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Description edit see section history

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,... read more

Summary edit see section history

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,... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

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?

Characters edit see section history

Show all 57 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “I want to sleep, I want dreams to pull me from this world and make me forget. To stop the memories from swirling around me. To put an end to this ache that consumes me.”

Setting & Locations edit see section history

The Village,The Ocean,The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Organizations edit see section history

  • The Sisterhood: A religious order that controls the village where the greater part of the book resides.
  • Guardians: Chosen men of the Village in charge of keeping fences repaired. Under orders of the Sisterhood.

First Sentence edit see section history

My mother used to tell me about the ocean.

Table of Contents edit see section history

I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
XVIII
XIX
XX
XXI
XXII
XXIII
XXIV
XXV
XXVI
XXVII
XXVIII
XXIX
XXX
XXXI
XXXII
XXXIII
XXXIV
XXXV
XXXVI
Acknowledgements

Glossary edit see section history

  • The Unconsecrated: The undead that restlessly hunt living humans. Also considered to be zombies. The definition of unconsecrated is unholy.
  • The Sisterhood: The Nuns who appear to run the village and the cathedral
  • Modo: Unconsecrated. Definition of modo means speachless.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 5 in The Forest of Hands and Teeth. (standard series)

Preceded by Hare Moon, and followed by The Dead-Tossed Waves.

This book is in Tayshas List (2010). (authoritative list)
This book is in 2011-2012 Iowa High School Book Award. (authoritative list)
This book is in 2013 Iowa High School Battle of the Books. (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Carrie Ryan (Author)
  2. Carrie Ryan (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Gollancz
Country: England
Publication Date: March 10, 2009
ISBN: 0575090847
Page Count: 320

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PZ7.R9478For 2009
  • Dewey: Teen RYAN

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Some kissing but nothing more. Most notable is frequent mentions of death, some decapatation and descriptions of zombies, though none seriously graphic.

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

  • Carrie Ryan: Author's site. MUCH praise for the book.

Movie Connections edit see section history

  • The Forest of Hands and Teeth (IMDb): 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.

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • The Dead-Tossed Waves
  • Generation Dead
  • Tithe
  • The Dark and Hollow Places

Books That Influenced This Book edit see section history

   
  • The Zombie Survival Guide

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