Review of Boys with Sharp Teeth by Rebecca R. Riddle
Isn’t it funny how a book cover can draw you in like a moth to a flame? The cover for Boys with Sharp Teeth had me absolutely captivated. I couldn’t resist when I stumbled upon a digital ARC—it felt like fate! However, I find myself here, a little heartbroken and more than slightly disappointed, echoing that age-old saying: "Don’t judge a book by its cover."
At its core, Boys with Sharp Teeth aims to combine elements of mystery, supernatural intrigue, and a coming-of-age narrative. Jamie, our protagonist, treads the precarious path of deception to infiltrate a prestigious boarding school. She’s there to uncover the truth behind her cousin Sam’s alleged accidental overdose. With her new identity and a fabricated backstory, she dives headfirst into a world where she finds herself sharing space with suspects (Adrian, Herny, and Baz), but unfortunately, the excitement promised by that setup didn’t live up to my hopeful expectations.
What struck me the most is the pacing. Spanning over 400 pages, the novel felt painfully drawn out at times, leading to moments of frustration. Rather than engagingly unfolding its plot, it occasionally felt like it was dragging its feet, heavily reliant on exposition rather than showing us the vibrant life of this supposedly lively boarding school. Where were all the other students? Did only ten kids attend this institution? A little diversity in both characters and background would have gone a long way.
Then there’s the romance—or lack thereof. Many readers have touted the cover’s appeal for its “queer” essence, but let me save you the trouble: aside from a few lackluster pecks that seem forced and primarily serve as points of conflict, there’s no real depth to the relationships or exploration of attraction. At times, Jamie’s conflict about falling for her roommate and his friends feels more like an afterthought than a real emotional struggle. It was disheartening watching her grapple with these feelings, yet fail to show any actual growth or action regarding them.
As Jamie delves deeper into her investigation, the introduction of supernatural elements felt like an exciting turning point, but it was baffling how long it took to arrive. When it finally emerged, the resolution hurtled towards closure faster than I had anticipated, almost dismissing the eerie tension that had been slowly building over the pages. Wouldn’t it have been delightful to spend more time unraveling those mysteries?
I found the writing itself to be a blend of intriguing ideas muddled by predictable tropes and repetitive dialogues. A particular moment that stood out was when Jamie begins writing in the margins of library books to an unknown character. At first, I was genuinely hooked! But the eventual twist felt contrived, feeling more like a tactic to mislead than a clever plot device. The book sometimes tells instead of shows, which unfortunately robbed it of some of its potential emotional impact.
Despite my frustrations, I can see how Boys with Sharp Teeth might resonate with readers looking for a simple, atmospheric mystery without the need for profound emotional depth. It could be a nice fit for younger audiences or those who enjoy lighter paranormal reads.
In conclusion, while I’m left feeling let down by what could have been a thrilling and poignant tale, I appreciated its ambition and the initial spark that drew me in. For those who enjoy a mix of supernatural and mystery but don’t mind some predictability along the way, this might still be worthwhile. Sometimes, though, it’s just good to remember that not every beautiful cover holds a treasure inside.