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The Exodontists
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26The Exodontists dream of bleach and teeth...
In this darkly macabre Halloween horror novel, the Exodontists--a family of tooth-loving immortal monsters--must fight to keep their home after Spirit Halloween takes over the abandoned warehouse they live in.
Worse, still: The warehouse isn't only their home. It's also where they've run a free dental clinic for the last few decades, serving the needy and providing goodness for the human town they dwell in.
But trying to share the warehouse with the Halloween store ends up culminating in an epic grudge match to the death after the Exodontists unwittingly attract the attention of Garrett, a nasty incel employee of the Halloween store.
And things get violent.
Emotional. Dramatic. And oh-so exciting.
PLEASE READ AND RESPECT THE CONTENT WARNINGS LOCATED AT THE START OF THE BOOK.
THIS NOVEL IS A WORK OF HORROR MEANT FOR GROWN ADULTS AND FEATURES CONTENT THAT MANY READERS MAY FIND DISTURBING.
In this darkly macabre Halloween horror novel, the Exodontists--a family of tooth-loving immortal monsters--must fight to keep their home after Spirit Halloween takes over the abandoned warehouse they live in.
Worse, still: The warehouse isn't only their home. It's also where they've run a free dental clinic for the last few decades, serving the needy and providing goodness for the human town they dwell in.
But trying to share the warehouse with the Halloween store ends up culminating in an epic grudge match to the death after the Exodontists unwittingly attract the attention of Garrett, a nasty incel employee of the Halloween store.
And things get violent.
Emotional. Dramatic. And oh-so exciting.
PLEASE READ AND RESPECT THE CONTENT WARNINGS LOCATED AT THE START OF THE BOOK.
THIS NOVEL IS A WORK OF HORROR MEANT FOR GROWN ADULTS AND FEATURES CONTENT THAT MANY READERS MAY FIND DISTURBING.
450 pages, ebook
Expected publication October 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 30, 2026
Received an ARC from Nefarious Bat Press
Let me tell you... I've never read a book with a similar premise as this one. The Exodontists are a family of wraiths who live in an abandoned warehouse and during the nighttime hours, they moonlight as dentists, helping the underserved with dental issues (because they just love teeth yo).
When a Halloween store takes over their warehouse, they are forced to co-exist and it doesn't go well to say the least.
This book kept me reading and I really enjoyed The Exodontists. Drew Huff never disappoints.
Let me tell you... I've never read a book with a similar premise as this one. The Exodontists are a family of wraiths who live in an abandoned warehouse and during the nighttime hours, they moonlight as dentists, helping the underserved with dental issues (because they just love teeth yo).
When a Halloween store takes over their warehouse, they are forced to co-exist and it doesn't go well to say the least.
This book kept me reading and I really enjoyed The Exodontists. Drew Huff never disappoints.
June 8, 2026
This was an incredibly immersive read that made it easy to visualize every scene as it unfolded. When certain characters were frustrating + unlikeable...they felt authentic ; and I found myself deeply invested in their journeys. The concept itself for this book was unlike anything I've read before and the way everything came together by the end felt both unique and well executed.
I would give this book a solid 7.5/10 and I enjoyed it enough that I plan to purchase a physical copy for my home library when it's released. One of the book's biggest strengths is its originality. A story centered around a family of monsters who harvest teeth and provide free dental care, paired with a Spirit Halloween taking over their home // all the chaos that follows immediately grabbed my attention.
I first discovered this book while scrolling through Instagram. The cover art was what initially drew me in but after reading the description I knew it was something I had to read. I was incredibly excited to have the opportunity to read an ARC; it lived up to the anticipation and will live rent free in my head now.
This ended up being a very quick read for me because I simply didn't want to put it down. While there were a few moments that felt slower than others, every detail ultimately served a purpose and connected back to the larger story (I'm glad those pieces of information were included because they helped create a richer and more complete narrative). The characters were another highlight. Each one felt layered and complex; carrying their own flaws, struggles, and motivations. I appreciated how well they fit together and how their relationships added depth to the story. This was one of those books that lingered in my mind long after I stopped reading for the day.
I think readers who enjoy weird, unconventional stories with multilayered characters will really love this book. At its core the story explores trauma, family dynamics, and the ways people are shaped by the things they've endured. There's plenty of drama, unexpected twists, and emotional depth woven into the strange and imaginative premise making it a memorable read for those who enjoy stories that are a little unusual.
What stayed with me most after finishing the book was how it handled pain, trauma, and avoidance. Beyond being completely drawn into the world of the Exodontists, I was struck by how every character seemed to be carrying some kind of burden. The story explores what can happen when people ignore their struggles, refuse help, or run from the things that hurt them.
This was a fantastic read and i will forever think about the Exodontists :)
I would give this book a solid 7.5/10 and I enjoyed it enough that I plan to purchase a physical copy for my home library when it's released. One of the book's biggest strengths is its originality. A story centered around a family of monsters who harvest teeth and provide free dental care, paired with a Spirit Halloween taking over their home // all the chaos that follows immediately grabbed my attention.
I first discovered this book while scrolling through Instagram. The cover art was what initially drew me in but after reading the description I knew it was something I had to read. I was incredibly excited to have the opportunity to read an ARC; it lived up to the anticipation and will live rent free in my head now.
This ended up being a very quick read for me because I simply didn't want to put it down. While there were a few moments that felt slower than others, every detail ultimately served a purpose and connected back to the larger story (I'm glad those pieces of information were included because they helped create a richer and more complete narrative). The characters were another highlight. Each one felt layered and complex; carrying their own flaws, struggles, and motivations. I appreciated how well they fit together and how their relationships added depth to the story. This was one of those books that lingered in my mind long after I stopped reading for the day.
I think readers who enjoy weird, unconventional stories with multilayered characters will really love this book. At its core the story explores trauma, family dynamics, and the ways people are shaped by the things they've endured. There's plenty of drama, unexpected twists, and emotional depth woven into the strange and imaginative premise making it a memorable read for those who enjoy stories that are a little unusual.
What stayed with me most after finishing the book was how it handled pain, trauma, and avoidance. Beyond being completely drawn into the world of the Exodontists, I was struck by how every character seemed to be carrying some kind of burden. The story explores what can happen when people ignore their struggles, refuse help, or run from the things that hurt them.
This was a fantastic read and i will forever think about the Exodontists :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 1, 2026This is NOT a “whimsical Halloween story.” Whomever is marketing this disturbing horror book as whimsical is misleading readers. There are whole audiences for disturbing horror who would eat this book up, so why not market it as such instead of lying to whomever buys the book?
The content warnings are also wrong. The sexual assault is told in flashbacks but those flashbacks are repeatedly ON THE PAGE.
This book also needs re-editing because there are continuity errors and spelling errors that need to be fixed before publishing. I’m sorry, I loved Landlocked In Foreign Skin but if this is what the rest of your books are (glorifying sexual assault, women hating abusers getting happy endings and graphic forms of abuse being described and repeated throughout the book passing off as a story) then you’ve lost me as a reader Drew. I’m sure this book will find its audience but don’t mislead readers into thinking this is a whimsical Halloween story.
It’s dark. It’s disturbing, it’s horrific. (And not in a good horror way) It’s repetitive and too long, with multiple chances at the story ending prior to its actual end.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC but it’s a huge no for me.
The content warnings are also wrong. The sexual assault is told in flashbacks but those flashbacks are repeatedly ON THE PAGE.
This book also needs re-editing because there are continuity errors and spelling errors that need to be fixed before publishing. I’m sorry, I loved Landlocked In Foreign Skin but if this is what the rest of your books are (glorifying sexual assault, women hating abusers getting happy endings and graphic forms of abuse being described and repeated throughout the book passing off as a story) then you’ve lost me as a reader Drew. I’m sure this book will find its audience but don’t mislead readers into thinking this is a whimsical Halloween story.
It’s dark. It’s disturbing, it’s horrific. (And not in a good horror way) It’s repetitive and too long, with multiple chances at the story ending prior to its actual end.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC but it’s a huge no for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Exodontists is one of the strangest horror novels I've read in a long time and I mean that as a compliment.
At its core, it's a wildly inventive story about a family of monsters running a free dental clinic out of a crumbling warehouse. On paper, the premise sounds completely absurd, but Drew Huff somehow transforms it into a compelling blend of body horror, dark comedy, and heartfelt family drama. Beneath the grotesque imagery and bizarre concepts lies a surprisingly touching story about identity, belonging, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love. The Exodontists themselves are impossible not to root for. The novel is unsettling, frightening, and often laugh-out-loud strange, yet it's also unexpectedly endearing.
What impressed me most was the emotional core of the story. Despite the mutations, monsters, and mayhem, The Exodontists is ultimately about family. The emotional stakes remain strong throughout, anchored by Red's determination to keep his loved ones together. That warmth gives the horror extra weight and prevents the novel from becoming merely a parade of shocking ideas. Huff takes a premise that could easily have been a one-note gimmick and turns it into a wildly entertaining adventure overflowing with imagination. Every chapter feels like the product of an author constantly asking, "What's the weirdest thing I can do next?” and somehow making it work. The dental horror is deeply unsettling, the Halloween atmosphere is wonderfully immersive, and the brisk pacing kept me turning pages.
My only real criticism is that the novel occasionally seems more interested in introducing new bizarre concepts than fully exploring the ones already on the page. The creativity is undeniable, but there were moments when I wanted a little more depth and a little less chaos. Even so, those shortcomings never outweighed the sheer enjoyment of the experience. The combination of horror, dark humor, and genuine affection for its monstrous cast makes The Exodontists a memorable and distinctive read.
Overall, The Exodontists is a delightfully weird, surprisingly heartfelt nightmare that sometimes gets tangled in its own excesses but remains entertaining from beginning to end. It certainly won't appeal to every reader. It's strange, really strange and fully embraces body horror, absurdity, and unapologetic imagination. But for readers willing to surrender to its eccentric vision, the payoff is more than worth it.
At its core, it's a wildly inventive story about a family of monsters running a free dental clinic out of a crumbling warehouse. On paper, the premise sounds completely absurd, but Drew Huff somehow transforms it into a compelling blend of body horror, dark comedy, and heartfelt family drama. Beneath the grotesque imagery and bizarre concepts lies a surprisingly touching story about identity, belonging, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love. The Exodontists themselves are impossible not to root for. The novel is unsettling, frightening, and often laugh-out-loud strange, yet it's also unexpectedly endearing.
What impressed me most was the emotional core of the story. Despite the mutations, monsters, and mayhem, The Exodontists is ultimately about family. The emotional stakes remain strong throughout, anchored by Red's determination to keep his loved ones together. That warmth gives the horror extra weight and prevents the novel from becoming merely a parade of shocking ideas. Huff takes a premise that could easily have been a one-note gimmick and turns it into a wildly entertaining adventure overflowing with imagination. Every chapter feels like the product of an author constantly asking, "What's the weirdest thing I can do next?” and somehow making it work. The dental horror is deeply unsettling, the Halloween atmosphere is wonderfully immersive, and the brisk pacing kept me turning pages.
My only real criticism is that the novel occasionally seems more interested in introducing new bizarre concepts than fully exploring the ones already on the page. The creativity is undeniable, but there were moments when I wanted a little more depth and a little less chaos. Even so, those shortcomings never outweighed the sheer enjoyment of the experience. The combination of horror, dark humor, and genuine affection for its monstrous cast makes The Exodontists a memorable and distinctive read.
Overall, The Exodontists is a delightfully weird, surprisingly heartfelt nightmare that sometimes gets tangled in its own excesses but remains entertaining from beginning to end. It certainly won't appeal to every reader. It's strange, really strange and fully embraces body horror, absurdity, and unapologetic imagination. But for readers willing to surrender to its eccentric vision, the payoff is more than worth it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Exodontists is an inventive, bizarrely heartfelt and profoundly horrifying novel. The premise intrigued me, but I was still surprised by how quickly I moved through it, and how invested I was in following the story to its conclusion.
This is my first book by Drew Huff, but certainly not my last. He has an excellent command of the sensory; I found myself reacting physically on multiple occasions, and I am not generally an easily affected reader. I was also impressed with his ability to move from one perspective to another without interrupting flow. Each character has a distinct voice without feeling forced, and the constant internal dialogues/hivemind intrusions add to the layering in an atmospheric way rather than an irritating one, which I think is noteworthy. This book does many difficult things well.
I was fascinated by the exodontists, which is a large part of what made this book work so well for me. They were almost seductive, in a horrible, sideways kind of way. My interest in their physiology and connection kept any of the weaker points of this book from impacting my experience too much. Despite my desire to learn as much as I could about the exodontists, and my delight in learning new things about them/watching them learn new things about themselves, I do think this book was a bit longer than it needed to be. More than once I found myself looking at the remaining pages and wondering what more could be waiting, that where I was seemed like the beginning of an end. Some of the narration tended toward the repetitive at times, and there were a few passages that felt unnecessarily explanatory.
Whether or not a reader will enjoy this book, if the premise sounds up their alley, will (I think) depend very heavily on whether or not they can stomach being in the mind of a character like Garrett for any length of time. He was a horrible, pathetic, monstrous antagonist, and I could have listened to Faith call him 'you fucking man' 100o more times. His horror at having a body (or at least a lower half) that was 'indistinguishable from Kind or Woman' gave me great delight. May his tongue never grow back. May the love of his family do exactly what he feared it would: rob him of everything that makes him Garrett.
Happy to see that (based on previous reviews) the description of this has been edited to reflect its themes and content. It is many things, but whimsical is not high on that list.
This is my first book by Drew Huff, but certainly not my last. He has an excellent command of the sensory; I found myself reacting physically on multiple occasions, and I am not generally an easily affected reader. I was also impressed with his ability to move from one perspective to another without interrupting flow. Each character has a distinct voice without feeling forced, and the constant internal dialogues/hivemind intrusions add to the layering in an atmospheric way rather than an irritating one, which I think is noteworthy. This book does many difficult things well.
I was fascinated by the exodontists, which is a large part of what made this book work so well for me. They were almost seductive, in a horrible, sideways kind of way. My interest in their physiology and connection kept any of the weaker points of this book from impacting my experience too much. Despite my desire to learn as much as I could about the exodontists, and my delight in learning new things about them/watching them learn new things about themselves, I do think this book was a bit longer than it needed to be. More than once I found myself looking at the remaining pages and wondering what more could be waiting, that where I was seemed like the beginning of an end. Some of the narration tended toward the repetitive at times, and there were a few passages that felt unnecessarily explanatory.
Whether or not a reader will enjoy this book, if the premise sounds up their alley, will (I think) depend very heavily on whether or not they can stomach being in the mind of a character like Garrett for any length of time. He was a horrible, pathetic, monstrous antagonist, and I could have listened to Faith call him 'you fucking man' 100o more times. His horror at having a body (or at least a lower half) that was 'indistinguishable from Kind or Woman' gave me great delight. May his tongue never grow back. May the love of his family do exactly what he feared it would: rob him of everything that makes him Garrett.
Happy to see that (based on previous reviews) the description of this has been edited to reflect its themes and content. It is many things, but whimsical is not high on that list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I liked this book far more than I was expecting!
Summary: The Exodontists, who are kind of like if vampires were toothless dentists who craved teeth instead of blood, find out that the front half of warehouse that they call home is going to be used as a Halloween shop. They are persuaded to let it happen as it'll only be there for a few weeks. Everything seems to be going well until the local incel decides to break into their side of the warehouse to house something.
I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved the Exodontists, the author did a fantastic job of giving each person a different voice without making anyone "quirky". There was only one part where I felt like the book was hinting at something (someone being related to someone else, I won't say any more than that), but then that thing was never mentioned again so I'm not sure if I was just looking into things too much.
The reason I knocked a star off was for two reasons. The first one was that at some points I found the story to be a little bit over explained. There were a few parts of the book (such as a part towards the end when a pipe bomb blows up, I can't be more specific cos spoilers but if you've read the book you know what I'm talking about) when I really didn't feel that the author needed to write multiple pages explaining what happened. The second reason I knocked off a star is because Garrett calling the Exodontists the "mc-creepy-asshole clan" started grating on me very quickly. I ignored it the first two times, then found it a bit overdone the next three times, and according to my Kobo it's mentioned fourteen times so I just had to knock my rating down.
Overall I'd recommend this book, especially to fans of weird media with creepy/spooky settings such as The Addams Family or The Pilo Family Circus, even though this book isn't really like either of those things it still reminded me of them.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Summary: The Exodontists, who are kind of like if vampires were toothless dentists who craved teeth instead of blood, find out that the front half of warehouse that they call home is going to be used as a Halloween shop. They are persuaded to let it happen as it'll only be there for a few weeks. Everything seems to be going well until the local incel decides to break into their side of the warehouse to house something.
I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved the Exodontists, the author did a fantastic job of giving each person a different voice without making anyone "quirky". There was only one part where I felt like the book was hinting at something (someone being related to someone else, I won't say any more than that), but then that thing was never mentioned again so I'm not sure if I was just looking into things too much.
The reason I knocked a star off was for two reasons. The first one was that at some points I found the story to be a little bit over explained. There were a few parts of the book (such as a part towards the end when a pipe bomb blows up, I can't be more specific cos spoilers but if you've read the book you know what I'm talking about) when I really didn't feel that the author needed to write multiple pages explaining what happened. The second reason I knocked off a star is because Garrett calling the Exodontists the "mc-creepy-asshole clan" started grating on me very quickly. I ignored it the first two times, then found it a bit overdone the next three times, and according to my Kobo it's mentioned fourteen times so I just had to knock my rating down.
Overall I'd recommend this book, especially to fans of weird media with creepy/spooky settings such as The Addams Family or The Pilo Family Circus, even though this book isn't really like either of those things it still reminded me of them.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Nefarious Bat Press for giving me an ARC of the book for my honest review:
The Exodontists by Drew Huff is a book that I would not normally pick up or would DNF pretty quickly. It was weird and, at times, not in a good way. I am not a sci-fi reader and the Exodontists (Red, Man, Woman, and Boy) started off making me feel like they were grey aliens. I'm still not quite sure how to categorize the hairless, sexless, toothless beings that they are. There was a lot of character set up, which I understand why Huff needed to explain everyone, but for me it was a rough start. The character of Garrett made me feel disgusted reading his chapters. I have not been instantly repulsed by a character in a long time, so kudos for that! His misogynistic view was tough to get through. I considered DNFing this book at several occasions during Part 1.
"Furious at the loss of his self and humanity, Garrett transforms the Exodontists' warehouse into a hellish gauntlet of jerry-rigged traps, challenging the Exodontists to venture in and return his teeth....or die. Red has six hours to brave the gauntlet and defeat Garrett, or face the ultimate destruction of his beloved, monstrous family..." (taken from the description of the book). I wish there was more to this part of the story, although it was my favorite part. It bounced back and forth between the traps and Garrett, but they were Saw-like to a lesser intensity. I loved when we were with the characters going through the traps.
The whole book seemed sleepy, interjected with a few scenes of action. I ended up liking it overall, but I needed more - more action, more horror... It dragged for me. I'm unlikely to recommend this book.
The Exodontists by Drew Huff is a book that I would not normally pick up or would DNF pretty quickly. It was weird and, at times, not in a good way. I am not a sci-fi reader and the Exodontists (Red, Man, Woman, and Boy) started off making me feel like they were grey aliens. I'm still not quite sure how to categorize the hairless, sexless, toothless beings that they are. There was a lot of character set up, which I understand why Huff needed to explain everyone, but for me it was a rough start. The character of Garrett made me feel disgusted reading his chapters. I have not been instantly repulsed by a character in a long time, so kudos for that! His misogynistic view was tough to get through. I considered DNFing this book at several occasions during Part 1.
"Furious at the loss of his self and humanity, Garrett transforms the Exodontists' warehouse into a hellish gauntlet of jerry-rigged traps, challenging the Exodontists to venture in and return his teeth....or die. Red has six hours to brave the gauntlet and defeat Garrett, or face the ultimate destruction of his beloved, monstrous family..." (taken from the description of the book). I wish there was more to this part of the story, although it was my favorite part. It bounced back and forth between the traps and Garrett, but they were Saw-like to a lesser intensity. I loved when we were with the characters going through the traps.
The whole book seemed sleepy, interjected with a few scenes of action. I ended up liking it overall, but I needed more - more action, more horror... It dragged for me. I'm unlikely to recommend this book.
July 2, 2026
3.75 ★ This has one of the most unique horror premises i’ve read in a while, i was immediately hooked as soon as i read the blurb. The ‘exodontists’ are incredibly well characterized, fascinating and terrifying at the same time. There was something almost poetic in the way these beings perceive love and life, i really liked how much depth the author gave to their behavior and the family element running through the story. The relationships feel rooted in shared history and also their individual past experiences, which adds weight to the character dynamics and their behaviors.
The plot is solid overall, and the tw at the start are very clear. I understand why this won’t work for everyone, but within the genre it delivers on the gore and intensity it promises. That said, while I was fully on board at the beginning, the momentum started to fade for me around the 60–65% mark. Without spoilers, the story shifted into a more saw (yes, the movie)-like direction that felt less grounded within its own rules. It also began to drag in places, and i never fully regained the excitement i had earlier on. Overall, this is still a creative and memorable horror novel with strong character work and a standout premise, even the weak second half makes it quite enjoyable for an horror fan!
Thank you to NetGalley and Nefarious Bat Press for giving me an ARC of the book for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy!!
My teeth are blown away!! Not my socks, because this is about a ‘family’ of human-like entities who happen to also run a free dental clinic inside of an abandoned warehouse.
The family includes Red; the head and oldest member, Man; quite literally just a man, Woman; also quite literally just a woman, and Boy; the youngest member of the clan and the resident troublemaker. Everything is going well in the Exodontist family, until there is talks of a Halloween store being added to the warehouse. After a bit of manipulation and… scare tactics… on Red’s end, he finds out that it will just be one portion of the warehouse that will be converted into a store, and thankfully his family members will be added to the other half.
Everything seems to be going good, until employees of Haunted Halloween begin to suspect there is more lore to this hideous abandoned building. Enter Garrett, a man who survived a massacre and just murdered a young woman; and Faith, a young mother trying to escape her religious abuser. Will the Exodontists treat them with kindness, or will they try to defend their home?? Will they go after the operators of Haunted Halloween??
—👻 —
This was such an interesting premise. In a bit of reading slump a bit, because even though I enjoy horror about monsters and haunted buildings, they all started to read the same & I was getting quite bored. I’ve read one of Huff’s other works before, and it had a beautiful melancholic prose about a serious subject. I was so excited to read this, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity for an ARC!! This was sad, complex, detailed, and will make you cry at the end. The characters themselves have rich backgrounds and you really start to relate to them. Sometimes found family isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
My teeth are blown away!! Not my socks, because this is about a ‘family’ of human-like entities who happen to also run a free dental clinic inside of an abandoned warehouse.
The family includes Red; the head and oldest member, Man; quite literally just a man, Woman; also quite literally just a woman, and Boy; the youngest member of the clan and the resident troublemaker. Everything is going well in the Exodontist family, until there is talks of a Halloween store being added to the warehouse. After a bit of manipulation and… scare tactics… on Red’s end, he finds out that it will just be one portion of the warehouse that will be converted into a store, and thankfully his family members will be added to the other half.
Everything seems to be going good, until employees of Haunted Halloween begin to suspect there is more lore to this hideous abandoned building. Enter Garrett, a man who survived a massacre and just murdered a young woman; and Faith, a young mother trying to escape her religious abuser. Will the Exodontists treat them with kindness, or will they try to defend their home?? Will they go after the operators of Haunted Halloween??
—👻 —
This was such an interesting premise. In a bit of reading slump a bit, because even though I enjoy horror about monsters and haunted buildings, they all started to read the same & I was getting quite bored. I’ve read one of Huff’s other works before, and it had a beautiful melancholic prose about a serious subject. I was so excited to read this, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity for an ARC!! This was sad, complex, detailed, and will make you cry at the end. The characters themselves have rich backgrounds and you really start to relate to them. Sometimes found family isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Exodontists by Drew Huff is a novel seeped with body horror and familial bonds; it is not for the faint of heart. The novel follows a clan of bogeyman-esque creatures called 'Exodontists': semi immortal creatures who were once human (but now have no teeth and shed their skin frequently) and now perform free dental services in an abandoned warehouse. However, when their home is threatend, and old secrets threaten to come to light, the Exodontists must figure out what it really means to be a family.
This is honestly one of the most original premises that I have read in a long time, and Huff pulls it off really well; I was enthralled from the first page. Generally, the plot moved at a good pace, although there were times that it dragged a bit, but this did not detract too much from the reading experience. On that same note, the characters were mostly well rounded, but they felt a little flat a times. None of these opinions should put you off reading, though, as it still was a thrilling read.
Overall, I give The Exodontists 4.25/5 stars. I can't wait to see what else Drew Huff can put out, and I hope it's something as exciting and unique as this! Thank you to Nefarious Bat Press for providing this novel for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is honestly one of the most original premises that I have read in a long time, and Huff pulls it off really well; I was enthralled from the first page. Generally, the plot moved at a good pace, although there were times that it dragged a bit, but this did not detract too much from the reading experience. On that same note, the characters were mostly well rounded, but they felt a little flat a times. None of these opinions should put you off reading, though, as it still was a thrilling read.
Overall, I give The Exodontists 4.25/5 stars. I can't wait to see what else Drew Huff can put out, and I hope it's something as exciting and unique as this! Thank you to Nefarious Bat Press for providing this novel for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 17, 2026
Review of advance copy recieved by Netgalley.
4.5 stars.
Drew Huff really continues to intrigue me with every book of theirs I read, being simultaneously grotesque, bizarre, funny, but also really heartfelt as well. I will say that there are a few trigger warnings here that I would suggest looking into before giving it a read, particularly involving SA.
The cast of tooth collectors here really grew on me, I loved Boy so much and I was so interested by Red and his backstory - I can't remember the last time that I sped through a book this quickly. Beneath the body horror (and there is a lot and it's utterly brilliant, I love Huff's brand of body horror ie The Divine Flesh) and dental imagery, there's a real sense of found family and belonging in such an amazing location (aka Spirit Halloween, shout out to Maureen honestly).
The imagination here is unfathomable like how the fuck do you come up with this shit man 😭 but I was fully committed and honestly wished that there had been a bit more to read since it flew by so quickly for me.
The only reason I have knocked off half a star from my review is honestly because I hated Garrett so much, but I do also appreciate a character that I can hate unconditionally.
Thanks, Drew!
4.5 stars.
Drew Huff really continues to intrigue me with every book of theirs I read, being simultaneously grotesque, bizarre, funny, but also really heartfelt as well. I will say that there are a few trigger warnings here that I would suggest looking into before giving it a read, particularly involving SA.
The cast of tooth collectors here really grew on me, I loved Boy so much and I was so interested by Red and his backstory - I can't remember the last time that I sped through a book this quickly. Beneath the body horror (and there is a lot and it's utterly brilliant, I love Huff's brand of body horror ie The Divine Flesh) and dental imagery, there's a real sense of found family and belonging in such an amazing location (aka Spirit Halloween, shout out to Maureen honestly).
The imagination here is unfathomable like how the fuck do you come up with this shit man 😭 but I was fully committed and honestly wished that there had been a bit more to read since it flew by so quickly for me.
The only reason I have knocked off half a star from my review is honestly because I hated Garrett so much, but I do also appreciate a character that I can hate unconditionally.
Thanks, Drew!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Like all of Drew Huff's books this one is weird, askew, and reads like a fever dream. But, as always, it's full of heartbreak, drama, and sadness.
The Exodontists are kinda human and kinda not. They're hairless, sexless, and have no teeth. At night they provide free dental services for free from their home, an abandoned old warehouse.
One day they learn that a Haunted Halloween store is leasing the space for the holiday and that's going to bring a lot of terrible things to not only them but the humans who work there.
The Exodontists LOVE teeth, obsessed with them actually, and this will account for some very squirmy uncomfortable scenes throughout. Yes it's weird and bizarre but it's also about family and belonging with several instances of rather heart warming moments. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
The Exodontists are kinda human and kinda not. They're hairless, sexless, and have no teeth. At night they provide free dental services for free from their home, an abandoned old warehouse.
One day they learn that a Haunted Halloween store is leasing the space for the holiday and that's going to bring a lot of terrible things to not only them but the humans who work there.
The Exodontists LOVE teeth, obsessed with them actually, and this will account for some very squirmy uncomfortable scenes throughout. Yes it's weird and bizarre but it's also about family and belonging with several instances of rather heart warming moments. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Off the bat, I want to make it clear: The Exodontists is a strange novel. Personally, that's a massive selling point to me, but this book, like most of Drew's work, is very bizarre and often feels like a weird dream. This comes through both in the plot, characters and the prose itself.
I loved every single element of this book. I thought the Exodontists themselves, as creatures and characters were super unique and interesting. Their lore and motivations were intriguing and I loved the stream of consciousness writing style that accompanied their presence on the page.
Also, I'm unusually drawn to any horror story with death-game elements included, so that was another huge pro for me.
I highly recommend this one. Drew Huff is the absolute master of horror that's strange and surreal, so if you're looking for a spooky, Halloween-y and trippy story, this book is for you.
🦷🦷🦷🦷🦷/5
I loved every single element of this book. I thought the Exodontists themselves, as creatures and characters were super unique and interesting. Their lore and motivations were intriguing and I loved the stream of consciousness writing style that accompanied their presence on the page.
Also, I'm unusually drawn to any horror story with death-game elements included, so that was another huge pro for me.
I highly recommend this one. Drew Huff is the absolute master of horror that's strange and surreal, so if you're looking for a spooky, Halloween-y and trippy story, this book is for you.
🦷🦷🦷🦷🦷/5
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(ARC received from publishers)
A gooey body horror take on the vampire story, with lashings of small-ish town urban decay and human nastiness. Not even the Exodontists know where they come from or why, but came they did, existing in the shadows and surviving in a town that fears them because their hunger for teeth and strange powers come in very handy if you have no dental insurance and need someone to take your molars out; we see from not only the Exodontists' POV, where they're unsettling but you empathise with them and how they want to coexist on their own terms, and then we see the human's POV and how they're trying to stay calm in the face of strange, fetid creatures that are constantly creeping around your mouth. Throw in some human monsters and everyone sort-of trying their best at the same time and making it worse! Surprising stuff and oft horrible & bloody.
A gooey body horror take on the vampire story, with lashings of small-ish town urban decay and human nastiness. Not even the Exodontists know where they come from or why, but came they did, existing in the shadows and surviving in a town that fears them because their hunger for teeth and strange powers come in very handy if you have no dental insurance and need someone to take your molars out; we see from not only the Exodontists' POV, where they're unsettling but you empathise with them and how they want to coexist on their own terms, and then we see the human's POV and how they're trying to stay calm in the face of strange, fetid creatures that are constantly creeping around your mouth. Throw in some human monsters and everyone sort-of trying their best at the same time and making it worse! Surprising stuff and oft horrible & bloody.
June 3, 2026
Thank you to Nefarious Bat Press and NetGalley for the arc!
I have a lot of mixed feelings about the book. Ghosts/Vampires (without teeth) that eat teeth. Very creative different synopsis. I was curious about their lore and backstory, I wish I could have learned a little more but it’s not a deal breaker for me. I really hated Garrett, which we are supposed to, (I think?) I couldn’t tell if we were supposed to feel sympathy for him though hearing about his trauma and getting what I deem a happy ending. He KILLED MULTIPLE PEOPLE, and was so horrible and vial. I have trauma too and I’m not killing people and blaming it on my daddy issues and then expecting a happy ending for myself. I will say, I did enjoy reading the book and was looking forward to reading it at night. I wouldn’t call it a whimsical Halloween story, this was really weird and really dark.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about the book. Ghosts/Vampires (without teeth) that eat teeth. Very creative different synopsis. I was curious about their lore and backstory, I wish I could have learned a little more but it’s not a deal breaker for me. I really hated Garrett, which we are supposed to, (I think?) I couldn’t tell if we were supposed to feel sympathy for him though hearing about his trauma and getting what I deem a happy ending. He KILLED MULTIPLE PEOPLE, and was so horrible and vial. I have trauma too and I’m not killing people and blaming it on my daddy issues and then expecting a happy ending for myself. I will say, I did enjoy reading the book and was looking forward to reading it at night. I wouldn’t call it a whimsical Halloween story, this was really weird and really dark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What the actual hell did I just read. Respectfully.
Ghost/wraith dental creatures obsessed with TEETH who secretly provide free dental work at night??? A haunted Halloween store situation??? Body horror??? Found family??? Emotional damage????
This was so weird. Deeply weird. The kind of weird where I immediately needed other people to read it so I could yell about it.
And somehow underneath all the absolute chaos and tooth-related nightmare fuel, there was actual heart?? I weirdly cared so much about these creepy little freaks.
If you like bizarre horror that feels like a fever dream but also somehow makes you emotional, this is SUCH a fun time.
My jaw may never recover. 5 stars.
What the actual hell did I just read. Respectfully.
Ghost/wraith dental creatures obsessed with TEETH who secretly provide free dental work at night??? A haunted Halloween store situation??? Body horror??? Found family??? Emotional damage????
This was so weird. Deeply weird. The kind of weird where I immediately needed other people to read it so I could yell about it.
And somehow underneath all the absolute chaos and tooth-related nightmare fuel, there was actual heart?? I weirdly cared so much about these creepy little freaks.
If you like bizarre horror that feels like a fever dream but also somehow makes you emotional, this is SUCH a fun time.
My jaw may never recover. 5 stars.
May 30, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly had low expectations going into this book. Dentist/vampire monsters — what are you even supposed to expect from that?
But I flew right through it. And while this is indeed strange body horror, I was ultimately surprised that the monsters weren’t the monster of the story. The main themes here revolve around found family and the idea that regardless of your background, you deserve a chance.
So a body horror book with those weird dentist monsters turns out to have a really heartwarming message — wrapped in the body horror, of course. But the way it was executed felt refreshing, and the writing style was an easy read.
Which makes it one of the most original books I’ve read in a long time.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly had low expectations going into this book. Dentist/vampire monsters — what are you even supposed to expect from that?
But I flew right through it. And while this is indeed strange body horror, I was ultimately surprised that the monsters weren’t the monster of the story. The main themes here revolve around found family and the idea that regardless of your background, you deserve a chance.
So a body horror book with those weird dentist monsters turns out to have a really heartwarming message — wrapped in the body horror, of course. But the way it was executed felt refreshing, and the writing style was an easy read.
Which makes it one of the most original books I’ve read in a long time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for an ARC!
First and foremost being in a reading slump sucks, so I’ve picked up the exodontists hoping it’ll get me out of it as horror is so unpredictable, which is why I’m so invested.
However, I’ve found the story very slow and the characters very irritating, which made the story harder to follow. I will say for horror to work part of it had to be very descriptive, which it was and the concept was so intriguing ( unless maybe you’re scared of the dentists then maybe this really isn’t a book for you).
Even more than so I’ve found it annoying that the story went a certain path and you know it’s going that way and disliking it as it’s so predictable was also a big reason why I just had not vibed with the story.
First and foremost being in a reading slump sucks, so I’ve picked up the exodontists hoping it’ll get me out of it as horror is so unpredictable, which is why I’m so invested.
However, I’ve found the story very slow and the characters very irritating, which made the story harder to follow. I will say for horror to work part of it had to be very descriptive, which it was and the concept was so intriguing ( unless maybe you’re scared of the dentists then maybe this really isn’t a book for you).
Even more than so I’ve found it annoying that the story went a certain path and you know it’s going that way and disliking it as it’s so predictable was also a big reason why I just had not vibed with the story.
May 23, 2026
I would say this is a 4.5, rounded down to a 4. I’ve never read a book with a premise as unique as this, and I loved it. The writing was on the melodic and slower side, but the story itself was paced very well. The characters were all fairly unlikable, and at times it was tough being in the mindset of some, but I was intrigued to find out what the end result would be. The themes of grief and family were strong in this, and it was interesting to see how sometimes the “monsters” were more human and “better” than the human characters themselves.
This was my first book by this author and I’ll definitely be checking out more!
This was my first book by this author and I’ll definitely be checking out more!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!
I wanted to try and branch out a little into more niche horror reads and this one immediately caught my eye and the description sounded like something I'd love to get my teeth into (no pun intended).
Unfortunately I found rather quickly that the writing style was not for me. I am not overall a fan of present tense stories anyway but this combined with an almost detached style of writing just didn't gel with me and I ended up DNFing the book at the 20 percent mark.
I wanted to try and branch out a little into more niche horror reads and this one immediately caught my eye and the description sounded like something I'd love to get my teeth into (no pun intended).
Unfortunately I found rather quickly that the writing style was not for me. I am not overall a fan of present tense stories anyway but this combined with an almost detached style of writing just didn't gel with me and I ended up DNFing the book at the 20 percent mark.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*thank you netgalley for the ARC so i was able to read and give my honest review*
1st of all this was not what i was expecting at all and to my surprise it was a good thing. I was thinking it was going call in the same lore of ghost and vampires but was i wrong. This story was so wild i hope there an audiobook coming cuz i think it would help me enjoy more. I wish there was more back story of the creatures. It was a fun read
1st of all this was not what i was expecting at all and to my surprise it was a good thing. I was thinking it was going call in the same lore of ghost and vampires but was i wrong. This story was so wild i hope there an audiobook coming cuz i think it would help me enjoy more. I wish there was more back story of the creatures. It was a fun read
April 3, 2026
With the grace and care of a chainsaw juggler, Drew Huff balances the complications of family with the terrifying nature of change, wrapping it all in a small town horror skin. THE EXODONTISTS revels in its own weirdness, written with a confidence and clarity that pushes the reader to accept the teeth, gleaming from the depths of a dark warehouse. The perfect spooky season read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Exodontists
By Drew Huff
Pub Date: Oct 13 2026
This is a very bizarre horror novel that goes pretty deep into the body horror. The atmosphere is dark and weird. Character development is great. I enjoyed this book despite it being a little slow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nefarious Bat Press for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
By Drew Huff
Pub Date: Oct 13 2026
This is a very bizarre horror novel that goes pretty deep into the body horror. The atmosphere is dark and weird. Character development is great. I enjoyed this book despite it being a little slow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nefarious Bat Press for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When teeth hold memories and there are monsters out to take them, is the present worth it? Everyone has so much trauma, all unlikeable but somehow you want them to get some type of happy ending or resolution. A fun but graphic and distrubing read that had me locked in and wondering what was next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
From my blurb:
"A disturbing, disgusting, and tragic feat of imagination. Within the world of THE EXODONTISTS, Drew Huff has created a truly new and terrifying kind of creature. I'll never skip flossing again."
"A disturbing, disgusting, and tragic feat of imagination. Within the world of THE EXODONTISTS, Drew Huff has created a truly new and terrifying kind of creature. I'll never skip flossing again."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 ⭐️- Landlocked In Foreign Skin was one of the most memorable books I read in 2025. The Exodontists continues this tradition, definitely the most unique vampir(ish) creature feature I have ever read. The body horror was gooey, the social horror aspects gave me the heebie-jeebies. Garret in particular was a horrific, almost painful POV to be subjected to.
"I am the Exodontist, he tells himself. I AM the boogeyman, the monster, the wraith in the haunted derelict warehouse, the thing with too-long fingers, the tooth-thief".
From multiple angles the book examines the complexity of family, the emotions, sacrifices. How trauma can bond, break and shape these dynamics. There are a lot of characters and a lot going on. Adding to the chaos was the almost stream of consciousness style writing which portrayed emotional states well, but also came across as quite repetitive.
"The teeth know that something's wrong"
Unfortunately, this ended up feeling like two separate book idea kind of mashed together. The Halloween store death trap gauntlet was fun, but felt unnecessary and convoluted. I was much more interested in further exploration of the Exodontists themselves. So much fascinating lore teased and never fully explored. I found the ending to be deeply unsatisfying, dare I say I hated it.
In the end, The Exodontists is absolutely unapologetically weird in a way that is not going to be for everyone, but I think that’s true of all of Huffs writing.
* Thank you to the author, publisher & NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review. *
"I am the Exodontist, he tells himself. I AM the boogeyman, the monster, the wraith in the haunted derelict warehouse, the thing with too-long fingers, the tooth-thief".
From multiple angles the book examines the complexity of family, the emotions, sacrifices. How trauma can bond, break and shape these dynamics. There are a lot of characters and a lot going on. Adding to the chaos was the almost stream of consciousness style writing which portrayed emotional states well, but also came across as quite repetitive.
"The teeth know that something's wrong"
Unfortunately, this ended up feeling like two separate book idea kind of mashed together. The Halloween store death trap gauntlet was fun, but felt unnecessary and convoluted. I was much more interested in further exploration of the Exodontists themselves. So much fascinating lore teased and never fully explored. I found the ending to be deeply unsatisfying, dare I say I hated it.
In the end, The Exodontists is absolutely unapologetically weird in a way that is not going to be for everyone, but I think that’s true of all of Huffs writing.
* Thank you to the author, publisher & NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review. *
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