Book Review: Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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Book: Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

Genre: Paranormal Thriller, Paranormal Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell follows Marin James as she deceptively enrolls herself into a prestigious boarding school to investigate and avenge her cousin’s death. Under the alias of Jamie Vane, Marin befriends the three people she believes may be responsible for Sam’s murder–Adrian “Graves” Hargraves, Basille “Baz” Hallward, and Henry Wu. Jenni Howell writes a plot filled with philosophical horror and romance that takes us deep into the psyche of these characters while unraveling the mysteries within the walls of Huntsworth Preparatory Academy. 

If you have not read Meditations on First Philosophy by René Descartes, I highly recommend reading it in conjunction with this book. The way Howell weaves and mirrors Descartes’ philosophy into her novel is fascinating. Most people know Descartes for the quote, “I think, therefore, I am”. While Howell’s novel touches upon that, it also explores Descartes’ view of duality with absolute brilliance. The idea that the mind exists independent of the body is an elusive concept for humans to grasp. Boys with Sharp Teeth is a haunting, artistic interpretation of this abstraction that makes Descartes’ thoughts easier to conceptualize. 

Jenni Howell writes a story of emotional vampirism, and in some ways this is much heavier and darker than your traditional vampire book. Even though this is paranormal fiction, the author still explores critical, real-world themes that are relevant today. She explores classism, the disparity of educational opportunities between socioeconomic classes, living with chronic illness, the opioid epidemic, and mental health. 

Boys with Sharp Teeth is a complex fever dream, but it truly makes you think. As an example, the author points out that two things can be true at the same time due to the fine lines that exist between extremes–the line between love and hate, between good and evil, between life and death, between what is real and what is not, etc... This idea interwoven with the plot pushes readers to embark on a philosophical journey to understand the heart of her story. I love this approach, and think it is a really great technique to engage readers. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Roaring Brook Press, and Jenni Howell for allowing me to read this copy in advance in exchange for my honest review. 

This book is scheduled to release on April 8, 2025. 

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