[📚] BOOK REVIEW: The River Has Teeth

Hey book witches! How are we all doing today loves? I hope you’re having the most wonderful day – it’s fucking freezing here and it’s finally snowing here in my city, which has me feeling all sorts of festive, which is a welcome change from the cloud that’s been hanging over my head the last couple of months.

As I was sitting down to my computer today with the thought of working on my debut novel, I found myself clicking on my bookmark for my blog and realizing that I haven’t posted a book review in a hot minute, which for a book-focused blog is very concerning. So, I figured I’d get a review up for a book I read back in spooky season – and stay tuned for the next post, Reads for Spooky Season, a bit late, but spooky season never ends in this Hallowqueen’s world. Also, I’ve got a bit of a NaNoWriMo 2021/Debut Novel update too to finish up – I’ve got drafts on drafts saved that I’m working my way through finishing, so I hope you’re ready!

It’s time! So grab yourself a caffeinated beverage, light a joint, grab a snack – what ever it is you do to get yourself cozy – and let’s dive into my review of The River has Teeth by Erica Waters

The River Has Teeth by Erica Waters
Release Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 400 (11h 4m via audiobook)
GoodReads Synopsis: Natasha’s sister is missing. Her car was found abandoned on the edge of a local nature preserve known as the Bend, but as the case goes cold, Natasha’s loss turns to burning anger. She’ll do anything to find answers. Della’s family has channeled magic from the Bend for generations, providing spells for the desperate. But when Natasha appears on her doorstep, Della knows it will take more than simple potions to help her. But Della has her own secrets to hide. Because Della thinks she knows the beast who’s responsible for the disappearance — her own mother, who was turned into a terrible monster by magic gone wrong. Natasha is angry. Della has little to lose. They are each other’s only hope.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Buy the book on Amazon here

Alright, so let me start by saying I read this book via audiobook – and the narrator fucking SLAYED the reading, but more on that later on in my review.

Okay, so I absolutely loved this story. I loved the premise of the sacred land, I loved the way Waters was able to weave family into the land, and how important it was to the backstory. It felt so real, like I’d been to this place before – maybe I’ve sat at the bank of the river, or wandered through the forest, but it felt so well explored and described I could smell the forest air, I could hear the river flowing.

I adored Della, she was definitely the saving grace character wise in this book. She’s strong, and loyal, and a bit snarky which had me hook, line, and sinker. The things that girl had to deal with were so thoroughly explained that it had me so deeply focused on her side of the story and her problems that arose. I loved that her magic came from the land, that she was connected to the earth, and it was beautifully written. Also, add on the fact that she was gay – I absolutely LOVE a strong, gay female character. As an open bi-sexual for the better part of my life, I’ve loved the increase in same sex couples and exploration I’ve found in novels in the past few years.

Now, Natasha on the other hand, I really didn’t feel any type of connection her. Actually, I REALLY didn’t like her. Her spoiled brat attitude made me cringe, and I honestly spent a few chapters (since the book is told in dual POV from both Della and Natasha) just shaking my head and speeding up the narration to get through her parts. She felt so one dimensional, and I really hated how rude she was to basically anyone that was trying to help her find her missing sister. Like, come on bitch, I understand you’re going through dealing with trying to find your missing sister, but getting angry and uppity with the people who want to help you and who offer to help you in your search.

The narrator had this amazing way of differentiating the characters, and making each of them feel like maybe I was listening to two narrators instead of one. It was seamless and fluent and so well punctuated and emphasized. I felt like she put a lot of emotion behind the places that it was deserved. This audiobook is actually what got me on the biggest audiobook kick I’ve ever been on in my life. The narrator had a HUGE influence on that because I felt like she did SUCH a good job with the narration I just wanted more books that had narrators like that – passionate and you could actually feel how much that narrator loves her job.

Alright, so that’s it. That’s my review. Teeth in the Mist was AMAZING and I do thoroughly implore everyone to add it to your TBR, and eventually to your physical shelves – it’s definitely one that deserves a spot in my opinion.

Thanks for spending some of your day with me, it means the world to me you’ve taken time out of your day to join me on my book blog journey. As always, may your coffee be strong, your vibes be spooky, your life be cozy, and your books transport you somewhere magical.

And remember to stay cozy, spooky, magical, and caffeinated, witches!

J.

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