From the Bookshelf of YA Apocalyptic and Dystopian Fiction…

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)

Carrie Ryan

Start date: July 1, 2016

Finish date: July 31, 2016

Discussion: Monthly Book Discussions

Discussion leader: Amy (DemonKittie)

Why we're reading this: July 2016 BOTM
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Jun 08, 2010 Steph rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2011, reviewed

I finally sat down to read this book after seeing it recommended several times in various literary forums. The concept intrigued me, and it was just one of those books I'd always meant to pick up, but never quite got around to. What's worse than finally sitting down with a highly anticipated book only to find yourself disappointed? I devoured the book, eager to see what happened next, but only because I thought it must get better and that I had to be missing something.

My main problem with this b I finally sat down to read this book after seeing it recommended several times in various literary forums. The concept intrigued me, and it was just one of those books I'd always meant to pick up, but never quite got around to. What's worse than finally sitting down with a highly anticipated book only to find yourself disappointed? I devoured the book, eager to see what happened next, but only because I thought it must get better and that I had to be missing something.

My main problem with this book were the characters or lack thereof. Mary's voice was grating. She seemed to have only two sides to her personality, as she was consumed by both Travis and the ocean to the point of almost seeming inhuman. In the end, after all of the melodrama, her moments of bravery seemed more insanity than anything else. We are never given any real reason as to why she loves Travis to such a degree, and like many of the other characters he is given only moments of character development toward the end. He spends much of the novel faceless and as not much more than a prop for Mary to focus on and cling to.

Cass is never fleshed out much either. We are told she was once a sunny happy person but we never see it. I feel her development as a character would have been far more fulfilling if we had.

Another thing that irked me was the lack of exploration into the Sisterhood. The beginning of the novel held a very gothic feel to it that I really enjoyed. I expected Mary to stumble upon more within the Cathedral walls.

The setting was certainly very chilling and well done. I was reminded of the movie The Village. There was also a sadness surrounding the whole book that put in my mind the wonderful book Never Let Me Go where the characters are also so without choices.

Unfortunately, I am not yet sure whether or not I will be reading book two. I've heard great things about this series and would love to continue, but since the second book is more of a companion novel, I fear it will not provide me with anything that I felt the first book lacked. I may be wrong. Perhaps I'll see one day. ...more

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Jul 16, 2013 Sara rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013, dystopian, women-authors

Great quick read with suspenseful action in all the right spots. Would recommend to dystopian zombie loving folks!

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Apr 27, 2012 Tiffany rated it really liked it

A unique and well-written zombie tale

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Mar 26, 2010 Akaye rated it liked it

Apr 04, 2010 Amy rated it liked it

Shelves: library

Sep 07, 2010 KaSonndra Leigh rated it really liked it

Oct 25, 2010 Amanda rated it really liked it

Jan 29, 2011 Paula Williams rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Feb 20, 2011 Books_the_Magical_Fruit rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopia, horror, thriller, post-apocalyptic, books-i-own, ya-dystopia, ya-science-fiction, zombie-horror, next-series-to-read, own-in-paperback