Audiobook Review – The River of Teeth (River of Teeth, Book 1) by Sarah Gailey (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Alternate History/Historical Fantasy
Length: 178 pages
Publisher: Tordotcom
Release Date: May 23, 2017
ASIN: B01MRJW3OS
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the River of Teeth series
Source: Borrowed audiobook from library
Rating: 4/5 stars
“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..”
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the River of Teeth duology. I borrowed this on audiobook from my library.
Thoughts: This was a fun read set in a crazy alternate historical setting where hippos are farmed in Louisiana. I enjoyed the action, the quirky setting, and the intriguing cast of characters here. I plan on reading the second book in the series. I enjoyed this a lot more than “The Echo Wife” which I also just finished reading. Previous to reading this I had read Gailey’s “Upright Women Wanted” which I also enjoyed and Gailey’s “The Echo Wife”, which I strongly disliked.
This book follows a character that has gotten a government contract to remove feral hippos from the Mississippi River. He forms an Ocean’s 11 like team to take on the task. Little known to the others he has a goal for revenge in mind as well.
This has very much of a wild west heist feel to it, but with hippos. The characters are quirky and fun, the dialogue is witty and fast, there is quite a bit of action as well. I really enjoyed the fast pace of the story and how hilarious this concept (of farming hippos) is. I did have a bit of trouble keeping some of the characters straight, there were introduced very rapidly.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was well done. I would definitely recommend listening to on audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I really enjoyed this crazy alternate history set in a wild west gun-slinging type of setting but with hippos! If you enjoy western fantasy/alternate history I would recommend. This was a ton of fun. I plan on reading the second novella in this duology, “Taste of Marrow”, relatively soon.
