My Review: THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan

THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I decided to buy THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan, simply because of all the talk it was receiving on Twitter.  Everyone was tweeting that this was a "must read"...and this went on, for several days.  So I bought it, along with it's sequel, THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES.  And I have to say, I'm so glad that I did.


THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, is a story about a teenage girl named Mary and the village she lives in, in what is now the post-apocalyptic United States.  The world as we know it, has been taken over by the Unconsecrated - the human-turned-zombie beings, that are hungry for the flesh of those that are uninfected.  And Mary's walled village is the only home the younger generations have ever known - and the walls keep them protected from the Unconsecrated that roam the forest around them.  The forest of hands and teeth.


They've never been outside the gates - never stood amongst the tall buildings of a city, or flown in an airplane, or been to the ocean.  They only know of the tales they've been told - stories passed down from generations before them - that describe what once was.  But to most of them now, these stories seem like make believe - the fictional ramblings of their elders...except to Mary.


Mary believes all the stories her Mother has shared with her - and she dreams of one day seeing the ocean.  She knows that there's something more outside the walls of her village.  But when Mary's own Mother contracts the deadly infection and is released outside the walls of her village, she then discovers the horrifying role played by the Sisterhood, a religious order of women in charge of protecting the people of her village.


Forced into a life she never wanted with the Sisterhood and betrothed to a man she isn't in love with, Mary's salvation comes, the day the barriers of her village are breached.  She narrowly escapes into the gated trails with Harry, the man she was to marry, his brother Travis...the man she truly is in love with - and her best friend, who was assigned to marry Travis.


Together they navigate the gated trails, searching for signs of other villages, other life...for anything other than the Unconsecrated that moan and thrash at the fences that surround them.  Her determination and strong beliefs of her Mother's stories, is what forces Mary to push them all forward...forward through the forest of hands and teeth, to what lies beyond.


Ryan does an amazing job telling a gripping story of survival, loyalty, and the overwhelming courage it takes to persevere.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, so much so, that I even have my husband - who 1.) isn't really a reader and 2.) usually only prefers Dean Koontz - reading this book...and he's enjoying it just as much as I did.


My review of THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES, will follow shortly - and I can't wait for the third and final installment of the trilogy, THE DARK AND HOLLOW PLACES, to come out in early Spring of 2011.


Kudos to Carrie Ryan for her fantastic story-telling.  I can't wait to read what else she turns out.


If you'd like more information on Carrie Ryan, please see her web page:  http://www.carrieryan.com/


She can also be found on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/carrieryan


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Check out the YouTube book trailer of THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan:

My Review: CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins

CATCHING FIRE, by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think Suzanne Collins has achieved something very rare, with her second installment in The Hunger Games series.  In Catching Fire, she wrote a darker sequel that used the strength of a great platform from book #1...and yet managed to expand her writing into an amazing tale that I simply couldn’t put down.  This book was just as addicting - if not more - than The Hunger Games.  

Catching Fire starts after Katniss and Peeta’s shocking double victory in the 74th Hunger Games of Panem, where they are taken back to their homes in District 12.  However, they have very little time to themselves before they're expected to participate in their Victory Tour - were the two will be whisked away by their stylists, designers, and Haymitch and Effie - and forced to visit each of the districts, in a drawn out celebration of their survival.

But that's just the beginning of the story, as Collins unfolds scene after scene in the varying districts they visit – full of crowds that aren't trying to fake a happiness that simply isn’t there.  Many speculate how Katniss and Peeta were manipulated during the Games by all those involved.  And most of them struggle with the urge to resist the Capital – knowing that this will only win them, a very public death.  The unsuccessful rebellion 75 years prior is a constant reminder.  

Catching Fire brings more history behind Panem - and along with it, the constant fears of District 12 that have not at all been alleviated by Katniss and Peeta’s victory in the Games.  President Snow is enraged by Katniss’ rebellious tactics that challenge everything he exists to enforce.  He even decides to make a personal visit – and makes it clear, that he will destroy anything and everything that she loves, if she doesn’t comply.  And suddenly the District is inundated with dozens of new Peacekeepers, instructed to take over the lax law enforcement that currently exists.  Security is tightened, the electric fence that has surrounded their district without electricity for years, has been turned on - and they are making public demonstrations with those that disobey.

What’s worse, is that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the districts’ defeat - and brings with it, the third Quarter Quell: a quarter century celebration that mixes the yearly Game, into a twisted form of itself.  It’s more brutal and callous than ever, as the Capital forces the reminder onto its patrons that all districts, are beneath them.  But this year, the twist is even more terrifying than it’s ever been before.  President Snow announces that as a reminder to all of the rebels within each District, not even the strongest among them can overcome the power of the Capital.  As a result, the male and female tributes selected for the 75th Hunger Games, will all be reaped from their existing pool of victors.  And since District 12 has only had 3 victors, one female and two males – this means that Katniss will again, be fighting for her life.

Just when I thought Catching Fire couldn't possibly hold everything within its 391 pages, Collins manages to push the envelope even further, up to the very end.  She adds a condensed version of the Hunger Games, in the last third of the book – not pausing for a moment, to let readers believe that she will simply just repeat what worked for her in The Hunger Games.  Why I even questioned this at all, is beyond me.  

The constant threats of the Capitol, and the ease in which they demonstrate their control, was a continuous source of paranoia in the first book – and Collins doesn’t disappoint in bringing that forward into Catching Fire.  It’s evident throughout the story, as the Capital publically punishes those that have disobeyed – even in circumstances from many years prior.  It’s no different for the rebels of District 12, where Peacekeepers have set fire to buildings, destroying them - and have even resorted to diminishing their food supply.  But all of the districts suffer under Katniss and Peeta’s victory – even if they internally rejoice in the couple’s single act of rebellion against the Capital – fueling their belief for a better future.

I am amazed how Collins has added even more complications to the plot, not to mention, several morally-troubling alliances for Katniss in the Games.  In short, Catching Fire brings every agonizing twist and turn that The Hunger Games presented, plus a million more.

There’s so much to this story - and I felt both exhausted and exhilarated up to the very last page. Every single one of the characters has easily earned their reason to be included – and they each offer their own unique voice to the story.  This was simply, writing at its best.

I can count on one hand, the number of truly remarkable authors that I have managed to find, in the 30+ years I’ve been reading.  Suzanne Collins has just made that list.  Trust me, The Hunger Games is a definite must read – and its sequel, Catching Fire, will not disappoint.

Now, what to read while I await the third and final installment to The Hunger Games series – Mockingjay - which doesn’t come out for another two months?  Guess I’ll just read them both, again.

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My Review: THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing, amazing, amazing read!

This was a fabulous book - and Suzanne Collins did an incredible job at keeping me mesmerized page after page.  I simply couldn't put it down - and devoured it in less than a day!  And I knew immediately, that I would recommendation this to ANYONE, looking for a great YA novel.

The Story Line: in a not-sure-when distant future, Katniss Everdeen, is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister Prim, in the poorest district of Panem (District 12) - the remnants of what used be the United States.  Well before her time, there were 13 districts across the country - but they all waged war against the Capital...and they lost.  And the 13th district was obliterated.

Now, as part of the surrender terms - and to show that the Capital is more in control than ever - each of the 12 remaining districts are forced to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18, to appear in an annual televised event called, The Hunger Games.  And all districts select these two individuals, by form of a lottery.

In a game of kill or be killed - each year the terms are different and undisclosed to those participating.  Constantly changing terrain - which can be anything from the desert to the ocean - along with new and updated rules, are all a part of the games.  But the worst, is not knowing the skill level of the other 23 chosen - all of which, who have only one thing on their minds:  to be the last one standing, no matter what.

For the year of the 74th games, things change for Katniss and her family, when her 12 year-old sister Prim is randomly chosen by the  lottery.  In an effort to save her sister and protect her family, Katniss steps up to take her place.  And finds herself participating in the ultimate reality TV show - a fight to the death against 23 other kids.

With some romance, and a little humor thrown in amongst the carnage - all in all, Collins' first book of the Hunger Games series, is simply unforgettable.  A definite must read, hands down.
The only thing I can say about being so far behind on reading this series, is that I also bought Catching Fire at the same time (and Mockingjay will be out in a month and a half), so I don't have to wait long to read all of them.

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My Review: THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I have to say, the first few chapters were a little slow to start - but once it got moving, I rather liked the pace.  I also thought some of the "new" language that the author created, was a little awkward at first...but then I got used to it, and I liked seeing how the MC started to fit in, by using it. I did feel that the author did a decent job of explaining the story, while still leaving openings for the readers imagination. 

I rather enjoyed this book, along with the cliff hanger - which at 2:30am when I finished it, made me think, "Really? Are you kidding me?". Which is exactly what the author should make you feel, to make you want to read more. I will for sure, read the sequel. While it wasn't my absolute favorite, I still felt it was thoroughly entertaining.


James can be found on twitter:  @jamesdashner
He also has a blog:  http://jamesdashner.blogspot.com/
 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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