This is beautifully written, and I love the concept. It's infused with folklore, and in particular folklore that I haven't really come across before, which is always fun. I was really hooked in at the start, but as the book continued, I struggled to maintain my interest - I think because I didn't care about Temperance as much as I did Jenny.

So good! I highly recommend this book for fantasy lovers of all kinds.

I loved the character of Jenny and the quest works well. It’s so great to read fantasy characters that aren’t all teenagers realising they are the chosen one, and this book does it in spades. Plus the relationships being built here are solid, realistic friendships which is wonderful to see.

The author brings in hints of various myth and legend which adds to the tapestry of the storytelling.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a review copy.

This is a joy. I love Jenny Greenteeth in all her splendid grumpiness. The character is beautifully depicted with all her strengths and vulnerabilities. The pacing is perfect and the scene setting is wonderful. While this is touted as O’Neill’s first book – the author does not write like a newbie, but rather as someone who thoroughly knows her craft to a high standard.

She isn’t the only major character featuring in the adventure that turns into a full-blown quest, with proper tasks set and grim consequences riding on the outcome. In fact, at this point, I’ll raise the issue that this book is promoted as a cosy fantasy, which I don’t think it is. While it isn’t full of gratuitous violence or any kind of sex – there is simply too much danger and the bursts of action often lead to gory conclusions. The denouement, in particular, is both startling and shocking – nothing cosy about that.

I will say this about that episode. There is an interlude which would have worked better if the viewpoint had been in third-person (she), rather than first-person (I). O’Neill could be accused of misleading her readers and it’s the one aspect of the story that has left me feeling a tad uncomfortable – which is why this story has scored a nine, rather than a ten out of ten. But if you love fantasy set within a British setting, featuring three wonderful and sympathetic characters taking part in a gripping adventure – then track down this gem. While I obtained an arc of Greenteeth from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

This is a fantastic book based around folklore. If you enjoy quest narratives, then this will be up your street. The characters are all well written and the plot is compelling throughout. The world is an interesting one and I loved exploring it throughout the story. I would highly recommend checking this book out.

A cosy fairy tale with a little bite
—
A cosy fantasy that takes the British folklore character of Jenny Greenteeth—a capricious water sprite that will do more harm than good—and gives her a small quest against a Big Bad. This could be seen as a companion piece to the Emily Wilde books but lacking their subtlety and satisfaction. Greenteeth starts off well, Jenny herself saving a woman accused of witchcraft from drowning, but the lightly picaresque quest takes its time to build to a climax, diverting through hallucinatory lands that will give Jenny and her companions what they need to save the day. That is, until a left of centre development which is poorly telegraphed derails the whole enterprise, and perhaps Jenny won’t be able to be the hero of her own story.

It’s just missing the whole bite. Everything paddles along a little too smoothly, and what might have been revelatory—a fairy tale from the perspective of a British monster—becomes something more plebeian. I can see exactly what O’Neill wants to do but the deus ex machina doesn’t work, sadly. However, I imagine there will be more to come and I’m willing to try.

Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill

3 STARS

I liked the setting and mythology present throughout this book. Fables and mythology from Britain, which are brought to life through memorable and enjoyable characters. A good read.

Greenteeth is a beautiful fairytale full of fun, fae magic and tales of monsters. The links to the old magic and myth were wonderfully written.
I loved the relationship between the three companions. Unlikely companions but brought together on a quest and sharing their skills and fortitude.
Each of the challenges give each individual the opportunity to prove themselves and their support towards eachother so admirable.

Molly O'Neill has such a captivating way with words. Enchanting writing, a magical setting and characters you root for.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this eARC.

Greenteeth is an extremely fun play of the classic fairytale, and one I would highly recommend to those who enjoy fairytale retellings.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the found family, and the main plot was highly engaging. My only critique is that the pacing felt a little off in spots however the payoff was still enjoyable.

This was such fun! I was instantly sucked into Jenny's story and the folklore from the first chapter, but I didn't realize I'd be getting an adventure book with found family but the family is monsters?? Utterly delightful.

Thank you to the publisher, Orbit, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book a lot. The story was fun and the narrator was excellent. It was a good production and one I would listen to again.

I would have liked Jenny to be a bit more feral. She was portrayed with a lot of humanity. I liked the character as she was. With her well-ordered lake, she had her charm, but I just wanted something different out of the book.

I liked the other characters too. I liked the adventure they went on and the quest format of the book. It very much reminded me of a fairy story of old, with them having to fulfil three tasks before they could get the help they needed.

It was a really good book, not what I wanted from it, but I still enjoyed it a lot.

I really loved this, so much so that I bought a physical copy for my shelf as soon as I could.
Full of folklore and reminded me of the darker fairytales my mum used to tell me. Loved it

This was a fabulous folklore inspired fantasy full of heart and charm. At times this felt light hearted and comforting/cozy but it also explored some of the darker elements that are so intrinsic to folklore, especially around the Fae. I absolutely adored Jenny as a protagonist, her narrative voice was fun and engaging and had me chuckling to myself more than once yet she was also flawed and true to her monstrous ‘faeness’, unapologetically so.

Everything about this book felt quirky and the only way I can describe it is that reading the book felt like what I imagine it would be like to be under the effects of a Faerie illusion or Faerie wine… there are darker elements woven between the merriment, you know if you look out of the corner of your eye you will see something sinister, but you don’t want to stop. In fact, if I was still capable of staying awake all night reading or spending a whole day doing nothing but bingeing a book I could have easily read this in one sitting because it really drew me in and pulled me along on Jenny’s quest with Temperance and Brackus (both likeable characters that added to the narrative)

I admit I don’t know a huge amount about folklore from the United Kingdom (criminal really- I’m a Yorkshire girl born and bred 🤦🏼‍♀️) but this did a wonderful job of weaving together lots of different elements to create it’s own story, following the tradition of folklore often being an amalgamation of many different snippets of tales from different places and communities spread orally. There were twists that I didn’t see coming and moments where things clicked in to place and had me exclaiming out loud (to the confusion of my husband) and overall I just found this to be easy to get lost in, charming, enjoyable and uplifting to read.

This was such a fun, warm-hearted cosy fantasy but with a great adventure that kept it difficult to put down! There's a rich source of worldbuilding in British folktales and mythology which O'Neill uses to create an equally and immense rich world here. There's a splendid cast of creatures that you can't help but feel affection towards, particularly our protagonist, Jenny Greenteeth, and I loved how this wasn't about a group of people who sought out a quest but more of those bound by a shared purpose and a shared emotion that they couldn't let things happen! The writing is also exceptional, straightforward and pithy but surprising and emphatic in places you wouldn't expect. It also evokes so much imagery and sensation, particularly around the interplay with nature, which really gave this story an ethereal undertone. I really hope more people pick this book up!

Quality Rating Four Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Four Stars

Greenteeth is a love letter to the folklore, mythology and fairy tales of the British Isles. Taking inspiration from a breadth of sources, a Jenny (river-hag), a witch and a goblin are sent to all corners of the UK on a classic adventure quest done right.

This book was so much fun, with so much heart. Someone please make it into a Dreamworks animated series or film. It marries together wondrous discovery and friendship with real struggles of identify, belonging and activism. I loved that the characters were all fallible, and their conflict often comes from understanding each other as much as the antagonists.

I'm so happy there's a resurgence of retellings of UK myth alongside the Classical and Asian reimagining that have recently come to prominence. And Greenteeth really does tick the box of every beloved cornerstone of our storytelling canon; from Fae to Avalon to unicorns to witches to the Wild Hunt to goblins and more. And it recognises the darker origins of these storytelling traditions; the novel is mostly 'cozy' but respects the primal aspects of old lore. Even as someone who wrote their dissertation on fairy tales (in film specifically), there were new things for me to uncover and devour.

While the hype around this book seems moderate, as a debut novel it really does leave a lasting impression - and for someone who love folklore and myth as much as I do it's a dream. I hope O'Neill does more work in this sort of storytelling.

“I’m sure your own mother or grandmother told you about Jenny Greenteeths. We make a good story for winter’s night when the wind is howling down the chimney and the fire is casting long shadows on the wall.”

Inspired by Arthurian legend and British folklore, Greenteeth follows Jenny and some unlikely friends as they quest to vanquish the Elder King. They must first complete three tasks set by Gwyn ap Nudd, king of the fae, to receive the blade to defeat the evil power that is the Elder King.

Greenteeth echoes folktales we were told as children growing up in Britain, of hags and Jenny Greenteeths—and for those of us growing up in Scotland—of kelpies and unicorns. This book is marketed as adult, but I feel it suits a younger audience with its simple writing and flair similar to Howl’s Moving Castle. The story beats are classic and recall children’s stories—found family, a quest to retrieve precious items and encountering magical creatures on the way, ultimately to vanquish an Erdrich evil from taking hold of the small village the characters reside. With it’s cosy countenance the stakes feel low throughout the book and it has a quiet wit that is a delight to uncover. Because of this I would say it’s more suited to those who enjoy books like The Spellshop and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

“I might not have eaten her, but I certainly wasn’t good. I wasn’t bad either. I simply was.”

‪Going into this book I was expecting a dark, adult folktale inspired story like those of T. Kingfisher, as is marketed, however I didn’t feel that in this book. It is light, simple and if you can overlook some of its tedious sequences, magical in its own way. Whimsy and a more tangible sense of magic was missing from this book, there are moments that could have been much more impactful with some figurative imagery and less literal descriptions. However, there are some nice passages that I had picturing as scenes plucked straight from Princess Mononoke. The dreamlike sequence during the second trial of the quest was interesting and gave the story some more whimsical action, plus the moment with the unicorns was quite moving, a welcome reprieve fro the matter-of-fact storytelling. ‬

“As the water trickled back to me I could perceive the contagion of the opposing spell, coating the water droplets like oil. It tasted like wood, like fit tees and pine needles. It was almost sweet at first it the longer I held it on my tongue the more it congealed into something rotten. I saw a dark forest, so overgrown that light could not penetrate and the whole undergrowth was dead. No life moved, no wind stirred the fallen leaves.”

The found family in this book was gentle and nice to read, with Jenny slowly warming to her humanity throughout the story. Despite this, I found that the misunderstanding between Jenny and Temperance became tedious very quickly. The rejection Jenny feels concerning her nature by Temperance, the human character, is understandable considering her lack of humanity, but she acts childish despite her years and this felt frustrating and shallow to read. The book shows Jenny gaining humanity through her friendships and this argument had the chance to reveal this to the reader but with the lack of reflective writing over literal description it was a lost opportunity. Misunderstandings and quarrels between characters can strengthen the found family and help the reader witness bonds be tested, however this felt trivial and at odds with the stakes and time constraints in which our characters were questing to solve. It would have been interesting to have the character of the Afnac explored—even as a character invited into their quest party—the instant resolution he brought Jenny to make amends felt trite. Jenny is a paradox, on one hand childish and defensive, on the other a centuries old mother and creature of folktale.

“I realised that they both thought I would give in. In that moment I knew I would do anything rather than admit defeat.”

Multiple point of views from the characters would have been so enjoyable in this book, helping the found family by exploring each character and their machinations. Exploring the disagreement Jenny and Temperance from both points of view could have shown the viewer more of their complexities as characters and as friends during the resolution. Some banter from Brackus’ perspective could’ve lightened the mood and strengthened their bond as a group—adding nicely to the cosiness this book is promoted to be. The beauty of this book is ultimately the way it transported me back to childhood, being told a bed time story full of magic, quests and friendship. An audiobook or oral telling of this book may be more immersive and it could be a good choice for a storytime reading to a younger audience.

Greenteeth is a wonderfully cozy historical fantasy, perfect for readers who enjoy folklore-rich storytelling. The novel weaves mythology and legend into an atmospheric tale that kept me engaged throughout.
The story follows Jenny, who stumbles upon a witch being drowned in her lake. As tensions rise in their village with the arrival of a new pastor, Jenny and the witch must embark on a journey to protect their home.
I particularly enjoyed the author's vivid descriptions of nature, which added to the immersive, almost dreamlike quality of the book. It also introduced me to aspects of British mythology I hadn't encountered before, making it both an entertaining and enlightening read.
Thank you for the audiobook and the e-arc, a great experience reading and listening at the some time.

'I'm sure your own mother or grandmother told you about Jenny Greenteeths. We make a good story for a winter's night when the wind is howling down the chimney and the fire is casting long shadows on the wall.. That's the best kind of night for stories. I bet you liked to curl up with a blanket and listen to tales about the bogeymen, the pixies, and the hobgoblins. Jenny's belong in fairy stories, and like the other fae creatures, we're more real than your mother would like to believe.'

I love the cover of this book, and this opening chapter from the book. As a child I was brought up in Lancashire, living close to a canal and River and was always told the tale of Jenny Greenteeth. I was petrified about going anywhere near the water and remember thinking the green algae or pond weed on the water was her hair. The tale both thrilled and fascinated me. It is a tale that has stayed with me into adulthood and I find myself warning my nephews about the dangers of going too close to the water as you never know what lurks beneath and Jenny could be waiting for you.

I really enjoyed this book and it took me back to those days of walks down the canal and river with my Dad. Jenny the lake monster, is sat cleaning her cave when she hears a splash in the water. It is a human witch who has been thrown in and Jenny decided to help her instead of eat her. I really enjoyed the concept of the story. It also features other mythological characters including the Erl King, unicorns and Hobgoblins. The pair battle the forces of darkness and go on an incredible adventure. I must admit I did find some of the writing a little pointless and boring in places overall I have really enjoyed this one and was transported back to my childhood and fairytales.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Molly O’Neill has blended Arthurian legends with folklore from the British Isles to create ‘Greenteeth’, a quest narrative featuring a rather unlikely found family.

Narrator Jenny Greenteeth is an ancient swamp beast whose peaceful existence is interrupted when a witch is hurled into her lake.

After saving Temperance from drowning, Jenny soon discovers that the evil force responsible for Temperance’s watery mishap is affecting a whole lot more than the witch’s wellbeing.

The unlikely pair team up with the hobgoblin Brackus to complete a series of tasks from the faerie king. In exchange, the king of the hunt will give them the resources necessary to defeat the evil that’s threatening Temperance and Jenny’s homeland.

Personally, I imagined Jenny as a kind of Gollum-meets-mermaid-from-2003-live-action-Peter-Pan hybrid, which was a whole lot of fun.

The narrative voice is youthful and bouncy but there are some violent scenes and darker themes, so check the content warnings before diving in!

'Greenteeth' will suit your TBR if you're a fan of: cosy fantasy with a dark twist; folk tales; task quests; and found family.

Thank you to @netgalley and @littlebrownbookgroup_uk for the digital ARC!

This book was a bit of a surprise to me, so I've been telling people about it ever since I read it and I hope it does good numbers too now it's out in the world!

The basic premise of Greenteeth is that it's told from the perspective of Jenny, who is a water-fae, living a happy life in her lake. One day that life is interrupted by the sudden appearance of an unexpected addition, namely a young woman (Temperance) who's been bound with chains and thrown into the lake to drown. She is, after all, a witch. Rather than letting Temperance drown, Jenny decides to rescue her and this starts the ball rolling in terms of their quest together to take down the black-clad pastor who tried to kill her and who is also controlling the people of Temperance's village (since he's not what he seems and is decidedly not human himself).

Along the way, Jenny and Temperance run across a wide variety of characters from English and Welsh mythology (the Wild Hunt, Gwyn ap Nud, hobgoblins etc) and both of them are changed by their experiences together. For a first novel, this is a well done piece of work and I can't wait to see what else this author does.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.