Book Review: Greenteeth

Book #2 of 2025: Greenteeth by Holly O’Neill, 3.5/5 ★
336 pages / releasing February 25, 2025 / available for pre-order here

Publisher blurb: “[Greenteeth] tells the story of Jenny Greenteeth – a lake-dwelling monster from British myth – and the magical quest she goes on after her peaceful existence is shattered by a witch being thrown into her lake.”

My review: An unlikely trio on a quest to defeat a major villain, a whole cast of creatures from fantasy and folklore, magic spells, hidden fairy roads, a series of trials, and a faithful dog…what more could a reader ask for? I was unfamiliar with the myth of Jenny Greenteeths aka Wicked Jennys, but it was a fascinating perspective for the story to be told from. While O’Neill certainly includes enough plot elements to keep readers interested, I admit that I struggled to really connect with this book. I’m not sure why as the writing was fine, the characters interesting and varied, and it seems to have almost everything I look for in a good read. Maybe this one just didn’t quite hit me at the right moment or maybe it’s because the big bad was a bit too evil for my taste (especially when combined with religious subtext), but I do think it’s well written and that many readers, particularly fans of historic folklore, will find it a great book!

CW: infant abandonment/death(ish), witch hunts, mild gore, animal death, dark/blood magic

Thank you to Orbit Books for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.