Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jessie Sima: Promising Premise with a Predictable Pacing
When I first laid eyes on the cover of Boys with Sharp Teeth, I was immediately captivated. The art whispered of secrets and intrigue, pulling me into a world I couldn’t wait to explore. Jessie Sima, a name I recognized for her previous enchanting works, had me eagerly awaiting a digital ARC. Sadly, what I discovered inside did not quite live up to the breathtaking promise of that cover.
At the heart of this story is Jamie, a girl determined to unravel the mysterious death of her cousin Sam, whom she believes was murdered rather than succumbed to the tragically mundane slip into drugs. Armed with a false identity, fake transcripts, and a sizeable forged check, she manages to infiltrate an elite boarding school. And here’s where I found myself both drawn in and frustrated. The premise has all the makings of a thrilling mystery, yet the execution falters under the weight of its long-winded exposition and predictable turns.
From the outset, the narrative presents scenarios that stretch credibility. I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the notion that a school would accept such a large check without any due diligence—this scenario felt utterly implausible. Similarly, the school environment seems oddly contained, as though we only encounter a select few students out of a potentially larger population. Despite being surrounded by these intriguing figures, they often felt more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals.
As Jamie navigates her new life, she finds herself living with Adrian, the prime suspect in her cousin’s death, alongside Herny and Baz, the other boys who also happen to be on her radar. The dynamics between these characters are rich with potential, yet the story often feels like a stilted tour of a high school filled with missed opportunities. There’s a constant tension as Jamie wrestles with her growing attraction to these boys while trying to honor Sam’s memory—a theme that starts strong but ultimately fizzles out. In fact, it felt like Sam’s arc was overshadowed, relegated to the background while Jamie’s self-doubt was given more weight.
Just when I thought the supernatural aspects would invigorate the story, they arrived far too late. The buildup felt torturous, as I read through monotonous pages waiting for something—anything—to happen beyond Jamie’s internal monologues and her tepid interactions with the boys. When the revelations finally arrive, they’re rushed through, leaving me feeling cheated after such a long read.
Sima’s prose has its gems, but the narrative decisions ultimately detracted from the themes of grief and loss—elements I hoped would resonate deeply. The writing style is lush at times, yet it frequently stumbles into clichés that felt overly familiar and predictable. Jamie’s discovery of a mysterious connection through library book margins lacked the suspense it aimed for, pulling away any air of mystery that could have invigorated the plot.
Though I struggled to find my footing with Boys with Sharp Teeth, I can see it appealing to readers who overlook pacing in favor of character dynamics and thematic exploration. If you enjoy stories rooted in a boarding school setting, dabbling in both mystery and the supernatural—even if it ultimately underdelivers—you might still find moments to cherish in this tale.
For me, the experience was bittersweet. I walked away hoping for a more thrilling and profound exploration of grief and friendship, but instead found myself reflecting on what could have been. If only Jamie and her story had been given the brevity and focus they deserved, perhaps we would have discovered those sharp teeth lurking within the pages after all.