a_kt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Sadly, this book was a disappointment. The premise and "alternate history" feel of it is so intriguing, but the execution is just... not good. The characters are so two-dimensional they felt like parodies of actual people. The plot was fairly nonsensical. It was supposed to revolve around this whole revenge situation- but it was really unclear as to who the revenge was for? I think there was supposed to be some big twist/reveal towards the end of the book but the way it was written I had a moment of, "Wait, I thought we already knew this? Didn't they already tell us this was what happened? Or was it just so obvious I subconsciously 'figured out' the twist a while ago?" There was a romantic subplot, which had exactly negative chemistry. The end of the book ended up having one deus ex hippo after another. Needless character deaths. Lots of things that were very poorly explained. Just about the only saving grace of this book was that it was very short.
I'm going to start collecting books into a new subgenre called "YA novels except they say the f-word sometimes" which consists of books that are written at a middle-school level but advertised as adult fiction simply because some curse words are thrown around. That's exactly how I would describe this book.
I'm going to start collecting books into a new subgenre called "YA novels except they say the f-word sometimes" which consists of books that are written at a middle-school level but advertised as adult fiction simply because some curse words are thrown around. That's exactly how I would describe this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Transphobia and Racial slurs
avacadosocks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Child death
black_cat_iiix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gore
Moderate: Torture, Murder, Violence, Animal death, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Animal cruelty
b_mossy's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
quinnyquinnquinn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Animal death, and Torture
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
below_average_baker's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Some nice representation, I didn’t follow every line of the plot but it was fast paced enough that it didn’t entirely matter
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
studaslop's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
River of Teeth is a fast-paced, witty, and very indulgent work. The characters are distinct and fun and feel like they have long histories, despite the brevity of their introductions. Gailey’s alternative history is just grounded enough to be enjoyable, but not so alien as to be absurd. (That said, it is unfortunately absent of any explicitly Black or Indigenous people who would have made up a not insignificant portion of the population.) It was an unexpectedly queer story as well, which was a pleasant surprise.
My biggest issues with the novella really come down to the “-la” part—it’s too short! There are scenes and relationships I wish we could’ve seen develop more, and the third act felt rushed despite the fast-paced but balanced first and second acts.
All in all, though, I’m definitely going to get my hands on the sequel. I had a blast listening to the story. I *highly* recommend the audiobook. Some of the accents are suspect, but it’s very well done, really helps place you into the setting, and augments the campiness of it all.
My biggest issues with the novella really come down to the “-la” part—it’s too short! There are scenes and relationships I wish we could’ve seen develop more, and the third act felt rushed despite the fast-paced but balanced first and second acts.
All in all, though, I’m definitely going to get my hands on the sequel. I had a blast listening to the story. I *highly* recommend the audiobook. Some of the accents are suspect, but it’s very well done, really helps place you into the setting, and augments the campiness of it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child death, Animal death, and Gore
wreathedinviolets's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a nice romp through some hippo-infested swamps. I felt it was the perfect length— everything moved at a brisk pace but there was time for relationships to develop and I was definitely invested. It left me wanting more in a good way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
oliverreeds's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
good but the tension wasnt balanced. there should have been more exposition. more character building. so good tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Violence, Alcohol, Animal death, Pregnancy, Blood, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Torture