What an unusual dark fantasy Erica Waters has created with The River Has Teeth! The Lloyd family has been one with the magic of The Bend for generations. They are that unusual family who lives outside of town that no one wants to associate until they need something. Potions, that is. Potions for their cheating husbands, to reveal the truths behind the lies or for revenge. But the magic seems to have a price, it turned Della’s mother into a fierce river siren.
She does everything she can to care for her mother despite her monstrous state, providing food and care and keeping her hidden away from the world. When a girl goes missing in their woods, Della is worried that her mother might be responsible. She wants nothing more than to protect her mother but she is torn about also protecting young girls like her. She is inevitably drawn into the search for the missing girl by Natasha who wants a potion to reveal her sister’s kidnapper.
Natasha appears to be everything Della is not, beautiful, privileged and accepted. Or is she? In the search for Natasha’s missing sister these two confront monsters, dabble in magic and find the source of their own power as well as fall madly in love with one another.
The magic was fun and different in this one. The girls were genuine and principled and a joy to watch protect those who they loved. Lots of bada** feminist sapphic witch magic in this one!
Thanks to Harper Teen for a copy of this novel. All opinions above are my own.
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