Sharp Teeth
Encyclopedia
Sharp Teeth is a 2008 free verse novel
by American
writer Toby Barlow. It won the 2009 Alex Award and is the Horror
entry on the 2009 Best Adult Genre Fiction Reading List.
Free verse
Free verse is a form of poetry that refrains from consistent meter patterns, rhyme, or any other musical pattern.Poets have explained that free verse, despite its freedom, is not free. Free Verse displays some elements of form...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer Toby Barlow. It won the 2009 Alex Award and is the Horror
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
entry on the 2009 Best Adult Genre Fiction Reading List.
Characters
- Lark is the leader of one of the werewolf packs.
- She-wolf is the main female character. She is never named.
- Anthony is new to the dog-catching business and eventually falls for the she-wolf.
- Peabody is the cop that investigates the disappearance of Anthony's boss and is drawn into the dangerous games being played.
Critical reception
- Kaite Mediatore Stover of BooklistBooklistBooklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
, "[a]s spicy as a taco, as relentless as the pounding surf, and as lulling as a moon-drenched beach, Barlow's hip werewolf saga is highly recommended for adults and YAs who just don't get all the fuss about Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series." - Jackie Cassada of Library JournalLibrary JournalLibrary Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
, "[w]ritten in a free verse style that perfectly complements the action as it moves from slower-paced narratives to short, jagged scenes of graphic violence and heartbreak, this groundbreaking work commands attention from a wide audience, including genre fans and modern fiction aficionados." - Matthew Moffett of School Library JournalSchool Library JournalThe School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
, "[s]ome readers might be initially intimidated by Barlow's free-verse poetry, but, after a page, they will be swept into the rhythm. It's also to Barlow's credit that the touching moments between the woman and Anthony work as powerfully as the most graphic violence in the story. The dark humor and grim story line will immediately draw in fans of other neo-horror novels..."