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Greenteeth
Beneath the still surface of a lake lurks a monster with needle-sharp teeth. Hungry and ready to pounce. Jenny Greenteeth has never spoken to a human before, but when a witch is thrown into her lake, something makes Jenny decide she’s worth saving.
Temperance doesn’t know why her village has suddenly turned against her, only that it has something to do with the malevolent new pastor. Though they have nothing in common, these two must band together on a magical quest to defeat the evil that threatens Jenny’s lake and Temperance’s family � as well as the very soul of Britain.
Temperance doesn’t know why her village has suddenly turned against her, only that it has something to do with the malevolent new pastor. Though they have nothing in common, these two must band together on a magical quest to defeat the evil that threatens Jenny’s lake and Temperance’s family � as well as the very soul of Britain.
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2025
622 people are currently reading
21.3k people want to read
About the author
Molly O'Neill
1book132followersMolly O’Neill is a fantasy author and engineering geologist. She was born and raised in the Cotswolds and moved to Australia in 2019. She now lives in Sydney, on the land of the Gadigal People.
Molly writes fantasy books inspired by the beautiful landscapes of her two countries, and by the folklore of the British Isles. She particularly loves the darker Arthurian legends and the Welsh myths of the Mabinogion and often uses them as a foundation for her stories.
Her first novel, Greenteeth, is out now,
Molly writes fantasy books inspired by the beautiful landscapes of her two countries, and by the folklore of the British Isles. She particularly loves the darker Arthurian legends and the Welsh myths of the Mabinogion and often uses them as a foundation for her stories.
Her first novel, Greenteeth, is out now,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 696 reviews
December 12, 2024
Greenteeth is an enjoyable and heartwarming romp through the folklore of England, Wales, and beyond. Characters include Jenny Greenteeth, the Erl King, Gwyn ap Nudd (ruler of the high fae) and his lover Creiddylad, a goblin, an afanc (lake monster), and many other denizens of both the faerie and mortal realms. The latter part of the book also pulls heavily from Arthurian legend, and Arthur's favorite dog, Cavall, plays a large part in the story (although he's Gwyn and Creiddylad's companion in this novel). Jenny and her friends fight the great boar, Twrch Trwyth, while on their quest to defeat the Erl King, come face to face with the last of the unicorns, and walk the Wild Roads to find the faerie court. Basically, there's a whole lot of folklore squished into this book and it's really quite delightful.
The setting, too, is wonderful, and the descriptions of the landscape made me pine for the moors of England, the mountains of Wales, and the lochs of Scotland. The writing is vivid and you almost feel as if you're there with Jenny, Temperance, and Brackus as they travel the countryside at the behest of the faerie king.
The story itself is about what you'd expect from reading the blurb. It's a common trope in the fantasy genre: a reclusive “monster� ends up on a quest, makes friends along the way, and ultimately decides that maybe other people (or fae) aren't so bad after all. There's not a whole lot of surprises here � the story follows the traditional format for these types of things � but the twist at the climax of the story was completely unexpected. I never saw it coming, although looking back with hindsight I suppose that maybe I should have. While I enjoyed the rest of it, it was really the ending that propelled it into “this is really fantastic� territory for me.
Oh, and for those of you that are wondering about Cavall and whether or not he lives:
Overall, Greenteeth is a delightful, feel-good tale that isn't afraid to borrow from all the old folk tales. It's obvious that Molly O'Neill has done her research as far as the legends of the United Kingdom are concerned, and it's really quite impressive for a debut novel. My rating: 4.55 stars, rounded up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is February 25, 2025.
The setting, too, is wonderful, and the descriptions of the landscape made me pine for the moors of England, the mountains of Wales, and the lochs of Scotland. The writing is vivid and you almost feel as if you're there with Jenny, Temperance, and Brackus as they travel the countryside at the behest of the faerie king.
The story itself is about what you'd expect from reading the blurb. It's a common trope in the fantasy genre: a reclusive “monster� ends up on a quest, makes friends along the way, and ultimately decides that maybe other people (or fae) aren't so bad after all. There's not a whole lot of surprises here � the story follows the traditional format for these types of things � but the twist at the climax of the story was completely unexpected. I never saw it coming, although looking back with hindsight I suppose that maybe I should have. While I enjoyed the rest of it, it was really the ending that propelled it into “this is really fantastic� territory for me.
Oh, and for those of you that are wondering about Cavall and whether or not he lives:
Overall, Greenteeth is a delightful, feel-good tale that isn't afraid to borrow from all the old folk tales. It's obvious that Molly O'Neill has done her research as far as the legends of the United Kingdom are concerned, and it's really quite impressive for a debut novel. My rating: 4.55 stars, rounded up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is February 25, 2025.
January 20, 2025
The cover may be pretty to look at but I found this book to be soooo dull and boring. Most of the dialogue between characters was meandering and didn’t feel necessary. More to fill in the gaps of a mediocre story. Thankfully it was short sooo there’s that going for it.
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February 11, 2025
3.25⭐️ | |
I saw a book about a monster named Jenny and requested it without a second thought. Then I read it and learned that all the lake monsters were called Jenny and it cemented my desire to keep reading.
I am a simple girl with simple needs and a normal size ego - give me a book with a main character with the same name as me and I’ll probably have a good time.
What’s to love�
- fairytale vibes
- perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and low stakes
- lush world and pretty prose
- a quest! (gosh I love quests!)
- found family
- romance-free
What’s not to love�
- the plot is meandering and slow - if you’re someone that wants fast paced this may not be the right choice for you.
- I would have like a little more depth from the characters.
Overall this was a cute little romp and would be a perfect pick for fans of cozy fairytale fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I saw a book about a monster named Jenny and requested it without a second thought. Then I read it and learned that all the lake monsters were called Jenny and it cemented my desire to keep reading.
I am a simple girl with simple needs and a normal size ego - give me a book with a main character with the same name as me and I’ll probably have a good time.
What’s to love�
- fairytale vibes
- perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and low stakes
- lush world and pretty prose
- a quest! (gosh I love quests!)
- found family
- romance-free
What’s not to love�
- the plot is meandering and slow - if you’re someone that wants fast paced this may not be the right choice for you.
- I would have like a little more depth from the characters.
Overall this was a cute little romp and would be a perfect pick for fans of cozy fairytale fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
April 9, 2025
The Jenny
Jenny Greenteeth was one of the last Jennys to survive the depletion of magic in the world. Jenny is a lower fae whose power comes from the water she protects and cleans regularly. She has a sump where she can swim through a dark and hidden channel and come up in her small cave. There she sleeps and collects the odd trinkets that she finds in her lake.
One day she hears a great ruckus from the humans and watch them toss a young woman bound with iron into her lake. Jenny isn’t fond of humans, but she is less fond of the evil creature in black who threw the young woman to her death. Interestingly, Jenny discovers the woman is a witch and decides to take her to the cave where she would be safe from the others.
The story of Jenny Greenteeth, Temperance the witch and the goblin peddler on a quest is marvelous. They have many adventures along the way and eventually gain help from The Wild Hunt. I did this book on Audible and the performance was very good. Greenteeth is the most fun I have had in a book since the stories of the round table and Merlin. I hereby dub this book a five star masterpiece.
Jenny Greenteeth was one of the last Jennys to survive the depletion of magic in the world. Jenny is a lower fae whose power comes from the water she protects and cleans regularly. She has a sump where she can swim through a dark and hidden channel and come up in her small cave. There she sleeps and collects the odd trinkets that she finds in her lake.
One day she hears a great ruckus from the humans and watch them toss a young woman bound with iron into her lake. Jenny isn’t fond of humans, but she is less fond of the evil creature in black who threw the young woman to her death. Interestingly, Jenny discovers the woman is a witch and decides to take her to the cave where she would be safe from the others.
The story of Jenny Greenteeth, Temperance the witch and the goblin peddler on a quest is marvelous. They have many adventures along the way and eventually gain help from The Wild Hunt. I did this book on Audible and the performance was very good. Greenteeth is the most fun I have had in a book since the stories of the round table and Merlin. I hereby dub this book a five star masterpiece.
December 12, 2024
This was absolutely delightful! Greenteeth is a story about a lake monster, a witch, and a goblin going on a heroic quest. Along the way, they fight monsters, chase unicorns, and learn to trust each other. Like any good modern fairy-tale, it has a lot of heart, a lot of humour, and a lot of adventure - and a terrifying villain who must be defeated at all costs. I loved the atmosphere of it: the story takes us from the south of England to Wales to Scotland, and I could tell the author had a lot of love for all these places. The moment they crossed into Scotland and could tell because of the midgies was one of my favourites!
The setting and the magic reminded me a bit of Pratchett's Witches, and while it felt gentler, more fairy-tale-like than Pratchett's biting satire, I also appreciated how the story wasn't all light-heartedness, but it had its moment of darkness too. This one was definitely a highlight!
Thanks to Orbit for the ARC of the audiobook!
The setting and the magic reminded me a bit of Pratchett's Witches, and while it felt gentler, more fairy-tale-like than Pratchett's biting satire, I also appreciated how the story wasn't all light-heartedness, but it had its moment of darkness too. This one was definitely a highlight!
Thanks to Orbit for the ARC of the audiobook!
February 24, 2025
This review was originally published on
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.
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.
January 14, 2025
Man, I'm conflicted on this. 3.5/5
The Writing:
Within the first page or 5 of this I was really feeling the promise. Jenny is just so voicey in a way that I really love. And after a year of rather lackluster releases, it was amazing to read a debut that's so well composed!
The Characters:
What O'Neill clearly loves and held in mind first and foremost was the characters. And primarily Jenny, at that. This is a character-driven story and if you don't like the characters and their banter, I'm afraid this won't be the book for you. I truly believe that the author had these characters in mind and crafted a janky story around them to bring them to the page.
Jenny's primary traits are pettiness and curiosity. Imagine Ariel from The Little Mermaid with all her whozits and whatsits... but Jenny has very sharp teeth, a clean cave, and an immaculate collection of skulls. She's not afraid to hold onto a grudge and may even do so with glee.
I think Brackus and Temperance had a lot more characterization in the beginning of the novel when there were moments of playfulness and banter, but were reduced more and more down to just 'hero' or 'martyr' or 'party filler' as the quest went on.
The Plot:
What really made me stall out on reading this was when I realized it was just a series of fetch quests for a MacGuffin. That's one of my least favourite tropes in fiction, it makes me want to tear my hair out in video games, and I just wasn't ready to sit through the futility here. In all likeliness, your tolerance is higher than mine (it's hard to get lower, honestly) so this may not be an issue for you.
I also often felt like Jenny was clearly the main character, but her companions weren't given enough to do during their quests. Each one was only accomplished because of Jenny. And ultimately that's not as satisfying for me, especially when the author is trying to create a found family and show how they're stronger together, and when it's repetitive over multiple tasks.
Pacing:
The beginning of this is definitely more on the cozy end with low stakes and several chapters that are just hanging out and full of banter. But by the end the chapters have much higher stakes and almost no banter whatsoever.
Again, I think this is a debut issue and something that will improve in her future books. But I personally preferred the beginning and didn't feel like the high stakes were paid off enough to forgive the exclusion of banter.
The Setting:
Alright, this one's definitely on me. I had an initial inclination of the type of setting/inspiration this might draw from, but brushed it off and was happy when it seemed to be going in a different direction. I was less happy when it seemed to be focused on witch trials and evil preachers, but thankfully that's not a huge percentage of the book.
Unfortunately the reveal at the end of the book proved my initial inclination to be accurate, and I found that wildly disappointing.
Note: I don't like to spoil these sorts of details in case astute readers like to pick up on it themselves, but if you're curious what I don't vibe with and hoped wouldn't be the ultimate direction of the novel, it's (SPOILER) .
Overall:
So I had a real blast in the first 25%-30% of the novel, then a real lack of desire to go on which I eventually persevered through, and finally more of a whimper of an ending. But man, that beginning was such a banger for me and even made me consider creating fanart! There are some bits I really loved and can picture so vividly.
So overall I was initially excited to preorder, then ultimately not in love enough to add it to my personal library. But still happy to have read it.
The story is disjointed and I'm not sure how cohesive it is by the end. But it's fairly solid for a debut and I'm interested to see what this author comes out with next.
Does the dog die?:
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Writing:
Within the first page or 5 of this I was really feeling the promise. Jenny is just so voicey in a way that I really love. And after a year of rather lackluster releases, it was amazing to read a debut that's so well composed!
The Characters:
What O'Neill clearly loves and held in mind first and foremost was the characters. And primarily Jenny, at that. This is a character-driven story and if you don't like the characters and their banter, I'm afraid this won't be the book for you. I truly believe that the author had these characters in mind and crafted a janky story around them to bring them to the page.
Jenny's primary traits are pettiness and curiosity. Imagine Ariel from The Little Mermaid with all her whozits and whatsits... but Jenny has very sharp teeth, a clean cave, and an immaculate collection of skulls. She's not afraid to hold onto a grudge and may even do so with glee.
I think Brackus and Temperance had a lot more characterization in the beginning of the novel when there were moments of playfulness and banter, but were reduced more and more down to just 'hero' or 'martyr' or 'party filler' as the quest went on.
The Plot:
What really made me stall out on reading this was when I realized it was just a series of fetch quests for a MacGuffin. That's one of my least favourite tropes in fiction, it makes me want to tear my hair out in video games, and I just wasn't ready to sit through the futility here. In all likeliness, your tolerance is higher than mine (it's hard to get lower, honestly) so this may not be an issue for you.
I also often felt like Jenny was clearly the main character, but her companions weren't given enough to do during their quests. Each one was only accomplished because of Jenny. And ultimately that's not as satisfying for me, especially when the author is trying to create a found family and show how they're stronger together, and when it's repetitive over multiple tasks.
Pacing:
The beginning of this is definitely more on the cozy end with low stakes and several chapters that are just hanging out and full of banter. But by the end the chapters have much higher stakes and almost no banter whatsoever.
Again, I think this is a debut issue and something that will improve in her future books. But I personally preferred the beginning and didn't feel like the high stakes were paid off enough to forgive the exclusion of banter.
The Setting:
Alright, this one's definitely on me. I had an initial inclination of the type of setting/inspiration this might draw from, but brushed it off and was happy when it seemed to be going in a different direction. I was less happy when it seemed to be focused on witch trials and evil preachers, but thankfully that's not a huge percentage of the book.
Unfortunately the reveal at the end of the book proved my initial inclination to be accurate, and I found that wildly disappointing.
Note: I don't like to spoil these sorts of details in case astute readers like to pick up on it themselves, but if you're curious what I don't vibe with and hoped wouldn't be the ultimate direction of the novel, it's (SPOILER) .
Overall:
So I had a real blast in the first 25%-30% of the novel, then a real lack of desire to go on which I eventually persevered through, and finally more of a whimper of an ending. But man, that beginning was such a banger for me and even made me consider creating fanart! There are some bits I really loved and can picture so vividly.
So overall I was initially excited to preorder, then ultimately not in love enough to add it to my personal library. But still happy to have read it.
The story is disjointed and I'm not sure how cohesive it is by the end. But it's fairly solid for a debut and I'm interested to see what this author comes out with next.
Does the dog die?:
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 25, 2025
Happy publication day 🥳🎉
Gushy review incoming!
I requested Greenteeth on NetGalley expecting a little fantasy and some distraction from the real world. I certainly didn’t expect to shed a few tears nor did I expect to have falllen in love with a Lake Monster a Witch and a Hobgoblin by the end.
I was hooked from the first few lines when we meet Jenny Greenteeth doing a little housework in her lake and is distracted by the splash of a human being thrown in, instead of eating her she decides to save her, she soon discovers that Temperance has been accused and tried for witchcraft, The pair enlist the help of Brackis, a travelling salesman and Hobgoblin to source the materials they’ll need to free Temperance from the fate dealt to her. They embark on a truly dangerous yet magical mission together.
What follows is a beautiful tale utterly steeped in folklore from each corner of the U.K. some that I hadn’t even heard of. Most importantly though there’s a great deal of hope, the affirmation of friendships, and the power to overcome.
The writing is beautiful. I was mesmerised.
Catrin Walker-Booth has narrated the story perfectly.
I absolutely adored this, and I really can’t wait to see what comes next from the author. You’ll definitely want this on your 2025 tbr. I’ve actually just noted that the release date is my mammys birthday, so that’s cute 🥰
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Huge thanks to Hachette UK audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC for which all thoughts are my own.
Gushy review incoming!
I requested Greenteeth on NetGalley expecting a little fantasy and some distraction from the real world. I certainly didn’t expect to shed a few tears nor did I expect to have falllen in love with a Lake Monster a Witch and a Hobgoblin by the end.
I was hooked from the first few lines when we meet Jenny Greenteeth doing a little housework in her lake and is distracted by the splash of a human being thrown in, instead of eating her she decides to save her, she soon discovers that Temperance has been accused and tried for witchcraft, The pair enlist the help of Brackis, a travelling salesman and Hobgoblin to source the materials they’ll need to free Temperance from the fate dealt to her. They embark on a truly dangerous yet magical mission together.
What follows is a beautiful tale utterly steeped in folklore from each corner of the U.K. some that I hadn’t even heard of. Most importantly though there’s a great deal of hope, the affirmation of friendships, and the power to overcome.
The writing is beautiful. I was mesmerised.
Catrin Walker-Booth has narrated the story perfectly.
I absolutely adored this, and I really can’t wait to see what comes next from the author. You’ll definitely want this on your 2025 tbr. I’ve actually just noted that the release date is my mammys birthday, so that’s cute 🥰
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Huge thanks to Hachette UK audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC for which all thoughts are my own.
March 28, 2025
Greenteeth is a warm, engaging fantasy that makes a reader want to curl up and enjoy the journey. Jenny Greenteeth is thoughtfully and vividly personified from the British legends and in such an appealing way. The water hag faerie being who is often depicted as malevolent or at least predatory is brought to life as a character whose point of view is insightful, earthy and humorous at times, and melancholic in others. This book says a lot in a naturalistic manner, igniting joy in the reader along the way. Greenteeth is so enjoyable, with all the elements that fantasy readers would enjoy, great world building, a clash between evil and good, awe-inspiring magic and creatures of lore and legend, and eerie beings and places in faery lands. There is a bittersweet element in that this story recognizes that things always change with time, but there is also joy in looking forward. I recommend this for fans of faerie lore, legends and the creatures that inhabit those legends, and cozy fantasy lovers.
Overall rating: 4.5 stars/5.0 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. .
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley, courtesy of Orbit Books.
Overall rating: 4.5 stars/5.0 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. .
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley, courtesy of Orbit Books.
January 18, 2025
There is a lot to like in Molly O'Neill's Greenteeth. Lots of myths and legends, Arthurian ones primarily, and a story told by an actual monster. As a German who had to learn Goethe's öԾ ballad by heart back in school and loves it dearly to this day I thought it was cool to have this character featured in a fantasy book, though obviously its the author's own spin on him (that I, admittedly, did not enjoy all the way through). I liked our main character, the titular Jenny Greenteeth who doesn't actually have green teeth, and I'm always happy to read a quest story. So for all that, this is a nice little read for sure.
I did have some issues with it though. For one, the beginning of the book was absolutely amazing and I immediately got hooked. Jenny's narrative voice was actually monstrous and unique. All of that changed, though, once Temperance - a woman accused of witchcraft by the new priest of her village and thrown into Jenny's lake to die that also turns out to be an actual witch - appears in the story. One of the very first things Temperance does after she meets this scary lake monster that she didn't even know existed and generally knows nothing about is telling said monster her entire life story in the form of an incredibly cringey unrealistic monologue that goes on for multiple pages. Noone does that, and just like that I was completely pulled out of the story.
Temperance proceeds to be the weakest character all around and I really did not enjoy her one bit. There are quite a few inconsistencies both in her story and her as a character, like her saying she doesn't know any spells to defend herself yet a few pages later basically hurling around fireballs.
But I also slowly but surely started to like Jenny less and less, because her narrative voice changes quite harshly. She talks like a human, she often thinks like a human, she doesn't act monstrously for most of the book (and walking on all fours does not count that much, alright) and I was just hoping for more, say, moral questions brought up due to her being very much not human. I still liked her the most and think she had so much potential, and her story was what kept me reading, but there could have been done more.
The story is nice enough, but sadly, the quest part feels at times drawn out then rushed completely, and there was no real excitement there. I also rarely felt like Jenny's companions, besides the dog, were of that much use to her. The villain is interesting at first, but later on becomes a bit carricature-y. He did fit the general vibes of the story though.
So yes, the vibes, the atmosphere, the myths involved and the little twist at the end were all well done, and it's still an enjoyable book and a quick, fun read. But it could have been much more than that, and the uneven pacing, the characters other than Jenny (and the dog) that I just never really warmed up to and the at times clunky writing made this more of a 2,5 star read for me, rounding up to 3.
Many thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for the arc!
I did have some issues with it though. For one, the beginning of the book was absolutely amazing and I immediately got hooked. Jenny's narrative voice was actually monstrous and unique. All of that changed, though, once Temperance - a woman accused of witchcraft by the new priest of her village and thrown into Jenny's lake to die that also turns out to be an actual witch - appears in the story. One of the very first things Temperance does after she meets this scary lake monster that she didn't even know existed and generally knows nothing about is telling said monster her entire life story in the form of an incredibly cringey unrealistic monologue that goes on for multiple pages. Noone does that, and just like that I was completely pulled out of the story.
Temperance proceeds to be the weakest character all around and I really did not enjoy her one bit. There are quite a few inconsistencies both in her story and her as a character, like her saying she doesn't know any spells to defend herself yet a few pages later basically hurling around fireballs.
But I also slowly but surely started to like Jenny less and less, because her narrative voice changes quite harshly. She talks like a human, she often thinks like a human, she doesn't act monstrously for most of the book (and walking on all fours does not count that much, alright) and I was just hoping for more, say, moral questions brought up due to her being very much not human. I still liked her the most and think she had so much potential, and her story was what kept me reading, but there could have been done more.
The story is nice enough, but sadly, the quest part feels at times drawn out then rushed completely, and there was no real excitement there. I also rarely felt like Jenny's companions, besides the dog, were of that much use to her. The villain is interesting at first, but later on becomes a bit carricature-y. He did fit the general vibes of the story though.
So yes, the vibes, the atmosphere, the myths involved and the little twist at the end were all well done, and it's still an enjoyable book and a quick, fun read. But it could have been much more than that, and the uneven pacing, the characters other than Jenny (and the dog) that I just never really warmed up to and the at times clunky writing made this more of a 2,5 star read for me, rounding up to 3.
Many thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for the arc!
February 13, 2025
I had never heard of Jenny Greenteeth until I picked up this book. Just a chapter or two in, I had to stop and look her up. Was she rooted in myth, folklore, or legend? I’m so glad I did. Jenny Greenteeth, also called Wicked Jenny, is a figure from English folklore, a river-hag akin to the grindylow. Known for luring children, the elderly, and unsuspecting animals too close to the water’s edge, she would drag them under and drown them. To do what? No one knows. But possibly to eat.
This book is a retelling of her story, but while it keeps Jenny’s eerie habit of snatching up those who wander too near, Molly O’Neill reimagines her as something more than just a monster.
In 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡, Jenny may be a low water-fae, but she remains just as fearsome and deadly. Yet beneath that, she is also lonely, curious, and maybe even capable of kindness. When a persecuted witch named Temperance is cast into her lake by an evil Pastor, Jenny makes a choice unlike any before: she saves her. That single act of kindness defies everything she’s ever been, pushing her beyond the safety of her waters and into a world brimming with magic, danger, and, most unsettling of all, a beautiful connection of friendship.
This isn’t the horror story one might expect from a creature like Jenny. Instead, 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡 is a cozy fantasy that embraces friendship, found family, and the courage to stand against oppression. For readers who love folklore-infused tales with a sharp edge and a warm heart, Jenny’s journey is one worth diving into.
(Thank you so much, Orbit, for gifting me a copy of this beautiful book! I enjoyed it very much. 🪷)
This book is a retelling of her story, but while it keeps Jenny’s eerie habit of snatching up those who wander too near, Molly O’Neill reimagines her as something more than just a monster.
In 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡, Jenny may be a low water-fae, but she remains just as fearsome and deadly. Yet beneath that, she is also lonely, curious, and maybe even capable of kindness. When a persecuted witch named Temperance is cast into her lake by an evil Pastor, Jenny makes a choice unlike any before: she saves her. That single act of kindness defies everything she’s ever been, pushing her beyond the safety of her waters and into a world brimming with magic, danger, and, most unsettling of all, a beautiful connection of friendship.
This isn’t the horror story one might expect from a creature like Jenny. Instead, 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡 is a cozy fantasy that embraces friendship, found family, and the courage to stand against oppression. For readers who love folklore-infused tales with a sharp edge and a warm heart, Jenny’s journey is one worth diving into.
(Thank you so much, Orbit, for gifting me a copy of this beautiful book! I enjoyed it very much. 🪷)
March 25, 2025
A perfect read for Spring! 🌿
Greenteeth is a beautifully written book with an unlikely trio of friends on an epic quest.
I loved the characters and it was lovely seeing so many real parts of the UK mentioned in this book and so wonderfully described.
I will say that the ending let the story down a little, it was a little rushed and certain things that happen during the last 10% or so of the book weren’t really explained (without spoilers; how did Temperence know exactly what Jenny was planning to do when she took her down to the lake? They had no opportunity to discuss it. Or am I missing something?)
But despite that, I did really enjoy this book and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
Greenteeth is a beautifully written book with an unlikely trio of friends on an epic quest.
I loved the characters and it was lovely seeing so many real parts of the UK mentioned in this book and so wonderfully described.
I will say that the ending let the story down a little, it was a little rushed and certain things that happen during the last 10% or so of the book weren’t really explained (without spoilers; how did Temperence know exactly what Jenny was planning to do when she took her down to the lake? They had no opportunity to discuss it. Or am I missing something?)
But despite that, I did really enjoy this book and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
March 27, 2025
This cozyfantasy is one I feel confident recommending to fans of T Kingfisher and Heather Fawcett. Numerous times, the plot and world-building reminded me of the Emily Wilde series in particular. A journey narrative with emphasis on found friendship and discussions surrounding what it means to exist in a world that a creature like Jenny Greenteeth may no longer belong in...a world where magic and magical creatures like her are no longer welcome or safe.
L O V E N O T E S
One of my favorite elements in Greenteeth is the first-person POV we receive from Jenny herself. I couldn't imagine following the perspective of any other character. I especially wouldnot have wanted to be in the head of Temperance, for instance (see: Criticisms). Jenny was such a dynamic and easy to love voice, not to mention her worldview of humanity, society, and magic (having lived several centuries by thebook's opening pages) was fascinating. Her running commentary across various scenarios lent itself to humor as well, which provided a great balance for the darker and more emotional moments in this book. And the book does, in fact, get far darker at times than I expected, but I would still classify this as a cozy read.
The best part of Greenteeth hands down would be the characters' observations of and reactions to the disquieting impermanence of magic that has become widespread, an ever growing concern for magical beings in this historical Britain. And it's a heavy topic that weighs on our ragtag group of heroes as they embark on a quest to expel a truly dark and evil thing from their home.
C R I T I C I S M S
The most glaring place where I found the narrative lacking involved the missed opportunities to dig deeper into how one might value a human life compared to the life of a magical creature. Twice, the author provides a scenario where lake monster and witch butt heads regarding who should be saved and who should be slain. Both women arguablystraddle the same two worlds: one of magic and one of non-magical humans. While the witch Temperance has a stronger foothold in the human world, being human-passing with her husband andchildren, Jenny needs a glamour when interacting with humans and her "allegiance" leans toward the world of high and low fae even though she did start out her life as a human baby.
We see two identical scenarios which at their core challenge Jenny and Temperance to ask themselves who deserves to live. The first involves
What would have been more powerful (and made slightly more sense) isif the author placed the two scenes side by side. She could have used them to open the door for socialcommentary surrounding a very topical and deep-seated issue of humans failing to care about groups they do not personally identify with. Temperance identifies more with humans than she does with the magical beings with which she interacts; therefore, it doesn't even occur to her that a magical creature's life should be respected and protected in the same way.
In general, I was disappointed with how narrow-minded the witch, Temperance, revealed herself to be in the latter half of the book. The friendship that Jenny forges with Temperance was lovely at first, but eventually Temperance becomes quite selfish in my opinion, and she only considers her own grief and struggle, never pausing to wonder what trauma or worries Jenny may be carrying with her. The two women argue at one point, both making good points and BOTH making harsh remarks, and it is only Jenny who apologizes to Temperance while the latter simply accepts said apology and they move on. Meanwhile, I was left thinking, "And, Temperance, babe, do you have anything to say or apologize for? Hint, hint: the answer is yes..." Eventually, Temperance apologizes for some things but the entire interaction was quite vague and unsatisfying. By the end of the story, it simply felt like an imbalanced friendship in which Jenny mostly gave, and Temperance was happy to take. I just wanted more sympathy and self-awareness from our witch.
My issues with Temperance'scharacter and the missed opportunities for more depth will not bother all in the same way, and it in no way made me regret reading this book. I am also very much interested in what O'Neill elects to publish next!
Actual Rating:3.75 stars
Original Pub Date:25 Feb 2025
Reading Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
L O V E N O T E S
One of my favorite elements in Greenteeth is the first-person POV we receive from Jenny herself. I couldn't imagine following the perspective of any other character. I especially wouldnot have wanted to be in the head of Temperance, for instance (see: Criticisms). Jenny was such a dynamic and easy to love voice, not to mention her worldview of humanity, society, and magic (having lived several centuries by thebook's opening pages) was fascinating. Her running commentary across various scenarios lent itself to humor as well, which provided a great balance for the darker and more emotional moments in this book. And the book does, in fact, get far darker at times than I expected, but I would still classify this as a cozy read.
The best part of Greenteeth hands down would be the characters' observations of and reactions to the disquieting impermanence of magic that has become widespread, an ever growing concern for magical beings in this historical Britain. And it's a heavy topic that weighs on our ragtag group of heroes as they embark on a quest to expel a truly dark and evil thing from their home.
C R I T I C I S M S
The most glaring place where I found the narrative lacking involved the missed opportunities to dig deeper into how one might value a human life compared to the life of a magical creature. Twice, the author provides a scenario where lake monster and witch butt heads regarding who should be saved and who should be slain. Both women arguablystraddle the same two worlds: one of magic and one of non-magical humans. While the witch Temperance has a stronger foothold in the human world, being human-passing with her husband andchildren, Jenny needs a glamour when interacting with humans and her "allegiance" leans toward the world of high and low fae even though she did start out her life as a human baby.
We see two identical scenarios which at their core challenge Jenny and Temperance to ask themselves who deserves to live. The first involves
What would have been more powerful (and made slightly more sense) isif the author placed the two scenes side by side. She could have used them to open the door for socialcommentary surrounding a very topical and deep-seated issue of humans failing to care about groups they do not personally identify with. Temperance identifies more with humans than she does with the magical beings with which she interacts; therefore, it doesn't even occur to her that a magical creature's life should be respected and protected in the same way.
In general, I was disappointed with how narrow-minded the witch, Temperance, revealed herself to be in the latter half of the book. The friendship that Jenny forges with Temperance was lovely at first, but eventually Temperance becomes quite selfish in my opinion, and she only considers her own grief and struggle, never pausing to wonder what trauma or worries Jenny may be carrying with her. The two women argue at one point, both making good points and BOTH making harsh remarks, and it is only Jenny who apologizes to Temperance while the latter simply accepts said apology and they move on. Meanwhile, I was left thinking, "And, Temperance, babe, do you have anything to say or apologize for? Hint, hint: the answer is yes..." Eventually, Temperance apologizes for some things but the entire interaction was quite vague and unsatisfying. By the end of the story, it simply felt like an imbalanced friendship in which Jenny mostly gave, and Temperance was happy to take. I just wanted more sympathy and self-awareness from our witch.
My issues with Temperance'scharacter and the missed opportunities for more depth will not bother all in the same way, and it in no way made me regret reading this book. I am also very much interested in what O'Neill elects to publish next!
Actual Rating:3.75 stars
Original Pub Date:25 Feb 2025
Reading Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
January 6, 2025
Fantastic Celtic/British mythology, Arthurian legend, found family quest novel that is truly unlike anything I’ve ever read. Looking forward to seeing this one get the buzz it deserves - my thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read an early copy!
December 18, 2024
1.2 stars
This was incredibly disappointing. When I first found out about this book I got so excited by the concept and when I got an arc for it, the first few pages were exactly what I wished for.
And then, it was all downhill from there. I would have preferred if none of the characters had the ability to talk. The writing is not very great, inconsistent and the dialogue, the quest the story itself felt so incredibly forced and I’m actually very sorry I did not dnf this book. I kept hoping for it to get beter but nope, it only got worse and worse.
The dialogue was so forced and uncomfortable and it went from stereotypical middle ages speak to modern and switching back and forth which I found very annoying. The characters were just…flat and uninteresting and they kept pushing for us to see then how they wanted to be, like Temperance kept mentioning her poor ordinary farmer husband and her poor two small children almost every time she opened her mouth and Jenny kept fluctuating between ok and unlikeable.
Small things like Temperance saying she doesn’t do “flashy magic like in fairy stories � and that she “doesn’t know the spells a great wizard like Merlin or Ceridwen would use � meanwhile she was throwing fireballs a few pages ago. Yeaa I’m sorry but in my book that’s flashy magic and annoying. Or for example having a long explanation of the faerie court changing location every two weeks and then revealing that ah yes, there is literally no reason for that because it can also only be reached by the Wild Roads where “anyone who steps onto one of those roads intending to find the court will arrive there after a day of walking � THEN WHATS THE POINT ???
I’m not sure if those very frustrating and annoying bits are supposed to be funny but it sure wasn’t for me unfortunately.
The extremely unnecessary and childish fight between Jenny and Temperance was so so bad “But I didn’t want to- I was in the right!� And stupid. And later revealed to be hypocritical were their points they held so so stubbornly in this argument were reverse in the next quest where they did not even realize it. It was. Just. Annoying and pointless.
The quest was not intriguing at all, the danger was not interesting nor did it feel to be looming and there was no sense of urgency at all but also no cozy found family feeling you’d get instead normally. It was just bad overall for me.
Literally none of the characters were interesting or well developed and I did not care for any of them, not even the evil guy was not intriguing at all, all he had was cliche dialogue that only made me cringe “Give it up, Mistress Crump, Master Marsh, Jenny Greenteeth. Yes, I know your names. � congratulations what did you want ? A trophy?
I kind of regret I didn’t dnf and I’m just glad I don’t have to read it anymore. I’m very sorry I didn’t like it, the concept sounded so good, but it just felt so so poorly written in my opinion.
This was incredibly disappointing. When I first found out about this book I got so excited by the concept and when I got an arc for it, the first few pages were exactly what I wished for.
And then, it was all downhill from there. I would have preferred if none of the characters had the ability to talk. The writing is not very great, inconsistent and the dialogue, the quest the story itself felt so incredibly forced and I’m actually very sorry I did not dnf this book. I kept hoping for it to get beter but nope, it only got worse and worse.
The dialogue was so forced and uncomfortable and it went from stereotypical middle ages speak to modern and switching back and forth which I found very annoying. The characters were just…flat and uninteresting and they kept pushing for us to see then how they wanted to be, like Temperance kept mentioning her poor ordinary farmer husband and her poor two small children almost every time she opened her mouth and Jenny kept fluctuating between ok and unlikeable.
Small things like Temperance saying she doesn’t do “flashy magic like in fairy stories � and that she “doesn’t know the spells a great wizard like Merlin or Ceridwen would use � meanwhile she was throwing fireballs a few pages ago. Yeaa I’m sorry but in my book that’s flashy magic and annoying. Or for example having a long explanation of the faerie court changing location every two weeks and then revealing that ah yes, there is literally no reason for that because it can also only be reached by the Wild Roads where “anyone who steps onto one of those roads intending to find the court will arrive there after a day of walking � THEN WHATS THE POINT ???
I’m not sure if those very frustrating and annoying bits are supposed to be funny but it sure wasn’t for me unfortunately.
The extremely unnecessary and childish fight between Jenny and Temperance was so so bad “But I didn’t want to- I was in the right!� And stupid. And later revealed to be hypocritical were their points they held so so stubbornly in this argument were reverse in the next quest where they did not even realize it. It was. Just. Annoying and pointless.
The quest was not intriguing at all, the danger was not interesting nor did it feel to be looming and there was no sense of urgency at all but also no cozy found family feeling you’d get instead normally. It was just bad overall for me.
Literally none of the characters were interesting or well developed and I did not care for any of them, not even the evil guy was not intriguing at all, all he had was cliche dialogue that only made me cringe “Give it up, Mistress Crump, Master Marsh, Jenny Greenteeth. Yes, I know your names. � congratulations what did you want ? A trophy?
I kind of regret I didn’t dnf and I’m just glad I don’t have to read it anymore. I’m very sorry I didn’t like it, the concept sounded so good, but it just felt so so poorly written in my opinion.
February 25, 2025
I went into Greenteeth not knowing what to expect. Immediately, in the first chapter, I was in love with our main character Jenny and her lake-monster ways. Her peaceful life in the lake is shaken up by the appearance of Temperance, who has been thrown into Jenny's lake for being a witch. Instead of eating her, Jenny saves her life and the two plus Jenny's goblin friend Brackus are set off on an adventure to save the town from this "pastor" who tried to kill Temperance. It's an excellent fae storytelling with layered approaches to different fae creatures and how they don't always follow the same morals that humans do. This was an engaging story of found family going on a quest and I found it extremely difficult to put down. Overall, this book is a delight and I laughed out loud in several parts. I definitely recommend if you're in the mood for an adventure across 1500s-era Britain and beyond.
Some content notes to be aware of: animal death, blood, gore
A huge thank you to Orbit for sending me the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and to Colleen for buddy reading this with me! :)
Some content notes to be aware of: animal death, blood, gore
A huge thank you to Orbit for sending me the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and to Colleen for buddy reading this with me! :)
February 24, 2025
Atmospheric start. Sweet. Interesting world building. Although, I need to reevaluate what is considered cozy fantasy because this confused me. I mean there was a fair amount of action and high stakes. Does the fact that the characters also sat around a lot and talked make it cozy? I don’t know. I’d just call it a fantasy.
And I liked this one slightly more than I typically do with fantasy. I enjoyed the characters. (Morally grey monster pov! And two older women main characters! AND they were mothers! Plus a goblin guy!) I thought the plot itself was good too. I would’ve liked the pacing to be honed in and some of the nothingness trimmed down. It just felt much longer than it was. 3.75 stars.
And I liked this one slightly more than I typically do with fantasy. I enjoyed the characters. (Morally grey monster pov! And two older women main characters! AND they were mothers! Plus a goblin guy!) I thought the plot itself was good too. I would’ve liked the pacing to be honed in and some of the nothingness trimmed down. It just felt much longer than it was. 3.75 stars.
February 26, 2025
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum
Here I go again, writing a review for another historical fantasy novel inspired by fairy tales and folklore. That said, every so often, a book will emerge that puts a fresh spin on an old story or bases its premise on lesser-known mythological creatures. I, for one, had never heard of Jenny Greenteeth, or Wicked Jenny, before picking up Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. A kind of bogeyman-type water monster from English folklore, her name was used to warn careless children away from the treacherous shores of lakes and rivers, lest Jenny pulls them in and drowns them. Huh. It’s always great to learn something new.
Obviously, the novel Greenteeth centers on this terrifying figure, who is typically depicted as an evil hag ready to snatch her unsuspecting young victims and drag them into the murky depths. O’Neill, however, prompts readers to look at Jenny in a whole new light. She’s a monster, all right. But monsters can have feelings too, and they can sometimes be the hero instead of the villain. Living in her secluded lake, Jenny can get lonely. And whenever a human wanders close to her abode, she just can’t help her curiosity.
One day, her inquisitive nature leads to a decision that changes everything. Accused of witchcraft, a woman named Temperance from a nearby village is thrown into the lake by an angry mob led by their fanatical new preacher. Against her better judgment, Jenny chooses to save her, sheltering Temperance and letting her recover in her lair. Soon, the two of them find themselves in an alliance against an emerging foe that threatens both Jenny’s lake and Temperance’s family. Bound by magic, the two of them seek help from Brackus, a traveling goblin trader who deals in magical reagents and information. The trio next sets out on a quest to save their home, a journey that takes them across the lush British landscape and even to the very heart of the faerie realm.
There’s a lot to love about Greenteeth. The world-building is particularly robust, immersing readers in its rich atmosphere as well as the myths that inspired the characters and setting. The author doesn’t skimp on the details; you’ll notice how elements from all kinds of sources make their way into the novel, including Arthurian legends, Old English literature, Celtic mythology, and real history. Her prose is also very well suited to the vibes she wants to convey—a world that feels both grounded and magical, neither fantasy nor reality but straddling that in-between space, giving it all a dream-like quality.
And yet, this approach also has the downside of making the plot feel overly simplistic, almost like a children’s tale. This became especially true when Jenny, Temperance, and Brackus were tasked to do a bunch of what were essentially fetch quests, a narrative structure that’s both formulaic and predictable. At times, even the characters� personalities felt underdeveloped, reduced to broad emotional strokes that, unfortunately, ended up defining them. One of the story’s most significant conflicts, for example, stemmed from little more than Jenny throwing a massive temper tantrum. While it’s an incredibly effective way to humanize our monstrous protagonist, I confess to being somewhat disappointed that, under all those sharp edges which made Jenny so mysterious and intriguing, all we got was a petulant child.
Still, for a debut novel, Greenteeth is an impressive achievement and an excellent entry into its genre category. Molly O’Neill’s love of fantasy and folklore is clear from her descriptive prose, as is her affection for the legendary figure of Jenny Greenteeth, whom she writes about with care and compassion. Sure, there were a few things that could have used more polish, but despite these flaws, Greenteeth showcases a promising new voice in fantasy. While it might not be anything groundbreaking, I found it to be a very worthwhile and enjoyable read.
Here I go again, writing a review for another historical fantasy novel inspired by fairy tales and folklore. That said, every so often, a book will emerge that puts a fresh spin on an old story or bases its premise on lesser-known mythological creatures. I, for one, had never heard of Jenny Greenteeth, or Wicked Jenny, before picking up Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. A kind of bogeyman-type water monster from English folklore, her name was used to warn careless children away from the treacherous shores of lakes and rivers, lest Jenny pulls them in and drowns them. Huh. It’s always great to learn something new.
Obviously, the novel Greenteeth centers on this terrifying figure, who is typically depicted as an evil hag ready to snatch her unsuspecting young victims and drag them into the murky depths. O’Neill, however, prompts readers to look at Jenny in a whole new light. She’s a monster, all right. But monsters can have feelings too, and they can sometimes be the hero instead of the villain. Living in her secluded lake, Jenny can get lonely. And whenever a human wanders close to her abode, she just can’t help her curiosity.
One day, her inquisitive nature leads to a decision that changes everything. Accused of witchcraft, a woman named Temperance from a nearby village is thrown into the lake by an angry mob led by their fanatical new preacher. Against her better judgment, Jenny chooses to save her, sheltering Temperance and letting her recover in her lair. Soon, the two of them find themselves in an alliance against an emerging foe that threatens both Jenny’s lake and Temperance’s family. Bound by magic, the two of them seek help from Brackus, a traveling goblin trader who deals in magical reagents and information. The trio next sets out on a quest to save their home, a journey that takes them across the lush British landscape and even to the very heart of the faerie realm.
There’s a lot to love about Greenteeth. The world-building is particularly robust, immersing readers in its rich atmosphere as well as the myths that inspired the characters and setting. The author doesn’t skimp on the details; you’ll notice how elements from all kinds of sources make their way into the novel, including Arthurian legends, Old English literature, Celtic mythology, and real history. Her prose is also very well suited to the vibes she wants to convey—a world that feels both grounded and magical, neither fantasy nor reality but straddling that in-between space, giving it all a dream-like quality.
And yet, this approach also has the downside of making the plot feel overly simplistic, almost like a children’s tale. This became especially true when Jenny, Temperance, and Brackus were tasked to do a bunch of what were essentially fetch quests, a narrative structure that’s both formulaic and predictable. At times, even the characters� personalities felt underdeveloped, reduced to broad emotional strokes that, unfortunately, ended up defining them. One of the story’s most significant conflicts, for example, stemmed from little more than Jenny throwing a massive temper tantrum. While it’s an incredibly effective way to humanize our monstrous protagonist, I confess to being somewhat disappointed that, under all those sharp edges which made Jenny so mysterious and intriguing, all we got was a petulant child.
Still, for a debut novel, Greenteeth is an impressive achievement and an excellent entry into its genre category. Molly O’Neill’s love of fantasy and folklore is clear from her descriptive prose, as is her affection for the legendary figure of Jenny Greenteeth, whom she writes about with care and compassion. Sure, there were a few things that could have used more polish, but despite these flaws, Greenteeth showcases a promising new voice in fantasy. While it might not be anything groundbreaking, I found it to be a very worthwhile and enjoyable read.
December 30, 2024
A heartwarming, folklore-infused fantasy debut that’s bursting with magic and cosy, found family vibes that completely stole my heart!
Honestly, I was utterly in awe at Molly O’Neill’s skill in bringing such an iconic figure in British Folklore to life. Let’s face it, Jenny Greenteeth, doesn’t have the best of reputations (historically portrayed as a malevolent creature who lures unsuspecting victims to their deaths.)
But the depth and nuance O’Neill captures within Jenny, and her endearingly eccentric (non human) outlook on the world, was something I found soo refreshingly unique.
Her friendship with witch, Temperance, is only the start to her journey of self discovery and redemption, but the vulnerability, courage and compassion she exhibits, (in conflict with her baser, more monstrous urges) really made her such an incredibly multilayered (and loveable) character.
O’Neill also gifts us with deliciously vivid prose and an immersive setting that had me eager to set off on my own wilderness bound adventures (a miracle in itself, as I’m a self confessed city girl who loves her home comforts.) I loved that Folklore and mythology play such a huge role in the narrative, particularly in relation to the Folklore from the British Isles.
Despite being British myself, I’m still not overly familiar with a lot of the folklore here (besides a small amount of Arthurian legend and a few fairytales) so really enjoyed the amount of research and detail that O’Neill put into this. Especially with lesser known mythological figures, like the Afanc (a Welsh river monster) that I hadn’t really heard of before, but whose backstory I now need an entire book on.
Other mythological figures also make appearances (Gwyn ap Nudd, Creiddylad, the Erl King and Cavall) which I also found really intriguing, and has definitely motivated me into checking out the original stories each figure is attached to.
There was definitely a hint of classic fantasy adventure stories to Jenny’s journey, that I found reminiscent in tone to C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. But with just enough of a modern, antihero-esque twist that is sure to appeal to all readers of fantasy—both newbies and connoisseurs alike.
Honestly, this was such a beautifully crafted and unputdownable read! I don’t think my words can really do this story (or the emotions O’Neill’s prose cleverly invokes) justice. Though I do urge all morally grey loving, folklore aficionados to consider adding this to their TBRs when it releases in February� as it’s such a breathtaking debut!
Also, a huge thank you to Orbit for the proof copy.
Honestly, I was utterly in awe at Molly O’Neill’s skill in bringing such an iconic figure in British Folklore to life. Let’s face it, Jenny Greenteeth, doesn’t have the best of reputations (historically portrayed as a malevolent creature who lures unsuspecting victims to their deaths.)
But the depth and nuance O’Neill captures within Jenny, and her endearingly eccentric (non human) outlook on the world, was something I found soo refreshingly unique.
Her friendship with witch, Temperance, is only the start to her journey of self discovery and redemption, but the vulnerability, courage and compassion she exhibits, (in conflict with her baser, more monstrous urges) really made her such an incredibly multilayered (and loveable) character.
O’Neill also gifts us with deliciously vivid prose and an immersive setting that had me eager to set off on my own wilderness bound adventures (a miracle in itself, as I’m a self confessed city girl who loves her home comforts.) I loved that Folklore and mythology play such a huge role in the narrative, particularly in relation to the Folklore from the British Isles.
Despite being British myself, I’m still not overly familiar with a lot of the folklore here (besides a small amount of Arthurian legend and a few fairytales) so really enjoyed the amount of research and detail that O’Neill put into this. Especially with lesser known mythological figures, like the Afanc (a Welsh river monster) that I hadn’t really heard of before, but whose backstory I now need an entire book on.
Other mythological figures also make appearances (Gwyn ap Nudd, Creiddylad, the Erl King and Cavall) which I also found really intriguing, and has definitely motivated me into checking out the original stories each figure is attached to.
There was definitely a hint of classic fantasy adventure stories to Jenny’s journey, that I found reminiscent in tone to C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. But with just enough of a modern, antihero-esque twist that is sure to appeal to all readers of fantasy—both newbies and connoisseurs alike.
Honestly, this was such a beautifully crafted and unputdownable read! I don’t think my words can really do this story (or the emotions O’Neill’s prose cleverly invokes) justice. Though I do urge all morally grey loving, folklore aficionados to consider adding this to their TBRs when it releases in February� as it’s such a breathtaking debut!
Also, a huge thank you to Orbit for the proof copy.
March 6, 2025
"A Witch, a goblin and Jenny Greenteeth are off to seek the King of the Fairies,' he said. 'What a delicious disaster this could be."
GENRE:Cozy Fantasy
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc from netGalley
Would I recommend to others?:Yes! This book is perfect for those who enjoy cozy fantasy, found family and folklore! It is cozily eerie and goes on an adventure with three different people to defeat an evil that threatens their village and lake.
Long Review:
Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill is definitely a top read of 2025 for me, with the fact that it combines alot of my favourite tropes: Found Family, historical fantasy, cozy fantasy, witches and other folklores. I had so much fun reading this book and got invested into all of the characters and wanted to know the outcome. It is also a funny book and has many instance where you will be laughing with the characters and at the jokes & the way they maintain each other.
This book follows Jenny Greenteeth, who is a monster in the lake with sharp teeth and is meant to be hungry and consume whatever comes into her lake.
"I've never been quite sure what it is that I am; apart from a Jenny, that is. Jenny Greenteeth, that's my name. And it's my mother's, and her mother's, all the way back upstream to the source of all the rivers and lakes in the country."
We delve into the folklore of Jenny Greenteeth and the style of writing in here definitely captivated me and put me in the mood to read more about Jenny Greenteeth:
"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. Jennys belong in fairy stories, and like the other fae creatures, we're more real than your mothers would like to believe."
Additionally, we get to see how Jenny battles with her own feelings about how Temperance views her. This is seen throughout the story, where Jenny states that she is not necessarily bad, but she isn't good either.
"I frowned. That certainly wasn't the lesson I wanted her to learn from our collaboration. I might not have eaten her but I certainly wasn't good. I wasn't bad either, I simply was.
There's bad magic and good magic just like there are bad humans and good humans,' I said, picking my words carefully. 'Most of us low fae aren't either one.'"
However, when Temperance, a witch & a human, is dumped into her lake by her village, Jenny saves her and takes her into her cave. Mind you, Jenny's cave is organised and filled with collectibles she has gathered or bought from a goblin that we get to know, Brackus.
"I like to keep the lake looking neat and tidy. You wouldn't know it from the surface,
but my lake is spotless, with excellent water circulation and the best crop of brown trout in western England."
Obviously Temperance is afraid of her in the beginning, but as they get to know each other, they find out that Temperance was thrown into the lake by an evil pastor. Jenny goes to investigate this and they find out that there is a bigger evil threatening their village & lake so they band together to work against the evil creature.
Jenny is bonded to Temperance in the fact that Temperance is a mother and Jenny has her own daughter, also named Jenny. The way Jenny Greenteeths make daughters are quite interesting:
"Any Jenny can make another Jenny, but it doesnt happen very often. We dont give birth to our own babies. There aren't any male Jennys and frankly the idea of human reproduction makes me feel a bit sick. We make our children from the unwanted offspring of others."
Throughout folklore, there are many instance where unwanted children are turned into creatures and since this is the first time I have heard of Jenny Greenteeth, it was quite interesting to see the same theory apply here.
We also see the flourishing of found family and watch the main characters build a bond throughout the months that they spend together:
"I was surprised at how happy it made me to think of future company. I had always thought I was content to live alone in the lake."
There is a bit of a conflict too (no major spoilers here) that basically shows why different "species" do not mix together as Jenny & Temperance deal with a fall out. Jenny then tries to convince herself that she has been okay for years alone and that she does not need her new companions.
"Well, I didn't need them anyway. I had been doing find on my own for a thousand years, I would do fine again. Maybe I would be gone by the time they came back for me; if they came back at all. people rarely did in my experience - they left and didn't return."
All in all, this book addresses the different tropes and themes in a unique way and yet remains to be cozy fantasy in a lovely way. You'd love it if you enjoy retellings & cozy fantasy together with found family there!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
February 25, 2025
Greenteeth is an excellent debut novel, a dark fantasy proposal written by Molly O'Neill, published by Orbit Books. A story about unlikely companions rooted in British folklore, which deliciously mixes dark and cozy fantasy (and somehow, it works), having to battle against an evil force that is threatening their place, and which ends revealing a deeper layer that makes it memorable.
Jenny Greenteeth has been in her lake for a thousand years, plenty to eat, not humans because they are problematic and a cave with items she feels proud about it; her lake is her home, and she's quite happy about it. She's surprised when a woman is thrown to the bottom of the lake, and Jenny saves her; the woman is a witch called Temperance and has been thrown after the evil pastor put all the village against her. When trying to help Temperance shows that there's danger for everybody near the village, Jenny, Temperance and a goblin named Brackus start a quest across Britain, including trading with the fae to get all they need to defeat the evil.
A quest that will put our three characters through many dangers while O'Neill takes this as an excuse to not only develop a bit the Wild Hunt myth, but to also take the plot towards mythical creatures and places of Britain. But the quest itself, despite being excellently written, is overshadowed by how well Jenny's character is captured; while the Greenteeth figure is a bit changed, we see that mix between what is expected from a monstrous creature, but who also has a delicious range of emotions. Not only she's trying to help Temperance, and even if it's difficult, ends developing a real friendship with her (even with those bad moments that sometimes arise), but the combination between those darker moments and cozier ones works marvels to tell the story; at the end, we are totally invested with Jenny, Temperance and even Brackus (who can be a bit of a pain in the arse, but still has a good heart).
The writing is quite evocative, descriptive, with O'Neill taking the opportunity to reflect not only the beauty of the nature, but also reflecting those darker aspects of the story (certain mouth with teeth is really scary). The novel is well paced, and honestly, the final avalanche kept me on the edge of my seat, especially as the plot is finally merged with one of my favourite British myths; the combination between cozier scenes and some more frenetic ones is a weird but effective mix.
Greenteeth is an excellent debut that weaves British myths with a style that feels as T. Kingfisher's one; if you like folklore and dark stories with space for a bit of heart, you should totally read Greenteeth. A novel that leaves me in awe of what Molly O'Neill writes in the future.
April 13, 2025
This book had a lot of debut novel growing pains, but I still enjoyed it quite a lot. English folklore, fae, and King Arthur references. Also, idk why they marketed it as a cozy fantasy bc it definitely is not
March 25, 2025
Jenny Greenteeth just wants to be left alone. She keeps her lake tidy, eats the occasional small creature, and generally minds her own business. Until locals toss a witch into her waters. Jenny could eat her, sure, but something about Temperance Crump’s situation doesn’t sit right. So instead, she pulls her out, and before she knows it, she has a human friend, a quest, and starts to question her sense of morality.
Greenteeth has all the best ingredients: an adventure, a cranky but likable monster protagonist, a goblin salesman who always has just the thing, and an exciting journey filled with old-world folklore. Jenny, Temperance, and Brackus (shifty goblin) are a great, likable trio. Their goal is simple in theory - banishing the Erl King. In practice? Well, he’s a powerful, cruel creature and way above their league.
I liked the writing, sharp dialogue, and fast pace. The story gets darker than the “cozy fantasy� label might suggest, but it never loses its sense of fun. So, if you like quest-driven fantasy with witty banter, found family, and just the right amount of humor, Greenteeth is one to pick up.
Greenteeth has all the best ingredients: an adventure, a cranky but likable monster protagonist, a goblin salesman who always has just the thing, and an exciting journey filled with old-world folklore. Jenny, Temperance, and Brackus (shifty goblin) are a great, likable trio. Their goal is simple in theory - banishing the Erl King. In practice? Well, he’s a powerful, cruel creature and way above their league.
I liked the writing, sharp dialogue, and fast pace. The story gets darker than the “cozy fantasy� label might suggest, but it never loses its sense of fun. So, if you like quest-driven fantasy with witty banter, found family, and just the right amount of humor, Greenteeth is one to pick up.
January 10, 2025
Greenteeth is a cozy fantasy that follows Jenny Greenteeth (a river hag, kind of, but no one is allowed to say so) and her two companions as they go on a quest to idk defeat evil or something. I had high expectations for Greenteeth, but ultimately I had a difficult time getting through this.
First, a disclaimer: I fully admit to making incorrect assumptions about what kind of book this would be based on its cover. It’s absolutely stunning and reminds me of the covers used for Greek retellings like Madeline Miller’s Circe—books that tend to be very lyrical and singularly focused on one heroine. Greenteeth is very much not that, which I should have gathered from the description. So that’s my bad.
Another disclaimer: I am not the biggest fan of cozy fantasy. Greenteeth is a cozy fantasy. (Why did I request an ARC of this, you may ask? See my first disclaimer above.) I tried not to let things that are hallmarks of this genre (overly friendly characters, cheesy humor, low stakes, magical solutions falling into the characters� laps�) impact my opinion. Just know that if you’re a fan of cozy fantasy, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this more than I did.
The biggest thing that kept me from connecting with Greenteeth was the writing—both the prose itself and the storytelling. The dialogue is a notable weakness. It’s extremely unnatural and full of exposition, and because much of this story is told through dialogue, it began to wear on me almost immediately. The prose itself is extremely flat and monotone, which can be fine in a lot of cases, but because this is a very straightforward narrative with no twists or turns and no real sense of mystery or urgency to drive the plot forward, I found it to be a very dull read. It does start off strong, with Jenny introducing herself as lesser fae and highlighting all the things that make her decidedly not human. She is not a murderous lake monster (which is honestly disappointing, but whatever) but she has little regard for humans or the things they care about. For example, she doesn’t eat children, but it’s not out of any particular care for them; it’s because they take too long to digest. These kinds of insights about Jenny were my favorite moments of the book, but unfortunately, while there are several in Chapter 1, they’re few and far between after that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
First, a disclaimer: I fully admit to making incorrect assumptions about what kind of book this would be based on its cover. It’s absolutely stunning and reminds me of the covers used for Greek retellings like Madeline Miller’s Circe—books that tend to be very lyrical and singularly focused on one heroine. Greenteeth is very much not that, which I should have gathered from the description. So that’s my bad.
Another disclaimer: I am not the biggest fan of cozy fantasy. Greenteeth is a cozy fantasy. (Why did I request an ARC of this, you may ask? See my first disclaimer above.) I tried not to let things that are hallmarks of this genre (overly friendly characters, cheesy humor, low stakes, magical solutions falling into the characters� laps�) impact my opinion. Just know that if you’re a fan of cozy fantasy, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this more than I did.
The biggest thing that kept me from connecting with Greenteeth was the writing—both the prose itself and the storytelling. The dialogue is a notable weakness. It’s extremely unnatural and full of exposition, and because much of this story is told through dialogue, it began to wear on me almost immediately. The prose itself is extremely flat and monotone, which can be fine in a lot of cases, but because this is a very straightforward narrative with no twists or turns and no real sense of mystery or urgency to drive the plot forward, I found it to be a very dull read. It does start off strong, with Jenny introducing herself as lesser fae and highlighting all the things that make her decidedly not human. She is not a murderous lake monster (which is honestly disappointing, but whatever) but she has little regard for humans or the things they care about. For example, she doesn’t eat children, but it’s not out of any particular care for them; it’s because they take too long to digest. These kinds of insights about Jenny were my favorite moments of the book, but unfortunately, while there are several in Chapter 1, they’re few and far between after that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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March 30, 2025You’re my girl, Jenny.
3⭐️
3⭐️
February 25, 2025
I thought this was going to be a simple tale of magical people versus a cruel priest but instead it turned it I a much bigger epic quest weaving British folklore and myth together into a really engaging story, I absolutely loved it and Jenny who tells his her tale is a brilliant engaging character
Full review -
Full review -
April 3, 2025
A tale about a water monster who ends up fighting an actual monster for her found family friends.
This is considered cozy fantasy, but I disagree. There’s an Arthurian legend type of quest to defeat a hard to kill evil guy plot too. I wouldn’t consider this low-stakes but it’s also not high fantasy either. A good middle ground of these two would be more accurate.
If you enjoy folklore fantasy based in the UK, this was a good one.
This is considered cozy fantasy, but I disagree. There’s an Arthurian legend type of quest to defeat a hard to kill evil guy plot too. I wouldn’t consider this low-stakes but it’s also not high fantasy either. A good middle ground of these two would be more accurate.
If you enjoy folklore fantasy based in the UK, this was a good one.
January 20, 2025
This is a fun story centering on Jenny Greenteeth, a thousand-year-old lake monster who encounters a witch thrown into her lake one day. There's a lot that happens in this book, which is a cozy fantasy, and also a quest narrative. The cozy fantasy aspect and the characters were top notch, but the traditional fantasy tropes and the quest were a little lackluster, due to which the middle of this book feels drawn.
Jenny is an endearing protagonist, morally grey and whimsically fearsome, and I greatly enjoyed the story from her, or the "monster's" point of view. The introduction to this fae world and integration of many English, Welsh and Scottish folklore led to beautiful and nostalgic imagery as I read this. The conclusion to the story is quite interesting, albeit parts of it were a little predictable. I'm not sure if the book should be classified as cozy or traditional fantasy, but I know that I was both entertained and a little bored in places. This is a debut, so some of the pacing issues can be chalked up to that. I'd recommend this to fantasy lovers who like a dash of folklore, found family, little to no romance, and quests!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review!
Jenny is an endearing protagonist, morally grey and whimsically fearsome, and I greatly enjoyed the story from her, or the "monster's" point of view. The introduction to this fae world and integration of many English, Welsh and Scottish folklore led to beautiful and nostalgic imagery as I read this. The conclusion to the story is quite interesting, albeit parts of it were a little predictable. I'm not sure if the book should be classified as cozy or traditional fantasy, but I know that I was both entertained and a little bored in places. This is a debut, so some of the pacing issues can be chalked up to that. I'd recommend this to fantasy lovers who like a dash of folklore, found family, little to no romance, and quests!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review!
January 15, 2025
� I received an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review �
The fist 25% of this book had me hooked, Jenny Greenteeth had such a strong voice and I loved her character. As the story progressed, I just wasn't invested in the main quest... I thought the villain was strong, but I just didn't really care if Temperance made it back to her family and saved the village. And I feel like this plot point overshadowed the relationship between Jenny, Temperance and Brackus. I was expecting this to have more of a found family vibe, but it really just felt like Temperance was using the other two. I also feel like this was such a missed opportunity to have an older female lead. I think this story would have been a lot more interesting if Temperance was an old spinster midwife that the village turned on rather than a young mother. I would have felt more invested in the village elder trying to save her village and along the way finding her own family amongst the fae monsters. Jenny and Brackus' relationship was so much fun, and I just found myself not caring for Temperance as the plot went on (especially after the scene where they were attacked). . I did enjoy the writing though, and would read another book from this author in the future.
The fist 25% of this book had me hooked, Jenny Greenteeth had such a strong voice and I loved her character. As the story progressed, I just wasn't invested in the main quest... I thought the villain was strong, but I just didn't really care if Temperance made it back to her family and saved the village. And I feel like this plot point overshadowed the relationship between Jenny, Temperance and Brackus. I was expecting this to have more of a found family vibe, but it really just felt like Temperance was using the other two. I also feel like this was such a missed opportunity to have an older female lead. I think this story would have been a lot more interesting if Temperance was an old spinster midwife that the village turned on rather than a young mother. I would have felt more invested in the village elder trying to save her village and along the way finding her own family amongst the fae monsters. Jenny and Brackus' relationship was so much fun, and I just found myself not caring for Temperance as the plot went on (especially after the scene where they were attacked). . I did enjoy the writing though, and would read another book from this author in the future.
January 9, 2025
Headlines:
Fantasy friendships
Monstrous kindness
Historical times
Greenteeth was the book I didn't know I'd like and found that I loved. Who knew that a lake hag with green scales and many teeth would be such a delightful, lovely and complex character. Jenny (aka Greenteeth) was a custodian of the lake and observer of the world around her. She found herself saving a witch who had been ducked and sank. From there, the friendship started between Jenny and Temperance, this was also the start of a quest to get Temperance back to her family.
In the background of this whole tale was the story of ebbing magic from the world. I didn't expect some of the later reveals in terms of what the little town truly was and I loved how the story navigated different parts of Britain.
The fae baddie of this piece was the true monster, wrapped up in seemingly good robes. The interaction with the fae world was both helpful in terms of aiding the quest but also bringing that darker vibe and peril to the plot.
It took a very short time reading this book to become a Jenny fan and my overall feeling at the end is what a fantastic character creation Jenny was. I would love to read more by this author. You really should pick this book up!
Thank you to Orbit Books for the review copy.
Fantasy friendships
Monstrous kindness
Historical times
Greenteeth was the book I didn't know I'd like and found that I loved. Who knew that a lake hag with green scales and many teeth would be such a delightful, lovely and complex character. Jenny (aka Greenteeth) was a custodian of the lake and observer of the world around her. She found herself saving a witch who had been ducked and sank. From there, the friendship started between Jenny and Temperance, this was also the start of a quest to get Temperance back to her family.
In the background of this whole tale was the story of ebbing magic from the world. I didn't expect some of the later reveals in terms of what the little town truly was and I loved how the story navigated different parts of Britain.
The fae baddie of this piece was the true monster, wrapped up in seemingly good robes. The interaction with the fae world was both helpful in terms of aiding the quest but also bringing that darker vibe and peril to the plot.
It took a very short time reading this book to become a Jenny fan and my overall feeling at the end is what a fantastic character creation Jenny was. I would love to read more by this author. You really should pick this book up!
Thank you to Orbit Books for the review copy.
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