A Charming Fantasy Quest
Greenteeth
Humorous Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
Orbit
February 25, 2025
Ebook, Audiobook, Paperback
320
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. This is a tale of fae, folklore, and found family, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Travis Baldree.
“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.”
Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill is a charming, heartfelt debut that delivers pure folklorish magic. I listened to the audiobook, beautifully narrated by Catrin Walker-Booth, and it was the perfect winter escape into the emerald hills and shimmering lochs of Great Britain.
The story follows Jenny Greenteeth, a reclusive lake monster who unexpectedly saves a young witch, Temperance, when she is thrown into the lake by angry villagers. Together—alongside an endearing goblin peddler—they set out on a magical quest to protect the village of Chipping Appleby from the same dark force that sentenced Temperance to death. Once they recognize the evil they are up against, the three must travel to the hidden realm of the fae in order to seek help from the King of the Fairies.
It’s an unlikely friendship that grows into something genuinely moving.
O’Neill’s writing is warm and steeped in Welsh folklore, with nods to King Arthur and ancient myth. The novel carries a nostalgic, fairy-tale richness while offering surprising emotional depth. Jenny may not be human, but she’s a wonderfully relatable, reluctant heroine whose bond with Temperance is tender, hopeful, and full of heart. It is paced perfectly and with just enough adventure and mystery to keep readers engaged.
I couldn’t stop smiling while listening to Greenteeth. It’s a delightful fantasy novel for anyone who loves folklore-inspired stories, magical quests, and books that encourage readers to believe in the enduring power of friendship.
Celeste is a woman who is unwavering about certain things in life; three of those being books, cats, and cold brew coffee. If she can enjoy all three at the same time, it’s going to be a good day. Her favorite genres are fantasy or sci-fi romance, historical romance, and historical fiction but every few books she likes to mix it up with contemporary fiction, a good psychological thriller, or an inspiring memoir. She has a busy schedule working full-time for an online university but she makes sure to unwind each day with stories, either by reading to her elementary school-aged daughter or tucking herself in bed with her Kindle or the latest book she picked up at a local book store.
