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adrienreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Short but excellent, the perfect pace for a bite-sized heist. I would die to see this as a movie. Fascinating alternative history premise with a charming cast of characters.
Some parts of the mystery/plot don't make a ton of sense - but in the way that makes the characters believably flawed, rather than criminal masterminds.
The nonbinary representation was particularly excellent - I've read few like it.
Some parts of the mystery/plot don't make a ton of sense - but in the way that makes the characters believably flawed, rather than criminal masterminds.
The nonbinary representation was particularly excellent - I've read few like it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Pregnancy
Less a warning than an endorsement, there is only one instance of near misgendering of the nonbinary character(quickly corrected), but no other. A rarity with this kind of character, especially in the time period, so it was exciting to me!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: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child death
katndrsn's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, and Death
studaslop's review
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: Animal death, Child death, and Gore
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: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
booksandteatime's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Rep: Nonbinary, pan/queer?, bikscheffrahn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Gore
emmy621's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Violence
xanthatepear's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A short, good book with incredible representation and fun, well-written characters that is a little gorier than I prefer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Gore
farbooksventure's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is a wild ride. I can't believe Tumblr give me a good book rec, for once.
The River of Teeth (aside from Watcher's Puppet History) is a testament that human history is (and always been) a wild road to navigate. Especially if you attempt to actively dig deeper into them. I still can't believe that this book is an alternate history. Who would've thought that hippo farming is something people have considered doing in early 20'the century America?
Overall, River of Teeth is a fun romp to read. Although admittedly, it can be way too violent for my taste sometimes (read the TWs, Folks). The over-the-top nature of the story reminds me of the various great fanfictions that I have been reading these past few years. The author writes freely and you can tell that they genuinely having fun with this story & characters.
I'm not rating the book higher because the ending isn't quite satisfactory for me. I also not particularly rooting for these characters even though I'm having a great time reading about them. These problems can be chalked up to the fact that this is a two-part novella, I think.
I would recommend River if Teeth to readers who are interested in a fictional story of mid 19'th century to early 20'th century America will all its wild & violent glory.
The River of Teeth (aside from Watcher's Puppet History) is a testament that human history is (and always been) a wild road to navigate. Especially if you attempt to actively dig deeper into them. I still can't believe that this book is an alternate history. Who would've thought that hippo farming is something people have considered doing in early 20'the century America?
Overall, River of Teeth is a fun romp to read. Although admittedly, it can be way too violent for my taste sometimes (read the TWs, Folks). The over-the-top nature of the story reminds me of the various great fanfictions that I have been reading these past few years. The author writes freely and you can tell that they genuinely having fun with this story & characters.
I'm not rating the book higher because the ending isn't quite satisfactory for me. I also not particularly rooting for these characters even though I'm having a great time reading about them. These problems can be chalked up to the fact that this is a two-part novella, I think.
I would recommend River if Teeth to readers who are interested in a fictional story of mid 19'th century to early 20'th century America will all its wild & violent glory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Child death