River of Teeth

River of Teeth Series, Book 1

By: Sarah Gailey

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

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.

©2017 Sarah Gailey (P)2017 Tantor

What a crazy idea

Now I have to do historical research to see if this hippo thing is true. Such an off the wall idea.

Not what I was expecting. So much better.

I'm always dubious of alternative history. Often they try to play with the politics and recreate a world they believe is superior to this one.River of Teeth does none of that, leaving the political and the Historical out of it and delving into the real life of the world these characters live in. Each person I met in the story felt like I could meet or read about in history books. While I want to know so much more about Hero, the listener/reader is given just enough to keep them interested and to care for them. I cannot wait to listen to Taste of Marrow.

Great story with excellent narration.

Stumbled upon this book while going through last Nebula and Hugo nominees and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. A quick read with some really good narration/voice acting. Highly recommend!

an excellent performance of a story with much more depth than I expected.

I was surprised by the premise, then again by the relatability of the characters and even more surprised by the world building. I would NOT want to live in this alternate timeline but I would like to read the sequel

Tombstone meets queer Firefly set astride domesticated hippos!

In this cowboy caper (sorry, ‘operation’), all the rollicking, gunslinging, mercenaries of your favorite Wild West tropes spoil for revenge, riches, and love in the “Wild South”.

**Spoilers Ahead**

When I first heard of River of Teeth, I was prepared for an interesting and fun take on history; and early on in the book, I eagerly anticipated an amusing Merry Band of Scoundrels cast of characters.

I was NOT prepared for such golden nuggets as a deadly lesbian assassin who just so happens to be heavily pregnant; a brilliant non-binary chemist who is also the central love interest; an unapologetically bisexual Clint Eastwood hero; and our ragtag group casually noticing not a single “white boy” in their group.

If you love westerns, alternative history, or casual queer & POC representation, set yer sights on The River of Teeth!