Nightshade and Oak - by Molly O'Neill (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

An Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human in this delightful historical fantasy of myth and magic from the author of the instant hit Greenteeth.

When Malt, the goddess of death, is accidentally turned human by a wayward spell, she finds she's ill-equipped to deal with the trials of a mortal life. After all, why would a goddess need to know how to gather food or light a fire?

Unable to fend for herself, she teams up with warrior Bellis on a perilous journey to the afterlife to try to restore her powers. Frustrated by her frail human body and beset with blisters, Malt might not make the best travelling companion.

But as animosity slowly turns to attraction, these two very different women must learn to work together if they are to have any hope of surviving their quest.

Review Quotes

"In all my life, I've never loved such a flesh-eating fae monster as Molly O'Neill's Greenteeth. This coziest of swamp villains is an ally to witches, an enemy to elven airbags, and a role model to goblins everywhere. She stands proud with the likes of Granny Weatherwax and the Wizard Howl against the creeping evils of this world. Drown me, Jenny, and pick your teeth with my bones - only, let's be friends."

--C. S. E. Cooney, World Fantasy Award winning author of Saint Death's Daughter on Greenteeth

"With this solid historical fantasy, O'Neill takes readers on a jaunty quest through the afterlife. The blend of Celtic folklore, humor, drama, love, and magic makes for a pleasant diversion."

--Publishers Weekly on Nightshade and Oak

"Greenteeth is a breathtaking quest through the wild roads and deep lakes of ancient England, shot through with dark folklore and darker magic. An unforgettable tale of unlikely friendships, impossible choices and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters."--Holly Race, author of Six Wild Crowns on Greenteeth

"Greenteeth is a delight--a joyful, warm-hearted adventure, riddled with unique characters and poignant friendships, rooted deep in old magic and myth. Jenny's voice will live in your head long after you leave her story behind."--H. G. Parry, author of The Magician's Daughter on Greenteeth

"A charmingly monstrous debut."--T. Kingfisher, author of Nettle and Bone on Greenteeth

"A magical quest undertaken by an endearing monster, bittersweet and full of heart."--Caitlin Rozakis, author of Dreadful on Greenteeth

"An enchanting folkloric fantasy infused with fae magic and Arthurian legend, Greenteeth gives us a morally grey heroine with bite you can't help but root for. I was hooked from start to finish."--Alicia Jasinska, author of The Dark Tide on Greenteeth

"An extraordinary tale about the most unforgettable (and unlikely) heroine! Jenny Greenteeth is a brilliant creation, a fabulous lake monster and a magnificent character! I loved every second of this wonderful, delicious book!"--Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop on Greenteeth

"Charming, magical and intensely human, with grace notes of Pratchett and T. H. White, Greenteeth is a masterclass in the art of storytelling."--Tom Holt, author of The Portable Door on Greenteeth

"Greenteeth is a completely delightful tale, full of warmth, wit and legendary adventure. As comforting and as moreish as a cup of tea and a packet of chocolate biscuits."--Francesca May, author of Wild and Wicked Things on Greenteeth

"O'Neill's story of friendship, family, and perseverance is so sweetly written that even her finely drawn fairy world and excellent plotting take a backseat to the growing bonds among her unlikely heroes. Full of magic, but even more heart."--Kirkus (Starred Review) on Greenteeth

"Refreshing, thoroughly compelling, and nostalgic in the best ways, Greenteeth is an enchanting fairytale with fangs. I've never identified with a swamp monster more."--Julie Leong, author of The Teller of Small Fortunes on Greenteeth

"Sharp yet sweet, Greenteeth is a heartening folkloric adventure with hidden depths aplenty. I found Jenny strikingly relatable--as a parent, as a recluse, and as someone constantly perplexed by what this whole "being human" thing entails."--Sylvie Cathrall, author of A Letter to the Luminous Deep on Greenteeth

"This delightfully magical historical fantasy combines creatures out of folklore (including the lake-dwelling monster Jenny) with a desperate quest, a sad tale of magic leaving the world, and a soul-quaking battle between quiet good and vast evil, all set in a beautiful story of sisterhood and found family among the most disparate of creatures. Readers who love the creatures, magic, and mythic settings of T. Kingfisher's Thornhedge and Nicola Griffith's Spear will find something similar and beautiful in O'Neill's debut."--Library Journal (Starred Review) on Greenteeth

"This vivid fantasy, inspired by the stories of King Arthur and by Welsh folklore, explores a Britain populated by fae, ancient but dying off. O'Neill's debut is full of magic that is rich, mysterious, and exciting, and Jenny Greenteeth is a morally grey, delightfully monstrous protagonist that fantasy readers are bound to fall in love with. Fans of T. Kingfisher's award-winning Nettle & Bone (2022) will enjoy this novel's questing structure as well as its twists on stories familiar and new."--Booklist (Starred) on Greenteeth

"O'Neill has delivered yet another excellent story rooted in the folklore of the British isles, this one charged with a slow-burn queer love story and two characters who have to confront their deepest selves to help save the world of the dead and those they care for most."--Booklist (Starred Review) on Nightshade and Oak

About the Author

Molly O'Neill was born in the UK and moved to Australia in 2019. She works as a geologist, building roads and rail tracks, and she also runs Book Fair Australia, a literature festival in Sydney.