Book Review: Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison

Such Sharp Teeth
by Rachel Harrison (Harrison)

Such Sharp Teeth takes the point of view of one identical twin, Rory, who has come back to her hometown to help her sister Scarlett through her first pregnancy. Rory goes to a party and runs into a man who had a one-way crush on her in high school, then — much more literally — runs into something on the road on her way home. When she gets out of her car to investigate: werewolf attack! She survives, heals in hours, but has a whole lot gross things happening to her even before the next full moon.

 

This book is not at all subtle about drawing comparisons between pregnancy and lycanthropy, but that’s okay because that’s what we’re here for. This is a genre blend that respects the complexity of mundane relationships in realistic fiction while also holding nothing back on the supernatural bits. Content warning for child sexual abuse and, separately, for being an adult with an emotionally immature parent. Also plenty of body horror.

 

The wolf is also explored as a metaphor for the rage of women who have to contain themselves either for personal safety or for prioritizing the emotional well-being of other people. The idea is: what if you didn’t?

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage or Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder.)

 

( official Rachel Harrison web site )

 

Recommended by Garren H.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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