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A review by marginmuse
Boys With Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell
3.75
I was captivated by Jenni Howell's Boys with Sharp Teeth from the very first page and couldn't put it down. It's a tale of temptation, retaliation, and the sinister secrets that lie beyond the gates of a prestigious boarding school, and believe me, it delivers on all three.
I liked Marin James since she isn't your average prep school kid. She is irate, resolute, and prepared to take on any role necessary to learn the truth about her cousin's passing. It was like entering a lion's den to see her sneak into Huntsworth Academy, especially when Adrian Hargraves and Henry Wu were involved. They are wealthy, untouchable, and just scary enough to pique your curiosity—everything you would expect from the school's social elite. To be honest, I couldn't determine if I wanted Marin to defeat them or fall for them. She probably couldn't either.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the atmosphere. Huntsworth Academy feels like a genuine, breathing character rather than merely a setting. Rich and unsettling, Howell's writing infuses each scene with a sense of dread. I had the impression that I was strolling along the same ivy-covered hallways, wondering what mysteries lay beyond. And when did the supernatural turn come? It worked even though I wasn't prepared.
Even though this novel is YA and does use certain popular YA clichés, I thought the narrative was sufficiently developed to avoid coming across as unduly childish. It is strongly advised to check trigger warnings because there were some extremely dark themes that would not be suitable for a reader who is too young.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I liked Marin James since she isn't your average prep school kid. She is irate, resolute, and prepared to take on any role necessary to learn the truth about her cousin's passing. It was like entering a lion's den to see her sneak into Huntsworth Academy, especially when Adrian Hargraves and Henry Wu were involved. They are wealthy, untouchable, and just scary enough to pique your curiosity—everything you would expect from the school's social elite. To be honest, I couldn't determine if I wanted Marin to defeat them or fall for them. She probably couldn't either.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the atmosphere. Huntsworth Academy feels like a genuine, breathing character rather than merely a setting. Rich and unsettling, Howell's writing infuses each scene with a sense of dread. I had the impression that I was strolling along the same ivy-covered hallways, wondering what mysteries lay beyond. And when did the supernatural turn come? It worked even though I wasn't prepared.
Even though this novel is YA and does use certain popular YA clichés, I thought the narrative was sufficiently developed to avoid coming across as unduly childish. It is strongly advised to check trigger warnings because there were some extremely dark themes that would not be suitable for a reader who is too young.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.