Boys with Sharp Teeth by K.P. Kulski: A Missed Opportunity
When I first laid eyes on the cover of Boys with Sharp Teeth, I felt a magnetic pull towards it. The striking artwork hinted at a story drenched in mystery, intrigue, and perhaps a dose of supernatural flavor. I couldn’t resist the lure of a digital ARC, diving in with eager hopes. However, what unfolded within those pages left me feeling more than a little let down.
The premise itself had all the ingredients for greatness. Jamie, our complex heroine, infiltrates a prestigious boarding school, determined to unveil the truth behind her cousin Sam’s suspicious death. With a new name, a forged check, and a mission in hand, Jamie is set on navigating a world of deceit. Unfortunately, the execution falters almost immediately. As Jamie transitions into the school’s coed dorm lives with her cousin’s potential murderers—Adrian, Herny, and Baz—realism takes a backseat. A check for $23K accepted without a second glance? I found myself rolling my eyes at the absurdity. This feeling never quite shook off, as the author’s intent to craft a sprawling student body mysteriously shrinks to just a handful of characters, making the world feel oddly claustrophobic.
Kulski attempts to weave a web of intrigue and emotional conflict with Jamie wrestling over her feelings for these boys, but it often feels like a distraction from Sam’s haunting presence. The narrative sometimes stumbles over these emotional threads, compelling Jamie to question her loyalties, yet the stakes never seem high enough to warrant the weight of her inner turmoil. The supernatural elements hinted at throughout the book take far too long to emerge, leading to a finale that felt rushed and unfulfilling. After the lengthy 400 pages, I was left craving a deeper exploration of the horror lurking behind the mirrors mentioned in the premise—a tantalizing plot twist that fizzled out into a brief explanation.
The writing style itself didn’t quite resonate as much as I hoped. While there were moments of lyrical beauty, Kulski often resorted to telling rather than showing, leading to an environment ripe for predictability. One of the more irritating elements was Jamie’s pen pal exchanges in the library margins—this subplot drags on, robbing the main narrative of momentum. The repeated insistence that Herny “gets her” only served to further these predictable developments.
In brief, Boys with Sharp Teeth could have benefited from tighter pacing—250 pages might have been just the right length to convey the emotional beats without losing the reader’s interest.
Despite my personal disappointment, I see potential appeal for readers drawn to atmospheric young adult mysteries with shades of supernatural flair. Fans of complex emotional narratives and boarding school dramas might find elements to appreciate, even if they brush against flaws. Ultimately, though my experience wasn’t what I’d hoped for, there were glimmers of promise that could resonate with a different audience.
As I set this book aside, I can’t help but reflect on how a story can captivate at first glance—only to fall short in its execution. If you’re up for a tale of intrigue, with a healthy dose of atmospheric descriptions and angsty relationships, perhaps Boys with Sharp Teeth might still catch your attention. Just prepare your heart for a journey that may not fully deliver what its cover practically screams.