Title: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Author: Carrie Ryan

Publisher: Delacorte Press 2009

Genre: Young Adult, Zombies

Pages: 310

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; May Read and Review; Zombies

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?

Wow!  I am so in awe of this book.  A story of faith, hope, loss, dreams, terror.  I practically read it in one sitting.  I would have if I didn't have to do things like sleep, eat, shower, and take care of my children.  As it was, it took me two days to finish.  I couldn't get through the pages fast enough.

My mother used to tell me about the ocean.  She said there was a plcace where there was nothing but water as fara as you could see and that iw as always moving, rushing toward you and then away.

The first line hooked me.  I hadn't been told what happened or who the characters were, but I knew this was going to be a story of hope and loss.  And the book didn't fail to disappoint.  This was one of those books where I put myself completely into the world, into the main character.  I was Mary sitting in her village wondering, dreaming of the ocean.  What was it like?  Where was it?  Was it just fleeting dream?  What would it mean to leave the safety of the village?  Then I continued with Mary's journey, while the safety of the village is compromised, when her faith in her family is tested, where she goes after.  I couldn't wait to find out if she was safe or still in danger.

The novel creates this moody atmosphere.  The forest is a living thing and not only because it is home to the Unconsecrated.  It's also a breathing entity surround the village and subsequent areas.  It seems neverending, always there, always growing.  I loved stepping into Ryan's world.

I now see why everyone in the blogosphere was raving about this book.  It has earned a place in my Top 10 of 2011.  Thankfully I picked up the next book, The Dead-Tossed Waves, so I can dive into it tonight.  The book had such an affect on me that it invaded my dreams.  I woke up last night out of a dream and felt inspired to write.  The resulting story will appear on Friday.  Tell me what you think about.  Until then, I am off to finish the chores o the night so I can get back to reading.

Forest of Hands and Teeth

• #0.4 What We Once Feared
• #0.5 Hare Moon
• #1 The Forest of Hands and Teeth
• #2 The Dead-Tossed Waves
• #3 The Dark and Hollow Places
• #3.5 The Dead and Empty World