Thoroughly enjoyed this fun exploration of British myth and folklore interspersed tied together in a traditional quest that invoked thoughts of Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and choose your adventure games. The characters are easy to love, even when they are doing stupid things and the overall effect is a cozy fantasy adventure.
I do think that the narrator of the audiobook helped me to more fully enjoy the book as it allowed me to imagine the world in a way that I do not think I would have been able to had I been reading myself.

This was a very sweet and fun story that after a predictable plot had a surprising ending that touched the heart. The writing did lean a little juvenile for my tastes, but overall I'd recommend it to those who like cozy fantasy stories.

While I don’t usually gravitate toward fantasy, the horror elements of this story pulled me in. The eerie atmosphere and unsettling moments made for an engaging experience, even though the overall structure of the narrative felt quite familiar - following many of the tropes common in fantasy novels.

What stood out the most for me were the characters, who felt well-developed and compelling enough to keep me invested. Their struggles and interactions added depth to the story, making it more than just another fantasy tale. And the audiobook narration was fantastic. The voice acting brought the characters to life, enhancing the tension and emotion in a way that made the listening experience even more immersive.

While Greenteeth didn’t completely break new ground for me in terms of story structure, it was an enjoyable listen with a strong horror twist.

Well, I never thought another author would actually come close to the cozy dark fairytale-esque storytelling of T. Kingfisher for me, but Molly O’Neill proved me wrong in Greenteeth. Brimming with Celtic/British legends and folklore, loveable monsters, strong found family vibes, and lots of humour and heart, this is a deeply immersive and atmospheric fairytale-esque quest adventure with sharp teeth but a soft heart.

Now, I don’t know what I was expecting from Greenteeth, but it really surprised me in all the best ways. I mean, just listen to this wicked premise: a lake monster, a witch, a hobgoblin, and their trusty four-footer embark on an heroic magical quest throughout the mystical lands of Britain, Wales, Scotland, and faerie realms to defeat an ancient evil that threatens not just their home, but the very soul of Britain. It might sound like a lot, but somehow O’Neill pulls off her uniquely wild and charming vision for Greenteeth with effortless grace.

From the very first page, Jenny’s compelling and intimately vulnerable first person narration just sank its teeth in me, especially in combination with the exceptionally strong and immersive audiobook performance by Catrin Walker-Booth. And honestly, I don’t know what it says about me that I related so deeply to a centuries-old introverted lake monster with a tragic past, but here we are. I loved the exploration of change, humanity, and the nature of monsters through her perspective, and there were so many beautifully bittersweet moments of reflection and growth that tugged on my heartstrings in all the most unexpected ways.

And do not get me started on the found family vibes. Both Temperance the witch (a.k.a. the best and most fearsome momma bear) and Brackus the hobgoblin absolutely stole the show for me, and I loved all the frenemies-esque teasing banter between them all. They each have their own surprisingly emotional backstory that slowly comes to light as they bond throughout the different trials and tribulations they face during quest adventure, and seeing the sacrifices they were willing to make to protect the ones they loved really touched me.

For me, the slow, magical journey was admittedly more enjoyable than the slightly convenient and rushed destination, but that ultimately didn’t take away too much of the power of this heartfelt tale of humanity, courage, compassion and (found) family. In classic fairytale fashion, Greenteeth has some darkly disturbing monstrosities lurking just beneath its wonderfully whimsical surface, and I highly recommend sinking your teeth into this quirky adventure when your dark soul wants a bit of a hug.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette, UK Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Greenteeth is scheduled for release on February 25, 2025.

Greenteeth is such a lovely read for me. When I first saw the cover, I wasn't expecting it to be this cosy but I think the cover fits the story perfectly. The story is about a quest to defeat the Erl King, which brings together a witch, a goblin, and a Jenny Greenteeth. I really love the characters and I fell in love with the story from the very first line. As for the audiobook, the narrator did an excellent job of bringing these characters to life. If you enjoy cozy fantasy with an epic quest, I definitely recommend picking up this book. I highly recommend the audiobook as well. I can't wait to read more from the author in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette UK Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

Molly O’Neill’s Greenteeth is a haunting, lyrical novel that lures you in like a dark fairytale whispered at the edge of a misty lake. Blending folklore and modern-day suspense, the story revolves around the sinister legend of Jenny Greenteeth — a water spirit said to drag the unwary to their doom — and the tense, eerie relationship between the two central characters, Jenny and Temperance.

Jenny, a woman forever linked to the folklore of her small, isolated village, is both a victim of rumor and a force of nature herself. Temperance, an outsider in many ways, finds herself caught in the tangled web of local myths, half-truths, and dark secrets. As the novel unfolds, their fates become more and more entwined, with the story expertly walking the line between supernatural horror and very human fear.

O’Neill’s writing is rich and atmospheric — you can almost feel the dampness of the water, hear the rustling reeds, and sense the silent weight of something watching beneath the surface. The novel’s strength lies not just in its chilling moments, but in how it explores grief, guilt, and the way small communities can turn both protective and hostile in the face of the unknown.

If there’s any slight flaw, it’s that the final confrontation felt a little abrupt, especially after such a slow, suspenseful build-up. I would have loved just a bit more time to let the climax breathe. Still, the emotional resonance and the way the novel blurs the lines between myth and reality are masterfully done.

Greenteeth is perfect for fans of dark, magical realism and unsettling small-town mysteries. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you long after the final page — like a whisper in the reeds or a ripple on the water’s surface. Highly recommended.

Overall, this was not a bad debut novel. It was a promising folklore inspired story, and I liked many of the unusual fae descriptions. However, it lacked in some aspects.

I would not say it's low stakes, since the UK and the world as a whole is at stake, so cozy fantasy doesn't feel quite right, but it's not an epic fantasy with battles either. This started more cosy, then started to move towards higher stakes, but never felt like it properly fulfilled either option.
It was a a slow, cute story about found family, with no romance.
However, the pacing did feel odd at times. It was essentially just 3 lame (imo) quests one after another, all kind of predictable, and SPOILERS ---- it was clear from the start it was going to be pretty useless too, with repeated mention of chekov's sword----.

Jenny felt like a great complicated character, however the side characters felt a bit flat, and I would've really liked to see Temp's family reunite on page or even mention her seeing them before the battle or something. Maybe some of the motivation for Brackus too.

Both the pacing and character types, made it feel like a sort of DnD campaign.

I both read and listened to the audiobook for this one, and the following is reviewing solely on the audiobook.
While her audio did a good job at differentiating characters, and was very clear, I feel like there could have been more emotion in her narration. I don't think the text was as calm as the narrator sounded, but I may have interpreted it differently. For such a monstrous being she sounded a little too upper-class-modern-day human, to me.

3.5 ⭐️rounded up
ARC review - Thank you NetGalley and Hachette UK audio!

Fae and found family, hell yesss. This was just the cosy folklore/fantasy book I needed. Set around Arthurian legends and told from the POV of Jenny Greenteeth our ‘Monster’. It was such an easy listen and I loved Jennys character development and her relationship with Temperance. I also loved the different creatures from folklore that made an appearance, found myself deep in a google black hole understanding their stories which I love to do.

The battle with the Erl King was a bit of a let down for me, and what happened to Cavall 😭

All in all I would definitely recommend if you are after a cosy easy read or audiobook listen 🧙🏼‍♀️

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for access to Audio copy of this title.
This is the perfect cosy fantasy! the location (UK), mythological characters, witchiness, and strong characters with unlikely friendships and found family vibes are just scratching the surface of this one. This is what I had hoped Emily Wilde's would have been. It was refreshing to read something that didn't HAVE to have a romantic love interest. The relationships were deep and nuanced, and had interesting conversations about things like - if revenge is ever justified; the effect of fear on perceptions of people; what makes a person bad, "all the way bad" versus "just a little bit bad"; and how bad decisions can seem to be the right thing in the moment.
There was a couple of dips in the story when I felt less invested, but them moments were still beautifully written.
As for the audio itself... The voice actor was well chosen and I enjoyed the audio.
I would recommend this to readers that enjoy mythological characters, found family vibes, characters with depth and an unpredictable plot.

the voice of the narrator was very gripping and soothing to listen to, exactly what one would want for this kind of book.
a slow paced fairytale filled with found family and a quest.
characters that are simple jet not lacking.
a lovely read for a slow morning.

I love and admire the work of Katherine Arden and The Kingfisher, and having heard good things about this book —Greenteeth had to get my hands on it. And the audiobook version was just perfect, how better to start or end my days in long walks with my dogs than a historical fantasy that pulled me into a fairytale like quest!

The where to start, the narrator - Catrin Walker-Booth is fabulously versatile - providing distinct accents and tones for each character, making each individually recognisable and truly bringing an additional facet to these wonderfully multi-hued characters!

The book itself stars the most unlikely group of protagonists Jenny Greenteeth, an ancient water-hag, Temperance Crump, a hedge witch, and a goblin, Brackus. Never a more unlikely trio will you meet and come to adore as they embark upon a series of dark and difficult adventures.

Told from Jenny’s perspective, this standalone fantasy presents a series of physical, mental, and moral challenges that unite and divide our intrepid trio, as they work to solve three challenges set by the high fae king to defeat the evil that has come to Jenny’s doorstep.

I loved this story from start to end and found myself extending my dog walks - yes, I totally wore out my poor pups, just to be able to listen to one more chapter. I was hooked by the growth and development of this truly odd found family and that ending definitely had my heart in my mouth!

I absolutely adore books that combine fairytale, myth, magic and historical fantasy, especially when there are fae involved, and truly adored thus take from start to end.

Jenny Greenteeth lived alone in her lake until the day she saved Temperance after the local priest had her shackled and thrown into the lake to drown for being a witch. The adventure begins and will introduce us to fae, folklore, good and evil.

Vert well written and very well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Really great characters in this well paced novel. Jenny’s lake and village are in danger but how can the evil be defeated? Three must complete quests to gain the necessary materials for a special weapon. Hopefully they can save the future. Brilliant read.

A witch, a water fae and a goblin try to save the world. This is a beautifully written light fantasy with some dark threads and has a very T Kingfisher feel to the story.

The tale begins with a quick dramatic scene and begins to increase in action as our characters begin their quests. A great example of found family and how they experience events and people differently due to their different race or appearances. The links to the Arthurian legend was an interesting and unique spin although at times it felt a little unrelated. However it all comes together for the finale.

I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend for any fantasy or fairytale lovers.

Green Teeth follows Jenny Greenteeth, river creature from English lore and her unlikely friendship with a human witch and a goblin. The three set out on an adventure to save the witch's village from an ancient evil-- facing mystical obstacles along the way. I loved the humour in the storytelling, and I'm legitimately sad to part with these characters. O'Neill does an amazing job balancing light-hearted wit with real stakes and tension. This is a new favourite for me!

I loved the folklore in this book and the references of different legend. However this book felt slow and the characters not that compelling. The plot and quest were engaging and the antagonist was interesting but the pacing had issues for me.
Overall, it was a good read.

What a wonderful standalone historical fantasy book with an unlikely protagonist, a fairytale-like quest and the question of what is good and what is bad, including a dash of the conflict between the old ways and the new. I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator Catrin Walker-Booth was fabulous, giving all the characters unique voices and accents and bringing them to life.

I loved Jenny as a protagonist because she is very much herself, with simple wants and needs, but open to leaving her comfortable life and helping others. She was portrayed so well throughout the book, always consistent with her nature and more than once with, from a moral standpoint, questionable views and decisions, but that's what made her seem real. I also loved the fun trio of adventurers who have to fulfill the quests at hand to defeat evil - in that way the book was very traditionally fairytale-like, even though their solutions might not always be.

The only thing that nagged me a little was the pacing. At times it felt a little slow and it didn't always manage to hold my attention. There's also a little drama inbetween, which wasn't strictly necessary for the plot and annoyed me a little, but it was solved and thus bearable.

Overall a wonderful book, especially the audiobook version was great. Everyone who loves historical fantasy combined with folklore and fae creatures, like in Gorse or The Bear and the Nightingale or T. Kingfisher books, will probably want to give this book a go as well, even though it's bit cozier and less dark.

Thanks to Hachette UK Audio and Netgalley for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Greenteeth by Mollie O’Neil

I have been enjoying some more fantasy reads lately, so took a chance on this in audiobook when it popped up available on Netgalley for review.

I love exploring different myths and legends in my reading, usually drawn to greek mythology in particular, I have been interested to branch out further, not only to other myths from around the world, but also Celtic, which I nearly nothing about so far. I’ve recently been watching Lord of the Rings for the first time so I think this has had something to do with peaking my interest.

This novel was a great adventure, following an unlikely group of companions as they attempt to save their village. I loved all the different type of characters and creatures they met along the way. I really loved the group, their humour and all of their clashes along the way. I’m certainly ready to read some more. I would only say part of the ending felt very obvious, something that was supposed to feel like a twist that didn’t land for me at all.

thank you so much to hachette uk audio and netgalley for the audiobook!

i absolutely adored the audiobook. it was easy to follow, i felt no confusion ever about who was speaking, and i could even listen to it at 2.5x with no problem! i will definitely be listening to more Catrin Walker-Booth narrated books in the future!

onto the book itself:
Greenteeth is a cosy fantasy that follows Jenny Greenteeth, a lake monster who finds a witch, Temperance, thrown into her lake by her village. Jenny decides to save her and bring her to her cave. Temperance has no idea why her village turned against her and decided to listen to their new pastor, but all she wants to do is go home to her husband and children, who are also trapped under the pastor's influence.
Jenny decides to help Temperance to find a way to defeat the evil pastor, and decides to contact Brackus, a goblin she's not too fond of but knows he can help them. soon enough they are all on a magical quest to save Temperance's village.

this was such a cute and cosy fantasy. i was enthralled from the moment i read it and loved following Jenny along her quest. the magical world was so easy to fall into and the quest was so much fun. the folklore embedded within this story was probably my favourite part as we got to see and meet many different creatures.

it was so nice to see the subtle character development of Jenny as she is not really used to being around people and watching her slowly get attached. her friendship with Temperance was everything and i loved that despite their many differences, they came as one and helped each other along the way.
also i love Brackus, bless him. he is the sweetest and deserves the world!! i loved his relationships with Jenny and Temperance and how it developed along the way.

overall, this was such a fun read and i loved the banter throughout.

A quirky and unique adventure fantasy story, almost fairytale like about a lake monster called Jenny.

A tale of wondrous characters including a Goblin, a Witch, a Fae King and some unlikely friendships.

This book started really well built a great picture and narrative, however it was a little drawn out in places, however did pick up fairly quickly and provided some great humour throughout.

The narrator for the audiobook did a fabulous job, which enhanced the whole read/listening experience for me.

A very enjoyable listen/read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

I am raving about this book to everyone I talk to right now, I loved it so much.

Greenteeth follows a Jenny Greenteeth and her friendship with a witch the town tries to drown in her lake. Packed with English mythology and Arthuriana, with a focus on female friendship and motherhood, this book was just so incredibly refreshing. The lack of romance in favour of a friendship between two women who are older than the average fantasy protagonist, who are both well-rounded and have plenty of flaws and conflicts, is so fun. O'Neill also manages to balance perfectly the somber moments with comedy.

I need more Monster-POV fantasy where the monster is just some guy! Attempting to go on with their day! Between this and 'Someone You Can Build A Nest In' I have been having so much fun, and I hope this trend continues.

The narrator for the audiobook was brilliant! Their voice work especially, with accents and differentiating character voices, made this such a joy to listen to.

My favourite read of 2025 so far I think!