Cassandra Khaw’s Nothing But Blackened Teeth is a haunting novella that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. Set in a decaying Heian-era mansion, this story blends Japanese folklore with modern horror, creating a chilling atmosphere perfect for a late-night read. The premise is straightforward: a group of friends gathers at the mansion to celebrate a wedding, but what begins as a night of revelry quickly descends into terror. The mansion is not just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing entity, steeped in history and haunted by the ghost of a bride whose smile is as black as the void. The walls themselves seem to whisper with the voices of the girls sacrificed to keep her company, and as the night progresses, the friends find themselves ensnared in a web of secrets—both their own and those of the house. I was particularly drawn to the ghostly lore Khaw weaves into the narrative, especially the inclusion of yokai, and more specifically, the ohaguro-bettari. This element ...