Book Review: Fangboy by Jeff Strand

Fangboy is a "bizarre yet heartwarming" bedtime story from the mind of Jeff Strand.

Book Description

Nathan Pepper seemed like an ordinary baby…except for a mouth full of scary sharp teeth. Because his life began with his grandmother strongly recommending that he be destroyed as soon as possible, it’s safe to say that Nathan was not destined for a typical existence.

He hated the nickname “Fangboy,” but nobody could deny that he was the most frightening little boy in town. And he would have adventures of every sort. Tragic adventures, like what happened to his parents. Dangerous adventures, like his encounter with the sinister Professor Mongrel. Thrilling adventures, like the part where he’s on an out-of-control horse and he can’t make it stop running and you think “Well, he should just jump off,” but he CAN’T because it’s going too fast and he could break a leg. And, yes, one particularly gruesome adventure, though it is not described in great detail.

Will things end happily for Nathan? Will he bite somebody? Gather your family and your most deranged friends, make some chocolate chip cookies, and share the dark comedy treat of FANGBOY, a bizarre yet heartwarming yet rather tasteless saga that—all ego aside—will define a generation.

Poor little Nathan Pepper was born with a mouth full of razor sharp teeth.  Despite being a freak whom everyone feared, his parents loved him dearly.  The night before Nathan turned six years old, both of his parents died from an accidental poisoning.  This was the first of many horrible events Nathan would endure.

Jeff Strand made Nathan's character so lovable, I longed to adopt him and raise him myself.  Instead, I was left to witness Nathan's tragic encounters with a world that judged him based on his looks.

The humor and positive outlook throughout Fangboy made this dark fairy tale uplifting.  If you love a dark comedy or enjoy bizarre stories, do yourself a favor and read Fangboy.  Nathan Pepper is a character I won't soon forget.

Do you have a favorite dark fairy tale?

Review copy provided by publisher