “animal instincts”? What’s this strange silver goo that keeps oozing out of her? She experiences monster like transformations while also struggling to help her pregnant sister and dealing with past trauma and old high school friends. However, Rory is dedicated to standing by her sister as she struggles through her pregnancy.
This is a fantastic paranormal Halloween read! It is full of mystery, romance, sarcasm, while interspersed with gruesome twists and lots of laughter. Definitely, a fun fast entertaining October read!
Rory Morris is a talented young successful and wildly independent woman who left her hometown and lives in New York City. She can’t help but be beaconed back to her dreadful old hometown when her twin sister summons her help during her unexpected tumultuous pregnancy.
Upon stopping at the local bar, Rory runs into an old high school friend,Ian who knew her more than most people, during their challenging and her traumatic teenage years. After she leaves to continue to her sisters house, Rory hits an animal in the road. She feels horrible and gets out to see if she can help. Before she knows it, she’s bitten by the animal and wakes up in the hospital.
Rory returns to her sisters house and doesn’t want to tell her about the strange things she is experiencing since, she won’t be believed anyways, right? Well, whose gonna believe she has strange new “animal instincts”? What’s this strange silver goo that keeps oozing out of her? She experiences monster like transformations while also struggling to help her pregnant sister and dealing with past trauma and old high school friends. However, Rory is dedicated to standing by her sister as she struggles through her pregnancy.
This is a fantastic paranormal Halloween read! It is full of mystery, romance, sarcasm, while interspersed with gruesome twists and lots of laughter. Definitely, a fun fast entertaining October read!
August 25, 2023
1.5 stars.
This book had the potential to be lots of fun, but it flopped rather hard. The writing is just not that good; the dialogue especially felt so choppy and all over the place, jumping to the next subject nearly immediately. There was basically no flow in the writing whatsoever, and I feel that is largely due to there being so many short sentences. So many. Nothing felt fleshed out; everything was skimmed and in a rush. To where I don’t know, because the werewolf scenes were the shortest of all.
Rory is relatively annoying and seems to be a "cool girl". I had no interest in any of the characters, and the romance was so mediocre and pretty much not even there due to her werewolf insecurity. The random bits of trauma that were thrown in seemed strange. The book otherwise felt like it was supposed to be a fun, light, and comedic (I didn’t find anything funny) read, and throwing in those things felt like a half-assed attempt at adding depth and substance to a story that is severely lacking any.
This is my first time reading a werewolf book, and it was disappointing to see how little being a werewolf came into play. Yeah, there’s constant mentions of wanting or eating a shipload's worth of meat (while in human form) and smelling like a wet dog, but the actual transformation scenes lasted so short. Those scenes are also where I found the writing decent, so them not being long was just sad.
All in all, it seems there was no actual story in mind and I don’t mind a book with no plot, but if it’s got to do with something interesting like being a werewolf, make it worth the stay. Half a star gets given since Talking Heads got mentioned and because it was slightly fun and I’m not mad about picking it up.
This book had the potential to be lots of fun, but it flopped rather hard. The writing is just not that good; the dialogue especially felt so choppy and all over the place, jumping to the next subject nearly immediately. There was basically no flow in the writing whatsoever, and I feel that is largely due to there being so many short sentences. So many. Nothing felt fleshed out; everything was skimmed and in a rush. To where I don’t know, because the werewolf scenes were the shortest of all.
Rory is relatively annoying and seems to be a "cool girl". I had no interest in any of the characters, and the romance was so mediocre and pretty much not even there due to her werewolf insecurity. The random bits of trauma that were thrown in seemed strange. The book otherwise felt like it was supposed to be a fun, light, and comedic (I didn’t find anything funny) read, and throwing in those things felt like a half-assed attempt at adding depth and substance to a story that is severely lacking any.
This is my first time reading a werewolf book, and it was disappointing to see how little being a werewolf came into play. Yeah, there’s constant mentions of wanting or eating a shipload's worth of meat (while in human form) and smelling like a wet dog, but the actual transformation scenes lasted so short. Those scenes are also where I found the writing decent, so them not being long was just sad.
All in all, it seems there was no actual story in mind and I don’t mind a book with no plot, but if it’s got to do with something interesting like being a werewolf, make it worth the stay. Half a star gets given since Talking Heads got mentioned and because it was slightly fun and I’m not mad about picking it up.
August 14, 2022
Review coming soon.
January 5, 2023
Hands down my favorite of Rachel Harrison's works. SUCH SHARP TEETH (via audio) is a perfect horromedy (horror/comedy) for those who need something fun while being stressed with life and work. I couldn't get enough of how ridiculously fun this audiobook was and I highly recommend you picking it up when needing a break from real life.
January 8, 2024
A writer who chooses to set a love story within the horror genre is creating a challenge for themselves. Won't most horror romances end in tragedy? How do you draft a happy ending without sacrificing the impact of the horrific elements of the story? Perhaps if you successfully blend romantic comedy with horror you might be able to pull it off. Rachel Harrison did it, and did it remarkably well.
This was not the werewolf novel I was anticipating. Before I completed the first third of the book, the rom-com elements and family drama seemed to dominate with werewolf horror taking a back seat to the proceedings - -more of a prop to wrap the story around, like whatever conflict in a romantic comedy keeps the two protagonists from taking their relationship further.
It doesn't matter. The clever writing of Harrison, the characters and situations, and even the romance grabbed my attention and held it. While the werewolf transformation scenes don't occur often enough, they are descriptive, vividly detailed, and suspenseful. Plus, this is not funny, laughable romantic comedy. It's more dark comedy, enhanced by main character Rory's insightful narration.
Pure horror aficionados who require chills and frights - - be forewarned. However, pick this up and give it a try and you might find yourself in appreciation of Harrison's craft. She won me over.
This was not the werewolf novel I was anticipating. Before I completed the first third of the book, the rom-com elements and family drama seemed to dominate with werewolf horror taking a back seat to the proceedings - -more of a prop to wrap the story around, like whatever conflict in a romantic comedy keeps the two protagonists from taking their relationship further.
It doesn't matter. The clever writing of Harrison, the characters and situations, and even the romance grabbed my attention and held it. While the werewolf transformation scenes don't occur often enough, they are descriptive, vividly detailed, and suspenseful. Plus, this is not funny, laughable romantic comedy. It's more dark comedy, enhanced by main character Rory's insightful narration.
Pure horror aficionados who require chills and frights - - be forewarned. However, pick this up and give it a try and you might find yourself in appreciation of Harrison's craft. She won me over.
Read
June 25, 2023Such Sharp Teeth centers around Rory Morris who is temporarily returning to her small hometown from NYC. Rory’s twin sister Scarlett is pregnant and estranged from the baby’s father so she needs Rory’s help.
Soon after Rory’s return, she hits a large animal with her car. Rory gets out to investigate and is attacked by a mysterious animal. After a brief stay in the hospital, she finds herself not only fully healed but discovers she’s suddenly very strong, has a negative reaction to silver, and finds her body changing under a full moon.
I had an absolute blast reading this one and I’m kicking myself for not picking it up sooner! Rachel Harrison incorporates her trademark dark humor and badass female main character into a spooky horror story. The story includes many compelling elements including a dysfunctional family, childhood trauma, a bit of a romance, and even a mystery.
This is my fourth read by Harrison and it solidified her as an auto-read author for me. I listened to the audiobook version and it was narrated by the amazing Kristen Sieh.
Such Sharp Teeth was published on October 4, 2022, from Berkley Publishing so it is available now. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
Soon after Rory’s return, she hits a large animal with her car. Rory gets out to investigate and is attacked by a mysterious animal. After a brief stay in the hospital, she finds herself not only fully healed but discovers she’s suddenly very strong, has a negative reaction to silver, and finds her body changing under a full moon.
I had an absolute blast reading this one and I’m kicking myself for not picking it up sooner! Rachel Harrison incorporates her trademark dark humor and badass female main character into a spooky horror story. The story includes many compelling elements including a dysfunctional family, childhood trauma, a bit of a romance, and even a mystery.
This is my fourth read by Harrison and it solidified her as an auto-read author for me. I listened to the audiobook version and it was narrated by the amazing Kristen Sieh.
Such Sharp Teeth was published on October 4, 2022, from Berkley Publishing so it is available now. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
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