Jenni Howell’s debut novel, “Boys with Sharp Teeth,” draws readers into the misty, haunted grounds of Huntsworth Preparatory Academy, where young Marin James infiltrates the elite boarding school to discover the truth behind her cousin Sam’s mysterious death. What begins as a straightforward revenge tale quickly spirals into an exploration of reality, identity, and the blurry boundaries between love and hate. Though ambitious in its vision, this dark academia thriller unfortunately stumbles in its execution of some key elements.
Howell crafts a world both alluring and terrifying, where mirrors become portals to darker truths and emotions are currency to be traded, stolen, and consumed. While the novel’s atmospheric quality and philosophical underpinnings show promise, uneven pacing and character development issues prevent it from fully realizing its potential.
Plot: A Cracked Mirror of Twists and Turns
The narrative follows Marin as she assumes the identity of “Jamie Vane” to infiltrate Huntsworth Academy, determined to prove that students Adrian Hargraves and Henry Wu are responsible for her cousin Sam’s death. What initially appears to be a straightforward quest for justice quickly morphs into something more complex and unsettling.
Strengths:
- The central mystery unfolds with a deliberate, suspenseful pace
- Genuinely surprising revelations about the supernatural elements
- The blending of dark academia aesthetics with supernatural horror creates a distinctive atmosphere
Weaknesses:
- The plot loses focus midway, wandering through philosophical territories without sufficient grounding
- The final act feels rushed, cramming too many revelations into too little space
- Some plot devices (like the anonymous book correspondence) are introduced with promise but resolved too conveniently
The novel’s greatest narrative strength lies in its atmosphere. Howell excels at creating an environment where the mundane and supernatural coexist in uncomfortable proximity. Huntsworth Academy feels both eerily familiar and disturbingly alien, a perfect setting for Marin’s descent into a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
However, the plot begins to unravel as the supernatural elements take center stage. What starts as a compelling revenge tale becomes increasingly convoluted, introducing metaphysical concepts about souls, mirrors, and emotional consumption that, while intriguing, aren’t fully developed or explained to satisfaction.
Characters: Complex but Inconsistent
Howell’s characters exist in morally gray territory, which provides plenty of material for conflict and introspection. However, their development isn’t always consistent.
- Marin/Jamie: Our protagonist begins as a determined, grieving girl seeking justice, but her transformation into someone increasingly comfortable with moral compromise happens too abruptly to be fully convincing. Her relationship with her true identity versus her fabricated one offers interesting moments of introspection, but the distinctions between the two personas blur too quickly.
- Adrian Hargraves: Perhaps the most compelling character in the novel. His detached exterior hides genuine emotional depth, and his relationship with both Henry and Marin provides the story’s most interesting dynamics. His self-destructive tendencies and conflicted loyalty make him the most three-dimensional presence in the narrative.
- Henry Wu: While positioned as the novel’s primary antagonist, Henry suffers from inconsistent characterization. At times manipulative and coldly calculating, at others almost sympathetic in his brokenness, the shifts in his personality often feel more like plot convenience than organic character development.
- Baz Hallward: Underutilized and often relegated to plot device status rather than a fully realized character, Baz represents a missed opportunity for exploring the collateral damage of the central trio’s destructive dynamics.
The character dynamics drive much of the narrative tension, particularly the twisted triangle between Marin, Adrian, and Henry. Their interactions are charged with ambiguity, attraction, and hostility in equal measure. However, the emotional connections between characters sometimes develop too rapidly to be believable, particularly Marin’s conflicted feelings toward Adrian.
Themes and Philosophical Underpinnings
Howell ambitiously weaves philosophical discourse throughout the narrative, directly referencing Descartes, Baudrillard, and other thinkers. These elements add intellectual weight to what might otherwise be a straightforward supernatural thriller.
The novel explores compelling themes:
- Identity and its Fragility: Marin’s dual existence as herself and Jamie raises questions about the nature of identity and how easily it can fracture under pressure
- Reality vs. Perception: The recurring mirror imagery and discussions of Descartes’ skepticism create an engaging framework for questioning what is real
- Emotional Consumption: The supernatural elements serve as a metaphor for how relationships can become parasitic
- Justice vs. Revenge: Marin’s evolving motives challenge readers to consider the distinction between seeking justice and pursuing personal vengeance
While these philosophical explorations add depth, they sometimes overshadow the narrative rather than enhancing it. The discussions of Descartes in the classroom scenes, while intellectually stimulating, occasionally feel like didactic interruptions rather than organic developments of the story’s themes.
Writing Style: Atmospheric but Uneven
Howell’s prose demonstrates considerable promise, particularly in creating atmosphere and tension. Her descriptions of Huntsworth’s misty grounds and shadowy corridors effectively establish the novel’s gothic tone.
Strengths:
- Vivid sensory details that immerse readers in the setting
- Effective use of metaphor and imagery, particularly around mirrors and reflection
- Dialogue that often crackles with tension and subtext
Weaknesses:
- Occasionally purple prose that calls attention to itself rather than serving the story
- Uneven pacing, with some sections moving too slowly while others rush through significant developments
- Repetitive internal monologues that retread familiar emotional territory
Passages describing Marin’s encounters with supernatural elements are particularly effective, capturing both the terror and strange allure of these experiences. The recurring mirror imagery works well as both a literal plot device and a metaphor for self-reflection and distortion.
Final Assessment: Promising but Flawed
“Boys with Sharp Teeth” represents an ambitious debut that doesn’t fully deliver on its intriguing premise. While Howell creates a memorably atmospheric setting and raises fascinating philosophical questions, the novel struggles with pacing issues and inconsistent character development.
The supernatural elements, which distinguish this book from other dark academia titles, feel inadequately explained despite being central to the plot’s resolution. Similarly, the emotional connections between characters, while intense, often develop too quickly to be fully convincing.
Despite these flaws, there’s undeniable talent in Howell’s writing. Her ability to create atmosphere and tension suggests that with more disciplined plotting and character development, her future work could be truly exceptional.
Recommended For
- Fans of dark academia aesthetics who appreciate a supernatural twist
- Readers who enjoy philosophical themes woven into their thrillers
- Those who prefer morally ambiguous characters over clear heroes and villains
Not Recommended For
- Readers seeking a straightforward revenge narrative
- Those who prefer thoroughly explained supernatural elements
- Fans of fast-paced thrillers without philosophical digressions
Comparable Titles
While “Boys with Sharp Teeth” is Jenni Howell’s debut novel, readers who enjoyed its atmosphere and themes might also appreciate:
- “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt (for its dark academia setting and morally complex characters)
- “Catherine House” by Elisabeth Thomas (for its unsettling boarding school atmosphere)
- “The Divining” by Stacey Halls (for its exploration of identity and supernatural elements)
- “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater (mentioned in the blurb, for its blend of the supernatural with character-driven narrative)
Final Thoughts: A Promising but Imperfect Debut
“Boys with Sharp Teeth” demonstrates Jenni Howell’s potential as a writer with a talent for atmosphere and philosophical exploration. While this debut doesn’t fully deliver on its ambitious premise, it offers enough intriguing elements to make it worth reading for fans of dark academia with a supernatural twist.
The novel’s strongest aspects—its atmospheric setting, complex character dynamics, and philosophical underpinnings—suggest that Howell is a writer to watch. With more disciplined plotting and character development, her future work could truly shine. This first effort, though flawed, hints at a promising literary voice that may yet find its full strength in subsequent works.
Like the cracked mirror at the heart of its supernatural conceit, “Boys with Sharp Teeth” reflects something fascinating but fractured—a story with brilliant moments that doesn’t quite come together as a cohesive whole. Yet for readers willing to look past these imperfections, there’s something captivating in its depths worth experiencing.