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

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Discussion leader: Amy (DemonKittie)

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Jan 28, 2011 Ashlie rated it really liked it

This story made me ache, hurt, love, then hurt again! At first I felt annoyed at Mary's guilt, but then I felt sad for her. It was so depressing that she blamed herself for so much; the weight of the world, or at least the survival of certain people, was literally placed on her shoulders, yet so much of it was out of her control. I know I'm probably making this story seem disheartening, and a lot of it is very sad, but there were moments of happiness, however fleeting, that I did smile through. This story made me ache, hurt, love, then hurt again! At first I felt annoyed at Mary's guilt, but then I felt sad for her. It was so depressing that she blamed herself for so much; the weight of the world, or at least the survival of certain people, was literally placed on her shoulders, yet so much of it was out of her control. I know I'm probably making this story seem disheartening, and a lot of it is very sad, but there were moments of happiness, however fleeting, that I did smile through.

There IS hope through the jumbled-apocalyptic mess. Mary is a dreamer, and this is almost an antagonist trait throughout the entirety of the book. Her dream of seeing the ocean, which she can't even be sure really exists, drives her forward, with or without friends or family. She hopes that it's there because she believes that her mother wouldn't lie to her about it. She saw how her other settled for their life in the village and knows that her mother must have wanted more for her children. Despite her struggles with disbelief in God, Mary has faith that her mother was passing the truth to her through stories of the ocean. Mary has faith that she can and will get to that ocean, and she has faith that life should be about love, not simply about commitment to ensure survival.

At first I thought Mary was batpoop crazy! I just didn't connect with her. At certain parts I was like, just take what you get and be happy that you're surviving! But the character keeps pushing, and pushing, and pushing until finally forbidden boundaries are crossed and it's too late to turn back. At that point, you're already involved and you have to keep going. It was then that I started feeling empathy towards Mary. This story isn't just a love triangle, its a love square (is that even a term?): Travis and his brother Harry both love Mary, but Cass (Mary's best friend) loves Harry, and at one time, Travis. It can get kind of confusing without reading the book.
Ryan writes intense internal dialogue for Mary, and through it the reader can really experience the forest. It made me feel so aware of the surroundings in the story, as if I were a part of it. It didn't just stop there though, while I was able to escape into the forest with the group, I felt in tune with Mary's thoughts, as if I knew what she was thinking. Her thoughts were predictable in a good way, because even if you knew what would happen, it doesn't mean you would like the decision Mary would make about it. The slight anxiety the choices make you feel is exciting.

I loved this book, It's so realistic. It really felt as if it could be you and your brother, losing your parents to the Unconsecrated. When we think of zombies, we typically think of droning, dragging dead-well, undead things, which is how we could classify the Unconsecrated in the forest, but you think of those who haven't turned yet fighting them back with guns and crazy automatic weapons. The Forest of Hands & Teeth has a vintage, old, decaying, barely-living feeling (even among the living) which makes you think of a 7-dwarves-esque village gone bad. I could totally picture this happening in Snow White's neighborhood.

You can see that this story is just a beginning. I can't wait to be filled in on the rest. It was so smartly written, and the mystery that surrounds everything is captivating. So much feels old in the story, and you're overwhelmed by all the carnage that you forget that Mary has to rebuild her own life still; her character is still being shaped by her experiences and by those that are still to come. This alone is hopeful.

One of the things that still really irritates me though is the Sisterhood and all their secrets. They know so much more than they let on, and instead of education people so that can ensure that the right precautions are taken, they keep everyone in the dark, "pulling-rank," if you will, so that the people don't rebel. It's like gripping a fistful of sand: the tighter you grip it, the more that slips through your fingers. No one can be fooled forever. Now I just want to know exactly how the Sisterhood is fooling everyone. I hope at the end of the series I feel like the secrecy was worth the wait.
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Feb 16, 2011 Cherrylea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 6-out-of-5

This was amazing. I'm now an official fan, a huge one at that.
The writing style is excellent in this book. Not only are the flow of the words consistent and enticing, but the content, the plot, is superior. The world they live in, trapped in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, makes for a thrilling story, one that pulled me in and had me crying until the end. Because, in a world surrounded by dead, happiness is short-found. Mary, our main character, finds happiness though, only to have it torn away b This was amazing. I'm now an official fan, a huge one at that.
The writing style is excellent in this book. Not only are the flow of the words consistent and enticing, but the content, the plot, is superior. The world they live in, trapped in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, makes for a thrilling story, one that pulled me in and had me crying until the end. Because, in a world surrounded by dead, happiness is short-found. Mary, our main character, finds happiness though, only to have it torn away by the Unconsecrated, or really zombies. The characters are so well developed in this book. Mary has grown up in a horrible world, and all she could hold on to were her dreams. Throughout the book, her dreams were above all else. The two brothers who loved her were second, and though she did love Travis, they knew he would never be enough. Only the ocean could satisfy her. Through it all this is Mary's driving force, through all the grief and heartbreak, terror and violence. Mary's journey is chronicled so well, as she learns about her friends, her world, and herself. A beautiful story, despite the pain.
I have a few other comments, about the rest of the book, but the more gushy, drama parts (not that there are much, I'm holding on to the few pages I got): (view spoiler) I read Monsters of Men (Patrick Ness) recently, and in the end, I was seriously upset. I always thought that good books, especially with that serious factor, had semisweet endings, usually involving death with someone important. However sad I was, it was the right thing. Then, when I read the end of Monsters of Men, I changed my mind. Good books didn't need death, especially with important people. No, no, no. Just no. But, again, I'm changing my mind with this book. Perhaps, death can only be decided by the author. If it happens, it happens, right? And if it doesn't, it doesn't, We can't decided in real life, why can we judge in stories?
So, I'd say this book is for older middle schoolers and highschoolers. Oh, and if you didn't catch on from my rant before, then I'll say it clearly: don't read if you don't like unhappy endings. There's a sequel, but I'm not sure how much better it can get (Mary's situation, I mean). Or worse. But, one thing's for sure - it's going to be as amazing as this book, and I'm going to get it right now, like you should be getting this book. ...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Sandra "Jeanz" rated it it was ok

This is a dystopian style fantasy, and is quite different to anything else I have read. I suppose some would call the Unconsecrated "zombies" but they are not the typical movie zombies you come across. You learn that these unconsecrated had previous lives and who they were, what they lost upon becoming unconsecrated.
I found the book hard reading initially book eventually did enjoy the book, in fact I wanted to read the second book in the series straight away. There are patches in the book where ...more

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Jan 29, 2011 Kasey rated it really liked it

Now if this book gets made into a movie I would be biting my nails off and jumping out of my seat. Its this crazy horror of a ride that you do not want to get off of. Generally I’m hesitant to pick up a zombie book but I was happy that I did. It does remind me of the movie The Village but with way better twist and a lot more action. I did have a hard time liking Mary at first but she did grow on me a little by the end. My sister said she liked the next book even better so I can’t wait to dig int ...more

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