A short time after Candace inherits her grandmother’s cottage in the woods, she encounters a pretty mean fairy with far too sharp of teeth. She fails to stop him from finishing off a group of hunters and causes him to get an injured wing. Xavier becomes her problem. Nothing like a fairy to end up on her doorstep and steal her bed.
Nights into his stay, she begins to have terrible nightmares of things with sharp teeth chasing her. The beautiful fairy she found in the woods has loads of extras mouths beyond what she can feed and he is more dangerous than he already seemed. Subsequently, Candace has to avoid the pesky forest rangers and the emerging cult from finding out about Xavier.
Between Sharp Teeth is a dark fantasy horror novel that is creepy, startling, and sensuous that will get under your skin and may never come off. This was a great and well written novel that had me drooling to get to the next page.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Firstly, I must say that I am truly happy to have received this copy! I generally champion indie writers as they are the lifeblood of the macabre, and I am so grateful for the review copy very kindly provided to me. It is always a privilege to see a new world being built from the ground up.
Let’s start with the element the author executed with wonderful precision: the Fae are actually monsters. In a world often saturated with shimmering, misunderstood faerie princes, Between Sharp Teeth gives us creatures that eat children and lack any semblance of glamour. It’s refreshing, gritty, and possesses the kind of folkloric accuracy that makes my academic heart beat a little faster. If you’re going to write a creature of myth, making it genuinely formidable is a brilliant choice.
As a professional over-analyzer of tragic narratives and a seasoned horror reader, I found the experience focused more on the characters' chemistry than the overarching plot. While the atmosphere of horror was certainly present, it often felt like a backdrop for the more intimate, romantic elements of the story. For me, the "scares" took a backseat to the steamier scenes. If you are a reader who enjoys high-heat romance with a side of supernatural danger, you will likely find exactly what you’re looking for here.
While I am thankful for the gift and truly enjoyed the monstrous depiction of the Fae, my personal tastes usually lean toward a more plot-heavy, visceral nightmare. I found this to be more of a "Romantasy" with a dark edge rather than a traditional horror. If you want a story where the chemistry is the main event, you’ll likely enjoy this journey through the woods. However, if you prefer your horror to stay front and center, this might feel a little lighter on the dread than you'd expect.
A dark horror fantasy mixed with romance and thrilling elements. This was so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read. It was dark and twisted yet oddly romantic and emotional!
This story was a mash of different things and so interesting! I enjoyed the horror element to it and trying to figure out what was what. I liked the details and descriptions of the new creatures and environment that really set the stage of things.
Chancey was an interesting character I did like her devotion and loyalty to Xavier.
Xavier was unique and I’m still not sure what to make of him.
The two of them had an interesting relationship there was some banter and hate going on but also love and devotion.
Tropes for this one are horror romance, unique fae like creatures, hurt/comfort, lots of sharp teeth, he has wings, she takes care of him, danger elements, and more!
"Between Sharp Teeth" by Apple Arkham is the kind of book that gets under your skin and stays there long after you’ve finished. The writing is sharp and haunting, painting a world that’s both eerie and strangely beautiful. Every chapter kept me on edge — equal parts psychological tension and raw emotion.
I loved how layered the characters were — flawed, complicated, and deeply human. The atmosphere is dark and claustrophobic in the best way, and the slow build of dread had me devouring pages late into the night.
If you love dark fiction that blends psychological horror with emotional depth, this is a must-read. It’s unsettling, yes, but also strangely cathartic — a perfect pick for readers who enjoy something that challenges and lingers.
Between Sharp Teeth is a dark fantasy horror that will have your imagination running wild. This isn't your typical fae/fairy story. The world building and characters are so unique and unlike anything I've ever read. The story has a darker undertone that leaves you feeling unsettled and gives you creepy vibes, especially with the setting taking place in a cottage in the woods surrounded by intriguing creatures. Apple did an amazing job with the world building in this story. It's descriptive enough that you get a clear picture of what's going on, but not in a boring way. Candace and Xavier develop a very intriguing relationship. I enjoyed their connection and push and pull of their relationship. This was a great, well written, different and creative story. I recommend giving this a read. It definitely had me flipping through the pages.
This book gives a very hauntingly beautiful twist on a horror/ romance story. I loved the dark elements the were mixed in with romance to give such an original storyline to this book. wings on fairies and so many teeth. Candace and Xavier were the perfect mix to really bring the uniqueness to this story. i loved just how outside of the box this was. I genuinely enjoyed reading something that clearly had a lot of thought and imagination put into it. ❤️
Amazing story! Had great world building and creature descriptions. One of my favorite mini-tropes of all time”she heals him”. The characters were some of my favorites that I have met while reading.
Candace and Xavier’s relationship is intriguing and I enjoyed the push and pull vibes that they had going.
This will definitely be a book that I plan to reread and recommend to friends.
Graphic and detailed sacrifices Dark undertones throughout Feeding on children Open door intimate scenes Strange anatomy Tendrils Graphic Birth with complications
This novel perfectly blends elements of dark horror fantasy, romance, and thrilling narratives, resulting in a unique reading experience.
❣️The story's dark and twisted tone is balanced by an oddly romantic and emotional depth. The blend of different elements is fascinating, and the horror aspect is particularly engaging. ❣️ The detailed descriptions of the new creatures and environment effectively set the stage. ❣️ Chancey is a compelling character, and her devotion to Xavier is admirable. Xavier's character is intriguing, and his relationship with Chancey is complex, marked by both banter and affection. ❣️ The tropes present in this story include horror romance, unique fae-like creatures, hurt/comfort themes, and danger elements.
Unfortunately I couldn’t finish this. While the premise was really interesting and unique, and I wanted to continue, the prose was often confusing and it just didn’t hold my attention. I will probably try to read this again at some point as I do like indie authors. I’ll update my rating if I do finish it.