Tooth and Nail

by Jennifer Safrey

Gemma Fae Cross, a tough-girl amateur boxer whose fiance is running for congress, has just made a startling discovery about herself. She is half faerie - and not just any faerie, but a tooth faerie. A hybrid of fae and human, Gemma is destined to defend the Olde Way and protect the fae - who are incapable of committing violence - from threats to their peaceful and idyllic way of life, which must be maintained by distilling innocence collected from children''s baby teeth. But when a threat to the fae mission emerges, Gemma is called upon to protect her heritage, and become a legendary fae warrior... even if it means sacrificing everything she knows about being human.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Fae, Paranormal, Fiction, Fairies, Romance

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

Also known as Jen Safrey.

Hey, friend! I’m Jennifer Safrey and—I still get a thrill every time I say this!—I’m an author. I write contemporary romance, and I also write fantasy novels that feature modern, feminist versions of characters we loved from fairy stories.

I’ve written four novels for Silhouette Special Edition (now Harlequin Special Edition)—all featuring smart, sassy, accomplished heroines and heroes you love to love. Themes in my romance novels have included all my faves: friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, and urban settings. I just finished writing a manuscript featuring a rivals-to-lovers story, which I can’t wait to tell you about. I promise to update you on its progress. I’ve also written one fantasy novel, Tooth and Nail (Skyhorse Publishing), about a tough boxer in Washington DC who discovers she is a half faerie—and not just any kind of faerie; these fae collect teeth, and they need her help to stop a threat.

My home is just south of Boston, and I live with the love of my life and our two lovable but definitely weird cats.

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://staffersmusings.blogspot.com/2...

Contrary to the article that graced this blog last week, I have been known to choose a book to read (or not read) based on genre. Usually I do it to avoid things I know I won't like, as opposed to trending toward things I know I will. For example, I hate paranormal romance and dislike most urban fantasies (because they masquerade as paranormal romance). Over the weekend, I made a choice to read an Urban Fantasy book specifically because I realized I should practice what I preach. With that in mind I read Jennifer Safrey's debut novel Tooth and Nail, from Night Shade Books.

Gemma Cross's boyfriend is running for congress. She used to be a professional pollster, but now she's retired to support her boyfriend's ambition. To keep herself busy she's rededicated herself to boxing, a childhood love and lifetime hobby.  Her life is perfect, until a magnetic young woman shows up at her gym offering her the job of a lifetime.  See, Gemma is half faerie - specifically half tooth faerie. Get it? Tooth and Nail.  As a hybrid of fae and human, Gemma is destined to defend the Olde Way, the memory of an idyllic life that pre-dates humankind. To bring back the Olde Way, the fae collect innocence, which is -- not surprisingly -- encapsulated in the baby teeth of children.  Someone is threatening that process, and Gemma is the only person who can stop it.

Before I go any further let me be clear, this is an utterly ridiculous premise. How ridiculous? Like John Travolta insisting he's straight, ridiculous. Ok, maybe not that bad. But, Tooth and Nail is about the tooth faerie saving the world, an idea I thought put aside for good after the movie starring the Rock. Unlike the movie, I'm pretty sure Safrey isn't going for tongue in cheek comedy (unless I'm really dense), instead opting for a serious take on (I feel silly even saying it) the mystical being that replaces teeth with small change. Some readers just won't be able to get past that, and I wouldn't hold that against anyone. That said, and believe me this is hard to say, I really enjoyed it.  In fact, I enjoyed it so much I read it in one sitting.

Perhaps I was predisposed to like Safrey's novel. Set in Washington DC, in the midst of a Virginia Congressional election, the book moves through a lot of my circles.  Even a boxing gym in Chinatown, where one actually exists, is rendered with a touch of familiarity. Safrey deftly captures the paranoia of a political race, and the mindset of most candidates as they have their life picked apart. There's even a blogger called the D.C. Digger.  Trust me when I say, there are plenty of those in the real world. Added to this perfect (for me) milieu, are dynamic and effective characters, a distinct lack of overt romance, and a well designed plot, making Tooth and Nail everything I want from my urban fantasy (that I almost never read).

The novel focuses on three primary points in Gemma's character that ultimately drive the narrative. First, that Gemma isn't some trophy wife, who will sit on the sidelines while her man makes laws.  Second, being a tooth fairy isn't exactly what she had in mind.  Third, filling that role is a lot more than she bargained for, jeopardizing her life, her boyfriend's career, and the way she relates to the world at large.  To the first point, I think a lot of the novel's success is predicated on Gemma being a real woman with... AGENCY. I've been waiting to use that term ever since Liz Bourke wrote her review of Theft of Swords.

Gemma doesn't wait around for men to solve her problems. She isn't overly beautiful, or stereotypical in any way that I've come to recognize females in fantasy novels. Sure, she gets weak in the knees at the sight of a set of six-pack abs, but that comes across more realistic than gratuitous and for an urban fantasy novel, Tooth and Nail spends very little time developing romantic tension.  Safrey instead develops tension by challenging her characters and their mores, asking them to exist in real space, not some contrived romantic or supernatural boondoggle. That's not to say there aren't some contrived scenes (there are several), but they are the exception as opposed to the rule.

For those who read this blog regularly and/or converse with me on Twitter, I'm sure this review is somewhat staggering. Tooth and Nail is radically divorced from what I typical read or enjoy. Tying it back to my article from Friday, that's the beauty of reading without preconceptions. The truth is there are good urban fantasies and paranormal romances, just as there are epic fantasies and space operas. It's unfortunate that I'll read very few because of how they're defined by the marketplace.

I'm glad to have read Jennifer Safrey's debut and I'd love to hear from anyone out there with ideas for novels I might enjoy off my beaten path.

[Jessie Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!

Though I first gave Tooth and Nail four out of five as a kneejerk "That was pretty damn fun to read!" reaction, a couple days distance and thought has me edging it down ever-so-slightly to a 3.75/5 stars based on whatever feels right discreet mathematics. Don't let that alarm or dismay you from giving this urban fantasy a try - personal pet peeves and a possible plot hole aren't enough to overwhelm the good in this modern-day take on the Tooth Fairy legend. First: I loved the idea behind Jennifer Safrey's novel: a female pugilist in the role of littlies' tooth collector? Inventive, clever and fun: all premises and hopes I had for this novel in those regards were fulfilled. Among things that I hadn't bargained on: the love-triangle (kick me), the genuinely freaky tooth-related nightmares Gemma has. Frequently. (Seriously, just no, no, no.), or just how sinister adult dentists can be.

Gemma Fae Cross is the main character's name and while I find painfully obvious character names to be well, painfully obvious, I found myself liking the tough-natured and competitive Gemma. She's one of those type of characters that has a strong, vibrant personality on the page - one that was thankfully well-rounded and flawed, though not one I was initially invested in much. "Bricks" short for "Brickhouse" is a competitive and good fighter in a very male dominated sport, so it's easy to say that Gemma both doesn't take shit from anyone nor pull any punches; two traits I love in a female main character. I also love that though Gemma has a serious relationship, Avery doesn't dominate her life or her thoughts. I was wary of the whole "giving up my job since he's a politician" but Gemma is an independent girl, even foolhardily so. I was also slightly disappointed by some of the things Gemma did throughout Tooth and Nail ( like kissing mentor Svein when "so in love" with Avery, repeatedly not asking for help, failing to tell anyone what she is doing or neglecting to read her freaking guidebook/how-to-Tooth-Fairy manual given to her before tooth-collecting alone), but forgave her flaws because, as her father so often told her, she is still human and capable of making mistakes. And she's also still pretty badass, flaws and disappointments aside.

As part of the "morning fae" (as opposed to their enemies, the "midnight fae"), Gemma is supposed to collect children's teeth for two years as a service to her race. Why? She works for Brimstone? The morning fae use the teeth as an attempt to regain "the Olde Way" - a way of life so long gone and innocent the fae can only remember while touching a human child's innocence - in the form of a tooth. Yes, it's a little weird and odd but I like the individual and creative mythology that Safrey worked for. My only issues and the possible aforementioned plothole from above: If the evil dentist was plotting to ruin 'The Old Way' because he was a gasp! half-breed and never allowed to experience it . . . why didn't he just touch one of his patients extracted teeth without a glove? If that's all it took to experience 'The Old Way', as seems to be the case both for Gemma's experiences, there was never one moment in all his years of schooling and practicing that the Doctor touched a touch barehanded? It strains my credulity and makes me hope that I either missed or forgot something contradicting this. ) My other complaint is trivial in comparison: all of Gemma's training - both physcial or not- is off-screen! Why! I was bummed to miss out on Svein and Gemma's interactions as long as they don't kiss. Theirs is an interesting and often charged dynamic of two dominant personalities vying for control. I'd certainly be behind a relationship, they're interesting together in way Gemma and Avery aren't - but please, do NOT go the way of the love-triangle, Ms. Safrey. Either make Gemma choose Avery or Svein but the hints and allusions to romantic tension between Gemma and her fae mentor while she is living with another man is just too much.

Let's just get it out there. The tooth nightmares. I hated them. Hated hated hated. I guess I never had a tooth-related nightmare as a child/adult or one bad enough that I remember it to this day (though apparently they are quite common. Who knew?) but I totally, totally get the horror after reading Safrey's dark and twisted visions. While I can't attest that Ms. Safrey is the absolutely best storyteller I've come across, she is certainly an able and effective one. I might not've had those kind of dreams before but I wouldn't be surprised if they appeared now! While the nightmares were the only instance I particularly took note of Ms. Safrey's prose, I liked the direct tone and voice of this book. Gemma's voice never falters and is thoroughly believable.

Tooth and Nail is a promising introduction to a new urban fantasy writer in Jennifer Safrey. Her mythology is both strong and unique while incorporating a popular theme (fae/faeries/fey/whatever), and her characters are both strong and memorable. I would be interested in reading both other books by this author and any sequels planned for this particular world/series.

[Tahlia Newland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I’d be reading a story about a tooth fairy, but in ‘Tooth and Nail’, Jennifer Safrey takes the premise that such fairies are real, gives them a credible reason for teeth stealing, and weaves it into an awesome and surprising urban fantasy.

I like Safrey’s fae better than the nasty little sprites authors often portray them as and her vision of their world and the effect of the humans overtaking it – the classic dispossession of a conquered race – is unique and refreshing. The ‘Olde Way’ that has been lost is a state of peace and bliss and once Gemma tastes it, she knows it’s worth fighting for. But a modern heroine has different challenges and must use different methods to the Warriors of old, so Gemma uses psychology and the media as her weapon, resorting to fists only when necessary.

The plot was almost completely unpredictable. The central characters were delightfully warm and real including Gemma’s volatility and the bad guy was a complex character that gains our empathy by the end. What I liked most about the story was that Gemma managed to solve the problem without killing a soul. Her solution, as noted by a surprised Fae, was much more heroic than had she resorted to murder. It was also more real and more intelligent. Congratulations, Ms Safrey for looking outside the box. It’s rare that readers get a real senses of the power of something good, and in this story, we almost taste it for ourselves.

The ending was excellent and left a good hint that more is in store. I give this 5 stars and recommend it for all lovers of urban fantasy, especially those who are sick of vamps, weres and witches and would like something where light balances the dark.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma Fae Cross is an amatuer boxer who works out at Smiley's a gym that she has literally grown there. She is a tough girl, one of the guys. But she is feminine too, her one true love Avery McCormack is running for House of Representatives and she has taken a leave from work to support his campaign. A recurring nightmare about losing her teeth has always foretold major change in her life. After the most recent nightmare, she meets Fredrica who explains that she is half fae and half human but all warrior. As a halfling, Gemma can do what no other fae can do--Fight. The fae are peaceful and trying to hold onto the "Olde Way" an ideal loving peaceful utopia that humans have almost squeezed out of the world. To get this dream of the Olde Way back, the morning fae collect baby teeth because they contain the essence of innocence that can bring back this way of life. But for the first time in years, a threat is somehow draining the the innocence from the teeth and making them dead. The children are also losing their innocence and becoming violent.

Gemma must make a choice whether to embrace her destiny and train to become the warrior she is said to be or turn her back on the dream of the "Olde Way". Becoming the Warrior could jeopardize her relationship with Avery and his chances at winning his election. As if that isn't enough, the DC digger, a political blogger is trailing Gemma looking for a story only she can provide. Gemma gets further confused by Svein Nielsen, her mentor and trainer/partner.

I was expecting a more whimsical fae story as a tooth fairy story. I was curious how this would be worked into a paranormal story. The reason for tooth collecting seemed was worked in with great thought. I love when paranormal stories are woven into reality with enough believablity and offer an alternative explanation for parts of real society such as children killers. The other unique part of this story is that Gemma already has a wonderful love in her life that is quite frankly perfect. Avery is a sexy and sweet yet so loving with Gemma. You can't help but love the interaction between them and despair with Gemma about possible exposure of her true heritage. Svein is also a tasty morsel that offers a world of naughty possibilities for you to wonder about. However, There is no real triangle in this book but the possiblity is there for sequel. I recommend this to all paranormal and fae readers for a unique story that will keep you reading.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley. This is an enjoyable story offering a different take on the idea of tooth fairies. Gemma is a tough girl, an amateur boxer, and her fiancé, Avery, is a politician. She has given up her job to help Avery as he runs for the House of Representatives. I found the start of the book confusing as there are many different characters introduced and while you are trying to keep track of them there are also some strange things happening to Gemma, I'm not sure if it was the author's aim to leave us feeling as confused as Gemma! Once the story gets going and Gemma discovers the Fae, this is a good read. I found the concept of the Fae gathering milk teeth as a way to collect innocence an interesting one and the idea of the evil dentist was good too. We are also introduced to the Midnight Fae who I imagine will feature in future books. I did enjoy this story as Gemma learns about her family, the Fae and the task of collecting teeth, then there is Gemma's role as a warrior to protect the Fae from threats and her relationship with Svein. It did seem out of character for Gemma to throw herself so fully into the warrior role when she is so careful to avoid scandal causing problems for Avery, but generally she is a believable character. I will be looking out for the second book in this series as this book demonstrates an interesting concept and, with the characters and ideas now set up, the next book should be a more cohesive story.

[Dana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sent to me by the publisher by request and it is turning out to be a fast paced and very exciting read. I can't put it down. Excellent read if you love books about faeries and things that go bump in the night. Tooth fairies will never be looked at the same way again. I love it!

[☀Rachael☀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was Awesome! My first Tooth Fairy book! I just wish that there were more!

[H.M. Gooden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read that puts the tooth fairy in a light I’ve never seen her in- warrior, champion of justice, and possessor of a mean right hook.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on the legend of the tooth fairy. Not sure how I feel about it. Oh and STOp throwing unnecessary love triangle troupes into everything please.

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gemma Fae Cross è una trentenne tosta, una boxer amatoriale il cui fidanzato è un candidato per il congresso. Ma ha appena fatto una scoperta sconcertatnte su se stessa. È per metà fata, e non una fata qualsiasi: una fatina dei denti.

Come ibrido di fae e umano, Gemma è destinata a proteggere l’Olde Way e a proteggere i fae, che sono incapaci di commettere violenza, dalle minacce che insidiano la loro vita pacifica e idilliaca, mantenuta distillando l’innocenza contenuta nei denti da latte dei bambini.

Ma quando emerge la fantomatica minaccia alla missione fae, Gemma è chiamata a proteggere la sua eredità e a diventare un leggendario guerriero fae… anche se significa sacrificare tutto quello che vuol dire essere umana.

Sicuramente originale l’espediente di inserire la fata dei denti in un urban fantasy, sinceramente ho capito molto bene la reazione di Gemma, boxer dal naso rotto, quando le fanno questa rivelazione. Una fata dei denti! Con le ali! È decisamente cascata un po’ anche a me la mascella. Mi sono sempre piaciute le eroine con i connotati, ma sinceramente Gemma mi perde sul suo essere tosta, cavolo sei una boxer, hai fatto anche le gare, e ti fai problemi a picchiare il cattivo? L’essere fata ti ha bruciato le sinapsi tutto d’un colpo? I migliori sono i personaggi maschili, ognuno di loro. Iniziamo con il famoso “il triangolo no”. Da un lato il fidanzato famoso, il politico bello e buono, ma recidivo alla natura fae della fidanzata (ovvero che corre via spaventato al primo accenno di ali… suvvia è una fata dei denti, non Dracula!) e che le chiede di lasciare il suo lavoro per la cattiva immagine che potrebbe dare alla sua campagna. Dall’altro lato il fascinoso fae dorato, che disdegna il ruolo di Gemma, ma a cui tocca farle da tutor. Ho tralasciato di menzionare che il nostro sexy non-violento fae, Sven, è anche cintura nera di taekwondo? Ma solo in allenamento. Insomma, potrebbe sembrare palese la mia preferenza per il secondo, eppure no, i due personaggi “rivali” sono ben proporzionati, e devo ammettere che mi ha altamente disturbata non riuscire a scegliere fra i due nel corso del libro. Insomma, mi sono ben immedesimata nelle seghe mentali dell’eroina. È come cercare di scegliere fra Demon (Vampire Diaries) ed Erik (True Blood), come si fa? Si prendono entrambi e via.

I personaggi secondari sono tutti affascianti e ben costruiti, anche il cattivo-barra-non cattivo, che sinceramente mi ha creato un po’ di confusione: è cattivo o no? Boh. Alla faccia della minaccia, uno ai giorni nostri si aspetterebbe almeno un terrorista, ma esageriamo, un’invasione zombie, e invece no: un dentista. Un dentista??? Altra caduta di mascella.

Tutto sommato, molto fiabesco e scorrevole, se non proprio un classico urban fantasy, almeno bisognerebbe dire “provare per credere”. Magari vi piace. Dategli una chance.

Ps. Jennifer me lo scrivi un seguito con Sven, vero? *tira fuori i pon pon*

Si ringrazia Net Galley per la gentile preview.

[Kah Cherub · Rating 4 out of 5]

read complete review here: http://notjustnonsense.blogspot.com/2...

Gemma Fae Cross is a recently unemployed woman who boxes on her free time (her nickname is Brickhouse, because of her tall, strong, Amazonian build).

One day, during training, a beautiful woman called Frederica Diamond approaches her with a job proposal. Oh, and explains that her middle name isn't just a name. It's a family title. She is fae, or better yet, a "tooth fae". Yup. An honest-to-God tooth fairy.

Now she has to divide her time between her politician boyfriend Avery McCormack (who can't afford any kind of scandals on his campaign for the House of Representatives, like, oh, I don't know, faeries?) and the super annoyingly hot fae mentor/trainer, Svein Nilsen.
The morning fae have to collect teeth in order to extract the essence of innocence to try and recreate what they lost when the human world took over, but Gemma is a hybrid. A warrior. Full-blooded fae don't fight. They may know how and can have training and sparring matches, but the minute violence starts to take over, they have no choice but to stop. So she is the only one who can protect them from the threat that is destroying the innocence in all milk teeth and turning kids into arsonists/crazy psychos.

I thought this was a very interesting take on the tooth fairy legend. Gemma was a very strong, very violent, non-fairy looking heroine. And that's what made me like her. And Svein.... oh, my. He made me wish I could become a fae just so he could kick my ass once in a while. LOL. Avery was very sweet, too. Very romantic, even if most of the time he was too stressed about his job to notice her unusual behavior.

I liked how the author developed this triangle, and I seriously couldn't pick whose side to be on. The deliciously romantic human boyfriend, or the unnervingly yummy and tempting fae? Hum... poor Gemma.

The loss of innocence issue was very interesting, too. Not to mention scary. Really, it was a brilliant twist I didn't see coming at all. I was wondering why she was mentioning violent kids SO much and then BAM. She blows my mind. Wow. O.o

If you like urban fantasy with strong heroines, lots of mystery, boxing and yummy guys, go ahead and read it!

*I received an e-arc from the publisher by Netgalley in exchange from an honest review.*

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tooth and Nail was a cute and different look into the world of tooth faeries. It is the first book I have read from this author and for the most part it was a decent read.

Gemma is a tough as nails amateur boxer who finds out that she is half fae, not just any kind of fae, but a tooth faerie! Because she is half fae she is thought of as a warrior in the world of fae. She is suppose to protect the Olde Way of the fae by any means necessary. The fae are not suppose to commit acts of violence so they use the half human, half fae to do their nasty work for them. Gemma might be a tough girl but she is no killer.

Gemma is also the girlfriend to a man running for Congress and she will not do anything to jeopardize his chances at winning. She does hope that when the time comes he can accept her for who she is, which is half fae, but she is afraid to tell him. Gemma is a good solid character and really likable.

Avery is Gemma's boyfriend who is running for Congress and he has a lot of his plate because he is trying to step out of the shadows of his fathers scandal and be his own person. It's hard for the son of a politician who has been scandalized and he is always worried about something bad happening. I don't think that he was fleshed out enough for me to decide if I liked him or not.

I liked Svein a lot more than Avery, and he wasn't even really fleshed out much either, which goes to say that Avery felt just like a stuck in the mud politician, while Svein had much more sex appeal. He just sounded yummy.

Riley Clayton the evil villain in this novel was pretty interesting in the fact that he is a dentist. He is destroying innocence with toothpaste!! Taking away the essence the tooth faeries need in the tooth that they take from children. I thought that was pretty interesting and unusual.

Over all I thought it was an interesting take on the tooth faeries and though the midnight fae are just mentioned I am pretty sure there will be a sequel where we are introduced to the darker fae, which might make the next novel a bit more interesting. I would recommend this book to those who like stories of faeries.

[Unabridged Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tooth and Nail by Jennifer Safrey is the story of Gemma Cross, an amateur boxer, who learns a life-altering secret. She is not completely human she is actually part fae. This is not your normal fairy tale, because Gemma comes from the collecting branch. This means she is part of a specific group of fae that collects the innocence from the teeth of children. Yes, as in she is a tooth fairy. Tooth collecting is not easy, and requires a large team to make sure they get as many teeth as possible.

Tooth collecting is not the only reason they have called on Gemma. When there is a threat, the fae have not way to actually fight it. Fae are incapable of fighting, which means they have to rely on rare half-human, half-fae warriors to fight their battles for them. Without Gemma, the fae have no way to protect their lifestyle, or achieve their ultimate goal of returning to the Olde Way.

I will admit that Tooth and Nail took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. I like hearing a different version of the tooth fairy story, especially when the tooth fairy can kick some serious butt. Gemma stands by her man, Avery, by quitting her job to support his run for senator. Avery is a great love interest for Gemma. Gemma and Avery balance each other emotionally and they are supportive of each other. Gemma’s fae mentor, Svein sort of plays a love interest, but it just did not feel right. It felt more like the need to have the popular love triangle element in the story.

The love triangle aside, I really loved the story as it unfolded. Without giving spoilers, the multiple parts of the story fit together nicely. While Gemma is a main character in her 30s, the story still has many elements common in the young adult genre. I would say that older young adult fans would enjoy Tooth and Nail.

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Berenice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gemma's life wasn't always easy but now that she is happy with her boyfriend and everything seems to be falling into place life decides is a good time for Gemma to shake things up, she was a happy amateur boxer and settling on the idea of leaving her job temporarily to support her boyfriends political career, but life doesn't care and decided to reveal to Gemma the other side
of her heritage, that she really is...... a tooth fairy.... well they prefer the term fae.
If the new identity crisis wasn't enough the fae have great expectations for Gemma who as a fae warrior must protect them from an evil threat, all while keeping her true identity away from her boyfriend, not pursuing the fireworks that spark every time she is with her new fae instructor and a certain journalist that seems to have a keen interest for Gemma and will stop at nothing to get the story he craves.

This book is fresh and new, and kinda grown up-ish, but not in a kill-joy way. The main character Gemma is dealing with a lot of stuff and she doesn't run, no matter what. She embraces the magic and the consequences of her acts, she is strong and she doesn't let her issues stand in her way, well... at least not for long.
The thing I love about Gemma is that even though she is an amateur boxer she doesn't resort to violence the first chance she gets, she is smart and deals with things as best as she can.
The way the author plays with the magic of the situation and the rescue of innocence is something that just made me want to grab on to this book, and I love that there is this lingering feeling at the end of a sequel.
This book may not be everyones cup of tea, because you may be expecting more action or more intensity, but for some the way Jennifer Safrey takes us trough the world of tooth faeries will be amusing and fresh.

[Kara-karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Egalley thanks to Night Shade Books
Interesting concept, but the execution is somewhat dry, and that's probably why I couldn't give this book a higher rating.

I mean, tooth fairy? How awesome is that? The evil plot of stealing children's innocence early so the teeth will get corrupted and the Fae won't gather vital for them Old Magic should have worked. The identity of the villain is pretty cool, Gemma's situation as someone who is in the spotlight as a girlfriend of a young politician adds spice to the whole thing. The training, the job, the world-building - it all should have worked.

But.

Either the story didn't gain intensity at all or lost focus too early. It's all smudged, the threads stay loose, the reality of the conflict fails to grab your attention. It just wasn't sharp enough.

I did enjoy the book, but it wasn't memorable and didn't affect me in any way unfortunately.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like Tooth and Nail- the premise sounded original, and I love the concept of a female protagonist who is a boxer. Unfortunately, the story was filled with a distracting amount of inconsistencies in both the mythology and the characters.


I stuck with it until the bitter end, on the desperate hope that it'd all come together...but eventually it just spiraled into ridiculousness. The decent guy was vilified to excuse bad decisions with a guy initially described as unattractive and then suddenly catnip for the main character, whose daddy issues kept being 'dealt with' and 'over' only to become a constant hobble to humanize her. I felt like the author gave up halfway through the book and didn't bother to keep her facts straight.


I don't recommend this book. It's not horrible, but there are so many other great books out there it seems a shame to waste time on unpolished freshman ones.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, after all, the premise seemed interesting; I've never found another book about a tooth faerie. It just wasn't what I had in mind.

Gemma Fae Cross is a thirty year old unemployed boxer who eventually learns that she's a half fae - half human hybrid, and a potential hero to the rest of the fae. Her job is essentially to act as a warrior, seeing as how the peace loving fae are incapable of direct violence, and thus can't stand against their biggest threat.

A dentist.

A misguided dentist.

I'm not going to go into too many details, after all, someone might still want to read this book. While I should have assumed that somebody was bound to be a dentist in this book, did they really have to be the antagonist?

Ultimately I felt as though this book was a waste of my time. It felt horribly slow, the characters were bland and uninteresting, and the antagonist was a dentist. Do I really have to say more?

[Sineala · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those weird cases where, for me, the execution is actually better than the concept. (I know! Usually it's the other way around.) You see, Gemma is a faerie. But not just any faerie. A tooth faerie. And once she discovers this, the rest of the fae (the good fae, naturally) persuade her to go steal children's baby teeth, which are, of course, magic.

I rolled my eyes. And then I read it anyway, and, surprisingly, it was a decent read. Gemma is a likeable enough character, and the plot was not as much about being torn between Two Sexy Men as the beginning + blurb made it sound. Actually, all the secondary characters were quite likeable as well, and the plot was fun and paced well. Sure, it's not great literature, but, hey, it was a fun book. And I imagine that if urban fantasy is actually more your thing that you will like it even more than I did.

[Darcy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of my maybe books, ones where the premise intrigues me, but I am not sure if I will like it.

I really liked Gemma, I love that she boxes, that the gym is where she feels comfortable and that it is filled with misfits. I am not sure what I think about her relationship with Avery. At first glance I like him, he seems to accept her and isn't turned off by her boxing. Yet I am annoyed that he is the reason she gave up her job. I understand why she did, but it still doesn't make it right.

Sadly, these things that I like couldn't keep my interest in the book. I kept putting it down and walking away to clean and each time it got harder to pick back up. The story was moving very slow. After 50 pages I threw in the towel, in the end this one just wasn't for me.

[Amy Ravenel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you had suggested I read an urban fantasy about the tooth fairy, I probably would have laughed at you. That said, you should totally read this awesome book about the tooth fairy!

I loved how she created her world and the type of faerie she used. Gemma is a great character, and I loved watching her grow throughout the whole story. The ending felt a little underwhelming, and there were times I figured out what was going on before the characters did. However, it was a fun, light read. Perfect for when you don't want a dark urban fantasy.

[Joy Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and clever premise - a female boxer discovers that she's a Tooth Fairy. I don't want to give it away but the author comes up with a clever and believable reason for collecting kids' teeth. Don't be fooled, though - the storyline is much darker and more complex than the idea might suggest.

The end was a bit abrupt and I felt like the author was making a point about her personal philosophy, but it still left me looking forward to book #2.

Very enjoyable!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book! Definitely outside of my normal wheelhouse (not much into Urban Fantasy), but the author did a terrific job of explaining how the Fae fit into the world. This novel was everything that it claims to be, and I appreciate the protagonists dynamic nature - tough-girl boxer with some very believable faults that she struggles against, all while learning how to manage her powers. I had a lot of fun reading this book!

[Anna Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that the plot was interesting but the characters fell almost entirely flat. Gemma was not a protagonist I could really get behind and it took way too long for anything to even happen. It felt like the book dragged on forever and that did nothing to help my opinion. I'm shocked I even managed to finish it at all. It took me almost three weeks! I guess it just wasn't the book for me.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like about this book is that it has a strong female heroine, but she's not bitchy. I've read too many urban fantasies where the lead is just petulant for no reason. I also like that she has a boyfriend before the story begins and keeps him throughout. Finding a man doesn't solve all your problems, people!

And I laughed out loud a couple times.

[Luanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The fae have a job to collect the teeth, hence tooth fairy. Gemma doesn't know she is half fae. She is a boxer whose boyfriend is running for office. But Gemma is pulled into the fae world. Gemma finds out that not all is good in the tooth fairy world. I liked the premise for the book. I can't wait for the next one.

[Jenny]

I really couldn't get into this book - and when it started heading down the tried and rather boring path of a love triangle I just couldn't handle it any longer.
I might try this again at a later date as it seemed to have potential

[Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Tim Lacroix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, unique.

[Anniken Haga · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I was a little on the fence about this book, and even now, having listened to it, I'm on the fence. It didn't quite suck me in as I had hoped, but it wasn't all bad either. Although I did consider skipping a head or DNFing a couple of times.
The main reason for that was the added romantic drama. The story would have been a lot stronger without it.

Characters were ok, if many, and the writing was ok. If not for the fact that I considered jumping forward, it would have been a 3/5 star rating.
I don't know what more there is to say about it than that. It was a nice take on the fae-genre, and it was refreshing that it was a stand alone instead of a series. Uhm... and other than that... I don't know. I don't have many thoughts on the book or story in general. That's just how it is sometimes.

[apagankitten · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fun idea! This is a story about modern urban fae who collect innocence in order to bring back the Olde Way and all the magic of that heavenly place. What is innocence, you ask? Well, the easiest way to find it and to do no harm is baby teeth. Yep! It's a story about a fricking Tooth Fairy (Fae, not fairy!). Gemma is a fierce female fighter (literally) who finds out the truth and fights to protect the world around her.

My biggest complaint is that the story has a totally unnecessary love triangle situation and the depiction of fae being unable to harm others, even in self defense, feels wrong. I've read a lot of fantasy and mythology and can't imagine a species surviving if they couldn't at least defend themselves.