• River of Teeth

  • River of Teeth Series, Book 1
  • By: Sarah Gailey
  • Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
  • Length: 4 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (202 ratings)

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River of Teeth  By  cover art

River of Teeth

By: Sarah Gailey
Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
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Publisher's summary

In the early 20th century, the United States government concocted a plan to import hippopotamuses into the marshlands of Louisiana to be bred and slaughtered as an alternative meat source. This is true.

Other true things about hippos: They are savage, they are fast, and their jaws can snap a man in two. This was a terrible plan.

Contained within this volume is an 1890s America that might have been: a bayou overrun by feral hippos and mercenary hippo wranglers from around the globe. It is the story of Winslow Houndstooth and his crew. It is the story of their fortunes. It is the story of his revenge.

©2017 Sarah Gailey (P)2017 Tantor

What listeners say about River of Teeth

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not what I was expecting. So much better.

I'm always dubious of alternative history. Often they try to play with the politics and recreate a world they believe is superior to this one.River of Teeth does none of that, leaving the political and the Historical out of it and delving into the real life of the world these characters live in. Each person I met in the story felt like I could meet or read about in history books. While I want to know so much more about Hero, the listener/reader is given just enough to keep them interested and to care for them. I cannot wait to listen to Taste of Marrow.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

What a crazy idea

Now I have to do historical research to see if this hippo thing is true. Such an off the wall idea.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great story with excellent narration.

Stumbled upon this book while going through last Nebula and Hugo nominees and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. A quick read with some really good narration/voice acting. Highly recommend!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

an excellent performance of a story with much more depth than I expected.

I was surprised by the premise, then again by the relatability of the characters and even more surprised by the world building. I would NOT want to live in this alternate timeline but I would like to read the sequel

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

good premise, mediocre writing

narrator was great but the story was fairly weak due to the mediocre writing. I really appreciated the premise but I felt like the story didn't tie into the setting enough. But overall it was a fine way to spend a few hours. not my favorite book but it wasn't bad and I don't regret reading it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This hippo story chews up the scenery in the most delightful way.

Love the concept of the story!

The characters were delightful and I found myself devastated at how short the story was going to be until I notice there was a 2nd story! Already on my way to order it.

The audio book narrator was up to the task of all of the dramatic accents. Great listen!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Tombstone meets queer Firefly set astride domesticated hippos!

In this cowboy caper (sorry, ‘operation’), all the rollicking, gunslinging, mercenaries of your favorite Wild West tropes spoil for revenge, riches, and love in the “Wild South”.

**Spoilers Ahead**

When I first heard of River of Teeth, I was prepared for an interesting and fun take on history; and early on in the book, I eagerly anticipated an amusing Merry Band of Scoundrels cast of characters.

I was NOT prepared for such golden nuggets as a deadly lesbian assassin who just so happens to be heavily pregnant; a brilliant non-binary chemist who is also the central love interest; an unapologetically bisexual Clint Eastwood hero; and our ragtag group casually noticing not a single “white boy” in their group.

If you love westerns, alternative history, or casual queer & POC representation, set yer sights on The River of Teeth!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • 05-20-22

Fun and Short

the narrator was PERFECT for this book.

a hippo is my spirit animal so I had to read this. I was not disappointed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A hoot

A hoot and a half, even! Lovely cast of fun and wily ne’er do wells

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An amusing 'What If' of American history.

The premise of this book was quite enjoyable to say the least. Doubly so that they didn't allow the main gimick of it to fall into the background of the character's actions and drama. The pacing was great, beffiting it's short length. The romantic sparks may have flown a bit too quickly for some, but was an otherwise great interaction between the two.

Peter Berkrot's voice was a great coutnerpart to the book. And while he struggled with the female voices, never were they not distinct from one another enough to not be able to tell them apart.

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