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Petals & Teeth
From acclaimed YA author Renee Hayes, whose bestselling Rim Walker series was honoured as an Editor’s Pick by Publishers Weekly, comes a haunting new standalone novel that is already making waves. Petals and Teeth has been awarded the prestigious Gold Award in the Teen category of the Readers’ Choice Book Awards, the highest accolade, cementing Hayes’ reputation as one of today’s most compelling voices in young adult fantasy.
In this darkly gothic fairy-tale of forbidden power, stolen memories and awakening fire, Hayes weaves a haunting
Stolen magic… stolen memories… and stolen bodies…
Magic is dark, magic is wrong, and magic is banned in all of Martarell.
The Demon King is at war with the people of Martarell, but when a violent storm tears through Inola Dreston’s cottage, it shakes something loose in her world – and in herself.
Desperate for coin, she seeks work at the crumbling Cattenburg Manor, where shadows linger, ravens gather, and an injured soldier named Silas captures her heart before vanishing without a trace.
The deeper Inola digs, the more the manor reveals strange memories, a stirring power, and secrets buried beneath the dust – the mysterious Elwin Cattenburg.
As the Demon King’s army marches closer, Inola uncovers a truth long stolen – not just from her, but from all of Martarell. Magic is waking, and Inola may be the key to stopping the darkness.
Because fire kills demons… and she’s ready to burn.
PRAISE FOR RENEE HAYES
'The Girl Who Broke the World is a masterfully told post-apocalyptic tale will captivate lovers of YA fantasy....Lyrical prose leaps off the page, ending in a gentle tease that will have readers eager for more. Readers who have a love of powerful world-building and multi-layered characters will be eager for more.' BookLife Review for Publisher's Weekly - Editor's pick for book of outstanding quality.
'Renee Hayes has crafted a richly detailed post-apocalyptic world with a plot that offers surprise after surprise, and well- developed characters with complex relationships that you absolutely root for, or love to hate.' Jamie Michele for Readers Favorite
'The Girl Who Freed the Darkness continues to amaze with a great storyline that picks up a year after The Girl Who Broke the World. As with the first book, there are amazing plot twists that keep you immersed in the story. I can't wait for the story to continue in book 3 after such an epic cliffhanger.' Josh Klein, ARC Reviewer
'The Girl Who Freed the Darkness is everything you'd hoped for and more in a sequel! The attention to detail is incredible, and I just want to dive into Zemira's world. The magic from book one continues in book 2 with some amazing plot twists. It's definitely the sort of book that needs to be read more than once!' Kaitlynd Power, ARC Reviewer
In this darkly gothic fairy-tale of forbidden power, stolen memories and awakening fire, Hayes weaves a haunting
Stolen magic… stolen memories… and stolen bodies…
Magic is dark, magic is wrong, and magic is banned in all of Martarell.
The Demon King is at war with the people of Martarell, but when a violent storm tears through Inola Dreston’s cottage, it shakes something loose in her world – and in herself.
Desperate for coin, she seeks work at the crumbling Cattenburg Manor, where shadows linger, ravens gather, and an injured soldier named Silas captures her heart before vanishing without a trace.
The deeper Inola digs, the more the manor reveals strange memories, a stirring power, and secrets buried beneath the dust – the mysterious Elwin Cattenburg.
As the Demon King’s army marches closer, Inola uncovers a truth long stolen – not just from her, but from all of Martarell. Magic is waking, and Inola may be the key to stopping the darkness.
Because fire kills demons… and she’s ready to burn.
PRAISE FOR RENEE HAYES
'The Girl Who Broke the World is a masterfully told post-apocalyptic tale will captivate lovers of YA fantasy....Lyrical prose leaps off the page, ending in a gentle tease that will have readers eager for more. Readers who have a love of powerful world-building and multi-layered characters will be eager for more.' BookLife Review for Publisher's Weekly - Editor's pick for book of outstanding quality.
'Renee Hayes has crafted a richly detailed post-apocalyptic world with a plot that offers surprise after surprise, and well- developed characters with complex relationships that you absolutely root for, or love to hate.' Jamie Michele for Readers Favorite
'The Girl Who Freed the Darkness continues to amaze with a great storyline that picks up a year after The Girl Who Broke the World. As with the first book, there are amazing plot twists that keep you immersed in the story. I can't wait for the story to continue in book 3 after such an epic cliffhanger.' Josh Klein, ARC Reviewer
'The Girl Who Freed the Darkness is everything you'd hoped for and more in a sequel! The attention to detail is incredible, and I just want to dive into Zemira's world. The magic from book one continues in book 2 with some amazing plot twists. It's definitely the sort of book that needs to be read more than once!' Kaitlynd Power, ARC Reviewer
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
11 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 15, 2025
ARC Review
Thank you to The Berry Agency and Renee Hayes for the opportunity to ARC read this book.
This one was quite hard for me to get into. I was super intrigued initially by the book description, but I really struggled to stay hooked and for how short it was, it took me quite a while to get through.
There were definitely parts I enjoyed. The overall storyline was good and had a lot of potential, but I found myself wanting more depth especially in the character development and descriptions. I felt like I barley knew what anyone looked like beyond hair and eye colour, and I think a bit more detail could’ve really pulled me in.
That said, I absolutely loved the magic aspects or lack there of at time, the relationships formed throughout, especially with Daisy and Lucy! They were such a fun part of the story. I also really enjoyed the animal sidekicks, I love animal sidekicks.
I was really hoping for something that fit the spooky season vibes for October, I feel like this fit and have managed to het a spooky season book in this month! I just didn’t connect with it as much as I hoped I would.
While it wasn’t entirely for me, I still think there’s an audience who would love this especially readers looking for a quick, spooky fantasy with a touch of magic.
What to Expect:
✨ Magic
✨ Animal Sidekicks
✨ Spooky Season Vibes
I personally wouldn’t label this as dark fantasy, it feels more like a spooky YA fantasy, which might be perfect for the right reader.
Thank you to The Berry Agency and Renee Hayes for the opportunity to ARC read this book.
This one was quite hard for me to get into. I was super intrigued initially by the book description, but I really struggled to stay hooked and for how short it was, it took me quite a while to get through.
There were definitely parts I enjoyed. The overall storyline was good and had a lot of potential, but I found myself wanting more depth especially in the character development and descriptions. I felt like I barley knew what anyone looked like beyond hair and eye colour, and I think a bit more detail could’ve really pulled me in.
That said, I absolutely loved the magic aspects or lack there of at time, the relationships formed throughout, especially with Daisy and Lucy! They were such a fun part of the story. I also really enjoyed the animal sidekicks, I love animal sidekicks.
I was really hoping for something that fit the spooky season vibes for October, I feel like this fit and have managed to het a spooky season book in this month! I just didn’t connect with it as much as I hoped I would.
While it wasn’t entirely for me, I still think there’s an audience who would love this especially readers looking for a quick, spooky fantasy with a touch of magic.
What to Expect:
✨ Magic
✨ Animal Sidekicks
✨ Spooky Season Vibes
I personally wouldn’t label this as dark fantasy, it feels more like a spooky YA fantasy, which might be perfect for the right reader.
November 8, 2025
Enola is the FMC, who lives alone as her brothers have gone off to war to fight the Demon King. When a storm destroys her cottage, she seeks work at the Cattenburg Manor where not everything is as it seems.. An injured soldier captures her heart and vanishes, ravens attack her and shadows linger. Magic is banned in Martarell, but Enola is the key to awaken it and stop the darkness.
Ahhh Renee, you've done it again!! What an amazing dark fantasy read! It was such an enchanting and mesmerising story. Renee writes with such a vivid and wild imagination, and I love it! This book had strong dark Gothic fairytale vibes, along with female empowerment and love and loyalty. The market really took my breath away, the mix of magical creatures, strange objects and imagination!
Ahhh Renee, you've done it again!! What an amazing dark fantasy read! It was such an enchanting and mesmerising story. Renee writes with such a vivid and wild imagination, and I love it! This book had strong dark Gothic fairytale vibes, along with female empowerment and love and loyalty. The market really took my breath away, the mix of magical creatures, strange objects and imagination!
July 25, 2025
What an amazing read. It feels like you get a little bit of everything in this dark fantasy. Lost magic, a demon king who is as handsome as he is evil. A girl who has to figure out how to save everyone from the demon king. Lucky she has some help from a couple creatures. Really a fantastic read.
Renee your mind is a beautiful thing to be able to come with these stories 🥰
Renee your mind is a beautiful thing to be able to come with these stories 🥰
October 24, 2025
Gothic, atmospheric vibes combined with equal parts cosy cottagecore, Petals & Teeth manages to weave both elements together beautifully.
We are introduced to our FMC, Inola who, though alone is determined to carry on, despite all her family being gone-either at the front lines or claimed by the war already. Resilient and headstrong, she does all she can to keep the house standing and life moving forward.
The tale takes a darker turn when Inola approaches a derelict mansion, hoping to secure work and some much needed money. Despite being accosted by ravens on arrival, she isn’t deterred… she’s a braver person than me, that’s for sure! 🤣 Are the ravens a warning or something more?
She finds the house empty inside, save for a solitary black cat. Her second visit however, reveals a wounded soldier, who has no memory of how he ended up in a house, injured, and hundreds of miles from the battlefield.
By now, I had goosebumps and tons of questions!! And then, the owner of the mansions appears. Cue even more eerie vibes. 🤣🤣 Inola is hired to work in the mansion, and you just know things are about to get seriously unsettling.
The mystery of the mansion was super fun to unravel and I love how the past and present tied together. The romance between Inola and the wounded soldier is the soul of this story for me, narrowly beating out her longing for her family’s safe return and an end to the war.
One particular theme that resonated with me was the way women show up for each other, shown through the dynamic of Inola and Daisy’s relationship. I saw a wonderfully deeper message there, one of womanhood, rising together, choosing solidarity over resentment and not allowing the actions of men to define or divide them. They have a complicated history, but are able to move past their grievances to support each other.
With themes of romance, found family, witchy revelations and even cute animal protectors, this book is an absolute breeze to read. Inola’s unshakeable optimism was something I totally related to. The mysterious strangers and the eerie mansion just pull you in completely.
We get to solve a good mystery, save the world, fall in love and even discover some magic, all in one well crafted story.
A huge thank you to the author and The Berry Agency for an eARC to read before release!
We are introduced to our FMC, Inola who, though alone is determined to carry on, despite all her family being gone-either at the front lines or claimed by the war already. Resilient and headstrong, she does all she can to keep the house standing and life moving forward.
The tale takes a darker turn when Inola approaches a derelict mansion, hoping to secure work and some much needed money. Despite being accosted by ravens on arrival, she isn’t deterred… she’s a braver person than me, that’s for sure! 🤣 Are the ravens a warning or something more?
She finds the house empty inside, save for a solitary black cat. Her second visit however, reveals a wounded soldier, who has no memory of how he ended up in a house, injured, and hundreds of miles from the battlefield.
By now, I had goosebumps and tons of questions!! And then, the owner of the mansions appears. Cue even more eerie vibes. 🤣🤣 Inola is hired to work in the mansion, and you just know things are about to get seriously unsettling.
The mystery of the mansion was super fun to unravel and I love how the past and present tied together. The romance between Inola and the wounded soldier is the soul of this story for me, narrowly beating out her longing for her family’s safe return and an end to the war.
One particular theme that resonated with me was the way women show up for each other, shown through the dynamic of Inola and Daisy’s relationship. I saw a wonderfully deeper message there, one of womanhood, rising together, choosing solidarity over resentment and not allowing the actions of men to define or divide them. They have a complicated history, but are able to move past their grievances to support each other.
With themes of romance, found family, witchy revelations and even cute animal protectors, this book is an absolute breeze to read. Inola’s unshakeable optimism was something I totally related to. The mysterious strangers and the eerie mansion just pull you in completely.
We get to solve a good mystery, save the world, fall in love and even discover some magic, all in one well crafted story.
A huge thank you to the author and The Berry Agency for an eARC to read before release!
October 11, 2025
ARC read/review
This is a short ride through a “dark” fantasy story. The world building is quick and choppy. I’m not a fan of the writing style: statements followed by clarifying statements. I feel a sentiment or expression shouldn’t have to be explained if done well the first time.
Seeing the glossary for the goddesses made me believe I was about to enter a complex world of divinity, I prepared to reference back if needed… not needed. The information was explained throughout. It can be skipped.
It felt like we circled back a lot to give more clarity on either the world or the plot instead of letting it develop naturally. There was a lot of repetition and it made me feel like i was accidentally reading a page paragraph again. This one lost me around 15%, but I muddled through.
The romance sub-plot was quick and unremarkable, even though the FMC seemed desperately attached to him after five seconds. Okay, sure. YA love I guess? Not my jam, but to each their own.
We spin wildly and chaotically through the story without any real depth to build connection - but again, it’s a quick 240ish pages. There is, in my opinion, a lot of wasted space on irrelevant memories or thoughts. I would have preferred those pages spent on deeper development and intrigue.
I’m sorry, this one just didn’t hit for me.
This is a short ride through a “dark” fantasy story. The world building is quick and choppy. I’m not a fan of the writing style: statements followed by clarifying statements. I feel a sentiment or expression shouldn’t have to be explained if done well the first time.
Seeing the glossary for the goddesses made me believe I was about to enter a complex world of divinity, I prepared to reference back if needed… not needed. The information was explained throughout. It can be skipped.
It felt like we circled back a lot to give more clarity on either the world or the plot instead of letting it develop naturally. There was a lot of repetition and it made me feel like i was accidentally reading a page paragraph again. This one lost me around 15%, but I muddled through.
The romance sub-plot was quick and unremarkable, even though the FMC seemed desperately attached to him after five seconds. Okay, sure. YA love I guess? Not my jam, but to each their own.
We spin wildly and chaotically through the story without any real depth to build connection - but again, it’s a quick 240ish pages. There is, in my opinion, a lot of wasted space on irrelevant memories or thoughts. I would have preferred those pages spent on deeper development and intrigue.
I’m sorry, this one just didn’t hit for me.
October 27, 2025
Petals & Teeth drew me in right away with its gothic promise—dark magic, forbidden power, and an eerie setting that practically breathes on the page. Renee Hayes has a real gift for creating mood; you can almost smell the damp earth and wilted flowers, and the imagery throughout the book is striking. The pacing, too, starts off strong, with just enough mystery to keep you turning pages.
What really worked for me was the world-building. The concept of magic being both alluring and dangerous was intriguing, and I loved the way Hayes wove that moral tension through the story. The writing itself is lush and descriptive, perfect for fans of slow-burn fantasy with a slightly haunting tone.
Where the book lost me a bit was in the character development. The main character had moments of real emotion and complexity, but other times felt a little inconsistent—her choices didn’t always align with her earlier motivations. Some of the side characters, too, felt more like archetypes than fully realized people. I also found the romance (or romantic tension) underdeveloped compared to the rest of the story; it was there, but it didn’t hit with the emotional weight I expected.
The ending tied things up neatly, but maybe too neatly. For a story that built such a rich and eerie world, I was hoping for a finale that felt more unpredictable or that left me lingering on the final page. Instead, it wrapped up a bit faster and cleaner than I wanted, taking some of the tension out of the finish.
Overall, Petals & Teeth is a solid read—beautifully written, atmospheric, and imaginative—but it didn’t quite reach the emotional or narrative depth I was hoping for. Still, I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy gothic fantasy, morally gray magic systems, and vivid prose.
Thank you Renee Hayes and The Berry Agency for letting me read an ARC of this story.
January 13, 2026
I had fun with this book. It’s a gothic style fantasy with some sprinkles of magic and demons.
It’s on the shorter side with an interesting premise, and there were several moments I genuinely enjoyed.
While the plot was somewhat predictable for me, the writing kept me engaged, and certain scenes stood out as particularly strong. The marketplace was my overall favourite part for sure.
The ending, in my opinion felt quite short. The smaller details made it interesting but I think the villains demise was wrapped up rather quickly. It felt less impactful than I expected, especially given that for several chapters afterward, the author went into greater detail with the happily ever after, than the actual climax of the book.
The inclusion of an extensive glossary of goddesses was an unexpected choice, while a cool little edition, it wasn’t integrated into the book and may have benefited from being explored more directly within the story. I was super excited when I saw it to begin with but it’s definitely unnecessary and makes no impact on the story at all.
Silas is a likable character, but the romance leans heavily into insta-love, which is not my favourite. And honestly I liked him better as a raven
Lucy was without a doubt my favourite character, she made it for me. From the beginning I thought ‘this cat is going to be able to talk right?’ And then she was a whole ass person. Very cool
The pacing is fast, which makes the book easy to get through, and overall a good little book I did enjoy it
3/5⭐️ 0/5🌶️
It’s on the shorter side with an interesting premise, and there were several moments I genuinely enjoyed.
While the plot was somewhat predictable for me, the writing kept me engaged, and certain scenes stood out as particularly strong. The marketplace was my overall favourite part for sure.
The ending, in my opinion felt quite short. The smaller details made it interesting but I think the villains demise was wrapped up rather quickly. It felt less impactful than I expected, especially given that for several chapters afterward, the author went into greater detail with the happily ever after, than the actual climax of the book.
The inclusion of an extensive glossary of goddesses was an unexpected choice, while a cool little edition, it wasn’t integrated into the book and may have benefited from being explored more directly within the story. I was super excited when I saw it to begin with but it’s definitely unnecessary and makes no impact on the story at all.
Silas is a likable character, but the romance leans heavily into insta-love, which is not my favourite. And honestly I liked him better as a raven
Lucy was without a doubt my favourite character, she made it for me. From the beginning I thought ‘this cat is going to be able to talk right?’ And then she was a whole ass person. Very cool
The pacing is fast, which makes the book easy to get through, and overall a good little book I did enjoy it
3/5⭐️ 0/5🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
Wow. What a privilege it was to be able to read this as an ARC. A beautiful story entwined with lost magic, found family and an evil demon. Inola was never just your average girl and you should take note. A war is turning Martarell into a wasteland of boring. The magic and the memories they possess all floating above them in a vicious storm that wreaks havoc on Inola’s house. Instead of lowering herself to work with the mother of the boy who cheated on her; she seeks a job in an abandoned manor. But is it really abandoned? A cat with a magical collar and a flock of Ravens (especially one with a golden hue) who would do anything to protect Inola as she races against time and magic to save her world. This story is everything you want in a YA fantasy! What a mind Renee has to be able to create something so good!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
Thank you to the Berry Agency for the ARC copy!
I tried to get into this novel, I really did. It started off quite promising - the premise was intriguing, the characters introduced seemed like the right combination of mysterious and quirky.
But the writing felt too flat for me to continue past chapter 5. I felt like the author dragged out certain scenes and couldn't find that balance between showing and telling us the story. A good story needs to leave certain things to the audience's interpretation.
The reader must be able to infer from actions or dialogue without the author needing to explain every single thing the character is doing.
I think Renee Hayes gave it a good shot and I'm so excited to see what other ideas she has in store (she's so good at coming up with fun and different plots!), but this particular one was just not the right fit for me.
I tried to get into this novel, I really did. It started off quite promising - the premise was intriguing, the characters introduced seemed like the right combination of mysterious and quirky.
But the writing felt too flat for me to continue past chapter 5. I felt like the author dragged out certain scenes and couldn't find that balance between showing and telling us the story. A good story needs to leave certain things to the audience's interpretation.
The reader must be able to infer from actions or dialogue without the author needing to explain every single thing the character is doing.
I think Renee Hayes gave it a good shot and I'm so excited to see what other ideas she has in store (she's so good at coming up with fun and different plots!), but this particular one was just not the right fit for me.
October 27, 2025
ARC Review - 4.5⭐️
Petals and Teeth by Renee Hayes
What a gem of a YA dark fantasy! It’s a short read, but a lot is packed in. From the first page, I could picture everything so vividly - Renee Hayes writes with such rich, immersive detail that the story feels alive. It’s so beautifully written and I really enjoyed it x
The story centres around Inola, a strong yet vulnerable heroine whose life changes after her brothers leave for the war against the evil Demon King. Left to fend for herself, she sets out to find a way to survive - and that’s when she stumbles upon the old, decrepit Cattenburg Estate, where she decides to ask the mysterious inhabitant for work.
At first, everything seems perfect…but is it too good to be true?
Petals and Teeth by Renee Hayes
What a gem of a YA dark fantasy! It’s a short read, but a lot is packed in. From the first page, I could picture everything so vividly - Renee Hayes writes with such rich, immersive detail that the story feels alive. It’s so beautifully written and I really enjoyed it x
The story centres around Inola, a strong yet vulnerable heroine whose life changes after her brothers leave for the war against the evil Demon King. Left to fend for herself, she sets out to find a way to survive - and that’s when she stumbles upon the old, decrepit Cattenburg Estate, where she decides to ask the mysterious inhabitant for work.
At first, everything seems perfect…but is it too good to be true?
November 16, 2025
Thank you to The Berry Agency and Renee Hayes for the opportunity to ARC read this book.
What I loved about this book:
- animal sidekicks
- spooky or dark vibes
Beyond these wonderful traits, the book seemed promising at first but then it kind of dragged for me. I am normally a fantasy and complex magic system person but this time around I struggled to get through the beginning. The writing was better towards the end. The MFC and MMC were so promising but there was more depth missing. But it was a good introduction to this writer and will check out more of her books in the future.
It might not have been my favorite but it could be yours!
What I loved about this book:
- animal sidekicks
- spooky or dark vibes
Beyond these wonderful traits, the book seemed promising at first but then it kind of dragged for me. I am normally a fantasy and complex magic system person but this time around I struggled to get through the beginning. The writing was better towards the end. The MFC and MMC were so promising but there was more depth missing. But it was a good introduction to this writer and will check out more of her books in the future.
It might not have been my favorite but it could be yours!
October 12, 2025
Thanks to Berry Agency for an advanced copy of this one!
This was a really interesting and solid YA fantasy book. It started off slow by the 25% mark I was hooked on both the story and the world. Conversely, I felt the final 40% was almost too quick and I would’ve liked more time spent on overcoming the Demon King and ending the war - it was like one minute and discovered she was a witch and the next minute she was creating a binding circle and ending the Demon King.
All in all it was an enjoyable read, and I loved Inola as a FMC.
This was a really interesting and solid YA fantasy book. It started off slow by the 25% mark I was hooked on both the story and the world. Conversely, I felt the final 40% was almost too quick and I would’ve liked more time spent on overcoming the Demon King and ending the war - it was like one minute and discovered she was a witch and the next minute she was creating a binding circle and ending the Demon King.
All in all it was an enjoyable read, and I loved Inola as a FMC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2025
4⭐ 0🌶️
Inola lives alone, her brothers are fighting the front line of the war against the Demon King and her parents were killed years ago. She is working her hardest to maintain the family home and live her life the best she can until her brothers hopefully come home but one night a magical storm rips through her house forcing her to head into town and find some work to help pay for repairs.
This book was such a cosy fantasy read, there were a few scary themes but overall it felt like a nice escape into a world of magic. Creepy mansions, ominous men, sassy and strong female characters plus a dabbling of ravens and cats to add to the witchy appeal.
While a little slow to begin it was obvious that this was setting the tone and building up the beautiful world then once things started there was plenty of mystery, magic, wonderful scenery and a touch of action too.
I absolutely recommend this book especially around Halloween, definitely fits the spooky/witchy vibes. It also contains no on page spice but there is a touch of romance still so it would be absolutely perfect for younger readers.
Inola lives alone, her brothers are fighting the front line of the war against the Demon King and her parents were killed years ago. She is working her hardest to maintain the family home and live her life the best she can until her brothers hopefully come home but one night a magical storm rips through her house forcing her to head into town and find some work to help pay for repairs.
This book was such a cosy fantasy read, there were a few scary themes but overall it felt like a nice escape into a world of magic. Creepy mansions, ominous men, sassy and strong female characters plus a dabbling of ravens and cats to add to the witchy appeal.
While a little slow to begin it was obvious that this was setting the tone and building up the beautiful world then once things started there was plenty of mystery, magic, wonderful scenery and a touch of action too.
I absolutely recommend this book especially around Halloween, definitely fits the spooky/witchy vibes. It also contains no on page spice but there is a touch of romance still so it would be absolutely perfect for younger readers.
October 13, 2025
I actually rate this 4.25 stars. This is my first book from Renee Hayes and I look forward to more. I really enjoyed this world, the characters, and the suspense. I felt as though I was in the thick of it with Inola and wanted a better life for her (and her chickens 💔). I feel this story was well crafted and well paced and would have enjoyed an epilogue with more magic added. I recommend this as a quick but thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thank you to @theberryagency and the author for EBook ARC for my honest review.
Thank you to @theberryagency and the author for EBook ARC for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review
First impressions...THE COVER! Absolutely stunning. I’d 100% pick this up for the cover alone. Chef’s kiss. 💋
Now, here’s the thing, I’m not sure I’d call this a dark fantasy. It’s got spooky dark magic vibes for sure, but both the story and the FMC felt a bit lighter than I expected. More eerie shimmer than pitch-black shadows, if that makes sense.
A few things had me scratching my head:
🐈⬛ The marriage proposal… not sure why that needed to happen, it didn’t develop the plot. The threat to turn Inola into a dove…that seemed more on point.
🐈⬛ The brothers! I really wanted to see them play a stronger role, backup knights to Inola’s witchy power would’ve added such a fun dynamic.
🐈⬛ Daisy swooping in to save the day. It was briefly explained, but it caught me off guard. I wanted to be mentally screaming for Daisy to show up, not blinking like “oh, she’s here now?”
Overall, Petals and Teeth has beautiful writing and that gothic, spellbound feel that keeps you intrigued. Some parts didn’t quite land for me, but the atmosphere? Spot on. Spooky, witchy, and a little bit feral, just how I like it.
Tropes & Vibes: spooky magic ✦ gothic fantasy ✦ witchy sisterhood ✦ secrets and spells ✦ beauty with bite
Thank you to The Berry Agency and Renee Hayes for the opportunity to ARC read this book.
ARC Review
First impressions...THE COVER! Absolutely stunning. I’d 100% pick this up for the cover alone. Chef’s kiss. 💋
Now, here’s the thing, I’m not sure I’d call this a dark fantasy. It’s got spooky dark magic vibes for sure, but both the story and the FMC felt a bit lighter than I expected. More eerie shimmer than pitch-black shadows, if that makes sense.
A few things had me scratching my head:
🐈⬛ The marriage proposal… not sure why that needed to happen, it didn’t develop the plot. The threat to turn Inola into a dove…that seemed more on point.
🐈⬛ The brothers! I really wanted to see them play a stronger role, backup knights to Inola’s witchy power would’ve added such a fun dynamic.
🐈⬛ Daisy swooping in to save the day. It was briefly explained, but it caught me off guard. I wanted to be mentally screaming for Daisy to show up, not blinking like “oh, she’s here now?”
Overall, Petals and Teeth has beautiful writing and that gothic, spellbound feel that keeps you intrigued. Some parts didn’t quite land for me, but the atmosphere? Spot on. Spooky, witchy, and a little bit feral, just how I like it.
Tropes & Vibes: spooky magic ✦ gothic fantasy ✦ witchy sisterhood ✦ secrets and spells ✦ beauty with bite
Thank you to The Berry Agency and Renee Hayes for the opportunity to ARC read this book.
November 1, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an arc copy of Petals And Teeth through The Berry Agency, thank you. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I recently finished Petals And Teeth, a magical, witchy story perfect for the spooky season. Just to preface, knowing it was a shorter book, I did go into this read with more of a novella mindset.
Throughout the story we follow Inola who lives in a world where magic has been banned. After a devastating storm, is searching for a way to make money to repair her family cottage. On her hunt for work she stumbles across the Cattenburg Manor, where she meets an injured soldier. She helps the soldier, but when she checks on him the next day he has disappeared. As Inola discovers more about the manor and the people who inhabit it, she finds out that everything is not as it seems.
I quite enjoyed Petals And Teeth, I rated it 3 stars. It was a nice, easy to understand story, that had me guessing throughout. It did find it quite slow for about the first 50%, not a lot was happening. But once it picked up I couldn't stop reading. It was lacking in character depth and world building, but as I was viewing it as a novella that didn't bother me much. One of the aspects I really loved was the sidekick characters, I hadn't read a book before with this sort of aspect so I found it really fun!
If you're looking for a quick magical read I definitely recommend Petals And Teeth.
I recently finished Petals And Teeth, a magical, witchy story perfect for the spooky season. Just to preface, knowing it was a shorter book, I did go into this read with more of a novella mindset.
Throughout the story we follow Inola who lives in a world where magic has been banned. After a devastating storm, is searching for a way to make money to repair her family cottage. On her hunt for work she stumbles across the Cattenburg Manor, where she meets an injured soldier. She helps the soldier, but when she checks on him the next day he has disappeared. As Inola discovers more about the manor and the people who inhabit it, she finds out that everything is not as it seems.
I quite enjoyed Petals And Teeth, I rated it 3 stars. It was a nice, easy to understand story, that had me guessing throughout. It did find it quite slow for about the first 50%, not a lot was happening. But once it picked up I couldn't stop reading. It was lacking in character depth and world building, but as I was viewing it as a novella that didn't bother me much. One of the aspects I really loved was the sidekick characters, I hadn't read a book before with this sort of aspect so I found it really fun!
If you're looking for a quick magical read I definitely recommend Petals And Teeth.
October 22, 2025
I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Petals & Teeth by Renee Hayes. I gave this book 2.5 stars. The story concept is promising. However at times the book felt too slow, and then at other times it felt too fast. It is quite interesting to be labeled as a “teen” read considering some fade to black and implied moments in the story. If you enjoy witches, wars against demons, and the idea of a young woman finding her own, this could be a captivating read.
November 14, 2025
The Demon King is at war with the people of Martarell. All able bodied men have left to go fight the war leaving the women of the town to go along with daily life as best they can.
After a magical storm rages through her home, Inola, desperate for coin, travels to her closest neighbours for help. It’s there she finds a mysterious stranger who offers her employment.
But something is not right in this house and as Inola gets closer to the truth about the Demon King, she needs to form alliances with those she believes least likely to help.
I really enjoyed this book and it was an easy one day read. The pace was fast and the characters were mostly well developed for such a short book. The female friendships really made this one for me and I liked seeing how Inola grew once she started working with Lucy and Daisy.
The only part I felt was a little rushed and under developed was the romance element between Inola and Silas, I wish they had more time together to grow this relationship.
Thank you to The Berry Agency and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
After a magical storm rages through her home, Inola, desperate for coin, travels to her closest neighbours for help. It’s there she finds a mysterious stranger who offers her employment.
But something is not right in this house and as Inola gets closer to the truth about the Demon King, she needs to form alliances with those she believes least likely to help.
I really enjoyed this book and it was an easy one day read. The pace was fast and the characters were mostly well developed for such a short book. The female friendships really made this one for me and I liked seeing how Inola grew once she started working with Lucy and Daisy.
The only part I felt was a little rushed and under developed was the romance element between Inola and Silas, I wish they had more time together to grow this relationship.
Thank you to The Berry Agency and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
November 14, 2025
I got to read this book as part of an ARC Reading campaign (thank you Chloe from the Berry Agency 🫐) 💜
This book started as a very promising one: forbidden magic, cottage core, fantasy, demons and witches. The best formula to an amazing reading session.
However, it fell very flat (too many) times. I really wanted to enjoy it fully and better. I hope it could have a been a little bit more complex in the writing with more rhythm.
This book started as a very promising one: forbidden magic, cottage core, fantasy, demons and witches. The best formula to an amazing reading session.
However, it fell very flat (too many) times. I really wanted to enjoy it fully and better. I hope it could have a been a little bit more complex in the writing with more rhythm.
October 17, 2025
What a fun, spooky and engaging read!
Renee has written a wonderful stand alone that takes the reader to a new world that holds many secrets. From stolen magic and memories to love and loyalty. This book has it all.
A quick read that is perfect for this time of year and will leave the reader yearning to be a part of the world so they can go on adventures and meet up with characters that intrigued them along the way.
Thank you to Renee and the Berry Agency for the chance to ARC read this.
Renee has written a wonderful stand alone that takes the reader to a new world that holds many secrets. From stolen magic and memories to love and loyalty. This book has it all.
A quick read that is perfect for this time of year and will leave the reader yearning to be a part of the world so they can go on adventures and meet up with characters that intrigued them along the way.
Thank you to Renee and the Berry Agency for the chance to ARC read this.
October 17, 2025
I was lucky enough to be given this book as an arc. I absolutely loved the description of this book however the delivery just fell short for me. The world building and character development felt rushed and not very description. I hoped for more with this book but unfortunately it didn’t deliver which was a shame. Thanks for this arc the berry agency!
January 6, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Petals and Teeth started slow, but built into a gothic fantasy world. Inola made for a great female lead, strong and independent (and very open to adventures) but also open about feeling lonely and missing her family.
There were a few things that felt a little odd at the time but all the moving parts came together nicely in the end.
Overall I found it to be a nice, cosy YA read.
Petals and Teeth started slow, but built into a gothic fantasy world. Inola made for a great female lead, strong and independent (and very open to adventures) but also open about feeling lonely and missing her family.
There were a few things that felt a little odd at the time but all the moving parts came together nicely in the end.
Overall I found it to be a nice, cosy YA read.
November 6, 2025
This was my first Renee Hayes book and I really enjoyed it. It was very different from any other fantasy book I have read. The world building was quick but very immersive, I found myself able to picture everything as I was reading. Well worth the read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
October 10, 2025
This was a fun YA fantasy romance, filled with adventure, magic, and new found love! If you have a teen interested in fantasy romance, i would definitely suggest this for them.
October 13, 2025
I received this as an E-ARC Read.
I enjoyed the book. I just wish it wasn't so rushed. It could have been longer, but it was cute and sweet.
I enjoyed the book. I just wish it wasn't so rushed. It could have been longer, but it was cute and sweet.
November 13, 2025
ARC review:
I am only on chapter 5 but have enjoyed it thus far.
excited to keep going and will update the review as I continue on with the book.
I am only on chapter 5 but have enjoyed it thus far.
excited to keep going and will update the review as I continue on with the book.
January 13, 2026
Overall a good read. The descriptions were immersive. And I loved the theme of, if you only try you can achieve things.
Some of the ways the main character spoke threw me off, the saying used just didn’t feel like it fit in the world created. Not bad just for me felt a bit jarring.
The baddy is cool and I love the cover.
Some of the ways the main character spoke threw me off, the saying used just didn’t feel like it fit in the world created. Not bad just for me felt a bit jarring.
The baddy is cool and I love the cover.
October 20, 2025
Thank you to Renee Hayes and The Berry Agency for the ARC.
This was a very quick read. The storyline was actually pretty good, but it felt rushed.
There could have been more details regarding the character descriptions and more depth in the character development.
I loved the magic concepts and the animal sidekicks they formed bonds with.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read with not much romance but a girl determined to save the world, even though she doesn't know how.
This was a very quick read. The storyline was actually pretty good, but it felt rushed.
There could have been more details regarding the character descriptions and more depth in the character development.
I loved the magic concepts and the animal sidekicks they formed bonds with.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read with not much romance but a girl determined to save the world, even though she doesn't know how.
November 15, 2025
Inola is the main female character who stumbles into her neighbours estate during a war torn time, checking on her old friends,
Only to be entrapped by the demon king, but she was not aware for a while. A slew of characters are trapped in animal forms who end up helping Ilona save themselves and the town from takeover. There is a quick love story underneath.
Only to be entrapped by the demon king, but she was not aware for a while. A slew of characters are trapped in animal forms who end up helping Ilona save themselves and the town from takeover. There is a quick love story underneath.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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