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Monday 3 October 2011

***Review** The Forest Of Hands & Teeth by Carrie Ryan



Goodreads Synopsis:

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 about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?




My Review:

I read this book about a year ago, it is one of my all time favourite books.  The story has stayed with me - which is the sign of a great book.  I have raved about this book to my friends and none of them have said they didn't like it.  It may have taken some convincing for them to read a book with zombies in.  I too was very sceptical.  But this is not a gore fest book.  This book mainly looks upon the people who are trapped inside their world, with the zombies on the outside.

I must say when I first picked up this book I was a bit put off with the zombie theme. Zombies just freak me out, something to do with the rotting flesh and mindless moaning urrrggghh. But I have to say this book blew me away.   Totally absorbing and I read this in record time.  I will definitely read this book again and again.

The story follows Mary a girl who is part of a village fenced away from the unconsecrated - zombies. Mary's mother tells stories of an ocean far away where there is so much water it is beyond belief. Throughout her life Mary has dreamed of seeing this ocean. But the one thing that comes between her dreams is the Forest of Hands and Teeth which is full of the unconsecrated. Maybe there is no life in the world other than her own secured village, which is run by the Guardians and the Sisterhood. They are a poweful force who stop at nothing to secure the villages safety. But all is not as it seems............ 

I can highly recommend this book.  I have now read all of the books in the series and they are all just as good.  My only niggle is that a few loose ends were left between the first book and the second book Dead Tossed Waves.   

Cover: 5/5 - This is a simple but effective cover.  I love the contrasting colours.
Story: 5/5 - Top marks from me.  I can't rave enough about this book.

38 comments:

Catriona said...

Thank you so much for stopping by! I will return the favor and follow you back :)

I read this book just recently and really enjoyed it! Lovely review. I too, was a little skeptical to pick it up because of the zombies - not something I read too often, but I am so glad I did!

And thank you for letting me know about the button. I will have a look and try to fix it when I can get on a computer. What exactly didn't work, if you k ow? Was it the image or coding? Thanks!!

Catriona

Lecea said...

Great review! I was at first a bit disappointed with how the book ended, but then I read the sequels and loved the series :)
I guess there are no happy endings with zombie stories...

nodizzies said...

I love this book and the rest of the trilogy! I don't normally read zombie books but this book sounded so awesome, so I had to read it! I love the idea that Mary wants to see the ocean which represents something good for her. The love story in the book is so sad though :(. So heartbreaking!

Rea said...

I read this book in... September, I think. I'd heard so many great things about it that I couldn't wait to get my teeth into it. To begin with I found the story somewhat bland, and then they escaped into the corridor and I slowly started to hate it more and more until I entered what I term Jedvis rage. I felt that Mary was selfish to the point where she hurt everyone who loved her, and she was so blinded by her obsession with the ocean that... we're entering spoiler territory here. I wish the author had answered more questions about the Sisterhood in this book as I really don't want to read the sequels now. =(

Nedraw said...

I have this book somewhere in my TBR mountain. I'd actually forgotten about it. I did just finish reading another Zombie book, Rot & Ruin and loved it so I am going to go unearth The Forest and give it a go since I am now in the mood to read more Zombie books.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the review! I was a little hesitant about getting this book, but now I'll definitely be adding it to my TBR list!

Thanks for the giveaway & have a Happy New Year!

elizabeth @ bookattict . com

annejude said...

I have just finished this book and have to agree that The Forest of Hands and Teeth is unforgettable read.

Devony said...

Aack, I can't decide whether or not to read this one! It sounds amazing, but frankly, zombies and non-happy endings are not really my thing, so we'll have to see. Then again, I wasn't a vampire fan until Twilight came along. Maybe I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for your review!

Silvia said...

Fantastic review! I read this book in my native language yet, but this cover is much more beatiful! I hope, that will be able to read sequel in february - on my birthday! :)

Imel Cullen said...

I Like your Review,,, I've read The Forest Of Hands & Teeth by Carrie Ryan too.. I think that book makes me scary with the tense atmosphere...

Jewel said...

I was going to give this book a try after reading your review, however reading that the ending is sad is making me second guess reading it. So I've put The Forest Of Hands & Teeth on my maybe list. Thanks for your review. :)

Farah said...

Whoa. I've been meaning to read this book but I have already procrastinate for so long. I should start on it already! Great review!

Cayce said...

Thanks for the great review! Zombies are not my thing, I'm more a vampire girl, but this seems really interesting. I'll check it out :)

Miriam said...

Thank for the review ^_^ I loved the book even if it was scary and the ending is so sadi think.

Crystal said...

I've heard so much about this book but I haven't gotten a chance to read it. I'm moving this up on TBR list thanks for the review :-)

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great review! I have not started this series yet and I can't wait to. I normally don't read zombie books, but I really think I will like this series.

Lilydh14 said...

Thanks for the review! I tried this book last week, after many of my friends suggested it. I thought it was an okay book - kind of slow, and not too scary. When the sequel comes out, I'll think I'll give it a try though! :D

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I already had this book, but hadn't had a chance to read. Reading your review, I think I have to read it soon.

Great review :)

Lolawid said...

Ooohh, I have been intrigued by this book, but wasn't aware that there were zombies in it. Now I'm really going to have to pick it up! THanks!!

ChiKittie said...

Very nice review and I was put off too with the whole idea of reading a book about zombies but when I picked my first one up I fell in love with the type of books. I did not know this series was about zombies. I will have to try the first one.

- Beckie

The More the Merrier said...

I hadn't realized that this book was about zombies. I've read a few zombie books and they were really good so I think I'll give this one a try.
Great review!

IdentitySeeker said...

I've read a few reviews for this book before and very few have given this book any less than 5 out of 5 stars, so I'm keen to get started on this series as soon as I can. Although, I must admit that I've never read a book about zombies before. Thanks for sharing your thoughts:)

Sarah Bibi Setar

http://randomthoughtsofaconfusedadolescent.blogspot.com/

Sarah.S said...

I've been considering reading this book for a while now but haven't gotten around to it, I don't read many zombie books at all but you may have just convinced me to pick it up and give it go! Great review :)

Lilydh14 said...

Zombies! This book is wonderfully different from all the other YA Dystopians out there, and I loved it. Thanks for the great review, I agree with you 100%
:)

Unknown said...

Haha, I couldn't get over the fact that this book was zombie-themed either. But after hearing so much about it, I finally picked it up a few months ago and enjoyed it.

Rica said...

this books is on my tbr pile..i'll read this one soon.. :)

Certifible said...

This was an amazing book and I still think of it. Were you about to pick up the second one? I am looking forward to grabbing a copy.
I found myself lending it out and even dreaming about it.

Pabkins said...

I actually found Mary to be a selfish and self absorbed character - but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book as well. Though book 3 of the trilogy was my favorite.

Linda Henderson said...

I have been wondering about whether or not I would enjoy this book. I'm not a big zombie fan either. I may not buy it, but I may try the library for a copy. Thanks for the honest review.

Unknown said...

Great review. I have been debating on this one for a while. Perhaps I will give it a read!

Farah said...

I don't know about this one. I got mixed feelings about it. I'd probably read it though but in an ebook. Btw, great review!

Jasmine Rose said...

I seriously adore these books. They're amazing in the way that they can tell such beautiful stories in such an ugly and desolate world.

Gabrielle said...

Great review! I read this book a couple years ago and found it completely engrossing.

Meishuu said...

I did not enjoyed this book at all. While I found the premise interested on a basic level, the development of the plot and, most the characters, just felt flat to me; I found the writing simplistic and repetitive and the world building was just lazy.

Sarah Elizabeth said...

This book is an upcoming read at my book club and after reading your review I can wait! I have to say that I was a bit unsure about the zombie idea as well!

Anonymous said...

I definitely need to get my hands on this - it sounds wonderful! I love how passionate you are in this review too :)

Suz Reads said...

Great review! I have never read a book about zombies but after reading your comments, I might start with this one! I like a book that stays with you even after you're done reading so this definitely sounds perfect for me! Thanks for the info!

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