I really enjoyed the setting of this book and the intertwining with Japanese folklore.

The atmosphere throughout was perfect, so tense and creepy.

I felt as though to really get invested in the relationships between the group the book could have been longer to allow more depth, back story and connection between the reader and character.

Compulsive, original and a perfect read for spooky season.

Cat is staying in a Heian-era mansion in Japan with a group of her friends looking for the perfect wedding venue. Unknown to them, the long uninhabited mansion is built on the bones of a jilted bride and it's walls are packed with the remains of girls sacrificed to keep her company. As the night descends into a nightmare, the friends soon realise that they've made a grave mistake.

I loved the concept of this book the setting was super creepy. Cassandra Khaw's in depth descriptions of the mansion, it's smells, sounds and decor are really immersive. With being such a short novella however the story was often disjointed. The constant use of metaphors made the prose too wordy stalling the narrative, leading it to be rushed in places. I really wish that this had been 100 pages longer to allow for what was missing - well developed characters and an ending that wasn't rushed.

I'm really sad that the UK cover doesn't compare to how fantastic the US one is too. I definitely wouldn't have picked this up without seeing the other cover.

A very entertaining and creepy novella, Nothing But Blackened Teeth is the perfect read for spooky season which I devoured in under an hour. I loved the idea - you have to love a creepy folklore tale. I think this could make an excellent novel, with a little more backstory on all of the characters as I think they deserved a little more attention.

A huge thank you for the chance to read and review this one!

Short, sly, and compulsively readable, Khaw's novella set in a decaying Japanese mansion focuses on a disparate group of friends - well, frenemies - who unknowingly (but sort of knowingly) unleash the house's curse. With gorgeous use of description, and some warped internal geographies, the book takes its time to pile on the horrors but comes to an inevitable-feeling (and very nasty) climax. Highly recommended.

Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw is a constructive novel involving a group of five friends who arrive at an abandoned mansion where a wedding is to be held. This mansion is said to contain a spirit of a bride-to-be whose fiancé died before the ceremony. The atmospheric tension lays the foundations of our toxic story full of dark pasts, intense company and a creepy apparition who requested to be buried alive in the mansion to wait for her intended.

Throughout this warped story there are witty conversations that play to imminent dangers. Khaw is self-aware of the typical horror movie tropes where things are expected but may not play out as they seem. I adore a ghost story and Khaw definitely teases a great premise in classic haunted house style fashion. Cat, our POV character, does not get on with the rest of the group stemming from a broken relationship and mental health problems. There is interpersonal chaos that causes our characters to make impulse decisions based on fear and rage. Khaw has such a soothing but haunting way to deliver prose and the way that Khaw describes chilling characters and horror elements makes for a powerful story.

One thing I did not enjoy was that I went into this expecting a terror-induced haunting that was unsettling and tense but felt that most of the story was arguments between friends. I enjoyed the ghostly aspects but feel that this could have been fleshed out a lot more. Cassandra Khaw definitely has a knack for mysteriously haunting prose and this book only serves as a tease for a hopefully longer novel. There wasn’t enough to make me ultimately care for the characters as I needed more depth to the world and the story. The heavy reliance on friendships that didn’t get quite enough backstory or development didn’t hit as high as I expected.

Five friends rent out a haunted old Japanese house for a spooky wedding - but turns out them advertised ghosts is real and ghosty is getting revengey!

Cassandra Khaw’s Nothing But Blackened Teeth appealed to me because it’s a haunted house story, which I love, and it’s set in an old Japanese house, which I’ve never seen before, so it’s disappointing to say the book is actually a stinky pile of ectoplasm.

Horror in general is hard to write and really good haunted house stories are few and far between, but Nothing But Blackened Teeth fails especially badly at both attempts. All that happens is that the group run around the old house at night while the ghost possesses one of them and smiles, showing off its blackened teeth. It’s such unimaginative storytelling.

The cast are an unlikeable group of moronic upper-class twonks. Why they’re friends at all in the first place is a mystery as they seem to loathe each other from the beginning. Almost all of the book is these five idiots bickering about their past relationships and vapid love triangles with one another. I didn’t care about any of it or what was going to happen to them.

Khaw seems to think it’s clever to have some of the characters break the fourth wall by talking about “this is the part in the movie/story where this character dies/this thing happens, har har”, which isn’t smart, it’s annoyingly twee and irrelevant. She also throws in Japanese terms to describe the ghost’s appearance - like ohaguro-bettari and shiromuku - without explaining what they are, so you can’t picture what on earth she’s talking about.

Lazy cliches abound - the house happens to have a library that happens to have a book explaining the ghostly situation and how to fight the evil spirit (how convenient!) - and the backstory of the haunting couldn’t be less creative. The ending is contrived rubbish and the “emotional” finale is painfully forced.

This book reads like an amateurish first draft. Thoroughly underwhelming and boring garbage through and through, don’t bother with Cassandra Khaw’s Nothing But Bad Writing!

I love creepy novellas that pack an unexpected punch in limited pages and this one certainly did that! We follow a group of friends, all of whom are pretty unpleasant people, as they prepare for a wedding in an abandoned mansion with a sinister past in Japan. Veering away from Lovecraftian horror here, Khaw has crafted a ghost story with a whole lot of suspense that I really enjoyed. As you would expect from such a short book, the narrative moves at a fast speed, which did leave the ending feeling a little bit rushed for me, but otherwise, this was a great thrill ride that I would definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

'Nothing But Blackened Teeth' was not it for me. I think for me horror might only work in a visual medium.
That said, I think the author tries to pack a lot of character work into these 120 pages. But besides the MC, who has a lot to unpack, they mostly fall flat. The friend group is also very awkward to read about; there's so much going on between them, but we don't have enough time to explore all of it.
The writing is a lot sometimes, the metaphors are too over the top and hinder the reading flow. Especially because the wrting in dialogue is rather simple. Also, throwing in some random japanese words, don't make an authentic japanese setting. That was one thing I was really looking forward to.
I like that the finale focuses on the dynamics within the group, spiraling to a climax fueled by their fear. But the actual ending was so anticlimactic and felt incredibly rushed.
This novella leaves me pretty unsatisfied and unimpressed. I would compare it to a trashy horror movie; if you love those you'll propably also enjoy this book.
2,5 Stars.

This is the story of a group of friends who go to a haunted mansion for a wedding. The mansion has a bride buried within it with other girls sacrificed to keep her company. Things soon take a turn for the group.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. There was far too much description of the food and the drama between the “friends”. I came into this book expecting a fast paced ghost/horror story which would give me a good scare but this story didn’t even unsettle me. It was more focused on the drama between the friends than the actual ghost story. I did enjoy the Japanese folklore and the bit of horror that there was.

There’s been a lot of authors compared to Shirley Jackson, but Khaw’s Nothing but Blackened Teeth is one of the few where I’ve really felt that ringing true—Khaw writes a beautifully horrific ghost story that takes Jackson vibes and pulls them into a modern, gruesome tale.
It’s the perfect reading for this time of year.
Khaw quickly builds tension—introduces you to the cast, hints at muddied histories, makes the house as much a character as the people in it. I’m not usually a fan of overly ‘flowery’ writing, but for me the intricate descriptions here help to build the atmosphere, help to give the whole story a surreal tinge that builds inside you to create a sense of ghostly chaos. It’s beautiful yet ghastly. As you read it, you lose yourself in the vivid picture-scapes, the lush scenes absorb you in an almost detached sort of way, contrasting perfectly with the panic and, at times, gore, that unfolds.
And the core of the story being set in Japanese folklore is both fascinating and refreshing for me, as someone not well versed in this area—I’ll certainly be seeking out more from both the author and the genre.
It’s a short read, the sort you can devour in an evening. A brilliant, chilling haunted house story that’s straight up there as a classic horror story. And what better time to read it than now?

Nothing But Blackened Teeth crept up on me like one of the creepy as hell monsters it features. It starts slowly and gently and, if I’m honest, didn’t grab me that much at first. The more I read though, the more I liked it and by the end I was completely swept up by the nightmare that had gradually unfurled.
It’s a shortish book (definitely a novella rather than a novel) and the premise is simple. A group of friends travel to Japan for the wedding of two of their number, staying in a huge and ornate mansion. The mansion, no surprises, is populated by demonic creatures from Asian folklore who begin to prey on their unwanted guests.
For the first half Nothing But Blackened Teeth is slow and very much character based as the various members of the party are introduced. I struggled a bit to keep engaged with it, what kept me going was the strength of the writing. The prose is unusually good, and the setting carried with it the promise that something was going to happen.
When it did, I was very glad I’d kept reading. The final third of the book is tight as a drum and absolutely terrifying. As the supernatural elements explode onto the page that pace ramps up and that excellent prose ties everything together wonderfully. It has the surreal, horrifying feel of the worst nightmare and kept my Kindle glued to my hands.
Sometimes novellas don’t work for me, having neither the punch of a short story nor the depth of a novel, but Nothing But Blackened Teeth walks the tightrope beautifully. It’s the perfect length for what is a fairly simple horror tale, and the balance between build up and climax has of big time. I’ve seen a few less positive reviews floating around for this one, but I thought it worked very well indeed.

Published by Titan on October 19th, 'Nothing But Blackened Teeth' by Cassandra Khaw, is a 128 page novella which has intentions on consuming your conscience; pick it up, thinking it is a short ,sharp, shock, may be a decision which you come to regret because, trust me, this tale lingers...

The fusion of Western privilege and Eastern aesthetics creates a melting pot of cultures which are both misunderstood and misappropriated by the five protagonists. Ostensibly there at the behest of the narrator, Cat's partner Phillip, they, Faiz and Talia (the betrothed) and acquaintance, Lin, have hired a Japanese mansion for the celebratory occasion of Talia and Faiz' wedding.

Cat is the first person narrator who puts you into her intimate mind set, following a trauma, a grief, or other unsubstantiated-to begin with-period of  mental health difficulties. She doesn't really want to be in Japan, but at the same time, she feels a connection to the concept of hauntings, especially the tale of the doomed bride in waiting whose remains are said to be concealed in the foundations of the building. It is said that this unnamed maiden decreed that, on hearing that her groom died on route to the ceremony, that she will wait for his ghost to arrive, and was buried alive.

The night they spend there, feasting and eating, is conspicuous in the consumption, almost cannibalistic devouring of each other's company as they eat the wedding feast, skirting and sparring over their shared history, waiting for Lin to arrive. The descriptions of the people, the mansion, they stories they tell, are so very rich that they border on viscous, you feel that as you read, the story is becoming a part of you.

As the veil parts and the layers of their shared history is peeled back, the atmosphere becomes thickened and soured by Cat's glimpses of a female figure whose facial features are hidden behind a torrent of hair, all that can be seen are blackened teeth...and the haunting whispers of the phrase-

''Suenoatsuyama nami mo koenamu'

They search for the most appropriate room to tell ghost stories in, playing the game 'Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai', or, 'A Gathering of One Hundred Candles'. As the name suggests, a hundred candles are lit and, one by one, the group tells a ghost story then blows out a candle at its conclusion, until the room is dark.

And here, if your skin isn't already crawling up your bones and all hair isn't standing to attention, Cass really goes to town on all your senses.

The prose is so dense, and yet so very necessary, she manages to laden sentences with menace and subtext, with a paucity of word usage that belies their intention.

For example, consider the menace behind this startling, and short line-

'He exhaled, tectonic in its release'

The writer manages to do more in this slight volume than many could do in a doorstopper of a novel, and without minimising the effect of the tale. Consequences to actions, dissociation of identity and gender versus what is supposed to expected of you, are all examined through the mirror of love, unrequited love, and how long you would be prepared to wait for the one you believe is yours. The juxtaposition of love, and horror, is explored through the appearance of the ghosts, versus the 5 very real people who spend the night in the Heian mansion.

Who will make it through the tales without flinching, and when there are no candles left?

And if there is a ghost who has waited eternities for her love to arrive, will she let them all go?

Is it a romantic notion, the idea of someone who would join in the afterlife the person she believes is hers, or is all she has achieved exemplified by her presence trapping this man to her bitter fate?

I could not stop thinking about Cat, and her stories after I finished the e-arc, and pondered long and hard how to put into words, the effect that this novella has had. It is a visceral attack on all senses and yet, despite being deeply disturbing, is also deeply moving. I love how questions of belonging , by these people who have so much money and yet are rootless, exemplifies the social mobility of modern society, versus the spiritual emptiness. And in the space between them both, spirits are free to wander and claim them as their own.

The notion of someone, so obsessed by the concept of love that they die for it, and are buried in the building, is inherently disturbing and calls to mind the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and Bram Stoker, whilst the body horror is worthy of Clive Barker and Hieronymus Bosch. That is in no way to suggest derivation, more a mark of quality in the way that the horror is described so vividly with this undercurrent of pure terror.

The practice of ohaguro(dying your teeth black) is detailed here

It provides context as well as a contrast between the pale white skin and blackened teeth, as well as enhancing the menace-who could resist a ghost whose very teeth, the one substance in the body that is so difficult to penetrate, have turned black? It is such a striking and effective image as well as showing that the investment of time that she put into preparing for a wedding which never came, and also, to my mind, staining a substance which is harder than bone, is a dedication that haunts me.

I feel that this story has opened its mouth wide, and devoured me as much as I consumed it. It lodges somewhere inside my rib cage, and I am strangely okay with it lurking there.

Take this obscenity out of my sight or I’m going to barf, ugh.

I don’t even know what to say, there’s literally nothing I enjoyed about this novella. For such a short book I didn’t think I would find so many elements I would absolutely hate but here we are.

The writing style is so choppy and unnecessarily flowery it’s impossible to read without getting distracted. At times the use of adjectives is so redundant it becomes laughable, despite its original intent. Why do I need to read three or four synonyms one after the other when they mean the exact same thing? I got the concept, thank you very much.

The characters ruined everything else. I dare you not to hate every single one of them from page 4. Their petty jealous arguing took such a big part of this novella there wasn’t that much space left for the horror. I came here for the dead bride and Japanese demons, not for these ridiculous squabbles about who slept with whom.

The aim of the story is very clear, in fact it might just be too on the nose. I think it’s an amazing idea to take hurtful horror tropes and flip them on their heads, but here it was executed so poorly I’m sad about it. I couldn’t stand how the author made comments on horror tropes through the characters. It became apparent what was going to happen after it was continuously mentioned that people of color are the ones that usually die in all horror stories.

The book part and epilogue had me facepalm so hard. Brain cells have been lost. I thought it was cool how the main character had to be super ruthless at the end, but that’s the only good thing I can say.

Final verdict: I wish I could remove all things associated with this novella from my brain.

I’m so grateful to have been gifted the opportunity to read this book early. I’m SORRY.

Unfortunately I didn't find this book scary or immersive. I didn't connect with the story or the characters, and while it was a short read, it fell flat for me. It is a pity as it was one of my most anticipated reads coming up to Halloween. I have not posted this review online as I know there are many people who have really enjoyed it. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Utterly terrifying and dazzling. A modern classic in horror, Nothing But Blackened Teeth will surprise you!

Review: Nothing by Blackened Teeth by Cassandra KhawA horror novel set with a Japanese yurei for an antagonist, you can bet I was interested! Cassandra Khaw didn’t disappoint – for the most part at least. As usual I will avoid any major spoilers within my review apart from a few names of characters.

The premise of the novel is brilliant. A group of thrill-seeking friends are in search of a perfect wedding venue, plan to spend the night in a Heian-era mansion. Long abandoned, perhaps with good reason this mansion rests on the bones of a grief stricken bride and its walls are packed with the remains of numerous girls sacrificed to keep her company.

The planned night of good food, drinks, games and memories quickly spirals into a nightmare, as the house welcomes its newest guests. Lurking in the shadows is the ghost bride with a black smile and a hungry heart. She’s been so lonely down there in the dirt.

I want to start by saying Khaw is amazing at descriptions, the writing flows and is equally beautiful and disturbing at points, its almost lyrical. The plot and pacing was fantastic. For me the only thing I had trouble with was the characters. Cat, our main protagonist, despite seeming to suffer for mental health issues, was frustrating to say the least, Talia I hoped would be the first to go within seconds of her being introduced. Faiz and Lin were okay but that was it. The only one who I vaguely liked was Philip and even that was a stretch. Unfortunately this made it hard to be invested in their wellbeing – I won’t lie, I actually WANTED the ghost bride to wipe them all out and was more on her side from the start.

This by no way means I didn’t enjoy the book, I did. As I say the descriptions, the atmosphere, passing and horror were fantastic. Perhaps Khaw intended us to side more with the ghost bride than the group of friends. Maybe it was just me. Unfortunately I did have to deduct one star for this purely because despite the wonderful writing and storytelling I found myself routing for the wrong team and some of the tension was lost since I honestly couldn’t have cared less if they survived or not. That said I would definitely re-read this book for the descriptions and writing alone along with the antagonist. I do recommend for a good spooky read and whatsmore one with a basis of Asian culture and horror.

Received a free copy from Netgalley for review. With thanks to the publisher and author!

Atmospheric and punchy. Gruesome and full of wonderful Asian flavour (variety of influences.) On the craft side I loved her use of verbs, her usual descriptions; the emotions of death being described as a taste or a chewiness, for example. Intricate play of tropes and snarky commentary on reader expectations in horror. Khaw engaged with the 'pattern' of behavior exhibited by characters in horror, and ran with it--suggesting that perhaps people are driven to behave in certain ways or to fulfill certain roles, even when they know those roles are problematic or bad, a concept that fed into the larger commentary on the characters themselves, and their privilege.

The pacing was a bit odd at the start, though, with so much backstory crammed in. I wonder if it would have felt slightly smoother to me if it were either slightly longer or slightly shorter. Ymmv there!

Things I Liked:
♥ The setting was great and super creepy. The author did a great job of bullring a super vivid picture of the mansion.
♥ The ghost story itself was so good. It felt super real, like it could actually have happened, and doesn’t that always just make things scarier?

Things I Disliked:
♡ Unfortunately, I just didn’t care about the characters at all. I don’t know if perhaps there just want enough time to get to know them but I really didn’t feel anything for them individually, nor did their relationships do anything for me. Because of this, the weight of what happens in the present in the story really didn’t hit me and I much preferred learning about the older ghost story.

Overall Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a quick scary read for the colder months, I would definitely recommend this one and will likely read from the author again.

Content Warnings: Murder, suicide, cheating, human sacrifice, blood/gore, being buried alive.

Thanks for the read but this one did not really work for me. I've chosen not to leave a detailed review online as I think it had some bold ideas and the author's style will no doubt work for others.

The. Cover of this book is terrifying, if only the story was too, I actually wished in some sort of masochistic way this story was longer because it may have reached a worthy finale