Rose Szabo

Rose Szabo is an American author of young adult and adult fantasy novels, known for works that explore dark themes and queer identity. Their debut novel "What Big Teeth" was published in 2021 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Szabo teaches creative writing at Virginia Commonwealth University and holds an MFA in creative writing from VCU. They have published short fiction in various literary magazines and journals prior to their novel work. Their writing frequently incorporates elements of gothic horror, family dynamics, and coming-of-age narratives. "What Big Teeth" follows a teenage protagonist returning to her strange family of monsters, combining supernatural elements with themes of identity and belonging. In addition to their fiction work, Szabo has experience in game design and has contributed to role-playing games. They reside in Richmond, Virginia, where they continue to write and teach.

Readers connect with Szabo's handling of family dynamics and gothic atmosphere in "What Big Teeth," while noting the unique blend of horror and coming-of-age elements. What readers liked: - Atmospheric writing and vivid monster descriptions - Complex family relationships - LGBTQ+ representation and themes of identity - Creative take on werewolf mythology What readers disliked: - Plot pacing, particularly in the middle sections - Some character motivations remain unclear - Writing style can feel disjointed - Ending leaves questions unanswered Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (3,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (200+ ratings) Reader quotes: "The monsters feel both terrifying and deeply human" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful prose but confusing plot threads" - Amazon reviewer "Like if Addams Family met Twilight, but darker" - BookTok comment Limited review data exists for Szabo's work due to their recent debut, with "What Big Teeth" being their primary published novel as of 2023.

What Big Teeth (2021) A Gothic young adult novel following Eleanor Zarrin as she returns home to a family of monsters in Maine, where she must uncover dark secrets and come to terms with her own mysterious nature.

Maggie Stiefvater writes supernatural young adult fiction featuring complex family dynamics and dark folkloric elements. Her works like The Raven Cycle series explore themes of identity and belonging within groups of outsiders.

Nova Ren Suma crafts gothic young adult stories that blur reality and fantasy while centering female relationships. Her novels like The Walls Around Us incorporate supernatural elements with psychological depth and unreliable narrators.

Andrew Joseph White creates trans horror fiction that deals with body horror and queer identity in dark fantasy settings. His work Hell Followed With Us combines monster narratives with themes of self-discovery and transformation.

Holly Black writes dark fantasy featuring morally complex characters navigating supernatural worlds and family legacies. Her Folk of the Air series incorporates elements of faerie lore with coming-of-age narratives and power dynamics.

Carmen Maria Machado creates literary horror that examines queer experiences through supernatural and psychological lenses. Her work In the Dream House combines memoir with horror tropes to explore relationships and identity.