Book Review: Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

Author: Zoje Stage

Title: Baby Teeth

Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

Format: ebook

Pages: 314

Published: August 9, 2018

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Sweetness can be deceptive.

Meet Hanna.

She’s the sweet-but-silent angel in the adoring eyes of her Daddy. He’s the only person who understands her, and all Hanna wants is to live happily ever after with him. But Mommy stands in her way, and she’ll try any trick she can think of to get rid of her. Ideally for good.

Meet Suzette.

She loves her daughter, really, but after years of expulsions and strained home schooling, her precarious health and sanity are weakening day by day. As Hanna’s tricks become increasingly sophisticated, and Suzette's husband remains blind to the failing family dynamics, Suzette starts to fear that there’s something seriously wrong, and that maybe home isn’t the best place for their baby girl after all.

From blazing new talent Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth is a story about a perfect-looking family, and a darling little girl who wants nothing more than to kill her mother.

Review:

Yayyy book club book. My friend has been wanting us to read this for a while, but she kept putting it on the backburner. She finally decided it was time for us to check this out. 

Here we have a family that looks perfect. A dad with a great job. A mom who decided to stay home and take care of their child. However, things are not what they seem. Their little girl, Hanna, hasn't uttered a word since she was a baby, but is extremely smart. Hanna doesn't want to go to school so she keeps finding ways to get expelled and stay home. She doesn't want her mother, Suzette, around anymore. Suzette is plain exhausted, but things are looking dark as it seems Hanna has plans to get rid of her. 

This was pretty dark. Hanna has her dad tricked and blinded to her true intent. She doesn't want to go to school and she doesn't want her mom around. Along with her side kick...aka imaginary friend....or not? Who knows....she plans to get rid of her mom for good so she can have her father to herself. 

Suzette isn't perfect, but I felt so bad for her. She didn't deserve to have a monster of a child or a husband who doesn't believe her. So cliche that the man doesn't believe their wife but it made me chuckle when Suzette called that out when talking to the therapist. 

This was intense and I had no idea what was going to happen. Hanna was a monster and oddly smart for her age. I still don't understand WHY Hanna hated Suzette so much. I don't think Suzette did anything terrible. Sure, she isn't winning Mother of the Year anytime soon but she wasn't abusive or evil or mean? But Hanna does seem to have some mental illness issues and can't really see reality for what it is. She thinks Suzette is a witch and evil, etc.

I went down a path on reddit and Goodreads to see what others thought of the book. It seems to be truly divided. Some like this a lot...some hate it with a burning passion. It's very interesting, honestly, reading the reviews/thoughts. 

This book was weird but good. I really enjoyed it but it does get dark in some spots so be aware of that. 

Th ending? Mmmm. I have gone back and forth with my feelings on it. It wasn't as satisfying as I wanted it be. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I have so many questions. 

All-in-all, this was a weird read, but I enjoyed it. I think it is a very good book for book club. I have SO many things to say that I couldn't here (avoiding all spoilers) and I have SO many questions for the girls when meet up. 4 stars from me.

One word summary: Weird

Challenge(s):

- Cloak and Dagger - #8

- Library Love #7