#Greenteeth is my first 5 star book of December. This book brings together great fairytale lore. It has family both lost and found. Friendships and loss. It was also written in the most charming way.

The beginning was great; Jenny is kind of adorable at first, and I really liked her voice (I despise first-person unless your POV character has something unique about their voice or perspective, and the non-human Jenny does, so woo!) But the moment Temperance appeared, things went downhill. The dialogue is awful, very clunky (who gives their life story to a stranger when introducing themselves?) and I found Temperance an incredibly boring character, whose personality is weirdly inconsistent. (One minute she’s running away, then she’s fighting back; she summons fireballs to defend herself then declares she doesn’t know any magic for defending herself: okay!!!)

The Big Bad was incredibly disappointing, and irked me in a few different ways – human pastors killed plenty of people for witchcraft in the real world, so making this one a not-human monster…he’s evil because look, he’s not human! Implying, what, that humans wouldn’t do this? Except plenty did (and do)? Having him be a monster is too simple (completely aside from him being cartoonish levels of over-the-top-no-really-this-is-embarassing evil) and that – things being too simple – was a running problem. Temperance needs incredibly rare, powerful ingredients for a spell, and she and Jenny have them all a couple of pages later – everything’s too convenient, too easy, and the lore is so simple and basic that it’s boring. (Not the stuff about the Greenteeths, which was simple but in a great way; the lore about other fae, the villain, etc.)

I can see this being a fun, light read for someone who wants an easy, straightforward story. But I don’t think it’s very good objectively, and it definitely doesn’t live up to its premise. Jenny deserved better!

Read this if you like: folklore/legends, non-traditional narrators, unlikely friendships.

Greenteeth is a questing adventure in which Jenny (the local lake monster), Temperance (the recently ousted town witch) and Brackus (a trader goblin) seek to banish the Erl King, a monster who has currently taken over Temperance’s town in the guise of the pastor.

There’s lots to love about folklore here! The author pulls from lots of legends to round out her characters and plot. Jenny Greenteeth was such a cool narrator, you don’t often get one of the “monsters” telling the story. It was also lovely to watch friendship bloom between the three very different main characters.

That being said, this was just a bit slow for me! I was not incredibly invested in the characters or their friendships, and the quests seemed very easily won. The few exciting points (the fallen star, the unicorn) were over incredibly quickly.

I found the strongest point of the story to be in the settings and the atmosphere created. It was very much a walking quest book, and the areas they walk through were described so magically!

The first 80% of this book is very good, but I'm not entirely sure it sticks the landing. O'Neill's story would have been tighter if she'd gone with the Erl King OR with Arthurian legend rather than trying to piece both of them together; and Jenny was really meant to be depicted as a morally gray character, setting that up earlier would have benefited the story. For example, Jenny could have agreed to work with the Erl King early on and coming around to genuinely helping Temperance along the way, which would have made the moment of temptation/betrayal towards the end of the book more believable.

But I really enjoyed the quest setup of this book and the friendships Jenny formed along the way. As I said, the first 75% of the book is VERY good and it could have been excellent with a little bit of reworking. It's a strong debut and hopefully O'Neill's future works will be even better.

Greenteeth is a cozy folklore fantasy story following Jenny and newly found friends on a quest to rid the town her lake is in of an evil presence. I wasn’t familiar with the English folklore about Jenny Greenteeth, but really enjoyed hearing this retelling.

Definitely would recommend this if you’re a fan of any type of folklore or cozy fantasy.

What a fun escape from the real world. I loved these characters and the writing style made me feel like I was walking right alongside them on the journey. Magical!

<b>Read if you</b>: crave the coziness of a log fire and the comfort of a warm sip of tea, have ever convinced yourself that the brush of seaweed or the touch of a branch is a faerie monster, or you love a good quest.

Jenny Greenteeth, a lesser fae of a small lake, is drifting through her solitary routine when a witch from the nearby town is thrown into her lake. After saving Temperance from her trial-by-drowning, Jenny befriends her and decides to help her regain her old life and family. Saving Temperance leads the duo, along with an additional friend they find along the way, on a series of adventures as they quest for the items needed to banish the evil that has taken root in the town.

This book feels like a visit to a childhood world you didn't realize you had left behind. Although a bit predictable and sometimes slow, it is deeply satisfying to follow Jenny and her friends through adventures steeped in British folklore. It serves as a balm for loneliness and grief, capturing the sweetness of discovering a chosen family.

Rating: 3.5

Thank you to Orbit Books for providing me with an advanced e-copy!

The book’s strongest points were the great story and the pacing. Other strengths that made the book completely enjoyable were the first-person narrative, the great cast of characters, the magic system, and the main character’s inner thoughts. I frequently find that the inner thoughts interfere with the story-telling but in this book it was perfect. And to top this off, I found the book funny and charming. I recommend this book for anyone who wants a great, lighter fantasy book. Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the advance reader copy.

Greenteeth is an enjoyable and heartwarming romp through the folklore of England, Wales, and beyond. Characters include Jenny Greenteeth, the Erl King, Gwyn ap Nudd (ruler of the high fae) and his lover Creiddylad, a goblin, an afanc (lake monster), and many other denizens of both the faerie and mortal realms. The latter part of the book also pulls heavily from Arthurian legend, and Arthur's favorite dog, Cavall, plays a large part in the story (although he's Gwyn and Creiddylad's companion in this novel). Jenny and her friends fight the great boar, Twrch Trwyth, while on their quest to defeat the Erl King, come face to face with the last of the unicorns, and walk the Wild Roads to find the faerie court. Basically, there's a whole lot of folklore squished into this book and it's really quite delightful.

The setting, too, is wonderful, and the descriptions of the landscape made me pine for the moors of England, the mountains of Wales, and the lochs of Scotland. The writing is vivid and you almost feel as if you're there with Jenny, Temperance, and Brackus as they travel the countryside at the behest of the faerie king.

The story itself is about what you'd expect from reading the blurb. It's a common trope in the fantasy genre: a reclusive “monster” ends up on a quest, makes friends along the way, and ultimately decides that maybe other people (or fae) aren't so bad after all. There's not a whole lot of surprises here – the story follows the traditional format for these types of things – but the twist at the climax of the story was completely unexpected. I never saw it coming, although looking back with hindsight I suppose that maybe I should have. While I enjoyed the rest of it, it was really the ending that propelled it into “this is really fantastic” territory for me.

Oh, and for those of you that are wondering about Cavall and whether or not he lives: (view spoiler)

Overall, Greenteeth is a delightful, feel-good tale that isn't afraid to borrow from all the old folk tales. It's obvious that Molly O'Neill has done her research as far as the legends of the United Kingdom are concerned, and it's really quite impressive for a debut novel. My rating: 4.55 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is February 25, 2025.

I don’t love cozy fantasies. I need high stakes. While this was well written, I just couldn’t stay interested unfortunately. Would definitely recommend if you like cozy murder mysteries though. There’s an audience for this read for sure!

I requested this book because I love a cozy fantasy from time to time and love to learn about new mythical monsters and worldly lore. Jenny Greenteeth is a river hag from English lore that would lure small children and the elderly into their ponds/lakes/rivers to drown.

Our Jenny isn't quite as menacing but also isn't bubbly or warm - as she says herself, she just.. is. One day a woman from a nearby village is accused of witchcraft and thrown into Jenny's lake. Instead of eating her, Jenny decides to rescue her and help her in vanquishing the evil from her village. Jenny slowly opens herself to the company of this stranger after centuries of relative solitude.

This is a quest fantasy with a ragtag group of creatures (Jenny, a witch, a goblin, and a dog) trying to vanquish the evil being in the village. It reminded me of Nettle and Bone by T Kingfisher, so I would definitely recommend this to fans of hers. If you like cozy fantasy or quest stories or are interested in legends and lore of mythical creatures, I'd recommend this.

This was quite a heartwarming story about love, loss, friendship, and loneliness. My only criticism is the pacing once we start the quest was a bit slow.

Overall, though, a fun, heartwarming, and impressive debut that I'll think of fondly.
4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for this arc!

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was ok, but I was hoping to like more than I ultimately did. I really enjoyed the first 1/3 or so of the book and was expecting it to be a score of 4 stars for me. We see Jenny Greenteeth's love of her lake and the unique way she views humans and the world. She manages an unlikely rescue of a witch, and they each try to figure out to what extent they can trust the other. The book deals only in platonic friendships, which was such a relief, as I'm so tired of any kind of connection between characters these days immediately turning into romance. I kept waiting for an inevitable love story between someone to happen here, because that's just the trope these days, but it doesn't. They are actually friends. All the characters are just friends and stay that way - and it works!

Unfortunately, once the story shifts into "quest mode" it rather dragged for me. It put me in a bit of reading slump, actually, since I would keep setting it aside as I become bored with the "go to point A and retrieve this quest item, now go to point B and retrieve this item" storyline. I know that's a classic storyline, but it's also an overdone one, and this wasn't bringing enough new to the old storyline to keep me hooked. Cozy fantasies are meant to be more leisurely paced; however, they are also meant to continue to hold your interest, and I'm sorry to say there were points where this one didn't. The ending had a nice reveal that tied some of the earlier story elements in well, but it wasn't enough to redeem the middle section for me.

In general, I'm not sorry I read it, but if you are looking for cozy fantasy, there are better options out there. Of course, there are worse too, and everyone's tastes are different. I would give it a try if your a cozy fantasy fan who wants a book focused on friendship for change.

*Green Teeth* by Molly O'Neil is a haunting and thought-provoking collection of stories that blend emotional depth with a touch of eerie suspense. O'Neil's writing is lush and evocative, drawing readers into worlds where desire, guilt, and the complexities of human connection take center stage. Some stories feel a bit repetitive, and the pacing can slow down at times, but the chilling atmosphere and the psychological depth of her characters make up for it. The title story is especially memorable, mixing supernatural elements with raw, real emotions. Overall, it's a beautifully written book that lingers in your mind long after you've finished.

Greenteeth was surprising delightful! I would consider it a slightly higher risk cozy fantasy. The MC, Jenny Greenteeth is a lesser fae who has green skin, razor sharp teeth, and lives in a lake. When a witch is chained and thrown in her lake Jenny decides not to eat her... which begins a quest, and maybe a friendship. Like most fae Jenny is morally gray. She's unpleasant at best, terrifying at worst. But she's such a fun character to get to know. The book is chock full of the old English countryside, Welsh fairy lore, and a heavy dash of Arthurian legend. The plot was interesting, the twists will executed, and it was really nice to see a MC who was not "pretty" or human. Not only would I recommend it, but I'm also going to preorder a copy for my own shelf.

outstanding and joyful work with some incredibly lovable protags. really remarkable plotting and something i would recommend deeply. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

" A witch, a goblin and Jenny Greenteeth are off to seek the King of the Fairies... What a delicious disaster this could be."

In traditional English lore, I will admit, I had never heard of Jenny Greenteeth before. They're rumoured to be river hags that lure small children and elderly into drowning in their ponds. This Jenny was a solitary, hilarious, and formidable creature.

Jenny Greenteeth was minding her business when she finds a witch being drowned in her beloved lake. Temperance, the village witch is thrown into Jenny's lake after her trial of being accused of practicing witchcraft. I mean, she is a witch, but not an evil one. She helps the villagers with her apothecary of herbal meds. Jenny decides to take pity on her and rescues her. They realize that the new pastor who has swept the village is evil. They set off on a quest to find items to help vanquish the evil in their village of Chipping Appleby.

I was totally in love with the description of this arc. It's a quest centered around lesser fae/magical creatures like Jenny and her companions Brackus, a goblin and Temperance, the witch. During their travels they find other magical creatures.

The book reminded me of the adventures found in the Hobbit, Legends and Lattes and Godkiller. If you enjoy found family, friendships, cozy cottage core and magical creatures, this is your jam.

The writing is strong, considering this is Molly O'Neills debut. My only point of criticisms are the pacing can be a bit slow in parts and I struggle with how and who I would recommend this to. I think it's definitely more fantasy, or higher YA because there are some violent parts. A great read and a solid 4⭐.

Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit Books for this arc.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Do you want a book about a monster with a heart? Jenny Greenteeth is an admitted monster who lives in a lake near a medieval village. One day, a woman who’s suspected of being a witch is thrown in, & rather than eat her, Jenny ends up accompanying her on her quest to Faerie & back.

There’s something evil in the village.

This fantasy has so much going for it:

/ a burgeoning friendship between unlikely quest mates
/ a lonely monster reckoning with right & wrong
/ a small group of people trying to save the day
/ faeries who are sometimes helpful, sometimes challenging, etc depending on their whims bc faeries are like that

Sound good? Greenteeth is out on 02/25/25.
4.5⭐️. Out now!


Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader's copy of this lovely debut and absolutely adored it. I was not at all prepared for how much I would end up loving this book AND Jenny. To tell a tale from such a unique and fresh perspective was a breath of fresh air. It was such a grand adventure and the world felt massive and cozy at the same time. I was sad for the story to end only because I wanted to spend more time with these characters and this world. I truly loved it and cannot wait for everyone else to get their hands on it. I feel excited to have a new favorite author/book and look forward to what Molly does next 💚

Jenny Greenteeth is a simple kinda monster. She has tended to her environs, collected trinkets, and mostly minded her own business for thousands of years… until a witch facing execution is drowning in Jenny’s lake. Jenny intervenes, making her first mortal friend, Temperance. Fairy tale quests both whimsical and harrowing follow, as they hunt for a way to defeat the new eldritch being in town.

Green Teeth is a surprisingly touching fantasy with found family, interwoven with Welsh lore and Arthurian legends. It had a balance of whimsy, spookiness, and heartache. I love it when monsters have feelings, too.

Thanks Orbit Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

*Greenteeth* by Molly O'Neill is a captivating and beautifully written novel that blends folklore, suspense, and deep emotional resonance. O'Neill's prose is lush and evocative, drawing readers into a haunting world where myth and reality collide. The story, centered around a young woman confronting her past and uncovering long-buried secrets, is both intriguing and poignant. O'Neill expertly explores themes of family, loss, and self-discovery, making it a deeply immersive reading experience. *Greenteeth* is a unique and powerful work, offering a fresh take on modern folklore with richly drawn characters and an atmospheric setting.