The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Author: Carrie Ryan
Publisher: Delacorte Press
4 out of 5 stars
The
rattling and moans never stop. Coming
from all sides, the Unconsecrated slowly push their way in. You run from them through the rain, slipping
in the mud. Your foot catches on a root
and you go sprawling to the ground, cutting your knees. As you scramble to get up they close in
around you, and you can feel the fear bubbling up inside of you. It works its way up as a scream, that you let
loose like a wild animal. You swing at
the mass of bodies engulfing you, and you manage to clear an opening and push
your way back onto the narrow path, escaping them. Ahead of you is a fork in the path, and you
randomly take one, hoping it will lead you to a place without the constant
questions and fear that you experience every day now. Maybe that place doesn’t exist, and you’re
better off right back where you started.
There’s only one way to find out…
Mary
has lived with the din of the Unconsecrated scraping at the fences her entire
life. They’re always on the outside,
trying to get in. She knows not to get
too close, for fear of being infected. But
she can’t help but wonder. What is it
like on the other side? Is there more
than just an endless forest full of zombies that never cease to hunger for your
flesh? Mary yearns to visit the ocean
from her mother’s stories and find out what’s beyond her small village. Are the gates surrounding their tiny village
meant to keep the Unconsecrated out, or them in?
Mary’s
simple life isn’t enough. She wants
more. But the Sisterhood who controls
the village is set in their ways, and the villagers live in a monotonous
routine. Some find this life fulfilling,
but not Mary. Mary yearns to break free
of the confines of her suffocating village.
She lives off of the hope that there is more out there, that there is
more to life. Mary isn’t about to find
that out any time soon, unless she manages to escape. Will Mary choose to delve into the unknown,
risking it all for a hopeful dream? Or
will she live the rest of her life always wondering what could have been? Carrie Ryan reveals all in her stirring
novel, of one girl’s pursuit for the chance at a full life in, The Forest of Hands and Teeth!
The Forest of Hands and Teeth never let up with the threat of the unknown that
lurked beyond the fences, and Mary’s own internal conflicts that plagued her
daily. After getting a taste of the
secrets that the Sisterhood holds, Mary can’t help but wonder what else they’re
hiding. She could have a chance at a
whole new life, if she’s willing to take the risks. Zombies, romance, and adventure pack the
pages of The Forest of Hands and Teeth,
filling it with completely unexpected turns.
I suggest this book for readers fourteen and up, as it can be intense at
times.
The
new world in which I was introduced to in The
Forest of Hands and Teeth constantly kept me guessing. I knew just as much as Mary did, and I
wondered if anything really was left.
After the Return, humankind faded away, and as far as Mary’s village is
concerned, they’re the only ones left.
The Sisterhood does all they can to keep the villagers inside the gates
and content with their lives. But they
can’t keep Mary from dreaming about what really is beyond her tiny gates, and
doubting the life that is planned for her in the village. With the Unconsecrated as a constant threat,
Mary has the fear of the unknown looming over her. Is risking it all really worth it?
Mary
has a huge amount of conflict within herself.
She was never really satisfied with her life in the village, and she was
coming to an age where it was time to make a decision. Not only did she want to know more, but the one
she loved was promised to another. Mary
constantly debated whether she was being selfish or not if she went after the
things she desired. In the end she might
get the things she wanted, but she would hurt people who care about her along
the way.
At
times Mary’s journey felt like an endless search. Everything she did never led her to any
answers, and it was as if she was on a futile journey that would last until she
died trying. Mary’s conflict within
herself and her situation with her love interest tended to take over, where I
would have rather seen more of the physical obstacles that she struggled
against. Most of the things that she
faced in the environment on her journey were driven by the emotions she felt
inside of herself. It would have been
nice to have seen her act on her own instinct when the situation called for it.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth always asks what else could there be? Mary strives to answer that question as she
journeys to find what she’s always hoped was true. With a treacherous world and unanswered
questions, this book takes a dive into new territory. Join Mary, as she seeks more out of life, not
knowing what direction will lead her there in, The Forest of Hands and Teeth!
-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf…
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!
My signed copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth from Robyn Hawk at the Orange County Children's Book Festival! Thank you so much Robyn Hawk and Carrie Ryan!
Check out Carrie Ryan's website at www.carrieryan.com.
Wow, that sounds intense. I don't really like zombies so to think of Mary potentially challenging them in the book really takes a lot of courage, even to imagine it. Great job bringing out the uncertainty present in the book.
ReplyDeleteTB!!!!! I haven't commented in like, forever!!! How've ya been? :3 I read this book and was actually very impressed with it. You got it signed???? Too cool!!! XD Anyway, I just wanted to comment and also be the first commentor...(spell check?) Ha, ha! Bye!!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking forward to reading this one for a while now. I'm glad that it's good!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love zombies. :)
Thanks for the review!
I thought this series kept getting better with each book. The last book, The Dark and Hollow Places was one of my all time favourites.
ReplyDeleteGreat reviews!