"Baby Teeth" was a very strange book- not quite a thriller in my opinion but something else entirely. In alternating chapters with alternating points-of-view by daughter (Hanna) and mother (Suzette). Hanna won't speak- all the tests have shown that she is able but she is apparently unwilling (and as we can confirm from her sections, she is definitely unwilling). They are locked in an intense battle, where Suzette is hoping to teach her and get some normalcy while Hanna is hoping for her mother's death so that she can be alone with her father.

Alex, Hanna's father, is pretty oblivious to the things that are going on- but how could he not be when Hanna will never misbehave in front of him and never leaves any proof of her misdeeds. Others confirm Suzette's stories, as Hanna has been kicked out of multiple preschools and private schools. Suzette is desperate to do anything to "fix" her relationship with Hanna, and she thinks getting Hanna into a school might do the trick.

Hanna is intentionally cruel to other children and to her mother. This may be a spoiler, but you may want to be cautious in reading this book if sensitive to violence against children (honestly, it's incredibly hard to read). Hanna punches a toddler in the grocery store and frightens a disabled child (after removing his protective helmet) until he bashes his head against the wall (and she takes pleasure from this). Things just keep escalating in the book, until even Alex cannot ignore the monster their child is becoming.

On the plus side, this is really a page-turner, and I had a hard time putting it down. It didn't feel like a thriller to me- I wasn't really scared for any of the characters, but I did want to know how things were resolved and if there would be any twists/things would not be as they seemed. On the minus side, I finished the book with a big WTF. Hanna does not think like a seven year old, and her sections were very odd. I think they could have been left out or abbreviated. The ending did not have any twists or real resolutions- we still don't really get any insight into Hanna or the family (I felt). It almost seemed like it was setting it up for a second book and felt like a bit of a cliff-hanger. I wasn't sure about the description, but picked it up because I feel like I've been hearing about it all other the place- I would not read again.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Interesting premise and fast paced book. I enjoyed the characters and the plot twists. A quick read that I enjoyed.

Zoje Stage’s Baby Teeth is a dark and twisted tale of a seven-year old girl named Hanna who has one goal in life – to get rid of her mother so that she and her father can live happily ever after together. As a mom, I found Baby Teeth to be perhaps my worst nightmare come true – that my child would hate me and want me gone – so in that sense, it was an incredibly uncomfortable read for me. At the same time, however, it was still such a riveting read that I couldn’t stop turning the pages no matter how uncomfortable it made me.

Hanna is a troubled young girl. For reasons doctors haven’t established yet, she does not speak. In addition to being mute, she also has severe behavioral issues and has thus been expelled from every school that her parents have enrolled her in. Suzette, Hanna’s mom, makes the decision to stay home with Hanna and home school her. It’s not a permanent solution but at least Hanna won’t fall behind academically until a better solution presents itself.

Somewhere along the way, Hanna decides that she hates her mother and only loves her daddy. While she and her mom are alone together all day, Hanna goes out of her way to let her mom know just how much she hates her and then even starts scheming about ways to get rid of her. Then when Daddy comes home, she turns on the sweetness and perfectly plays the role of Daddy’s little angel, keeping him in the dark about how she really feels about her mom and of course frustrating her mother to no end.

As Daddy remains oblivious to Hanna’s dark side even as Hanna steps up her attacks on her mom, Suzette truly begins to fear for her own safety. Can she get through to her husband and make him understand that they have a serious problem on their hands with Hanna before it’s too late?

It’s hard to review books like this because I don’t want to give away any of the twist and turns that make it such a compelling read, but here are some elements of Baby Teeth that I really thought the author did a wonderful job with:

Two Points of View – I thought it was brilliant to present this story in alternating chapters between Suzette and Hanna. Being able to get a glimpse inside each of their heads as this disturbing family dynamic played out was what really made the book such an engaging read for me.

Suzette’s perspective was especially easy to relate to because all she can think about is what did she do wrong as a mother to make Hanna hate her so much. Not only does she question where she went wrong as a parent, but then she feels tremendous guilt because there are times when Hannah pushes the envelope so far, that Suzette finds herself thinking horrible things about her child and sometimes even saying horrible things to her because she has been pushed to her limit. In many ways, Suzette starts to really question herself as a mom. How could she possibly think such terrible things about her child, who she really does love with all her heart, no matter how troubled she is? Again, I found Suzette’s perspective to be very relatable and could imagine myself thinking many of the same things if I was in her shoes.

Hanna’s perspective added another disturbing layer to the narrative because even a quick glance at what’s going on inside her head reveals that she is truly a troubled little girl on many levels. She’s callous, unfeeling, manipulative, and frankly, just all around creepy. As soon as I’d read a chapter from Hanna, I’d instantly be all the more sympathetic to Suzette because she clearly had her hands full and was on her own thanks to Daddy Oblivious falling for all of Hanna’s tricks.

Twists and Turns – Another aspect of Baby Teeth that really entertained me was that it was fast-paced and filled with twists and turns that constantly kept me guessing about what was really going on with Hanna. At times, the story had the feel of a horror movie so it really had me considering any and all possible explanations for Hanna’s behavior – is it psychological? Are we going to find out she was somehow abused? Is there something supernatural afoot? I liked that the story really had me open to so many possibilities, no matter how over the top they seemed.

I’m guessing that you’ve picked up on the fact that I was not a huge fan of Hanna’s dad. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt – that Hanna was just that good of a manipulator – but it really just frustrated me to no end that he just didn’t get how dysfunctional their whole family situation was and how troubled his daughter truly was.

The only other real issue I had with Baby Teeth was that sometimes I found it hard to believe that a 7-year old child could devise some of the intricate and truly evil plots that Hanna came up with against her mother. I know some kids are more precocious than others, but some of her schemes and just some of her thoughts in general came across as way too sophisticated for a child of that age. In some ways it bothered me because I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it and sometimes it felt like maybe the author was just trying too hard to make the book shocking, but at the same time, it still kind of worked for me because it made my own imagination run wild, which added to the dark and twisted nature of the book and to the horror vibe that I was already feeling: Does she have multiple personality disorder or some other mental illness? Is she a psychopath? Do we have a case of The Exorcist going on here? Has she been possessed? Those last ones probably sound a little silly, but the book really just sucks you in that much!

Baby Teeth is sure to please readers who enjoy thrillers and/or horror. It’s a wild, dark, and twisted ride that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch the battle between Hanna and Suzette play out.

Wow, what a horribly disturbing yet completely enthralling book! I could not put this book down. I just had to know if Hanna was possessed, psychotic, or just in need of attention. From start to finish, I read to see what horrifying thing she would do next, yet I felt sad for her because her mother, Suzette  was unlikeable, uncaring, and a bit disturbed herself. I think this is story that would disturbed even Stephen King because of the way it builds the suspense slowly, a little bit at a time. It's definitely a must read.

First I want to thank Net Galley, St. Martins Press and Zoje Stage for the opportunity to read this book before it hits shelves next month. WOW is all I can say. I will say that this may not be for everyone, but it is a good book. I was hesitant to start it just from reading the blurb, but I read it in one day. I had to know what was going on with little Hanna and her mommy. I was a little turned off on some things that Hanna did, I won't lie. This book is different from any other book that I read just because I think the villain is a child, and not an adult. This story is told from Hanna and Suzette's point of view. I liked that, because yeah Hanna doesn't talk but we get to see her view on things. At the beginning I didn't care for Alex, the husband, just because I thought that he was spoiling and not listening to his wife when she would tell him the things that Hanna had done. I like the fact that Suzette stood firm in her belief that there was something wrong with her daughter. I also liked that they finally found some one that was willing to help them as a family. The ending was a little rushed for me, but all in all it wasn't a bad book.

Hannah and her mom, Suzette, are locked in an epic battle for daddy's heart, only Suzette doesn't know it. Hannah is a smart, sometimes sweet, seven-year-old girl, who doesn't talk at all, but she's pretty sure Daddy can only love one of them and Mommy has cast a spell on him so that he loves her more than Hannah. Written from H and S's alternating points of view, this book will take you on a distrusting roller coaster of terror, basically. You're never sure what Hannah will do next, how Suzette will interpret her actions, or what kind of intervention Daddy will provide. The whole thing is just shudder-inducing. I really enjoyed it, in the only way you can: with a grateful heart that this isn't your life.

I love a suspenseful book but this one lacked any suspense. It was hard picturing any small child being able to just know how to have a French accent, be that manipulative, figure out the history of a Salem witch. It was just so unbelievable that I found myself actually rolling my eyes and taking a break from reading frequently. Not the sign of a good book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an E-ARC of this thriller. I really appreciated the character development, and I loved the ending. It was a tough read at times because of the subject matter, but I would definitely read more for this author in the future. It is hard to believe this is a debut novel.

Baby Teeth caught me straight from the first few pages. Read in duel perspectives, from seven year old Hanna and her mother. Hanna, we learn from the start, is nonverbal and has a deep seeded hatred of her mother, Suzette. Suzette, who has an autoimmune disease, was raised by an uncaring mother and strives to have a perfect, or at least normal mother/daughter relationship with Hanna. Hanna goes to great lengths to make this impossible, getting kicked out of schools, and playing tricks that only her mother witnesses. She believes that her father is the only one worthy of her love and that truly loves her.

“Hanna kept her words to herself because they gave her power...She scrutinized Mommy and other adults, studied them. Their words fell like dead bugs from their mouths. A rare person, like Daddy, spoke in butterflies, whispering colors that made her gasp.”

Throughout the book you follow Hanna’s strategic and highly intelligent plots and Suzette’s struggles, as she deals with her mounting grief, mental and physical health and comparisons/parallels between her mothering and her mother’s.

I was given the honor of getting an ARC of this novel and finished it in a day. It’s suspenseful, thought provoking and keeps you turning the page, truly wondering what is going to happen next. The similarities between Suzette and Hanna both seeking Alex’s approval were well woven into the novel and each person had no idea how alike they both were presents well.

Wow!!! I don't even know what to say.. I have never read a book like this ever before. It really makes you see what goes on in the mind of a child psychopath...It actually blew my mind to read this although it was hard to read..It is not an easy book to read especially concerning a child. thank you netgalley for letting me review this book for an honest opinion.

I understand the point of this book, and the thrilling concept it wanted to push forward. I was left missing something... I feel like I pushed through this book and was given absolutely nothing. The family dynamic was terrifying- but nothing really happened. This book was shallow. Relied too heavily on shock factor alone with nothing to back it up.

One star for the gorgeous cover and another star for the perfect title to go along with it. The book itself? Pass.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“From blazing new talent Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth is a story about a perfect-looking family, and a darling little girl who wants nothing more than to kill her mother.”

Wow. What a weird, gripping, frightening, suspenseful book. Not everyone is going to like this, but that's okay. A lot of suspense. A lot of "what the heck was this author thinking that she came up with this concept."

Possessed? A psycopath? Just plain evil? What can a stay-at-home, home schooling mom, struggling with chronic illness, do when her 7 year old daughter hates her and no one believes her? Hanna, the daughter, is very intelligent but refuses to talk and gets herself expelled from every expensive school her parents try. Hanna pits her beloved daddy against her hated mommy, convinced daddy is under evil mommy's spell. A compelling read, I kept coming back to it, even though I had other books to read and finally finished it in one setting.

Thank you to the publisher for the preview copy of this book. Scary and unforgettable? Yes.
Sorry, i could not get more than halfway through this book. The family described in this book needed an exorcist, not a child psychologist. The book creeped me out and I had to stop reading...
Readers that like psychological thrillers will love this one. Keep the lights on if you read it at night and do not read before going to bed!

Baby Teeth is a heart racing, mind trip! It's dark and crazy. The characters are incredibly well developed, and the story line is brilliant. I will be buying this book for friends and family who love a good, dark, thriller.

Wow!!!!!!! Baby Teeth really gives you insight into the mind of a psychopath even if it is a fiction story. Little Hannah is a very troubled child who loves her daddy so much but believes that her mommy is taking daddy away from her. So Hannah plots to kill mommy and have daddy all to herself. I will highly recommend this book to everyone. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the oppurtunity to read this amazing novel

A quick shoutout to NetGalley (what’s new) for giving me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review (even though I’m sure I’ll take back that thank you after the nightmares I’ll be having after reading this book). To the author, Zoje Stage, and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, you guys rock. Thanks a milli!!

Every Mommy dreams of having a little girl. A little angel she can play dress up with, color with and sing silly songs with. But what if your little girl hated you so much, she didn’t want to do any of those things with you. Actually, she wanted you dead. For once, I am truly at a loss of words. I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I’ve seen reviews comparing Baby Teeth to Gone Girl and We Need to Talk About Kevin, but I’m going to go ahead and say NOPE – this book stands on its own in the weirdest, creepiest, most stomach churning way possible. Read this book!

I finished this book in a few days. I wasnt feeling all the hype that everyone was talking about. The storyline was good, and the characters were portrayed well. I felt sorry for the mom who could never get a break. Thanks for the advance copy. I would recommend this book because of the good story plot and the mom who went far to try and get help for her daughter.

Well written, very descriptive book. A very troubled child, a mother who seems to have some issues of her own and a father who is torn between his wife and his daughter, this story keeps you wondering what will happen next.

A parent’s worst nightmare is feeling like a failure with their child. We hope for the best, imagine sparkly days of love and growth, but what if your perfect child hides a dark side? What if that child is out to get you, out to drive you crazy, or worse? What if your little girl would do anything to have Daddy to herself?

BABY TEETH by Zoje Stage is a chilling and dark tale that will make readers uncomfortable with every word on each page. A mother with a troubled past, a child who is a master manipulator, a father who sees nothing… Is Hanna a monster or a little girl in trouble?

This dark tale is unnerving as we witness the evil machinations of a child that are far beyond her years interact with a mother pushed beyond her limits who questions her own abilities, while enabling her daughter to maneuver situations to suit her desires…

The suspense is taut, but far beyond the horror factor of a living Chuckie doll, Zoje Stage creates an emotional attachment to this family that made it impossible for me not to feel for Hanna’s “illness.” Is she possessed? Mentally ill? Are we seeing into the mind of a sociopath?

Very dark, very edgy, very unsettling, Zoje Stage is an excellent wordsmith and her razor sharp atmosphere leaves no down time for readers to re-group. I just couldn’t decide, did I just read a horror story or a horrific tale of every parents’ greatest nightmare? On the surface, this spine-tingling tale is as dark as it gets, but…

I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press!

Publisher: St. Martin's Press (July 17, 2018)
Publication Date: July 17, 2018
Genre: Dark Fiction | Family Life | Horror
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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