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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Forest of Hands and Teeth


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, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.

Now 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 by so much death?

First off, does anyone else think "Jennifer Love Hewitt" when they see this version of the cover?  That's who immediately  comes to mind for me. 

I've developed such a love of YA dystopian.  I don't even know where it came from, probably Stephen King.  I think he's responsible for all us 30-somethings that love these books so much.  Back when we were little tykes we didn't have much in the way of YA so we were reading stuff like Stephen King at a very young age and had our impressionable minds warped and twisted (in such a delightful way).

I thought this book was fairly decent.  I tore through it in about a day so it must have been good.  I read it as part of my "It's my birthday I can read what I want to" weekend.  When I was done, I immediately returned it to the library and put a hold on The Dead Tossed Waves. 

My only issue with this book, was the relationship with Mary to the love interests.  The whole brother swapping thing and throwing her best friend in there was not complicated, but brow-furrowing maybe?  A head scratcher.  I guess it just added some drama to the story.

If you aren't familiar with this series, this is the first book.  The Dead Tossed Waves is next and the third book is called The Dark and Hollow Places and it'll be released March 2011.

6 comments:

Falcata Times said...

I read this one a while ago and thought that it was a pretty good title, I've been looking forward to the second which thankfully is not that far away now.

Great blog and will continue to visit.

ParaJunkee said...

That whole relationship thing was interesting. I really didn't see any real deep feelings in Mary at all. I did love this book, the concept the intensity and the innocence. But I think Mary was a really confused person and didn't understand her own emotions so it translated into a what was kind of perceived as selfish and odd behavior.

I totally understand what you mean about the Stephen King thing. Reading The Stand in 6th grade might have warped me a bit ;)

brandileigh2003 said...

I didn't know quite what to make of the relationships either. I mean, I couldnt decide if she was looking after herself or just plain being selfish.

Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

Danielle Zappavigna said...

You know I think that is so true what you say about Stephen King warping my mind. He is pretty much all I read when I was 15 (and Virginia Andrews!), and I still consider him one of my top 5 fave authors. I really loved this book but was a little disappointed by TDTW. I did like it, but wished it was closer in tone to TFHAT.

Heather said...

I agree with having issues with her relationships with the boys. Honestly, I thought Mary's most intense relationship was with herself.

Thanks for the review!!!

Unknown said...

I like this book but the main character really annoyed me. :)