This quote from Jessica Halleck captures a compelling preference for fiction that goes beyond the surface and delivers something with real impact and substance. Fiction with "more teeth" suggests stories that are not only entertaining but also provoking and meaningful. These are narratives that may bite, challenge, or unsettle the reader, rather than simply existing to please or distract. In a literary context, this can mean works that embrace complexity, moral ambiguity, and emotional depth, engaging readers critically and emotionally. It implicitly values courage in storytelling—the courage to confront difficult truths or explore uncomfortable topics, pushing readers to think or feel deeply. Such fiction often leaves a lasting impression, influencing how we perceive reality or ourselves. This preference speaks to a desire for literature that fosters engagement and reflection, that has bite and backbone rather than being soft or innocuous. For me, this perspective resonates strongly because fiction with "teeth" can be transformative. It challenges readers to reconsider assumptions, introduces innovative ideas, or portrays human experience with unflinching honesty. By asking for fiction with more teeth, the quote encourages readers to seek narratives that are richly textured, brave, and ultimately rewarding, enriching our understanding of the world and the self.