Title: Baby Teeth
Author: Zoje Stage
First published August 9, 2018
304 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250170750 (ISBN10: 1250170753)
Rating: 3.61
Overview
Introducing Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage, a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Hanna is a little girl who adores her daddy and will stop at nothing to get rid of her mommy.
Her mother, Suzette, is struggling to keep her sanity intact as she tries to navigate her daughter’s increasingly disturbing behaviors. As Hanna’s tricks become more sinister, Suzette starts to fear that there’s something seriously wrong with her daughter.
Will Suzette be able to save her family before it’s too late? Find out in this chilling page-turner.
About the Author
Zoje Stage is an author who made a huge splash with her first book, BABY TEETH. The novel was so popular that it earned her a nomination for a Bram Stoker Award, and it was even named one of the best books of the year by several publications including Forbes Magazine, Library Journal, PopSugar, Barnes & Noble, Bloody Disgusting, and BookBub.
Her second book, WONDERLAND, was also highly praised, receiving a starred review from Booklist which called it a “beautifully choreographed and astonishing second novel.” Her third book, GETAWAY, was equally well-received, with the New York Times hailing her as “a writer with a gift for the lyrical and the frightening.” Zoje Stage currently resides in Pittsburgh with her beloved cats.
Editoral Review
Zoje Stages Baby Teeth is a chilling, psychological thriller that grips readers from the very first page. First published on August 9, 2018, this debut novel quickly became a bestseller and garnered critical acclaim for its dark exploration of familial relationships.
Stage is a highly accomplished writer with a unique voice, and Baby Teeth is a perfect showcase for her skills. The novel lives in the realm of psychological horror, exploring the warped mind of a young girl named Hanna.
The book melds various genres, including family drama, suspense, and even horror. Both disturbing and mesmerizing, Baby Teeth defies easy categorization, delivering a wholly original reading experience.
The books plot follows the lives of a seemingly happy family: Suzette, a stay-at-home mom, and her husband Alex, a successful businessman, are parents to seven-year-old Hanna. But something isn’t quite right with Hanna.
Even though she appears to be the perfect daughter in front of her father, she unleashes all her twisted actions on her mother. As Hanna’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent, Suzette struggles to understand what is happening to her daughter.
Set in suburban America, Baby Teeth explores deeper themes of motherhood, marriage, and mental illness. The novels strength lies in its ability to convey the terror and heartbreak of dealing with a child who has no empathy or compassion for her loved ones.
Stage also does an excellent job of exploring the idea of inherited trauma and its effects on family dynamics. Stage is incredibly skilled at creating vivid characters that are both flawed and relatable, drawing readers in with her chilling narrative.
The book is filled with suspense and tension, and readers will be biting their nails as they follow the twists and turns in the plot. Despite all its merits, the book is not without its flaws.
The characters decision-making process can be a bit hard to follow at times, and the suspense is a bit unevenly distributed throughout the story. However, these are minor quibbles in light of the overall quality of the writing and the breathtakingly dark atmosphere that Stage creates.
In conclusion, Baby Teeth is a standout debut from a talented author, and should be on the reading list of any aficionado of the horror or suspense genres. While the book is not for everyone, those who appreciate high-quality writing and a deeply sinister atmosphere will thoroughly enjoy Stages work.
Baby Teeth earns a 4.5 out of 5 rating, and is highly recommended for readers looking for a psychological horror that is both memorable and disturbing.
