The Forest of Hands and Teeth

by Carrie Ryan
The Forest of Hands and Teeth cover
Good Books rating 3.73
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 4970
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780575090873
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2009-07-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Mary lives in a village protected by a fence from the Unconsecrated, the undead that roam the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Her world is governed by the Sisterhood and Guardians, but as truths unravel and the fence is breached, she must face the horrors beyond and question everything she knows. The novel is praised for its suspenseful narrative and evocative writing, blending horror, romance, and fantasy in a post-apocalyptic setting. Readers have compared it to The Hunger Games for its compelling characters and gripping storytelling, making it a must-read for fans of dystopian and horror genres. The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a haunting exploration of survival, love, and the lengths one will go to for freedom. Mary's journey is filled with tension and emotional depth, as she navigates the dangers of her world and the secrets that threaten to destroy it. The novel's unique take on the zombie genre, combined with its lyrical prose, has captivated readers of all ages, making it a standout in young adult and adult fiction alike.

Reviews
The Bookbag · Loralei Haylock · 2025-10-22
enjoyed 4.50

The reviewer praised the book's exploration of dark themes and its well-built world. They found it to be a gripping and thought-provoking read.

Loralei Haylock really enjoyed 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth'. They were particularly impressed with the book's exploration of dark themes like the barbarism of the human race and the horrors of a zombie apocalypse. They also praised the author's world-building, which they found to be very well done. The reviewer noted that the book kept their interest throughout and left them with a lot to think about. They found the characters to be well-developed and the plot to be engaging.

Quick quotes

    From zombie children to the barbarism of the human race, Ryan explores her post-apocalyptic world with a deft hand.

    The world was horrific and very well built by the author.

    The book kept my interest throughout and left me with a lot to think about.

Amazon · 2025-10-22
impressed 4.10

The reviewer found the book both moving and terrifying, standing out among similar post-apocalyptic zombie tales. They praised its unique perspective and emotional depth.

This reviewer was really impressed by 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth'. They found it to be both moving and terrifying, shining like a torch through the haze of similar but inferior post-apocalyptic zombie tales. They appreciated the unique perspective and emotional depth that the author brought to the story. The reviewer also noted that the book's exploration of themes like love and survival made it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    Both moving and terrifying, 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' shines like a torch through the haze of similar though inferior post-apocalyptic zombie tales.

    The book's exploration of themes like love and survival made it a standout in the genre.

    The author's unique perspective and emotional depth brought a fresh take to the post-apocalyptic zombie tale.

Goodreads · 2025-10-22
disappointed 1.80

The reviewer found the writing style disappointing and disliked the present tense narrative. They felt the premise was great but the execution fell short.

The reviewer was really looking forward to this book due to its great premise and rave reviews, but unfortunately, they were left disappointed. The main issue they had was with the writing style, particularly the use of present tense, which they found off-putting. They also felt that the plot was thin and the characters lacked depth. Despite these criticisms, they acknowledged that the book had some interesting ideas and could be enjoyable for fans of the genre.

Quick quotes

    Great premise, rave reviews. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

    First of all, I truly disliked the writing style.

    Present tense writing can do wonders in the right hands, but this is not one of those cases.

app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22
excellent 4.50

The reviewer is a fan of dystopian and post-apocalyptic media and found the Silo Trilogy to be a gripping and satisfying read. They praised the first book, Wool, for its well-written and intricate story, and the final book, Dust, for its perfect conclusion.

The reviewer is drawn to dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories, and the Silo Trilogy did not disappoint. They found the first book, Wool, to be thoroughly gripping and well-written, with fully fleshed-out characters and a nuanced story. The second book, Shift, was a bit choppy but revealed more about the creation of the Silo. The final book, Dust, brought everything together in a satisfying conclusion that left room for thought and discussion. The reviewer finished Dust in three days and would devour more books in this world.

Quick quotes

    I’m a fan of a good dystopia. I love apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic media from films like _Mad Max_, and the recent, truly stunning [_These Final Hours_].

    _Wool_ tells the story, first, of Holston, a sheriff in the Silo, the last remaining vestige of a society long since destroyed.

    _Dust_ is, quite simply, the perfect conclusion. It brings together all the characters you’ve grown to love, and the ones you hate with venom, exposes the truths about the world in which these people live, and brings it all to a satisfying close while leaving room for examination, thought, and discussion.

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