The River Has Teeth

By: Erica Waters

Narrated by: Katherine Littrell, Sura Siu

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Lush and chilling, with razor-sharp edges and an iron core of hope, this bewitching, powerhouse novel of two girls fighting back against the violence the world visits on them will stun and enchant listeners.

Girls have been going missing in the woods....

When Natasha’s sister disappears, Natasha desperately turns to Della, a local girl rumored to be a witch, in the hopes that magic will bring her sister home.

But Della has her own secrets to hide. She thinks the beast who’s responsible for the disappearances is her own mother - who was turned into a terrible monster by magic gone wrong.

Natasha is angry. Della has little to lose. Both are each other’s only hope.

From the author of Ghost Wood Song, this eerie contemporary fantasy is perfect for fans of Wilder Girls and Bone Gap.

Praise for Ghost Wood Song:

“A gorgeous, creepy gem of a book.” (Claire Legrand, New York Times best-selling author of Furyborn and Sawkill Girls)

"It will make your heart dance." (Jeff Zentner, Morris Award-winning author of The Serpent King and Goodbye Days)

"Strikes the perfect balance of atmospheric chills, dark familial secrets, and a yearning for the warm comforts of home.” (Erin A. Craig, New York Times best-selling author of House of Salt and Sorrows)

“Waters' debut features a bisexual lead with both male and female love interests, an atmospheric southern gothic setting, and, for the musically inclined, lots of folk and bluegrass references.” (Booklist)

“Haunting and alluring.” (Kirkus)

©2021 Erica Waters (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

I couldn't stop listening

I had to pull my car over because I got transported into the bend.

Fantastic sophomore release!

Erica's work is a haunting southern mystery, with magic that feels real. I loved it! Can't wait for the next book.

Gripping Entrancing Story

This is a really immersive paranormal murder mystery. Well narrated. I loved every moment.
You not want to stop listening.

Let’s go lesbians!

Barely put this one down and was very tempted to call into work to finish it that first day. Is it too cliche to say I was enchanted?
The southern gothic in this is such a good flavor for the darkness of the story. I usually don’t like pov shifts in books, but I will make an exception because of all the beautiful dramatic irony that ensued here.
Really well done on both the author and the voice actors. Would absolutely recommend!

A wonderful story about righteous rage

A fantastic, cinematic listen! Suspense and magic are always a fantastic combination, and throw in some righteous rage? I haven't read many books as satisfying.

Four and a Half Stars: Spooky Nature Read

Best to go in cold!

TW/CW: Not graphic, but themes of and references to abuse and violence.

Great spooky read about Nature and Human Nature.

Loved the descriptions, so sensory, some poetic.

Appreciated the themes and messaging. SO true!

That said, a couple brief instances writing was uncharacteristically indulgent with soap box monologues. Monologue I wholly agree with, but clumsily executed nonetheless.

A Murder Mystery to sink your teeth into…

This book has absolutely enraptured me. Erica Waters has created a story that not only draws you in but keeps you to the end. The characters feel so real and multidimensional, even the ones who appear for moments. The truth of the mystery was revealed and I could feel my heart racing with these girls. The world is told in such wonderfully subtle ways as to be understood without slowing the pacing in any way. I don’t want to reveal too much, but if you enjoy queer characters absolutely kicking butt, this is the book for you.

Interesting premise, OK execution, maybe better for teens?

The premise of this story is interesting: murder mystery with a twist of magic. However the story was predictable. I immediately knew who the murderer was at first introduction. I didn’t feel the story needed two narrators. This led to a lot of repetition. Also, the narrative often stated the obvious, never letting the reader deduce anything for themself.

I appreciate the author’s attempt to be inclusive and feminist, however it felt too forced and on-the-nose. Besides the two main characters who were white, queer girls, the other characters felt like there was a checklist of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ characters to check off. They made brief appearances and were not well developed. Also, I don’t equate feminism with man-hating. This book is definitely man-hating.

Between the two main characters, I really liked Della. She balanced strength, independence, intelligence, and fear. Natasha, on the other hand, was really annoying and whiny. Maybe it was the way the narrators acted her out, or maybe teenage readers would appreciate her more.

Gripping and Suspenseful

This story kept me on my toes from the opening scene to the epilogue. It’s a thrilling mystery that weaves witchcraft and elemental magic into a thoughtful exploration of power and injustice. Waters does a wonderful job crafting the novel’s primary setting, ‘the Bend’, a wild space amidst a Tennessee nature park, and her inclusion of characters with diverse backgrounds and orientations is refreshing. The performance was well done, with different actors voicing Della and Natasha, the story’s two main characters. Definitely a worthwhile listen.

just ok

The story wasn't terrible but the writing and narration were weak at best. It took me a lot longer to finish it then it should have because it was so cringeworthy in some places