Article contributed by Raathi Chota
What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo is sure to set readers in an eerie mood with its gothic aesthetic, mysterious characters, and gory descriptions. Yet, it’s also a story about relationships and how far one will go to protect others. Not to mention this intriguing book cover that eludes readers once they have read the synopsis!
Written in Eleanor’s perspective, our protagonist returns home from boarding school after eight years. She demands answers as to why Grandma Persephone sent her away all those years ago and why her family treats her like a complete stranger upon her return, as if she’s the freak when they’re all monsters. Grandma Persephone is a witch, Grandpa Miklos is a wolf along with Luma and Rhys, and Elenor’s mother is seen mostly in a bathtub with tentacles, so we can only assume she’s some type of sea creature. There’s also a family friend, Arthur, who lingers in the Zarrin household.
With a family like this, readers are bound to get hooked to the strange things that occur. The descriptive language displayed was vivid enough to imagine each character’s gruesomeness. The writing itself flowed and didn’t drag one bit. The writing about the family history becomes so beautiful yet dark to read—readers will want more. However, be prepared for some lengthy chapters, as there are only about thirteen chapters.
Eleanor was a likeable character who didn’t shy away from her family because she must’ve realised she’s like them, even though she’s been away. From the first chapter, she’s filled with curiosity and ambition to find out what has happened with her family and ways she can reconnect with them. Her character development was enjoyable, as Szabo shows readers how fierce and diligent she’ll become in order to maintain her family. However, she had flaws, which only make her more genuine in the eyes of a reader. Some decisions on her part were inevitable, as told by Grandma Persephone, but the way Eleanor handled it was pretty well done.
This review will remain spoiler free, but touching on the other Zarrin family members and Arthur, Eleanor’s cousin has been chosen as the heir of the family because he resembled Grandma and Grandpa’s eldest child who passed. However, Rhys is a wild creature, Eleanor sees this and doesn’t see him fit to carry the Zarrin name. As readers continue the story, they’ll be able to grasp Grandma Persephone’s intentions, which in turn are tragically wholesome. Luma is Eleanor’s older sister, but since she wasn’t raised like Eleanor, she acts immature and as the younger one who gets what she wants. While Arthur is one big mystery who always shows up at the Zarrin’s and serves their every purpose.
Apart from Eleanor and what she must’ve realised is that her family has been living in their own world. The townspeople have left them alone; they don’t have many outside friends and there aren’t many rules or expectations, apart from Grandma Persephone appearing as the boss of the house.
The mystery is probably what will boost readers to finish this book as soon as possible. As soon as you think you know what’s happening, it takes a drastic turn and all hell breaks loose. There’s more than one thing going on, so keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious. One thing Eleanor has learned is that you can’t trust anyone in that house.
The family dynamics are interesting to look at. Rhys, Luma and Grandpa Miklos are close because they’re all wolves and go out hunting most of the time, yet when they’re in their human form, Luma and Rhys still have each other’s back. Yet underneath all that, there’s still a sense of insecurity. Grandma Persephone looks out for the family, as a witch she also does fortune-telling, a way to always keep her family safe.
Szabo will leave readers grasping at all ends thinking about this book days after reading it. It’s filled with tragic, wholesome, amusing, suspicious, disturbing moments that will leave you rereading a sentence. A complete ghostly chill that deserves ten stars.
What Big Teeth is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Rose Szabo’s thrilling debut is a dark and thrilling novel about a teen girl who returns home to her strange, wild family after years of estrangement, perfect for fans of Wilder Girls.
Eleanor Zarrin has been estranged from her wild family for years. When she flees boarding school after a horrifying incident, she goes to the only place she thinks is safe: the home she left behind. But when she gets there, she struggles to fit in with her monstrous relatives, who prowl the woods around the family estate and read fortunes in the guts of birds.
Eleanor finds herself desperately trying to hold the family together — in order to save them all, Eleanor must learn to embrace her family of monsters and tame the darkness inside her.
Exquisitely terrifying, beautiful, and strange, this fierce gothic fantasy will sink its teeth into you and never let go.
