Book Reviews

Teeth in the Mist by Dawn Kurtagich | 5 Star Book Review

Item: Teeth in the Mist
Rating: 5
Author: Jenniely

Hi friends, I am SO excited to share this post with you. As you may know if you follow me on social, Dawn & I are close friends so I heard the opening pages of Teeth in the Mist (then called These Unclosed Few) years ago when the idea had first come to her and I am SO EXCITED that you all get to read it in all it’s glory!

Without further ado – let’s get into it! As always this will be a spoiler-free review with trigger warnings at the end.

Teeth in the Mist by Dawn Kurtagich
on June 11, 2019
Genres: Horror, Fantasy
Pages: 352
Goodreads

Before the birth of time, a monk uncovers the Devil's Tongue and dares to speak it. The repercussions will be felt for generations...

Sixteen-year-old photography enthusiast Zoey has been fascinated by the haunted, burnt-out ruins of Medwyn Mill House for as long as she can remember--so she and her best friend, Poulton, run away from home to explore them. But are they really alone in the house? And who will know if something goes wrong?

In 1851, seventeen-year-old Roan arrives at the Mill House as a ward--one of three, all with something to hide from their new guardian. When Roan learns that she is connected to an ancient secret, she must escape the house before she is trapped forever.

1583. Hermione, a new young bride, accompanies her husband to the wilds of North Wales where he plans to build the largest water mill and mansion in the area. But rumors of unholy rituals lead to a tragic occurrence and she will need all her strength to defeat it.

Three women, centuries apart, drawn together by one Unholy Pact. A pact made by a man who, more than a thousand years later, may still be watching...

Teeth in the Mist is a dark tale set in Wales (holla to the homeland!) which is inspired by the tale of Faust, Fostos. It is so brilliantly written and so intricate, the world building is on FIRE. We follow three women’s lives across the centuries as they are inexplicably connected. We mostly see Roan’s story, who is in 1851, and Zoey’s, who is in the present day. With Hermione’s journal entires interspersed throughout, dropping more clues to the past.

Their stories are woven so well and keep you hooked as you get creeped out and scared for them. There’s a whole cast of awesome and complex characters which I really loved. You constantly want to know more about what’s happening so it pulls you in more and more – OH AND THERE ARE WITCHES. AND DISABILITY REP. AND LGBTQIA+ REP.

There are twists and turns throughout which I loved and just kept the story going!

The story is told from two POVs (point of views) Roan and Zoey, complemented by diary entries from someone called Hermione. The book itself is GORGEOUS. Dawn always has such amazing graphics for her books and Teeth in the Mist is no exception. They really enhance to the chilling atmosphere and add so much to the story.

We see more of Roan in the past than Zoey and I really hope we might get to see more of Zoey in the future as I LOVED her.

As I mentioned, the world building is so amazing and complex. The magic system is so well thought out, with there being conjours and the unclosed (I’m not giving anything away!).

Okay so talking about the characters is always hard to keep spoiler free. Let’s try!

In the present day we have Zoey and Poulton. I really enjoyed their parts of their book. Their friendship was deep and I just wanted to know more about them which made me excited every time I saw it was their section coming back.

In 1851 we have the largest cast of characters. Roan is the main one we follow and is so complex. It’s third person for these sections which removes you a bit and means you’re never really sure what’s going on which keeps you hooked. We also have Seamus and Emma who are siblings. I LOVE THEIR RELATIONSHIP it’s so pure! Emma is super feisty and super protective of Seamus. Rapley, oh Rapley. Reminds me a bit of Heathcliff! I enjoyed his dark broodiness.

Dr Maudley – a very eccentric man & the master of the house they’re in. A very complex character.

I won’t say anymore as I really don’t wanna spoil!