Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this earc!

Safely I dnfd this book as it wasn’t for me. I did see the potential and why people would love it but I couldn’t connect to the characters

Opening the cover I didn’t expect to find this wonderful adventure story waited for me. Perfect for children, and for adults to enjoy too. Jenny Green Teeth has oft been a children’s fairy tale horror. But maybe she’s not all bad. Yes she eats things that end up in her lake, humans included, but what else would you expect. However she’s not so self absorbed that she can’t tell something is not right when a young women is thrown in. For Jenny and the young women a fairy tale adventure is about to begin, because Jenny is right, not all is as it seems. An eldritch villain has come to this sleepy remote village threatening Jenny and everyone. Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine freely given.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I enjoyed this nice quick read, and I agree with the comparison to some of T.K Fisher's work as it did have a similar vibe. I enjoyed reading from Jenny's perspective although I would liked a bit more depth to the other characters.

Told from the point of view of Jenny Greenteeth, a monster dwelling in a lake, Greenteeth is a wonderful story full of magic and myth.

Incredibly clever and absolutely hilarious, Jenny was instantly likeable, and the adventure, the quest, the reluctant friendships and found family all had me reading with delight.

My only criticism is that the language felt too modern for this type of story, considering it's a historical fantasy and Jenny is a 1000+ year old creature. Otherwise it was fantastic.

The overall plot of "Greenteeth" was fine, but, apart from Jenny Greenteeth, the characters didn't really feel well-rounded, and even Jenny didn't really feel like a real person. Overall, this didn't really stand out to me.

A lake-dwelling hag, a witch and a goblin go on a quest to defeat an evil spirt, that has possessed the villages new pastor. Tasked with completing three magical missions these three unlikely companions begin their ardenous journey across the British Isles. Aided by a delightful party of side characters this books was as monstrously charming as promised. Only deduction is that the ending felt a bit rushed.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This book was exactly what I needed after a rough start to the year—I devoured it! With fae stories being so popular, it’s refreshing to find one that takes a unique and creepy twist. This book focuses on the darker, unsettling side of fae folklore, and I was hooked.

The main character, Jenny Greenteeth, is a terrifying lake monster straight out of English folklore. The story kicks off when a witch named Temperance is thrown into Jenny’s lake to drown. Instead of devouring her, Jenny saves her life. What follows is a wild, world-saving quest neither of them signed up for, with an incredible focus on friendship at its heart.
Another huge win for me? No romance—just pure character growth and adventure.

What a fantastic debut! I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.

2.5

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me an eARC to review!

For some reason I didn't realise this was cosy fantasy which just isn't really my thing, but I think this is definitely one to try for the Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and A Dark and Drowning Tide girlies!

I just wasn't really invested in the plot or characters, and found it a bit of a slog at times. Things were solved pretty easily/conveniently, and by the time the action picked up near the end I had lost interest. I'm also not an Arthurian legend girlie so tbh I think this is really on me more than the book itself.

I did like the hints at discussions around how the modernising world is losing its connection to nature and folklore, and how the 'creatures' are responding to that change, but I just wanted more of this! The messaging around like choosing to be a 'monster' also felt a little heavy handed, and I was hoping for a bit more of the morally grey vibes from Jenny which did come through more near the end but by that point you could kind of tell something was up.

Would recommend for fans of the cozy folklore fantasies that have been floating around lately, but just not my thing!

I really wanted to love this book but the only likeable character in this was the dog. The Excalibur reveal at the end was obvious from the start and not sure why the erl King would have let Jenny keep a weapon in the first place. Unfortunately every task seemed way too easy and I don't understand why he would have had the alicorn blade with him in the first place. Unfortunately too many plot holes and not enough character development for me

💚 Greenteeth • Molly O’Neill 💚
★★★★.𝟱

Read if you enjoy:
💚 Historical fantasy
💚 T Kingfisher books
💚 Monster main characters
💚 Unlikely friendships
💚 Adventurous quests
💚 Arthurian mythology

Jenny Greenteeth has a witch thrown into her lake and contemplates whether to eat her or help her. Temperance, the witch in question, is thankful that Jenny chose to help her however the village has discovered she is a witch and has turned against her. Jenny sneaks into the village and takes a close look at the new parson who’s condemning women and realises he is an ancient evil, capable of destroying everything she holds dear (the lake). Together, they set off on a quest to discover the secret to defeating this common enemy.

This is a breathtaking, somewhat cosy, definitely monstrous, heartwarming and adventurous tale that has swept me off my feet. Swimming in British mythology with strong echoes of welsh and Arthurian mythology taking center stage, this debut was unputdownable for me. I’ve immediately gone and ordered a copy for myself. I loved the plot, the heartwarming unlikely friendly between witch, River monster, and goblin, and I loved the world building. Sometimes the plot threads did tie themselves up a little too conveniently but that also added to the fairytale atmosphere of the story.

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 "Erlkönig" 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.

As someone who isn’t British, I approached Greenteeth without any prior knowledge of the folklore it’s rooted in—but that only made it more magical ✨️ (I'm going to Oxford next April and definitely keeping an eye out for lakes). Reading this felt like hearing an ancient tale told for the first time (from the source I guess?). It's a beautiful story that talks about the loss of magic with a quiet but powerful intensity. Even though the pacing occasionally slowed, it mirrored the ebbs and flows of a tale soaked (see what I did there!) in history and myth, making it all the more immersive 🧚

a mesmerizing and vibrant mondern fairytale.
unlikely allies learn to trust each other, filled with humor and a lot of heart. the magic of england,wales and scotland is written so well you can picture the places in your mind with beautiful detail without being overwhelmed.
a villain written as they should be, and a main cast that you cannot help but fall in love with.
molly’s writing style hints to a lot of great authors while always remaining distinctly unique.

Title: Greenteeth
Author: Molly O'Neill
Pages: 343
Rating: 5/5


"Beneath the still surface of a lake lurks a monster with needle sharp teeth. Hungry and ready to pounce."


This was a beautifully written debut novel by Molly O'Neill. Unexpected friendships, quests, Fae realms, and magic.

This was a wonderful cosy fantasy that had me smiling from ear to ear. I really enjoyed the world building. All the different characters that were met along the way. And the mythical creatures. I laughed along with some of the descriptors and I loved the character development of Jenny Greenteeth. The villain was absolutely brilliant and I was invested in the plot.

You'll love this book if you like
- myths and legends
- folklore
- no romance reads
- unexpected friendships
- cosy fantasy
- found family
- morally grey

I am a sucker for a good story deeply rooted in any kind of mythology. Greenteeth gave me a hunk-a-british folklore, with a hefty sprinkling of my favourite trope, found family, and topped it with a serving of adventure and questing making it a solid 5 star read for me.

This is an absolute smash of a debut, one which I cant wait to recommend to customers at the shop. It's fun, its emotional, its adorable and its tense. What. A. Package!

Molly has a fantastic writing style which flows beautifully making it an easy read.

I Loved Jenny, Brackus and Temperance and of course Cavall (we love a canine sidekick) they were such fun to be around, balancing each other out and complimenting each others traits and quirks

This was pegged as a cosy read, and I do get why for most of the book. However it is also brutal and graphic, especially for the last quarter of the book.

I completely fell in love with Jenny's story and loved the nods to British Folklore, I can't wait to read more of Molly's work.

My thanks to @orbitbooks_uk and NetGalley for the early access to a new favourite.

4 Stars
 
Greenteeth is a heartwarming cozy fantasy complete with challenging quests, magical creatures, unlikely friendships and of course, a lovable dog. Written from the point of Jenny Greenteeth, a lake dwelling, reclusive water fae, as her quiet life is thrown into chaos when an ancient and insidious being, The Erl King, takes over her home village of Chipping Appleby. Together with Temperance, the village witch, and Brackus, a mischievous Hobgoblin, the trio must travel perilous roads and complete three unique tasks for the chance to defeat their common enemy.
 
I devoured this novel! From the very first chapter I was fully invested in the characters and their adventure. With such contrasting personalities Jenny, Temperance and Brackus bought such an element of fun and drama to the story and I loved seeing their relationships develop and grow. I loved the immersion of the entire journey, the use of actual locations throughout the United Kingdom and the references to a number of myths and fairytales from corresponding regions added a sense of realism to this fantasy story. I’ve always loved how different areas of the world have their own stories of fae and magical creatures and I adored how this novel encapsulated much of the folklore and legends of the United Kingdom, linking and connecting each one.
 
Overall, Greenteeth was such an enjoyable read, O’Neill has created a truly magical and captivating story perfect for lovers of fairytales, fantasy and folklore. A fantastic debut novel and must buy for fans of T. Kingfisher’s Nettle and Bone and Thornhedge. Available from the 25th of February 2025.
 
Thank you to Netgalley, Molly O’Neill and Publishers Little, Brown Book Group UK for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Molly’s debut novel is filled with promise and intrigue as we meet Jenny Greenteeth! Part lake monster legend, part cosy read makes for a very entertaining tale that absorbs you.

This was book was the best way to start my new year (ignore that other book DNF).

This book is peak comedic fantasy for me. They are right with the T Kingfisher comparison, but I would also throw in if you like Terry Prachett or John Wiswell (Someone You Can Build a Nest In), you will love this book!

Jenny is a great character and reminds me a lot of Shesheshen for her wit and quirky voice. It is also funny after going on a rant about how I dislike most 1st person narratives, I was met with this one that does absolutely everything right.

Even through the clear reading paralysis I was happening, I knew this book was amazing. The folklore is woven in beautifully and the elements of quest and mystery felt well timed. Absolutely will be recommending to all!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the publisher for the ARC.

Thankyou so much to netgalley, the publisher and author for the chance to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review of this book 🙂

When I started Greenteeth I could tell straight off the bat it was a special story, the writing has a smooth ease that pulled me into the depths of its pages and didn't let me go until I finished this whimsical tale 🥰 .. now as a pre-emptive you should know, for a good few years all I have read are fantasy romances with and also without spice but Greenteeth I read for a refreshment (to have a break from romance as one of the main plots.. and also because it just sounded so original 🤩) and WOW I was soooo taken aback by how much I absolutely enjoyed this book!!! Loved it so much! A fantastic fantasy read that will have you rooting for the main characters to triumph throughout their adventurous journey! Who would have thought such EXTREMELY different main characters could become such a wonderfully strong team of misfits! Original, creative and immersive writing, I would love to read more from Molly O'Neill (the author) I am also off to go learn about more Welsh folklore because I knew nothing before this book and now I am thoroughly intrigued!!!

All in all, this story is a revisit of the rather classical fantasy quest to vanquish an evel being, as well as a reimagining of 'The lady of the lake'. I don't know what I was expecting, but not exactly that. Was it still enjoyable? Yes, but less that I wanted.

Let's start of with the setting. There is a great sense of fairy tale, generally light and beautiful, with a bit of darkness. Even though a lot of the magical creatures have vanished, there is still a fair amount of mythical and folkloric beings, something I enjoyed a lot. For the rest, we are in England, christianity has a good foothold and all things magical are feared, of course.

One of the fear inducing things is our main character, or at least our narrator : Jenny Greenteeth. She's a lake being, green skin and sharp teeth. I say she is more our narrator than the main character, because she isn't the one with the most to lose, or the one carrying the story. Temperance is. Sure, Jenny moves along, influences the story, but she isn't a protagonist per say.

I can't say I felt a lot for her, nor the other characters, save for the Hogboglin and our antagonist. I didn't care much about what would happen or not. It might be a 'not the right book at the right time' though. Especially since the story is told in the first person, and I don't think it was the right moment for me to read told in that fashion.
There are good things in the story and the characters. They evolve, their relationhsips are nice to witness, we see different part of the England and its creatures. The story has some great humour too, but not as much as I hoped. The darkness is there, but not potent enough to balance with the magic. It almost felt like a nice fairy tale, not cruel enough to fall into category of fairy tales I enjoy the most.

Still, the story was, overall, a good book, and I think it might appeal to people looking for a book with a strong cosy vibe with a pinch of darkness and a "monstrer" for a narrator.