“The Forest of Hands and Teeth” by Carrie Ryan

“The Forest of Hands and Teeth”

Author: Carrie Ryan

Pages [hardcover]: 310

Available in stores everywhere

The first in a series

First Lines: My mother used to tell me about the ocean. She said there was a place where there was nothing but water as far as you could see and that it was always moving, rushing toward you and then away.

Memorable Quote: It’s not about surviving. It should be about love. When you know love…that’s what makes this life worth it.

Favorite Character: Harry

Summary:
In Mary’s world, there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village. The fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. Now she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her.
[Taken from the front flap of the book]

Review:
I really don’t know what to make of this book. I was not expecting the zombie [aka Unconsecrated] filled novel full of questions about whether God exists and setting off on a huge quest in order to find the ocean.
So. The concept was great-a dystopia where an infection has spread, turning people into zombies if they are bitten by the carriers-the Unconsecrated. I’ve never actually read a book about zombies, only ever seen scary movies with them included, so this book was a refreshing break from the pack.
Let me warn you that the author resists every urge to turn this into a gushy love story. The zombies and their attacks are described in full detail-blood included, free of charge.
Mary annoyed me most of the time. I liked how she was independent and adventerous, but her indecisiveness and her ability to forgive and forget so easily made me dislike her greatly.
Mary is in love with Travis from before the novel starts, and I just don’t see what makes him more appealing than any other guy.
And this book happened to jump around a lot-sometimes I would turn back a few pages to see if I missed something, figure out that I didn’t, and then continue to be puzzled.
The last few pages of the book were great, I think. The best ones of the book. And I mean that truthfully, no sarcasm included.
Because there is a sequel, and a third book, I’m trying to figure out if they’re worth reading. I’d really like to see what happens, but I don’t want to struggle through it. Then again, the characters and plot might be more defined…
Oh, well. “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” gets 2/5 stars. Not the worst I’ve seen.
Have you read/want to read this book? Think that I should give the second one a shot? Comment below!